Strategic Human Resource Careers in MUSIC
Your SHR/aPHR Professional Career or Start Your Own Business in the Majors or Indies!

SHR/sPHR in Major and Indie Music
A Career in the Music World has Challenging but Rewarding Opportunities

by Jonathan Arnold, Esq. - Director
and Bob Schott  

Recently we put out an article on starting your own PL/LDA processing business in the Music Industry, more specifically focused on the Indie (Independent Artist) category. We highly suggest you review that article as it will support much of what is going to be highlighted here. As a SHR (Strategic Human Resource) professional with your aPHR in your resume you'll have equal choices and opportunities to consider. And not unlike your friends who chose the paralegal path and get their aPHR certifications, you'll also have the benefit of both Major and Indie music markets to apply your career in. Once you graduate and land a great position at a label, you'll be in a position of recruiting, hiring and dealing with a great deal of potential departments all related to the Record Label’s needs, and you may be surprised at just how many different departments there are. A little history and recent statistics can illustrate potentials for your new career.

The past decade has seen many changes in the music industry and obviously the Major Labels are still holding, on -- but as of December 2018 the Indie Labels now account for 39.9% of the Global Recorded Music Market Additionally 77% of all indie artists also choose to renew their contracts at indie labels.
Source: Digital Music News

According to a recent 2018 report from the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the Indie Label growth rate has just surpassed that of the Major Labels. So now you have a double industry advantage going for you. While you've all heard of Capital Records, A&E, the Independent Licensing Agency -- MERLIN -- celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 announcing over $1.5Bil in Distributions!

You can review this report courtesy of WINTEL in its entirety and it will give you an inside look at the potential opportunities you may find, full report here:


One thing you'll come away with after examining some of the important facts and stats of this industry is that you now have 2 avenues within the music industry that were not an option a decade or more ago, the majors and the indies. What does this mean to you? Very simple, twice as much opportunity to choose from. Do your research and you'll find more different label potentials than you think, check out the ones you feel are right for you and go after it.

Now one side note you might be wondering about or have lingering in your mind is in regards to all the new reports and headlines you hear about in the news lately implying that A.I. will be replacing repetitive jobs. One such report states that over 40% of all repetitive jobs in the U.S. in the upcoming next decade will be replaced by robotics and automation. Well, there's a comforting keyword in there, 'repetitive'. Your SHR/aPHR career is hardly what you'd classify as repetitive and in some of the exciting unique fields we've been covering here at LFC about both PL/LDA and SHR/aPHR careers, you'll see that there's far too many variations, requirements, avenues, challenges and options you'll encounter to fall into that pit, especially in the Music industry.

The 'Start Your Own SHR/aPHR Business Option

Starting your own SHR/aPHR business also has some interesting options you can explore in this industry. You could offer temporary, on-demand type services and you can bet that if you make an impression with one firm/label you'll build a word of mouth business for yourself throughout this industry. So you have two sets of two different options here, one set is that of the major to the indie labels and the other is seek out a career in either or start your own business and service both. Not a bad position to be in, but whichever you choose, make a strategic plan (remember SHR) and do it 'WHILE' you’re taking your courses not afterwards, because you may find some great help with the instructors with questions on these that may not be covered in your normal class requirements, so use that to your advantage while you are in the process.

GRADUATE FAST - GRADUATE WITHOUT STUDENT DEBT - CERTIFIED WASC 'HIGH-VELOCITY' COURSES

Interesting Tasks - Interesting Challenges

The tasks and challenges you'll face in the music industry will be an interesting one for you, especially if you pay attention to some of our career tips and articles you won't find in any one place anywhere in the galaxy. So start focusing on your creativity and familiarization with the specifics of the industry you choose to apply your career in, such as entertainment and music fields. The Music Industry will present you with a 'ton' of exciting elements to apply your skills that will be anything but repetitive, such as multiple departments to deal with, new artists, new venues, new concerts, ever changing digital services, publicity and promotional departments all seeking to come up with a new concept, changes in staff operations, health and insurance, recruiting strategies and much, much more. So you can put those 'human repetitive replacement' blurbs aside because you won't be flipping burgers, you'll be involved in an industry that is like having 20 different job functions all in one and each one requiring new 'spins & challenges' with new ones popping up every week. It would be a good idea after you read this article to head on over to some of our previous advanced articles and tips for SHR/aPHR and get an insight on some creative ways and interesting ingredients you can utiliize to flavor your career. So that aside let's take a closer look at what you can expect in the exciting world of the Music Industry, be it 'Major or Indie'.

Paralegal Careers in the Entertainment Industry

Get a PL BOOST with a LDA Bonus Course!

Many Departments Provide Many Challenges and Many More Opportunities

Examining some examples of departments needed in the Music Industry will illustrate some of the many different ways you can benefit by putting your SHR with a aPHR certification career to use the in the music world.

