Get Creative With Your Internship

by michas9muzyka | Mar 12, 2017 | Freelancing, Upwork

12 MARCH 2017

written by Mike

GET CREATIVE WITH

YOUR INTERNSHIP

Work experience.

We all know the circle. You can’t get experience without work; you can’t get work without the experience. A modern day paradox. James Citrin lists a few strategies on how you can get around it.

You can also find hundreds of other helpful sites on that topic. And yes, stuff, like getting credentials or willing to start at the bottom, is useful. But I noticed that there aren’t many websites that talk about internship itself.

Finding an internship is one thing, but getting most out if it is something else. It’s time to get creative.

What is a work experience?

I see it more as I learning experience rather than work. So, for example, you want to work in a movie industry. You are doing some TV and Film College course with lectures in every aspect of the business. From writing to filming. After a while, you discovered that you liked the sound. And with a bit of luck, you scored a work experience.

I understand there are many different programs to choose from. But my focus here is going to be on a one week-long, unpaid studio runner position. In a sound post production department.

During this short time, you can see for yourself what the job is all about. And if it suits you.

So you want to be a mixer?

But are you comfortable with spending days in a dark room without windows?

Working on something that few people appreciate?

I know, I know. I am painting a bleak picture here. The point is, during your internship you can learn what you want to do. And yes I understand. Doing work for free is unfair. Big corporations are using loopholes in the law, it is unethical, it is wrong, etc. And?

What else would you be doing instead?

Use that time. Meet new people, talk to them, sell yourself.

Before I get to a patronising advice on how to behave in a workplace. I want to tell you a few stories. These are real anecdotes from my previous workplace. I want to show you how different people are, and what you could gain from work experience.

P. was a young man, around 18-year-old. Spent a week with us, helping out. Not many clients, not that much to do. He spent most of his time on the sofa in the corridor. Sleeping. Didn’t do much else. I don’t think I spoke to him besides a “You alright, man?”

M. was a girl in her teens. Enthusiastic and full of energy. Sat with us on some projects, asked questions. We could see she was interested and thrilled to be there. She wanted to make use of every minute she spent with us.

Another story is about two guys who did a week of work experience with us last year.

D. spent three days on the sofa. On his phone. He didn’t clean the kitchen when asked to; his attitude was poor. I asked him if he wanted to walk with me around the studios as there was a production going on that day.

“Nah…I’m alright. Thanks, man.” – he said to me.

“Ok, no problem. What did you say you were studying?” I asked.

“Media and Film, really into that, man.”

Yes, I could see the passion in his eyes.

T. was quite opposite. He cleaned and organised the kitchen after one day. He sorted taxis, drinks, and snacks for clients in the morning. He joked with us all day and walked around the studios during lunch hours.

“Good for them!” you may say, “But how is this going to help me?”

Think about it. All these people were given the same chance, same opportunities. But some of them used it and reaped the benefits later on. The other guys, well, I don’t remember them anyway. Life goes on.

Yes, it can be tough out there. And until I earned my reputation with hard work and dedication I worried too. I worried that there were hundreds of people just like me, hungry for my position. And most of them would do it for less money too.

How do you thrive in a competitive environment like that?

We will get to it at some point, but for now, let’s get back to the subject. If you worry at this moment, don’t. Well, a little bit of fear helps, but the point is to get what you want. I want to give you few tips on how you can get the most out of your work experience. I think these will help you not only to stand out but also to enjoy the internship.

We call it the ‘experience” for a reason.

Number one is:

Create your value, show what you are worth.

Sound cliché? Well, it is.

When I ask you to clean the kitchen, I want to see the cleanest kitchen on planet Earth. Time to make tea for clients?

You serve it with a smile, great attitude, and good manners. Arrive early; maybe there is something that you could do before people get in. You could empty a dishwasher of something. And don’t even think about being late.

People may not say anything to you, but they will notice it. See, a lot of people take these opportunities for granted. I’m not sure why. Maybe it is because they don’t get paid for it, perhaps because it doesn’t guarantee a job after. You need to understand that relationships you develop are something that counts. Networking and acquiring contacts are awesome, but how you connect with people makes all the difference.

