Working In Sound, In 2024: How To Find Jobs, Learn New Skills, Bounce Back From Layoffs, Network And More

I'm really sorry to hear that times are tough for many in the audio community right now - and I'd love to help where I can. To do so, I've gathered a number of resources to help you find audio work, expand your sonic skillset, get back on your feet after a layoff, make the most of any downtime & more, below.

And if you want some good news, Adriane and I continue to see lots of new audio jobs pop up, week after week, even in this current climate.

I'll be expanding the lists as I come across new resources that could come in handy - and if you have any tips, ideas or insights to share, let us know in the comments section. Hope it helps, and please share it in your network if you someone who could benefit from it too!

By Asbjoern Andersen

Please share:

Where to find audio jobs:

• The Audio Jobs LinkedIn group: This is where we share audio jobs as soon as we spot them, so if you want new opportunities whenever they appear on our radar, join this group. If you’re an employer looking for audio talents, be sure to share your openings here too. Join the LinkedIn group here
• The Audio Jobs Facebook group: This is the largest audio jobs group on Facebook – so whether you’re someone looking for work, or an employer looking to hire audio pros, you’re more than welcome to join this group. Join the Facebook group here

Get the popular Audio Jobs Newsletter
– subscribe to our curated audio jobs newsletter, typically featuring 20 new openings every single week:

Coping with a layoff – and how to bounce back:

• How to prepare for – and power through – a layoff in the game audio industry, with Brian Schmidt

• How to Survive a Game Audio Layoff – insights from Damian Kastbauer

• What it’s like to be laid off from your video game studio

• What To Do Before and After Being Laid Off

• Mental Health and Layoffs in Games • International Mental Health Charities (shared by Mags Donaldson)

Networking:

Online audio community site Airwiggles.com is an exclusive partner of A Sound Effect and has recently grown to more than 3000+ members from all around the world. I really recommend joining Airwiggles; to network, hang out, learn from and collaborate with others in the audio community – it’s completely free.

• Join more than 3000+ members of the audio community on Airwiggles.com here
• Find interesting new events and opportunties to meet up with others, on the Audio Events List

Highlighted audio conferences:

AirCon 2024 • GameSoundCon 2024 • GDC 2024

Expanding your skillset:

The Sound Success Series:
Want to learn new sound skills or pivot to other types of audio work? We created the Sound Success Series to help you to grow – or kickstart – your audio business, learn new areas of audio-related work, and give you multiple revenue streams to insulate you from the ups and downs of the audio industry:

• How to succeed in UI/UX Sound Design, ADR Recording, & Audio Programming

• How to succeed in sound design for Film, Documentaries, and Trailers

• How to succeed in sound design for Games, Animation, and Television

• How to succeed in Field Recording, Foley, and Teaching Sound

• How to succeed in Audio Branding, Music Editing, and sound for VR

• How to succeed in Theater Sound Design, Podcast Sound Design, and Podcast Production

• How to succeed in Sound Editing, Sound for Advertising, and Production Sound

The Composer Success Series:
If you’re looking to succeed a composer, we’ve done a number of interviews with some of the world’s most talented composers in games, film and beyond to help you. Get their insights and advice in the Composer Success Series below:

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Film – ft. Pinar Toprak, Nainita Desai, & Jonathan Snipes

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for TV – ft. Charlie Clouser, Sherri Chung, & Cindy O’Connor

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for TV – ft Ronit Kirchman, Zach Robinson, and Alec Puro

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Theatre – ft. Elyssa Samsel, Kate Anderson, & Daniel Kluger

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for TV, VR, and Theme Parks – with Ariel Marx, Matthew Carl Earl, and Christopher Thomas

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Games – with Inon Zur

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Games – with Jason Graves

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Games – with Winifred Phillips

• The Composer Success Series: Composing for Games – with Peter McConnell

Getting hired and making a living in sound:

Adriane and I have been doing weekly audio jobs highlights for the past 8 years or so, and while I know times are very tough for a lot of people right now, I’m somewhat encouraged by the fact that we continue to find lots of new audio openings every week – even in the current conditions. So how do you land those jobs? These guides can hopefully help you:

• How to Build a Strong Audio Portfolio – an insightful guide by Paul Boechler

• How to get hired in game audio – thoughts and insights from your potential employer’s perspective

• 4 Effective Ways to Break into Game Audio

• How To Actually Live as an Audio Freelancer – by Melissa Pons

• A Short Guide to Freelance Rates – and what to charge for your work

• 7 Sound Alternatives to Working For Free

More resources:

If you’re between jobs and want to make the most of any downtime – or just want to learn more about your craft – I’ve gathered a number of resources for you below:

Explore the Power Lists – essential audio resources and insights:

• The Sound Design Power List • The Game Audio Power List • The Film Sound Power List

• Get great sound stories: The Sound Story Network is an exclusive network of hand-picked sound-related blogs, and they’re sharing some excellent stories. Stay updated on the latest Sound Stories in the Sound Stories Facebook group here, or follow Sound Stories on X here.

• Hear great audio-related podcasts: The Audio Podcast Alliance features a hand-picked selection of the world’s best podcasts about sound. Hear the latest episodes from the members here

• Read great books about sound: There are a huge number of sound-related books out there, and Swiss sound designer and recordist Julien Matthey has compiled a great overview of some of the real gems. Lots of sound community members have weighed in with recommendations too, so there are lots of excellent reads to be found in this guide to essential books about sound here.

• Get the latest audio industry news: Want to know what’s going on in the audio industry? Post Production Freelancer Christa Giammattei’s excellent, bite-size AUDIO INDUSTRY NEWS episodes get you up to speed every week on Instagram – and we’re excited to let you know that A Sound Effect is the official sponsor! Follow her on Instagram here.

Hope all of this comes in handy for you! Did we miss any resources? If so, please leave a comment below:

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Foley Sound Effects Grenade Foley Play Track 1374 sounds included $15

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Car Sound Effects Toyota MR2 1984 sports car Play Track 228 sounds included, 44 mins total $65

All files are recorded 32bit, 192 kHz, with RØDE NTG1, Line Audio Omni1 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II recorder. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds. It is also available in UCS.

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If you want to hear more about this field recording trip, feel free to check this post.
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Travel & Transportation Quietsub FX Transportation Play Track 1321 sounds included $59
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An extensive collection of 1,321 Transportation sounds. If it has means of movement to carry people or goods, whether by engine or human propulsion, you’ll likely find it here.

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Materials & Texture Sound Effects Quietsub FX Mechanical Parts Play Track 159 sounds included $39
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A collection of 159 mechanical sounds made by small motors. This is the result of a massive editing job involving small metal and plastic parts, and any other item made by humans and others.

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