Looking for a job in the music business is incredibly intimidating and can be a soul destroying process. Six Months into a colossal search I came across WEXO.

After applying to a Music syncing company I visited ‘WEXO Towers’ to have a good old fashioned informal chat with Robin. In my experience, the average recruitment consultant just wants his commission even if you end up in a tortuous role. Robin actually seemed more concerned that I followed my ‘dream’.

I went away with much more clarity and continued to crack on and whittle down my options.

Six months later I’m sitting in a cool, spacious office overlooking the Strand, working as Robin’s assistant. I’ve organised an album launch for Mano de Dios, am putting together a 2012 gig schedule and am overseeing the shooting of a music video. To add another string to my bow I’ve been helping recruit 90 Deputy Logistics Managers (most of them graduates) for UPS at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Sometimes talking to graduates and people looking to build their careers in something exciting and innovative is surreal – because it was me last year, and now I’m helping them (with the assistance of the WEXO team’s guidance and their vast network and knowledge).

There is never a dull moment, not with such variety. One day I can be in the office finding suitable candidates for fresh roles, the next I can be checking out a picking up a ham for our office lunch from shop a in Battersea. My favourite part is the learning and the company.

There are some incredible opportunities out there but you have to dig deep. Sometimes you have to take the ‘scenic route’ but there is nothing better than actually ending up somewhere you look forward to going to each day.

I’ll wrap it up there, I have some ham to eat.

Dominique Edmonds

WEXO placements using the STEP schemes don’t just work for people who are entering the working world. Andy Stafford had already worked in the music industry and decided to go back to university. His account here shows how someone with significant experience managed to finance an internship that then turned into a full time role:

“After working at an independent record label for two years I decided to take a short hiatus from the music industry to complete my post-graduate studies. Initially I was apprehensive about the prospect leaving paid work to re-enter academia but thanks to WEXO I can safely say it was a decision that’s paid off. Upon completing my course WEXO helped me fit back into the music business seamlessly. I was lucky enough to be given a role within the music division of Platinum Rye Entertainment, a company that facilitates music licencing as well as sourcing tracks for use in TV, Radio and Online advertising. It is an arena that I’ve always wanted a role in, where my duties include providing music searches, negotiating music licences and liaising with advertising producers and creatives.

After my internship period ended I am very pleased to say that I am now a full time member of staff at Platinum Rye Entertainment.

Thank you WEXO.”

Having worked in various catering jobs from chalet cook to restaurant chef in the four years since I left university I knew two things – I didn’t want to work in a kitchen, but I did want to work in the food industry somehow. So a friend of mine who had got an internship suggested signing up to WEXO.

Within a week I had two interview offers and was offered an internship with ‘housebites’ a very small Internet start-up. Housebites is a new way of ordering high quality takeaway food from chefs in your local area. At the moment we haven’t even launched yet but watch this space.

As the company is so young and small, I am involved in many different aspects of the operation but my main role is as the ‘community manager’ – which at the moment consists of recruiting our chefs for when we get up and running. Having absolutely no business experience or knowledge, my time at Housebites has been invaluable, especially as the head of the company is a highly experienced internet entrepreneur and has been very kind and patient in including me in many aspects of starting an internet company. I especially enjoy the variety of working in such a small team and no two days are ever the same. It’s also great to have met so many talented and passionate chefs and just nattering about food all day – right up my street!

I feel lucky to have been here at the start of what I hope will soon become a household name. My internship comes to an end at the end of July, and I really hope that Housebites will ask me to stay on as the company launches and begins to grow. I really can’t thank WEXO enough for the fantastic service that they are providing for all of the people like me who don’t really know exactly what it is that they want to do or who can’t find a ‘real’ job in this tough market. I wish them all the best in the future.

Tom Gurney

THIS week saw the AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters) speak about their ideas for unravelling the conundrum of graduate unemployment and recruitment. AND one of WEXO’s favouritest blogs, ‘Dude Where’s my (Career) Blog’ in its infinite braininess has assessed their plans with its usual clarity. We’re throwing our thoughts into the ring and want you to do the same.


SO… Here’s the thing. As Dude points out, the solutions put forward by the AGR’s crack team of 750 employers lack the wow factor, but they do raise some interesting discussion points. AGR solutions sound a little bit ‘me me me’.


FIRSTLY, at their summit this week one thing unanimously agreed upon was that Universities need extra cash from somewhere to stop British Unis rapidly falling off the map as some of the World’s best. But the feeling was that this would come from more top up fees – you know, the ones students up and down the country have already been campaigning against, sitting in tents on cold nights in protest against etc. Needless to say this will not be a popular move.


SECONDLY, there was a call to scrap the government push for 50% of people in this country to attend university. It’s a pretty controversial talking point and a lot of people feel we don’t really need all those graduates floating around a saturated graduate market. It’s a fair point. However, in the name of democratising access to high level jobs this is problematic, no? If only some people get to go uni, then it looks like social mobility may take a blow. In fact Higher Education Minister David Lammy has spoken out about how he feels lucky to have benefited from university despite his poor background, it’s apparently something he’s passionate about.


AND FINALLY, The point Dude picked up on is AGR’s call for universities to teach ‘employability skills’ in degree courses and for students to do more ‘high quality work experience before and after university. Companies are calling for graduates to arrive at their doors ready trained and rearing to go. Dude rightly asks the question:


‘Er, whatever happened to great companies being able to spot candidates’ potential? And training you up, on the job?’ – Dude


Good question. With the increase in top up fees, employers are asking students to pay for their own training, as well as their qualifications. Hmmm. But who can afford to pay for this training more I wonder… companies… or hugely indebted graduates? Given all the hard work many graduates put into companies through internships already, surely young graduate shoulders can’t take ALL the strain of the recession, merely because they don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.


HOWEVER, work experience whilst at uni, in the holidays for example (especially if it’s paid) we DO think is a good idea and can help bridge the gap between Uni and working world. But employability skills are something best taught by the people that require them, no?





That’s ours, what’s your two pence?


Decide for yourself and let us know below – get a bit more info here

Recruiters demand work-ready graduates – but isn’t that THEIR job?