I sat in a pub with a sound supervisor for a big video game company, once, and he told me. “Look, when I’m seeking to hire someone I look for drive, passion and value. I ask you for a hamburger, and you bring me a three-course dinner. The skills I can teach, attitude is yours.”

“Look, I’m going to spend at least eight hours a day working with you. Why would I hire someone that I don’t like?”

Ok, so being likeable works. Unfortunately, you only have a week.

The question is, can you develop a meaningful relationship within a week?

I guess you could, but if you are like me, then it can be a hard job. I’m not shy, but it takes me a couple of weeks to come out of the shell. I know myself, so I don’t try to fake it. But some strategies can help you if you are a bit introverted.

Don’t be shy, ask questions!

I know it’s tough. People around you are experienced and smart. Some of them had won biggest awards in the industry.

How can you dare to speak to them at all?

Believe me; I’ve been there too. To tell you the truth, most of them are the kindest, most helpful people you will ever meet. Yes, you will meet the occasional jerk, but who cares? Ignore him.

Ask questions.

Be interested, talk to people.

Have an interest in what we do. If you look like you don’t care, we will not care about you too. And talk to people. Ask how was their morning, how was their work commute.

“Any big projects coming up?”

Interact, remember the names, introduce yourself. And try not to talk about yourself too much.

Be easy-going, easy to talk to.

I remember this guy who was with us for a few day. Nice guy but needy, to the point of awkwardness. He kept saying how much he wants a job in the industry, how awesome everything is. Enthusiasm is great, I agree. But boundaries are pretty good too. I was on my tea break when he came over and asked:

“So, tell me. Are you living your dream?”

“Uhm…I guess…it is a pretty good tea.”

I think it was a green tea with a hint of mint.

Lunch time!

Lunch break is significant. Lunch time is an hour when we’re friends. It’s a time when people don’t want to talk about work. It’s a time when you can get to know them. So don’t be a stranger, don’t sit in a corner by yourself. I know it can be intimidating. All these people know each other, they got inside jokes and stories.

Don’t worry about it.

Sit with them. Laugh when they laugh. Nod when they talk. And speak up when you feel like you can add something interesting to the conversation. I think a good advice is to sit with full-time employees rather than other interns. I mean, yes it may be easier to get to know other newcomers. You are in the same boat; it is simpler to connect.

But the truth is, this kind of strategy will not get you far. Yes, be friends with other trainees, but make your face memorable to people with influence too.

Few more quick points to add would be:

Say magical words “thank you” each time someone helps you out or teaches you something. Remember, they are taking their time to do that.

Maybe switch off your phone? Or put it on silence. And try not to use it. Talk to people, walk around, focus on your tasks. Your phone is not going anywhere, and fewer distractions are better for you.

Don’t gossip about other people.

Gossiping is the easiest way to “break ice”, but don’t do it. You wouldn’t want someone else to do that to you too. Studies show that when you say something negative about other people, your listeners will associate these negative traits with you.

It’s called Spontaneous Trait Transference

If you want to say something about someone, let it be a positive thing.

Work hard. Come in early, leave late, absorb everything and give your maximum effort.

It is that simple.

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Tips for a Great Resume

by michas9muzyka | Feb 25, 2017 | Freelancing, Upwork

25 FEBRUARY 2017

written by Mike

TIPS FOR A GREAT RESUME

Having a good resume is important. You read that statement everywhere, you hear it from your career advisor, it seems like a no-brainer.

But what does CV stand for today?

And is it still that important?

I would argue that yes. Yes, it is. Why? Well, I understand that the world is changing, social media is everywhere, portals like LinkedIn are creating new ways for job hunters like you. And a classic style resume may not be as valid in the future. But today most employers are still a bit old fashioned. They like a good CV. One they can hold in their hands. And even if they don’t care, I can guarantee that HR will appreciate it.

I always say it is better to meet the people you want to work for in person first. You could attend an event, conference or even some kind of a technology expo. I remember attending Gamescom with my younger brothers couple of years ago.

