Switch on

If you have already gained some experience, learnt some skills and worked hard to spread your name, trying to get programme controllers (and alike) to talk about you and offer you some work make sure you have a mobile phone which is switched ON. Always. Never turned off. Always by your side and controlling your life (just as the likes of Nokia dream of).

When someone has called in sick or the studio phones go into meltdown programme controllers need someone who is reliable, savy and enthusiastic like no other. They'll need someone to say 'yes' pretty quick, this is where your persistence will pay off. If, however, your phone is switched off when they ring or your mates answer taking the piss, you've missed your shot. In their urgency they'll ring the next reliable, keen and enthusiastic person (because trust me...there's alot of them to contend with).

So your mobile phone should always be switched on. Make sure its on at 5.59am just as the breakfast show realise that the assistant producer is off sick today.

Have a clear and professional answer message. No "Yo Bitch, me isn't answering the phone innit, so holla after the beep" or playing songs into the phone answer machine (i hate that!).

When they do get through to you; be polite but not un-naturally, friendly and KEEN. Don't say "oh sorry but i'm going out to get pissed that night", be eager to put off other plans to help them out. If you have major commitments they will understand but atleast offer or explain. If you can't do it because of something else that you really can't cancel make it obvious that you're gutted and that if there was a way you could do it you really would. You need to be available everytime they need you and keen to go out your way to help them.

Finally, if they leave a message on your answer machine; REPLY! Ring them back straightaway otherwise the opportunity could well be gone.