Career as Radio Jockey

An RJ's role is to inform, refresh and entertain. Also known as Radio DJs, their work involves presenting a variety of music programmes and entertaining audiences with other things such as guest interviews of artists, celebrities, music or film-related work. In the career as a radio jockey one provides music-related comments and manages audience requests.

Target Audience

Target Audience: In the career as radio jockey, individuals work hand-in-hand with the creative producer and the writer of the show. It is essential to keep in mind the target audience of the show they are creating and choose the timing, script, music, and every other related thing according to the theme.

Planning

Planning: One must plan out a show well in advance so that there is no confusion and scope of errors last minute. Planning is the key especially in a show which runs live for the audience as one cannot correct his or her mistakes in the career as a radio jockey.

FM / AM Radio Jockeys: The role of FM / AM radio jockey is to communicate with the audience, play music or speak or both. He or she usually works on community radio stations.

Talk Radio Jockeys: The role of a talk radio jockey is to speak only throughout the programme, and to discuss various social and political issues depending on the show’s theme. They also engage with audiences and viewers.

 Sports Talk Radio Jockeys: Sports talk radio jockey is required to work with viewers to discuss a variety of sports news and events. Sports talk radio jockeys are generally former athletes, television anchors or sportswriters.

 Satellite Jockeys: The role of satellite radio jockeys is similar to FM / AM jockeys. They often talk or play explicit content without looking at the seriousness of the problem. They are not controlled by any board of broadcast.

The radio jockey is responsible for recording shows and content that can help in entertaining more and more people and ultimately help in achieving a larger audience. In the career as radio jockey, most of the work is done on the desk therefore, he or she works in an office environment.

This is a regular job and the individual has to work in an office desk as well as record shows in the studio, and in a safe atmosphere in general.

Does Radio Jockey require travelling?

Likely

In the career as a radio jockey, an individual's work does not include travel, if at all one has to travel it is very rare. This occurs in the case of a famous radio jockey as these people are called to give appearances, host shows or even called at colleges to give lectures.

Employment Shifts

Full Time, Part Time, Hourly Basis

 Job shift for a radio jockey is usually full-time. The radio jockey operates full-time but shifts vary depending on an individual’s showtime. In the career as a radio jockey, individuals generally work 40 hours a week.

Employment Nature

Contractual, Permanent

The job of a radio jockey is generally a permanent one. In the career as a radio jockey, individuals may have to work with a radio station on a full-time basis.

Work Place

Studio

In the career as a radio jockey, individuals plan and execute radio channel’s programme with the entire production team. Once the script is ready the show is either pre-recorded or even aired live.

Presence in Geographical Area

Semi-urban, Urban

In rural areas, the radio jockey has fewer opportunities than in urban or semi-urban regions. The notion of the rural market in India is also emerging and it presents various challenges such as knowing rural customers, reaching out to remote areas and providing entertainment.

Time Pressure

Likely

In the career as radio jockey, candidates execute certain activities for audience and sponsors in a specified time-span. This needs a lot of time and mental strength. Therefore, there is time pressure when it comes to the career as a radio jockey.

Overtime Details

Radio jockeys serve for several mainstream radio stations and they also work on an individual basis for nine hours a day. But when it comes to special occasions one may have to work for extra hours.

Weekly Hours of Work

Min 9 Hours

The radio jockeys work about forty hours a week, almost nine hours a day. radio jockeys' work comes under certain shifts, and they may even work longer hours in various types of projects.

In order to make a career as a radio jockey, one must possess some skills. Some skills required by a radio jockey are mentioned below:

 Creativity: In the career as a radio jockey, individuals should be capable of producing unique and innovative concepts. Creativity attracts the listener’s psychological, and entertainment demands. It could be as basic as doing voice-modulation. Creativity is the most critical thing when it comes to the career as a radio jockey. 

 Communication skills: In the career as a radio jockey, individuals should be able to interact efficiently during the radio show. One should be clear while presenting a show or a piece of content. Having good communication skills helps a lot in the career as radio jockey.

 Decision-making skills: In the career as a radio jockey, individuals should have the capability to make a decision and contribute to the foundation of a strong and popular content-based show. Decision making is a process that is needed in every small or large industry. Having decision-making skills enables one to evaluate every situation.

 Interpersonal management: In the career as a radio jockey, candidates work with a majority of individuals in various positions, both within the radio station as well as with the guests on the show. Interpersonal skills are the qualities and strategies that an individual uses to communicate effectively with everyone. The field involves the willingness of an individual to function well with each other. 

 We have mentioned below the career progression details of Radio Jockey below. One can opt for various roles in the career as a Radio Jockey with required work experience and skills. 

Announcer: In the career as announcer, one reads scripts on radio or television, comments on important news stories, provides commentary for the audience during sporting events, and parades. Occasionally, he/she might also be required to select programme content and make promotional appearances at public or private events. For certain jobs, they are also responsible for other aspects or radio and public information. An announcer is sometimes also required to operate studio equipment, sell commercial time to advertisers, and produce advertisements and other recorded material. At various radio and broadcasting information centres, an announcer is required to perform the job as same as that of an editor or a broadcast technician. 

On-AIR Personalities: An On-Air personality is a radio jockey who has achieved a target audience which is loyal to him or her. Such a radio jockey is sought by several sponsors in order to sponsor the shows. As an on-AIR personality one has to be creative and unique in terms of the content he or she creates. It is necessary to stand out in the crowd.

 Production Director: Once a radio jockey has skills as well as experience of several years he or she can become a production director. As a production director one gets to decide what kind of shows will be aired at what time. Not only that he or she approves the sponsorship contents as well.

It is expected that the total employment of radio jockeys will rise by 6.2 per cent in the coming five years. Growth in employment will differ significantly per profession. It is predicted that entertainment will remain essential as businesses attempt to establish and increase the market share. Radio jockeys prepare, and manage radio shows along with a team of people and cater to the audience’s demands accordingly.

Radio jockeys are highly creative and often pursued by other professionals. For entertainment-based content or even advertisements, the best opportunities should be for radio jockeys who can manage the digital environment like YouTube podcasts along with the on AIR podcasts to increase the traffic.

 Although a lot of people consider radio as an outdated medium. According to research, it is still considered as a valuable, strong and reliable career option especially in India.