ATOT: Would you take this job?

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
I had a vary good job interview today. It's for a promotions representative position at a major radio network in Toronto. They said they'd get back to me early next week, possibly starting by end of the month. Here's the bulleted version of my conundrum.

The Job
-Go out to events where the various radio stations are doing promotions.
-The three stations are soft-rock, top 20, and sports.
-Basically, I would go to sporting events, concerts, festivals, and stores to promote stations with an announcer. I set up equipment, hand out prizes, take phone calls.
-It's an entry level position, which is what I've been looking for
-I have not been offered the position yet but I do think they will extend it to me, since I interned with the company. They seemed quite pleased with me.
-I have not discussed pay rates with them as it's inappropriate to do before an offer is extended.

Pluses:
-Job is with a large and reputable company
-Possible room for advancement in my industry
-Plenty of variety in duties, so it's not some dull desk job.
-Caters to my technical/industry skills
-Would likely pay me more than what I make now.

Minuses:
-Involves a lot of travelling
-They couldn't guarantee me hours. I could be doing 9-5 Monday to Friday one week, the next week I may not be working at all.
-Hours will likely be fewer in fall and winter.
-Pay could either be hourly or flat rate per event depending on what I'm doing that day.
-Pay probably wouldn't be much more than what I make now.

So I'm split. It's only part time, which I don't have too big a problem with. But what really bothers me is they can't guarantee a number of hours, or even a ball park average. Especially since I'll be starting in the fall, when radio stations don't do as many promotions. It's only going to drop off come winter. Summer is their big time. It seems like a good opportunity but I'm worried it won't pay the bills. :hmm:

So I'm asking various people I know for some advice. Serious replies only please. I know what you guys are like. :sneaky:


Here's a bit about me.
-Honours bachelor of arts degrees in history and political science from the University of Toronto, one of Canada's top schools
-Graduate technical specialist diploma in new media journalism from a highly respected community college. Graduated this past June.
-Received solid recommendations from my teachers and those I worked with at my internship.
-I specialize in broadcast news writing, web news writing, and radio production.
-Currently working in a dead end, minimum wage job to pay off my education. Ironically the two jobs aren't dissimilar. ie driving, maintenance.
-I still live with my parents. They're close to the college and I couldn't afford my own place. Would like to move out sooner rather than later.
-I'd need to be making at minimum $1500 to $2000 a month after taxes to pay for food/rent/utilities/car/public transit. Real-estate in the Toronto area (including the burbs) is very expensive.
-I'm turning 25, and I'm single with no kids.

Now I have been bugging this guy for a full time job up North. I think the guy is a bit leery to seriously consider me since part of the job is on-air. Most of it is web news writing though, which is my specialty. I'm going to make him an offer to take me on just to do web and see where things go from there. It is full time, seems like he wants fresh talent, and with guaranteed hours. It's in the boonies but the benefits outweigh the negatives with it I think.
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
If it is in the industry that you want to get into...why not. May open doors. If it isn't paying the bills...you can try and make up the difference elsewhere...but get your foot in the door. The longer you wait on that...the harder it will be to get your career started. Hopefully this job will let you network with the people you need to know to get future jobs.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
You're working a minimum wage job now and living with your parents. If this industry is what you want to be involved in, I don't see why you wouldn't take it. What do you have to lose?
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
I would take it and continue to look for a more stable job. I understand it's in the industry you want to work in, but realistically, is this any more of an "industry" job than "receptionist" is? Yes, your paychecks are from the station but is it really a gateway to real broadcasting work?

I would want to know how many hours that position worked last fall and winter. If you're working 40 hours a month, is that going to be enough?
 

AFurryReptile

Golden Member
Nov 5, 2006
1,998
1
76
I wouldn't get into the radio industry. AM/FM will be dead in just a few years. Satellite will be too, with internet radio to compete with. As far as news, sports, etc... everything is moving to the internet.
 

