Jules Kammann is Vice President of People & Culture at The Beatport Group.
It’s no secret that the music industry is one of the most exciting and dynamic fields to work in. But it can also feel like one of the most competitive. Whether you’re into events, music curation, A&R or marketing, there are three main things I’ve noticed successful candidates have in common, that really help them land the offer.
Tip 1: Community – Building your network
Surrounding yourself with people who share your interests/goals can open opportunities in the space you want to be in. Community – however you define it – matters.The more you engage with the scene, create your own opportunities and keep on learning, the more likely you are to encounter that all-important moment, be it a person, a post or something totally unexpected.
So, be proactive: go to conferences (IMS is a big moment, FYI), album launches, first gigs, comeback concerts – anything that makes sense to you. If you’re geographically challenged, digital spaces (like forums, groups and online communities) can be just as valuable. Otherwise, there’s also LinkedIn, where you can engage with industry professionals and gain insight into their work.
Tip 2: Create, Build and Grow
Nowadays, candidates aren’t just dropping a resume and waiting for an answer. Instead, they’re building independently and pitching themselves. So if you want to work in A&R, say, showcase your taste by curating charts or playlists. If you love marketing, help a creative build their social media presence or plan their next project (and nurture your own community in doing so). Showing this kind of proof of concept before an interview will make you stand out over candidates who just wait for a response.
Tip 3: Know the business
A passion for music is important, and at Beatport, we’ve hired talent who know the scene. But passion alone isn’t always enough.
The people who get ahead have an understanding of the industry. From TikTok’s music licensing model change and its impact on artists and labels to other discussions about royalties, distribution and so more, showing awareness of business trends, developments and hot topics can certainly help you stand out.
Passiveness can hold you back. In interviews, it can be quite obvious when someone hasn’t taken the time to research the company or its culture. So even if you’re an excellent candidate and amazing on paper, those prepared with questions, a good cover letter and talking points will likely move ahead. Curiosity is rewarded, but to ask good questions, you need to do the research first.
As an industry example, Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun started as an intern. His understanding of music trends and industry helped him climb through the ranks. Wherever you start, business understanding and knowledge stemming from true curiosity will open doors you may not even know existed.