Besides the newest games, there was a corner with education and career advisors. It’s an easy way to make some contacts face to face. I think most of the exhibits like that have some “career corner.” But I know that it is not always an option to go to this kind of events. In that case, your CV will be your brand seller. Your face.

What does it mean?

It means that based on your resume you will end up in either YES or NO folder. I remember, once I saw my manager working through tens of CVs. There were two folders, green YES, and red NO on his desktop. “Hey, where is a ‘maybe’ folder?” I asked him. “I haven’t got time for a maybe.”

How you build your CV is important. It takes about 10 seconds to scan it with managerial eyes and if you don’t have anything that will stop them. Well, welcome to the NO folder. I’ve seen a lot of CVs; I have designed a lot of CVs for other people too. And I know one thing for sure. People don’t know how to write their resumes! I mean, one time someone sent me a CV written by hand. It looked like a child wrote it.

It is that bad.

But have no fear! I want to share with you few insights and few tips on how to tailor your bio. All these tips are universal and don’t apply just to music or sound industry.

Know the position

Read the job description. You want to know what you are applying for, but also if it’s a good fit for you too.

What are the requirements?

Are there any specifics?

If yes, then make sure you mention all them on your CV. My girlfriend’s boss said they first thing they look at is if CV says all the things they ask in the job advert. It is a requirement. I know that some of these things can seem like common sense to you. “I don’t need to put that on my CV. It is evident that I know this, and it will just take up space.” It can land you in the NO folder before anyone has a chance to read the rest of the stuff from your resume.

Adjust your skills

It is an important point. If a job offer says “sound designer” and the studio asks about your sound design skills, mention them. Don’t write that you have live sound mixing experience. At least not as your selling point. Yes, it is a nice touch, but the company is looking for a sound designer and not for a live sound mixer. People always say “I sent out hundreds of CVs and so far, no reply!”

Yes, hundreds of the same, generic ones. Don’t be that person. I know it requires some work up front to do these changes, but it will pay off later. So instead of sending 10 CVs a day, send two. Tailored and adjusted for the jobs you want.

For me, templates are the answer. I would have three main templates that I’d adjust every time I want to send an application out.

The three resume templates are:

Skill based

Work-based

Education based

Skill based CV will focus on your skill set. Write down what are you good at and why you are good at it. Remember that first you want to answer all the job requirements. Next are other relevant skills. A great portfolio is a must. Especially in sound industry. Have the portfolio ready online and include the link in your emails.

A work-based resume is a standard one. And usually the best choice. List your projects; you can do it by date or relevance. Project list should include where did you work and what did you work on. Include your responsibilities and skills you used for the job. And not just technical know-how. People skills are essential too. Communication, teamwork and good project management. These are the words all employers like to hear.

Education based can be the weakest one. Especially when you want to get into sound engineering world. Why? I don’t know if any of the people I worked with in post production had degrees in sound. But with twenty years of experience behind their belt, a piece of paper will not impress. If it’s your only option, make the best out of it. List your education but make sure to include what did you worked on. And why is it relevant to the job description. It would be good to mention all the extra projects that you did your free time.

And a strong portfolio will be helpful too.

Bullet points

Don’t write long lines.

Just.

Bullet.

Points.

Something that will catch the eye.

And will make it stop.

For a second.

Some people argue that paragraphs can work well too. But I say you should save them for the covering letter. When managers have a hundred resumes to go through, and it is almost lunch time, attention span is short. You have around 10 seconds before they move onto the next one. Don’t write long sentences and get to the point. Make it clear, easy to read and simple. Sometimes one word can be worth more than a hundred.

Covering letter, yes or no?

It is a tricky one, and it depends on the job offer. Did they request one? Then write a short, concise and personalised paragraph on why you are the best candidate. I’m not the biggest fan of covering letters as most of them sound the same. I asked my office manager what did she think about them.

“Keep it simple, keep it short. I don’t want to know your life story.”

So there you go. If you need one, write it for the particular job. Don’t use a template. Read it out loud a few times, make sure it flows. Again, someone will spend around ten to fifteen seconds on reading it. Make sure it is the most exciting ten seconds of their day.

