Music has always been a part of our lives. Whether listening to music at home or going out to concerts, music plays a big role in our daily life. The music industry is also growing rapidly, especially with the rise of streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

There are currently over 2 million jobs in the music industry. If you want to enter the industry, you should start looking now.

There are several ways to break into the challenging music industry. Read on to learn more about the music industry jobs and how to land a good place.

Helpful Advice for Those Seeking a Career in the Music Industry (Not an easy path)

The music industry is full of opportunities, but many challenges exist in pursuing this (difficult to some) music career. If you want to succeed in the music business, you must know how to navigate the different parts of the process.

You may feel you don’t have enough talent to match the job descriptions for sound engineers, music producers, etc., but you probably haven’t worked hard enough. Maybe you aren’t sure how to market yourself effectively, or perhaps you lack experience. Here are some tips to help you break into the music industry.

1. Be Determined

You’ve probably heard a million times about how challenging it is to break into the music industry, and while there is some truth to that, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try.

If anything, you should go out there and do what you love because you’re passionate about it. But, if you want to make a career out of music, you have to work harder than everyone else.

Many spend their entire lives trying to become famous without getting anywhere and realizing that the road isn’t easy. They might even do something completely unrelated to music or make record deals. So, if you truly want to pursue a career in music, you have to put in the effort.

The most difficult part isn’t necessarily breaking into the industry. It’s staying in the industry once you do- keeping your place is not easy. Most musicians aren’t able to sustain themselves financially.

And, if you don’t have a steady income, it’s easy to fall off the wagon and lose focus in certain difficult situations. This is why most musicians eventually give up. To succeed, you have to be determined.

2. Network

If you’re looking for a job, it may be worth building up some contacts within the industry you are interested in working in.

After all, you never know where the next opportunity might come from. Not only could it lead to future employment opportunities, but it can also open doors to potential networking opportunities.

You can use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with people within the field you are interested in. If you don’t have a personal connection, plenty of online forums and groups allow you to network with others, and joining them is surprisingly easy.

3. Find a mentor

Music mentors guide and support young musicians to make it in the music industry.

They often work directly with bands and producers, helping them hone their craft and prepare for the next level, which may include difficult situations. But finding a good mentor isn’t always easy. You’ll want someone who understands what you’ve already accomplished and someone who can help you achieve even greater things.

Mentorships aren’t just about giving advice; they create opportunities for both parties. A successful relationship requires trust, respect, and honesty.

Finding a mentor is like dating — you don’t know how it will turn out unless you try.

4. Assess Your Musical Abilities and Background

Before you start applying for jobs online, take inventory of the skills you’ve developed and the experience you’ve accumulated over the course of your life. You’ll want to ensure you’re prepared to answer questions about those things.

This is especially true if you plan to apply for positions that require specific skill sets or experiences. If you don’t know how to answer those questions, you might find yourself scrambling later on when you need to provide documentation to support your application.

5. Perfect Your Skill-Set

You might think the best thing to do is stick with the same genre you love because you feel comfortable with it. However, this isn’t always the case. Plenty of musicians play multiple instruments, sing, write songs, produce beats, engineer, mix, master, etc., to name a few things. This makes it much easier to succeed in the long run.

If you’re considering starting a career in music, perfecting your skill set is important. Don’t limit yourself to one instrument. You never know where your talents lie, and you might discover a knack for production, mixing, mastering, songwriting, or another area.

6. Collaborate

Collaboration is often viewed as a scary prospect for many musicians. But there are ways to make it less intimidating. Here are four tips to help you collaborate without fear.

1. Get together with people who play different instruments.

2. Don’t compare yourself to others; focus on how you’re doing compared to yourself.

3. Be open to learning something new.

4. Have fun!

7. Do Something Crazy, Innovate!

Innovation isn’t just about creating something completely new. You’re constantly trying to improve upon what exists today. Whether that’s making music better, writing books, or designing software, there’s always room for improvement.

Think outside the box. What do you see around you that could be improved? How can you change the way we interact with technology? Take risks. Be bold. Don’t worry about failure. Failure happens to everyone. Even great artists fail sometimes.

The key is to keep moving forward. Keep pushing yourself. Never stop learning. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride.

8. Don’t Overlook Music Internship Opportunities

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of interning during college or even earlier in life. And while those experiences certainly offer great insight into what careers might interest you, you shouldn’t overlook music internships either.

While some companies advertise their internship positions online, most don’t. So, it’s up to you to find out where the best opportunities lie. Here are three ways to start looking.

• Cold Call Companies
• Use Social Media
• Ask Your Friends

Where may one get employment in the field of music?

There are plenty of different types of jobs within the music industry. Some people want to make it big, while others want to make enough money to pay their bills. Here are the most common ones if you’re looking for a job in music.

1. Record Industry Jobs

There are plenty of record industry positions available. Some of those include:

Marketing Manager

– A marketing manager is in charge of a brand’s overall strategy. They lead the team and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Senior Account Executive

– An account executive is tasked with finding clients and managing relationships with them. They often work closely with internal teams to meet the client’s needs.

Sales Coordinator

– A sales coordinator helps with the day-to-day operations of a sales department. They work directly with the sales team and ensure each sale goes off without a hitch.

2. Positions Open to Songwriters in the Music Business

The music industry is changing rapidly, and many wonder how it affects writers. Some artists write their music; others work with producers. And even though you might think that a producer writes the whole thing, songwriters still have plenty of opportunities.

Songwriting isn’t just about writing catchy hooks and memorable melodies anymore. Artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande have all been credited with co-writing tracks. So do big names such as Max Martin, Pharrell Williams, and Mark Ronson. Even Katy Perry wrote her hit “Roar.”

But no matter where you fall within the industry, there are always jobs to be had. If you want to make money doing something you love, consider becoming a professional songwriter.

3. Performer Music Industry Jobs

The music industry is one of the most competitive industries, and many people dream about making a living doing what they love.

However, the reality is that most musicians struggle to make ends meet. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just over half of those employed in the music field work full-time.

But even though the majority of artists aren’t able to support themselves solely with their art, there are still ways to turn performing into a career.

For example, you could try working as a solo artist or branch out and consider being part of a band. You might also want to think about becoming a session musician or perhaps a songwriter. These options require different skill sets, but each offers a unique opportunity.

4. Recording Careers Jobs

There are plenty of career options available in recording, thanks to a massive influx of recorded media over the past decade. There are many ways to make money in the field, from music production jobs to sound engineers.

Many people in recording careers start on their own, work independently and work their way up as they gain more experience – but it doesn’t always happen like that. Some people start their recording studio or set up home recording equipment.

This isn’t to say there are no opportunities either; here are some of the most popular recording careers:

• Producer.
• Sound engineer.
• Mixer.
• Music supervisor.
• Studio manager.
• Record label executive.

So, how hard is it to get a job in the music industry?

It’s not impossible to land a job in the music industry, but it is challenging. The best way to increase your chances of getting hired is to make sure your resume and application materials are as strong as possible.

Our team of experts can help you do just that. Contact us today for expert career advice and assistance crafting an amazing resume that will showcase your skills and talents in the music industry.