RADIO:

Record the following types of segments on to a CD-R that can readily be played by any radio station manager or program director:

1. A series of ad-libbed transitions from radio airshifts you have worked. These would come from aircheck tapes you have recorded – no music included, just the parts of your show where you were talking.
2. Ten seconds of an upbeat commercial you have recorded.
3. An extended ad-libbed transition during an airshift where you told a joke, used funny material, or handled a promotion or contest.
4. A station promotion you created or voiced.
5. Ten seconds of a low-key or intimate commercial you voiced.
6. A recording of you reading the news – short – standard news material.
7. Ten seconds of a PSA you voiced.

Remember, a radio manager will only listen to your aircheck 2 to 5 minutes. Put the best stuff up front. You might also list the items on the tape, should they want to skip ahead. By the way, don’t forget to give them a paper resume with your CD as well as a letter asking for employment.

TELEVISION AND FILM:

Similar to radio staff, there is little time to spend watching applicant tapes, so always put the best work up front and keep the material moving. For TV, the position you are applying for will determine the type of DVD you will put together. Video should be 5 to 10 minutes. No bars and tone – use just a slate with your contact info at the start. The first 2 minutes of the video should be your best. This is a montage of your work, not complete programs.

For television performers, the tape should show a variety of situations that you handled while on TV in an edited montage of 2 to 5 minutes. Make sure to include a professional looking resume and photo of yourself.

For news positions, the edited montage should include face shots – standups, anchoring, remotes, etc. of what you have done. Keep the material moving and make sure it makes sense as the tape moves through the different scenes. It should be obvious what you were doing, but if not, a quick overlay graphic stating the context wouldn’t hurt. Keep in mind that part of a reporter’s job is to edit video, so the montage should be cleanly and effectively put together by you. If you are applying for a “one-man-band” reporter position, put some footage you shot in your resume tape as well. The resume video should be on DVD with only one menu. You might want to call the station in advance to find out what other formats they prefer to use.

For behind-the-scenes production people, follow the above, but clearly indicate what you did as we won't be seeing you in the video. A graphic stating "camera work" or "editing" would be helpful. Only show what you did - don't make people watch an entire film. You can offer links in the menu to complete versions of your videos. Your reel, however, should be a montage of your best work.

In general, make sure the resume DVD is clearly labeled, making a nice looking package. Include a list of what is on the tape. Include the tape with your paper resume and letter. A photo might also be of interest to them. The nicer you can make your materials look, the more serious they will believe you are about being a professional. Make sure the look is business oriented, not artsy or extreme. If you absolutely must write on the disc, use the best handwriting possible. Use white, inkjet printable discs, if possible. Lightscribe-type discs are also acceptable.