Also, check out the publication from CareersWiki and these cover letter examples by Novoresume.

Layout and graphic design

I’m big on design. My girlfriend is an excellent graphic designer, so I get a lot of good info from her. But let me tell you one thing. Most of CV designs that people sent to the studio where I worked were so bad that we usually run a contest for the worst one. We either got a Word document with bad formatting. Or something with too many graphics and colours. Do not complicate this one. Use one, maximum two colors. Have a beautiful header or a sidebar. Make it easy to look at and easy to read.

Don’t be a liar

It is that simple. Don’t lie on your resume. The truth will come out eventually. Today it is easy to check your background (thanks, the internet!). So be careful if you want to make up some education or past work experience. And when it comes to your skills, lying may get you the job but after one week everyone will see the truth. You can say you are still learning, or you are keen on extra free training or something. But don’t lie.

Email + attachments

The last point is more of a reminder for you. Make sure your email contains all your documents, CV and covering letter. Make sure you label everything in a transparent manner. Easy and straightforward to read. I don’t want to say a number, but one in ten job application emails is empty. And I don’t mean the text. People still write “Please find my CV attached.” and nothing.

I mean, come on. Check it twice, three times even. Just make sure that everything you want to send is there. Remember, there is no MAYBE folder. Only YES and NO. Work on you CV, make sure it’s perfect. And don’t skip the tip about reading the job description.

My girlfriend told me that once a girl had an interview at their workplace. She seemed nice; the interview went well too. But at the end when the boss asked her “So, do you have any questions?” she had one

“Uhm..I sent out a lot of job applications lately. Can you remind me what position we are talking about?”

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How to Find No Experience Jobs

by michas9muzyka | Feb 18, 2017 | Freelancing, Upwork

18 FEBRUARY 2017

written by Mike

HOW TO FIND

NO EXPERIENCE JOBS?

Work experience. Everyone talks about it, but no one saw one. How can you find no experience jobs? I want to mention modern paradox – work experience loop. Can’t work without experience, can’t get experience without work.

All jokes aside, yes it is still a valid subject. There is training available for graphic designers, photographers, audio editors. You just need to know how and where to look for it. I’m going to focus on the film industry as I have the most experience in that matter. But I did other work too, so you must remember that this advice can apply to any industry or profession you are in.

I know that people will say things like “starting out is hard, no one knows me…”

Yes, finding a nice, comfortable, nine-to-five position will be difficult. But with the power of the internet, there are other (better?) ways to, not find, but create your job. Anyway, we are getting off-topic here.

First of all, is work experience worth it and should you look for one?

Well, yes and no.

It depends on what you understand by experience. But I also want you to stop thinking about it one dimension.Getting an unpaid week in a legendary recording studio? Yes, that’s cool.

But it is also quite hard as there aren’t that many big recording studios around, and I doubt that they have a quick turnaround. By all means, try. Someone has to work there, right? In my opinion, it will be easier to try a smaller, independent studio.

Listen, there are many ways to get the ‘experience’. And thanks to the internet your opportunities are unlimited. You can work on projects from all around the world. And you don’t even need to leave your bedroom. Of course, there are some obstacles.

For example, film industry, games, and music are tight places to enter. It seems that everyone knows each other, so reputation is everything. And word travels fast, really fast. I had colleagues that liked to gossip and bad-mouth their managers. Don’t ever do that. It’s hard to get a gig when people know that you have a big mouth.

So yeah, it’s tough to get a foot in the door. But I got in and so can you.I want to give you a few general tips on what can you do starting right now. Also, I’m going to share with you a few stories. Stories of my friends and how they got their way. And believe me. Everybody’s journey is different.

Student and unpaid projects

Yes, I know. Working for free sucks. But think of it as an investment in yourself. Take on different projects. Get out of your comfort zone. You’ll learn a lot, and you will meet new people. You know that Danny Elfman, and Tim Burton started their relationship early? And look at them now. Spielberg and Hanks know each other for a few years now. These kinds of collaborations kick off early. Relationships take years to develop so don’t think it’s working with the best or nothing. Next “best” may be still going to school.

