UK Radio and TV jobs

• Grapevine jobs - Site specialising in opportunities in broadcast, film and music
• Media Guardian - Jobs section
• Media Directory - Discussion forum for positions wanted and jobs available
• Jobs In Broadcast - TV, Radio and Film jobs - Free to candidates
• RadioTalent - Radio job ads, plus the place to add your details to be talent-spotted
• Productionbase - Insiders' network for Film and TV production, keeping tabs on who's hiring & who's available
• Career Moves - London agency dealing with broadcasting and production jobs
• Get Presenting - Site for broadcasters looking for jobs or to fill vacancies
• Handle - London-based agency with vacancies in music and media
• MusicMarket - Specialising in the entertainment and broadcast industries
• Christy Media - Broadcast and New Media recruiters with contract and perm jobs on offer
• PCR - Broadcast technology recruitment specialists
• Production Elite - recruitment agency for TV production management freelancers
  
  

• Monster - Create your CV online, and see how many times it's accessed.
• Career Builder - If you're an employer looking to post an ad, try here
• Planet Recruit - Search for jobs, get updates on new jobs and upload CV.
• Stepstone- Enter details search parameters and get daily lists of jobs.
• Totaljobs
• Jobserve
• Jobsite
  
  

Tips on preparing Demo tapes

• Listen to the radio station you are applying to, and target your tape to that station's format - a tape that uses the station's name and programming style is much more likely to be well-received than yet another generic tape for any-old radio station.
• Programme Controllers are busy people. Keep it short - you should be able to sell yourself in no more than 5 minutes.
• The tape should be well-produced and sound as polished as possible. If possible, record your tape in a recording or broadcast studio and make your links sound "as-live". If you don't have access to a studio, make use of your PC to record your demo - there are a number of PC audio editing packages that can be used to record and edit your demo - see the DIY Podcast page for information on how to use your PC to prepare audio.
• Keeping music to a minimum helps to ensure the tape is listened to. Just play a few seconds of any songs you use on your demo, fading it out as soon as appropriate.
• You need to make sure you stand out and sell yourself, especially in the opening seconds of the tape. Remember that stations can get dozens of tapes a week from budding presenters, and you need to grab attention early to stand a chance of having the whole tape listened to.
• Try to demonstrate your versatility - perhaps include links that demonstrate your ability to read 'straight' content (news, travel, etc) as a contrast to your lighter side - this helps prove that you can be of use to a station. Also include production work (voiceovers/jingles) if you've done them.
• As one Programme Controller put it: "be clear, bright and compelling"
• Tape or CD? The rule used to be to use a decent quality audio cassette, but with cassettes dying out, many people are now sending in demos on CD or even mailing an MP3 audio file of their demo tape. Best bet is to check with your target station as to their preferred format for demo tapes before sending, so you give yourself the best chance of getting listened to. You could also consider uploading an MP3 file to the Internet, then mailing your web address to a station.
• Address your demo to the correct person, with a well-presented covering letter. Call ahead to get the right name, job title and address to send the tape to.
• Follow up your tape with a phone call after a couple of weeks - this shows that you're keen
• If you find you're not getting a response from your tape - try to get some advice - ideally, talk to a radio station programme controller to see what they're looking for in a demo, or play your demo tape to other people in the industry to get some tips and opinions.

If you're looking to put together a killer tape, consider getting advice from the professionals - perhaps contact someone in the industry and ask what makes a good tape. Alternatively, check out our courses page, where you'll find details of UK companies offering voiceover and presenter training.

A final tip - consider making your tape available as an MP3 file for download from your website, or even consider making a podcast of some sample shows. Need help with this? Ask in our forum