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
0
Take it and continue to look for full-time, more stable positions. Maybe pick up contract/temp work, or even general labour work in the fall and winter when it's slow.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
11,953
0
71
I say go for it. You applied so its obviously something you want to do. If it doesn't work out you move and try something else.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,322
14,725
146
I dunno. I found out what a bunch of lying sleazebags those folks in radio can be back in the early 90's.

A friend who worked for one of the local rigging supply companies called me. He had a radio advertising exec there asking about a crane operator for a promotion.


They wanted to put a DJ in a van, hoist the van up into the air on a crane hook, and leave him/it there for 3 days.

I agreed to meet with the guy, and explained WHY he couldn't do what he wanted. (against Cal-OSHA law to hoist personnel in any non-approved lifting device)

He tried arguing with me about it, so I asked to use his phone...and called the Cal-OSHA Chief Inspector's office in Sacramento...on speaker phone. (yes, I carried a list of the local Cal-OSHA offices with me) The chief inspector actually answered the phone, and once I explained what the guy wanted...and asked for his opinion and/or clearance, (knowing I wouldn't get the OK) he proceeded to read the guy the riot act about crane safety laws in Kahleeforneeya. Didn't help much when the radio guy said, "But we did it all the time in Texas." :rolleyes"

So...he agreed to pay me $20/hr for 3 12 hour days. The DJ would broadcast from a booth on the ground...and I'd hoist the van up during the promotion, but it had to come down every night.

At the end of the promotion, I asked for my pay...and was told that it'd take a couple of weeks to process. :| NOT what we'd agreed on...but ok. So...two weeks go by...and I call him again. Still no check, and now, he starts arguing about how much they owe me...and wants to pay me all with "trade credit" to be used with some of their advertisers.

I finally had to get nasty and threaten to file with the state wage & hour board to get my pay...and ended up having to settle for a bit less than I was owed.

Never again...fucking scumbag advertising people...
 

darkxshade

Lifer
Mar 31, 2001
13,749
6
81
I dunno. I found out what a bunch of lying sleazebags those folks in radio can be back in the early 90's.

A friend who worked for one of the local rigging supply companies called me. He had a radio advertising exec there asking about a crane operator for a promotion.


They wanted to put a DJ in a van, hoist the van up into the air on a crane hook, and leave him/it there for 3 days.

I agreed to meet with the guy, and explained WHY he couldn't do what he wanted. (against Cal-OSHA law to hoist personnel in any non-approved lifting device)

He tried arguing with me about it, so I asked to use his phone...and called the Cal-OSHA Chief Inspector's office in Sacramento...on speaker phone. (yes, I carried a list of the local Cal-OSHA offices with me) The chief inspector actually answered the phone, and once I explained what the guy wanted...and asked for his opinion and/or clearance, (knowing I wouldn't get the OK) he proceeded to read the guy the riot act about crane safety laws in Kahleeforneeya. Didn't help much when the radio guy said, "But we did it all the time in Texas." :rolleyes"

So...he agreed to pay me $20/hr for 3 12 hour days. The DJ would broadcast from a booth on the ground...and I'd hoist the van up during the promotion, but it had to come down every night.

At the end of the promotion, I asked for my pay...and was told that it'd take a couple of weeks to process. :| NOT what we'd agreed on...but ok. So...two weeks go by...and I call him again. Still no check, and now, he starts arguing about how much they owe me...and wants to pay me all with "trade credit" to be used with some of their advertisers.

I finally had to get nasty and threaten to file with the state wage & hour board to get my pay...and ended up having to settle for a bit less than I was owed.

Never again...fucking scumbag advertising people...

That's why you should've ignored the law, hoist them up and then demand payment before letting them down.... neeeewwwwwwwbbbb!!!
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,322
14,725
146
That's why you should've ignored the law, hoist them up and then demand payment before letting them down.... neeeewwwwwwwbbbb!!!

Nah...the fines would have cost me more than I was supposed to make. And the Cal-OSHA inspectors were around all weekend...I knew a couple of them...and they came up and told me that the Chief Inspector ordered them to be there...:p