A quick scan of the following will give you an excellent base to do your Familiarity research and apply your 'Objectives' to prior to diving into this vast expanse of the highly competitive Music Industry, but it can also prove to be worth it in this highly rewarding career.

Some Departments and functions an HR / aPHR would be dealing with in the Music Industry are almost a business by themselves, so let's take a look at just some of them to give you an idea.

• Recruiting, employee relationships and benefits (health, dental, 401k), AMA, etc
• A&R, Bookings, Affairs, Talent Scouts, Artist Management
• Label Licensing, Publishing, Attorney/Legal departments
• Trademark, Copyright and Merchandising departments
• Business Development, Media Mgmt, Publicity and Press departments
• Grant Writing, cover and art design department
• Artist Liaison
• Concert, Club, Event and Facilities departments
• Theater, Venue and Festival bookings
• Touring Department that includes multiple departments to make it all work
• Programming, Editing and Engineering dept
• Brand and Product management Dept
• Lyricists, Conductors, Composers and Journalists departments

A lot of departments just to produce a song isn't it? But as you can see, there's more than enough need for a creative and music-oriented SHR/aPHR staff to control the personnel problems and needs in the Music Industry.

By taking it upon yourself to familiarize yourself with a majority of the above department list you will show you have a sincere and professional interest in this industry, an industry that is unlike any other. You'll have your share of egos and rogue attitudes to deal with but then again -- what industry doesn't, it's just that this one may have a bit more 'spice' thrown in, but isn't that one of the functions a 'Wiley' SHR person can handle? You’ll be prepared for this.

Communication and Privacy -- Does that make any sense?

Communication skills are of most importance in this industry and if you are good at this you'll have an advantage over others who don't. But along with the communication(s) comes another aspect you'll need to be aware of in this highly visible and 'star studded' industry, the one of the Privacy element. Being able to trust the 'right' people with this and having them be able to trust you can play a big role in your career. But be sure what you communicate doesn't infringe on the Privacy factor and don't let the Privacy aspect affect your communication skills and talents. There's a balance in there and it'll be up to you to find it.

It's sort of like selling peanut butter sandwiches and hot dogs. You could probably wind up with customers for both as long as you don't put mustard on their peanut butter or strawberry jam on their hot dog. You get the idea, they’re both separate but very important elements you'll need to deal with.

One of your functions as an SHR/aPHR career person is that of sorting through bios and resumes. And sorting through resumes gives you the opportunity to find that diamond in the rough so to speak as many HR Managers don't have the time to dedicate to skillfully and thoroughly go through them all. While your job function may not be that of finding the next Platinum Artist, this does however give you a front line opportunity to shine, especially if you prepare yourself for what the departments in the list mentioned above are all about.

Internship - a Location Advantage Edge?
But what 'Kind' of Internship?

One consideration for you while you're taking your courses is that of trying to arrange an internship in this industry and that canl provide you with a major head start and opportunities. Since you're taking your SHR/aPHR courses here in Southern California, you have a major edge over the rest of the nation as this is the entertainment capital of the world right in your own backyard. But, be sure to seek out a 'Specific Internship', not just a general 'admin' sort of 'thing'. Walking your career into an industry with a Human Resource Intern in Music along with your High-Velocity HR/aPHR courses and your Familiarity specific addendum summarizing your highlighted 'Objective', gives you the opportunity to push your profile in a strategic direction and is a big advantage - and - don't be afraid to ask the HR Mgmt of a firm your seeking directly for one - 'an internship'. Another good consideration is that when you do apply for an internship or even directly for a position, is to make it clear you don't define yourself in an HR capacity, just get in the habit of classifying yourself as an 'SHR' career individual, and more importantly, if asked why be prepared to give them an objective summary. Remember, if you don't look at yourself in that manner, they won't, so make it clear in your Familiarity Bio and Objectives addendum and let them know that they'll be getting something 'Xtra!'

There's a wide variety of things that your SHR position will provide to you that keeps your career tasks interesting. Having the ability to build relationships and network adds impact to your ability to both make money and enjoy doing it. One of the things you'll inadvertently learn during your career course as an SHR/aPHR is that a main function in HR relations is making sure the employees and staff are happy. The music industry offers some 'neat' side benefits to it as well. You'll be able to enjoy scheduling concerts, events, festivals and giving out deserts to some interesting 'folks', etc. It 'sorta' of adds a good feeling when you are making people happy. Just remember one important fact though, no matter how hard you try, or want to, you 'Ain't Gonna' make EVERYONE happy. There are always the 'dabny downers' and glass half empty knuckleheads who will find a way to complain about anything,, and like it or not, at some point, those are simply the people you'll just have to end up cutting off. Realize this, it's a great deal about perspective, your main function is to instill positive energy and ensure 'Harmony Aboard Ship!' Remember, that Ship' is carrying a lot of cargo you're responsible for and to - your career is right on 'Deck!'