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RIF’ed. On the beach. Let go.
It’s kind of comical in a sad way that we have so many expressions for being laid off in radio, some of which are specific to the industry (which I found out the hard way when I said “on the beach” to a civilian and they didn’t understand). And there’s the sardonic joke that you’re not really in radio until you’ve been laid off at least once.
Regardless of how long you’ve been in radio, losing your job – especially not by your own choice – is a traumatic experience, and while you may grow more protective armor each time it happens, it’s still never something you can completely get used to.
Having been through a run of unemployment myself earlier this year and also talking to a number of radio folks over the years who’ve been let go, I can commiserate that suddenly having lots of time on your hands is not great. So, given this latest round of cuts, here are some tips to help those impacted through this difficult time.
Tip #1: Take time to grieve the loss.
Radio has some of the most dedicated, involved, and invested people in any industry. We’re in radio because we believe in it. We love it. A lot. This is not a line of work people just fall into because it’s there and available. And that means that we get emotionally invested in our work, especially given the public-facing aspect and listener connections you can form.
So, when that’s suddenly taken away, there’s a sense of loss and mourning – and not just because your income and health benefits are gone. Despite what people say about work not making you who you are, there is a sense of purpose and identity in being in radio (or any line of work); it’s what you spend a good portion of time and energy doing, and you likely take pride in doing a good job.
It’s worth taking the time to acknowledge and process that loss. Go through the emotions rather than just diving straight into action. Reacting straight out of an event like losing your job can cause you to make frantic blunders that you could avoid if there was some time and mental processing involved. But if your emotions are still raw, you might say or do things that could feel right in the moment because you’re hurt and feeling exposed rather than giving yourself the space to work through things and compose yourself – and I don’t mean in a couple of hours.
Tip #2: Be thoughtful and intentional about your next step.
Are you looking to stay in radio? Or have you had enough? There are some radio-adjacent industries you could potentially move into, especially given local connections, like concert promotion or podcast production (check out my interview with Jon “JAG” Gay on his transition to podcasting).
If you’ve had enough, there are ways to leverage your radio skills. I will always advocate for transferable skills, but you just need to figure out how best to present them in ways that appeal to more general audiences.
In terms of my own transition out of radio, I’ve always referred to my career being based in different aspects of audience engagement. That’s gotten me into various corporate gigs involving that common thread.
Audience engagement lends well to fields like Marketing, Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Branding. You know how to get an audience’s attention – especially in a short amount of time, given the PPM mandates – and spur them into action.
Been a PD? You have people-management and team-management skills. Worked on your station’s social media page? Social media skills, obviously. Sales and finance collaborations are generally looked upon favorably in business, as is the ability to manage a budget (or do a lot with very little budget).
It’s all about how you present your skills. Which leads me to my next tip….
Tip #3: If you’re looking at a non-radio line of work, “de-radioify” your resume, elevator pitch, and interview answers.
Much like any industry, radio has its own language. But if you’re trying to get out, you need to translate Radio-speak into something that’s accessible to others.
Rather than increasing cume and TSL, talk about the percentages by which you grew and engaged the audience. Ditch the phrases like “quarter-hour maintenance” and speak more generally about how you used research and data to make changes to your presentation, which had a favorable effect on your brand. Use company names instead of call letters.
It may take some work, but being able to talk about your accomplishments in Business-speak instead of Radio-speak will help you in the long run if you are looking at a non-industry job or career.
Tip #4: It’s not just what you know; it’s who you know.
By all accounts, this is a strange job market – one of the strangest in a while. Unemployment is low overall, but professionals are taking much longer to find their next job. The hiring pendulum has swung back from where it was during the pandemic when you could throw a stack of resumes off a highway overpass during morning rush hour and have a new job with a 25% pay increase by lunchtime.
Companies are much more willing to hire someone who comes personally recommended than just someone who simply applied via the Jobs portal on their website. And in some cases, some companies might be quietly looking to fill a role without posting it externally.
Work your network – and not just your professional network. When I was unemployed, it was hard as hell to admit that I was out of work, but when friends and neighbors asked me how I was doing, I shrugged and said, “Well, I was laid off, and I’m looking for a new gig.” Telling a random neighbor led her to ask what line of work I’m in and then respond, “Oh, I think we’re looking for someone who does what you do!” I got into the interview pipeline and was inches away from an offer before things took a left turn, but that had nothing to do with me.
My point is: You never know what’s going on at your friends’, relatives’, or neighbors’ companies, and they could know about something that could help you. Plus, many companies also offer referral bonuses, so their employees are more willing to recommend someone because it might lead to a small bonus.
At the same time, make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and compelling. Don’t spray everyone with connection requests, but certainly connect with people you know so you can leverage their networks. If you see someone works at Company X, where they just posted a job you’re interested in, reach out and ask for a referral. Ask a friend or trusted connection for an introduction if they’re connected to someone at a hiring company.
Radio will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who’ve done it. It’s impossible to get it out of your system. But over the past few years, I’ve heard more and more people compare it to an abusive relationship where the other person takes and takes and gives nothing in return. When it’s not fun anymore, and you don’t get as much out of it as you’re putting into it, is it really worth staying?
A former air personality and industry journalist, Keith Berman worked at the late Radio & Records for several years, where he held a number of positions before being promoted to format editor. While at R&R, he also served as a writer and reporter, covering breaking news; authoring weekly columns, format roundups and features; and contributing heavily to Street Talk Daily. When R&R folded, he co-founded RAMP (Radio and Music Pros) and spent 3 years covering radio and record labels before taking a hiatus from the industry. His experiences also include time on-air at stations in Connecticut, Boston and Southern California. He can be reached at KeithBerman@gmail.com.