I’ve done my share of free work. Some of it was good, some not so much. Most of it didn’t lead to anything, but I still value the time. I learned more that I would in a class. It helped me to try different things. And I developed relationships. Easy example, a friend who I helped on some little project had a six weeks gig at a movie studio. When he moved to something different, he recommended me. From there I’ve agreed to do some free training. I worked there as a freelancer and then became a full-time employee for a couple of years. Without the small project we did together, my friend wouldn’t know if I was any good. And would recommend someone else.

You can’t plan for everything.

I have friends who still take on free work. They are professionals in their field. They will come in on weekends when mixing theaters are empty. And they work on some low-budget projects. Some of it pays, some doesn’t. They still love it.

Festivals and unpaid studio work

I would say do it whenever you can. This one is a bit harder as you will need to know some people on the ‘inside.’ Your other projects can lead to these relationships. And if you don’t have that option then your determination will be your other chance. Look up email addresses, Facebook contacts or LinkedIn profiles of people in charge or people working in a venue of your interest. And contact them.

Perseverance is the key. Pester them. Wear them down. There are plenty of opportunities. Research areas near you. I know that everyone wants to work on the biggest festivals. But I’m sure there are lots of small events that you can do.

My unpaid work experience was on world music festival. All organised by charity.I worked on a smaller stage as a supervisor, greeting bands and setting them up These few days were tough. We slept on stage. It was cold and wet. I run the event from early morning to late evening. What did I gain? Experience in live music, decision making, teamwork, microphone techniques, authority and the list goes on and on.

What about studio internships? These are a bit harder to get. Why? Well, there are a lot of people who want it. And because everyone is at the same level it’s a matter of luck and knowing somebody. By all means, do apply. But this kind of offer should be another thing that you do, not the only one.

Perseverance

What do you have to lose? Nothing. What can you gain? You don’t know. And that is why it’s exciting.There was a guy who contacted everyone in our department.

I think he got the info from LinkedIn or Facebook. He kept asking for training for months. We had to get him in. Just to stop the bloody emails. In the end, it didn’t work as he lacked technical skills. But he did get a week of training and opportunity for freelance work. At least now he knows the next step.

When my brother was seventeen, he was looking for work. At one restaurant, the manager said to him that he was going to call him the next day. I remember I was working behind the bar on that day when my brother showed up all sad and bitter.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“They didn’t call me. They meant to call me today. I’ll never find a job. Everything sucks!”

“Ok, it’s six pm now. Get up and see him now. The place is two minutes from here.” I made him do it.

What happened? He caught the manager as the guy was leaving the place. Turned out he forgot to contact my brother. The manager asked him to do a trial shift and hired him after that. Moral of the story? You guessed right, it’s perseverance.

Now you may say, “Oh well, good for him, but I’m still waiting for tips how I am going to get what I want.”

You must understand that everyone has a different story to tell.

Few other tips

My friend who was a sound designer at a big game design studio got one year long paid internship through university. He completed the contract and returned to finish his studies. After the graduation, the studio hired him back. A few years passed since then; he finished as a leader of people who were pioneering the art of sound on next-gen consoles. Why did they want him back? He is a good teammate; he is a hard worker and a likeable person.

It’s that simple.

My friend tweeted a manager from another department asking about vacancies. The tweet reached my boss who offered him a training opportunity. He got a full-time position after a couple of months. At the moment, he is a team leader, working with sound editors on big blockbusters. How did he get there? He is a smart, friendly person. And he took upon himself to deliver a challenging project when no one asked him to take this kind of responsibility. It’s important to recognise these moments.

Another one of my colleagues got a week long work experience through her father. He knew someone at the office. After her gig, she got a call from the boss asking if she wanted to do some freelance work. After a couple of weeks, she got a full-time contract. How did that happen? Relationships – her father knew the right people. Luck? Yes, she was at the right place at the right time. People just left the department, so there was an open position. Hard work? You bet. She learned fast and always delivered her best. When I started, she was a supervisor, only after about five months being there.

