Mar 25 2005
Local Area Cell Number
As someone who has done plenty of hiring (and the occasional firing) in the music biz, let me give you a tip that is much more valuable than you might think.
If you are looking to get a job in the biz – behind the scenes, as an artist, whatever – and you are not from the area of your job search (Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, etc.) get a cell phone from a local area code.
Seriously.
When we review resumes and see an area code from a different area, a red flag pops up. A few questions come to mind – Is this person’s home base in that other area? Are they only fully moving out here if they get a job? If their home base is out here, why haven’t they changed numbers? What is the capital of Zaire?
Okay maybe that last one is just me. But the point is this – your mission in applying for a job is to present as many reasons as possible to convince this person to call you and bring you in for an interview. Something as simple as a non-local phone number can make a huge difference, as there will most likely be qualified people in the immediate area, which ultimately will be less work and potential headache for the person doing the hiring.
The little things really can make a difference, for both better and worse.
‘Nice one, Jason, sir.
However, doesn’t it cost an arm, a leg and maybe a wind-pipe to obtain a ‘non-local’ area code as you mention in this Blog?
I lived in Nashville, and much of what you offer is true, however, I am now a memeber of the Film Music Network, which means that I live in Texas, but submit songs to mostly, Movie makers in the Hollywood-L.A. areas, so would this situation of ‘submitting’ music also apply?
Thanks for your Blog and if you would address my questions, I’d be grateful.
Jason Leigh, of Greywolf, the Band.
Hi Jason, thanks for the comments and questions.
In your situation, I don’t feel it is an issue. I am referring more so to people looking to get a job at a record label, in a recording studio, etc. in one of the big cities. People already in the target city, but with a phone number in another location. So, pricewise, it is just getting a local cell phone.
As an artist, I don’t think it hurts either, but is surely not essential. And in your case, as someone servicing music for placement in movies, I think it is almost completely irrelevant. Movie makers are far more concerned about finding the exact piece of music for their scene. It’s people in Human Resources at record labels for example that this matters to.
Thanks again, and please spread the word about the blog!
Best,
Jason
Kinshasa…….is the capital of Zaire. But yeah, just got a chance to check out the blog. Good Stuff, Tis’ Bookmarked.
I’ll second this one, even when it comes to just internships, I’m more likely to pull an intern that is close, because when they run late, they are still close. Ontop of that, if an emergancy pops up and I try to have them come in, it wont take them forever.
There is something to say for ppl who will travel long distances for an internship, one of my best came from penn state for a summer internship. But that is rare, and of course we couldn’t really send her home.
Good information to know. Really interesting blog too. I’m graduating from college in a few weeks and looking to move out to L.A., but I currently live in Delaware. I’ve applied for a lot of jobs, but I’ve gotten some responses that go along with what you said pretty much. A lot of companies don’t want to do phone interviews, etc. I guess that putting in the cover letter that I’m planning on moving definitely on such and such a date may help?
Hi Lisa –
Putting a definite move date on the cover letter and resume could potentially help a great deal. If you know for a fact you are moving on June 10th for example, recruiters know that any time after that they can schedule something with you and not have to worry about where you are, when you will be in town, etc… It can make the difference between a callback and nothing.
However, I will say – your odds increase 1000% if you submit a resume/cover letter with local info – i.e. the day you actually have local contact info. But the way discussed above is most definitely better than being completely out of town with a move contingent on a job. That’s a 1 in a million chance in this biz until you are specifically in demand.