Rage-Applying landed me a higher paying job in a week

• I was a music supervisor in a sports broadcasting company for 2 years. I wasn’t promoted after my supervisor left.
• I applied for five new jobs and was hired the next day.
• Although I am now working in a smaller office, I make more as a manager.

This is an as-told to essay based on a conversation that Jordan Smith, a 28 year-old Los Angeles-based musician industry professional, had with me. It has been edited to improve clarity and length. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for music coordinators in Los Angeles is $58,000.

My boss wanted to move on after I had been working for a sports broadcasting company two years. This department was relatively new and I helped to create. It specialized in organizing music layouts for entertainment programs. It can be difficult to make it in the music industry. I was able to land this position in August 2020, after having lost my first post-graduate job in that year. This made me feel more settled in my field.

I hoped that my supervisor would let me interview for the job after he left. I was his right-hand person for two years. I was shocked when his replacement was announced before he could consider me for the more senior position.

My supervisor and me shared many responsibilities. I took over when he was too busy to do it. Naturally, I assumed I would be the next to be promoted if he quit, but that was not the case.

I thought immediately, “I can’t do this anymore.” 

It was time to move forward

It was very upsetting. I could have wept because I had spent so many hours building up the music department, and even creating how to guides since we were a young team. I was disappointed that the position was filled by someone else from the department, without asking any music coordinators if they were interested.

I began looking through professional Facebook groups, LinkedIn and other job boards to find music managers.

I wasn’t seeing red, but it was what I was seeing. Something As I rage-applied for five new jobs. I felt like I had learned everything I could after two years as the music coordinator for the company. It was clear that I couldn’t move up from where I was.

I applied for a new job in 2022 with Rage, and received three interviews and multiple job offers within a week of being overlooked by my boss.

Realizing my worth and defining rage

Los Angeles’ music scene is very fast-paced. 

I applied over the weekend for a position as a music supervisor, and I interviewed the following Tuesday. I was offered the job by Thursday. I was offered other positions throughout the day.

I’m now working for a smaller library of music, but I’m making more than I did in the last job and have a higher-ranking position.

Rage-applying helped to determine my worth

The music industry can be so hard to navigate, but I think my rage-applying helped me land new opportunities  quickly. It made my thoughts clearer, and I was not nervous at all. I knew I couldn’t stay with my old company and that I wouldn’t settle for less than I was worth.

Rage does not have to be negative. It made me realize what I deserved from my employer and I was not afraid to ask.