My story is entirely different too. I spent a couple of weeks at the studio shadowing my friend. I wasn’t expecting a job out of it, just some CV experience. For me, it was a perfect opportunity at that time. After a couple of weeks, I got asked to help out on one of the projects. I have also volunteered to train for free during their downtime. After six months of both free training and paid freelance, I was offered a full-time position with the company. How did I get there? Relationships and luck? Yes, it was my friend who recommended me. But I made my success. After a week of shadowing him, I realised this could be bigger. I resigned from my bartending job, and I quit doing stage setup at local clubs. Hard work and the risk paid off in the end.

It is important to recognise opportunities. You never know who can help you and how the events of the present will affect your future. Work experience is a great thing. Don’t think about it in black and white terms. You may not get a job afterwards. But you may learn your real passion, your likes, and dislikes, your character.

Remember, it’s not only about your goals, it’s the journey that matters.

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7 Tips for a Production Assistant

by michas9muzyka | Jan 21, 2017 | Freelancing, Sound

21 JANUARY 2017

written by Mike

7 TIPS FOR

A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Studio runner, production assistant, a gofer.

A fancy name for getting people coffee?

Perhaps. But it can be so much more.

I’m going to switch between assistant and runner to accommodate for both sides of the Atlantic.

I’m also going to focus on post-production runner position, but still, the principles will apply to any junior position.

Most of the top professionals started as assistants.

It is a sort of rite of passage. You have to pay your dues and prove yourself before moving up.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way too.

I was never a runner, and I know a lot of people who haven’t done it too.

But I worked in bars and restaurants, so I understand the principles of serving clients (customers).

And getting them coffee.

Why being a good studio runner matters?

Well, there are quite a few reasons for that.

One, it can lead to other, better things.

You can find yourself in the environment that will give you a chance for something else.

New departments start and grow out of ideas. Ideas from people who were assistants around the studio and who saw the opportunity.

Meeting new people is another thing.

Being a runner forces you to interact with tens of people every month.

Actors, directors, producers.

You can study their behaviors, their habits, their workflow.

You will gain “people skills” that will help you advance.

If you are a shy and introverted person, this will help you to learn how to adapt to social situations and how to behave in different circumstances.

When I asked runners “So, what do you want to do in the future?”

the answer usually was something like “Uhm, I want to work with films and media.”

Ok, that’s great. But where is your focus?

Being a runner helps to answer that question.

You are going to be all over the place.

You will see how mixing works, what is a sound design, what is editing. It will give you an understanding, and I can guarantee you, it will help you to find focus.

And even if you learn that you don’t like working in sound, that already is a success. You will be one of a few people who know what they don’t want to do.

And that’s important too.

I want to share with you a few tips, advice how to get the most out of this junior position.

Stay busy

Yes, I know you’ve just cleaned the kitchen, and all the clients are happy.

But sitting on a coach, playing on your phone while everyone else is working is not cool. There is always something to do.

Ask people if they need something.

Help out in the office. Check if everyone is alright.

In busy post-production house, there is always something to clean or something to move. Show that you are willing to do a bit extra, people notice this kind of thing.

I can’t tell you how many times I saw runners chilling on the sofa when the dishwater was full.

Do you think I was the only one to notice that?

And yes there are quiet days too, I know that. But ask if you can sit with someone.

If a mixer is busy, the editor will do. Apart from just the sound stuff, there is a lot to learn in other areas.

Scheduling, data management, archives.

Learn about these things, make notes. Your days will go by faster, and people will perceive you as an interested person.

Positive attitude

Running for other people is not very glamorous.

Or rewarding.

Try to stay positive; it is your first step to greater things. Your attitude will determine how clients and other people will treat you. I know it sounds cheesy, but a smile goes a long way.

Remember last time you were in a restaurant and your waiter was moody?

I’m sure you and your friends talked about it afterward.

See, it is the same with runners. Clients are often stressed out, mixers and production team have a lot on their minds.

Ask yourself, how can you make their life a little bit easier?

If that was you on a mixing stage, what would you expect from your assistant?

Of course, read the room first. If there is an apparent tension, be swift.

