Kenysha Bartee is Senior Vice President, People & Culture, at SoundExchange. The only organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of 700,000 creators and growing. It also pays out over a billion dollars each year to performers and rightsholders.
Below, as part of Music Business Jobs’ Career Advice section, Bartee offers three invaluable tips for job seekers looking for their big break in the music industry…
The music industry is dynamic and competitive, yet it is also expansive, encompassing many types of businesses, so you don’t have to be a creative to be successful.
The key is being proficient in your area of expertise and having the intellectual curiosity to develop and adapt. As with any industry, acing the interview process is a critical step.
Your well-crafted resume (or well-connected network) got you on stage, now what will you do when you’re handed the mic?
Tip 1: Know the Company
Your desire is not enough to get hired, so thoroughly and intentionally research the company before an interview so you can express why it is a place worthy of your talents. Understand the Mission, Vision, and Values as organizational guideposts and how they align with your aspirations.
Your desire is not enough to get hired, so thoroughly and intentionally research the company before an interview.
News and social media posts are a primary resource to understand how the company is portrayed publicly, notable employees and partnerships, and any sustainability, philanthropy, or community impact efforts.
Compare and contrast your abilities with what is relevant for the company, have insights to share during the interview, and be ready to express how you can contribute to the company direction.
Tip 2: Build a Connection
Ensure each interaction is meaningful, conversational, and engaging. Show interviewers what it will be like to sit in a meeting with you or collaborate on a project.
Prior to your interview, it will be important to leverage your network. Set up a chat with anyone has worked for or is familiar with the company to gain insight on culture, work-life integration, company structure, benefits, and work-perks. During the interview, discuss workplace trends like AI, hybrid working, or how something you’ve learned through research is impacting the company. Inquire about what behaviors are core to being successful in the role and share how you embody those traits.
During the interview, discuss workplace trends like AI, hybrid working, or how something you’ve learned through research is impacting the company.
It is also important to prepare separate questions for each interviewer. This allows you to get many of your questions answered without being repetitive and can set you apart from cookie-cutter candidates.
After the interview, send a thank you email, including a few key aspects of the interview that you found intriguing. This not only demonstrates professional courtesy, but also active engagement in the process.
Tip 3: Be Confident
Preparation and agility breeds confidence. Just as an artist spends an infinite amount of time practicing, you should have an expert command of your resume and past experiences that have shaped your career.
Create a list of potential questions and practice giving succinct, yet conversational, responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a guide.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a guide.
Given the pace of change, be open to expanding your skillset and ready to take on new challenges. Express this openness during the interview, staying true to who you are now, but leaving the door open for meaningful opportunities to learn and grow in the future.
By building a connection, thoroughly researching the company, and interacting with confidence, you’ll be well-equipped to make a lasting impression and secure your place in this industry.