Serve the food and drinks and leave. Other times you can have a chat and a laugh.

“Yes.” “No problem.” “Sure!” should be your go-to phrases.

Some studies show that if you force a smile, you will trick your brain into happiness.

And there will be days when you don’t feel positive or happy.

Advice for that?

Fake it; it does work.

Lunch time

During lunch breaks eat your food with other people.

Don’t sit in the canteen by yourself.

I understand you don’t know the crew that well yet.

So what?

Sit with them, laugh when they laugh and nod when they talk.

One of our runners always had lunch on his own. We did ask him to sit with us; he preferred his company.

For six months he worked for us, we didn’t get to know him.

It was only on his last day we learned that he had a funny video channel, he was a gamer and quite an interesting guy. By then it was a little too late.

I know you can be a little introverted, overwhelmed or just shy.

It doesn’t matter. Lunch time is when you make friends. During work hours, everyone will be doing work. Downtime is the moment to establish rapport.

After a couple of weeks, the pact will welcome you.

And you will become one of them.

Don’t be a stranger and make sure everyone knows who you are.

Shadow people

There are times where there isn’t much to do. Ask people if you can shadow them, even for an hour. People like to talk about their profession and believe me; you will learn from them a lot more than in school.

It will also give you an understanding of the craft. Do you see yourself sitting in the dark room all day long? If not, then mixing job is probably not for you.

Maybe it’s the managerial aspect that you enjoy?

Or maybe recording sounds?

Learn from other people. Ask them why they like it.

Do you see yourself in the future, sitting where they are sitting right now?

Remember, if you don’t ask you won’t get.

And people, in general, are helpful. Especially when they recognize that you are interested in what they do.

If you feel confident, you can try to sneak in a little compliment.

“Wow, you are fast with shortcuts!”

“I didn’t know you could do that; that’s so cool!”

We all like a bit of flattery. It helps us to get through the grind.

Don’t overdo it, though; you need to play it cool.

Be controversial

I know it sounds strange, but trust me on this. If you are indistinctive, and your behavior is boring no one will remember you. Quirks, little mannerisms, jokes will make you stand out. Three years ago my friend did a freelance job in the studio. It was only for three weeks. My manager still talks about him from time to time.

Why?

My friend’s outgoing personality, his craziness about extreme sports and his general attitude make him likable. And memorable.

In contrast, we had a guy working with us last year. He didn’t speak much.

Sat with his headphones in all the time. No one remembers his name now. Everyone moved on.

One more thing. When I say controversial, I mean in positive, quirky way.

You don’t want to be sexist, racist or offensive. We had people like that as well. They end up in a meeting with Human Resources. And yes they may be remembered after they are gone. But probably not in the way they wanted to.

Be tidy

Be tidy, be organized.

You will be on the phone, taking requests, receiving demands. Have a little notebook. Write people’s names. Write what they do, what they like.

Someone asks you something; you want to deliver it the first time.

What you don’t want to do is to mess up a lunch order for a group of clients. Especially, if someone has some allergies or food preferences.

It’s not that hard, but you need to stay on top of that.

You may not feel appreciated all the time, but people will remember.

Individuals who can help you with your career later on.

Enjoy it!

I know it sucks sometimes.

You want to be a famous director, but you are serving coffee.

Remember that you need to put in some hard work.

Show what you are worth. Be humble and do it with a smile.

Yes, some clients are tough. And rude. Don’t worry about it.

Your skin will grow thicker every day; your character will build up.

My friend had to deal with a rather unpleasant client.

I could see it was his first as he was quite stressed.

At the end of the day, he spoke to one of the mix assistants.

“Don’t worry man; she tests all new people like that. It was the same with me.”

After a couple of weeks, I asked my friend how the client is.

“Oh, she is fine now. We joked about the other day.”

There will be days that you will have enough. I mean the pay is low, everyone is busy, everyone shouts at you, you are running to get the post for the fifth time today. And it’s raining.

Control your emotions, enjoy the moment. Believe me, in few years time when you are the manager; you will look back at this time and remember it as the best time you ever had.

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