Ever fancied being a music journalist in Ibiza? We're looking for several interns and external contributors to work before, during and after the 2015 season, with the selection process taking place over the course of the winter through our external contributor programme.
Ibiza Spotlight could be your first step to working within the music industry or Ibiza itself. See details below and via the links.
Available Positions
- 2015 Internship, 3 places available
- External contributors over winter
We are looking for external contributors to write for Spotlight about music and the international nightlife scene over winter. You will need a love of dance music, and a strong standard of creative and grammatical writing. The position is unpaid, and does not guarantee a summer intern position, nor is it a prerequisite for the position. It will, however, give you a great head start if you wish to apply, free entry to club nights, free music and industry experience.
To apply as an external contributor, please send a CV, and example of your writing (music-related is preferred) to clubbing@ibiza-spotlight.com with subject WINTER CONTRIBUTOR YOUR FULL NAME.
Summer Internship Job Role
The internship at Ibiza Spotlight for the 2015 season encompasses all elements of working in and supporting the business, but mainly with regard to clubbing and nightlife. Tasks to include:
► Researching, writing news content.
► Reviewing music.
► Attending club nights and producing event reviews, where possible taking photos to support.
► Interviewing DJs, promoters, other members of the dance music community and island people for features.
► Presenting and interviewing for our Spotlight Films.
► Various administrative tasks to support content – sourcing photos/videos, fact checking, transcribing, social media.
► Managing and updating social media networks.
► Liaising with agents, clubs, promoters, PR agencies and DJ management to organise content.
► Helping to run Spotlight guestlist queues.
► Representing Ibiza Spotlight in a professional manner.
Perks/Benefits
► One-on-one mentoring and teaching - everything we know, we want to pass on to you. We will work with you individually to greatly improve your skills in all the tasks outlined above.
► Free guestlist/passes for clubs – within reason, we'll sort you out!
► Exposure – have your work published on Ibiza's biggest website; a few million people will see the fruits of your labour over the summer.
► Networking opportunity – this is the first step to working in Ibiza, journalism or the music business as a whole. Spotlight and Ibiza provide the connections you need to network on an international level.
► Money – whilst most internships just offer expenses for travel and lunch, we appreciate we're not just a bus ride away. So we will offer increased expenses to assist towards rent/living costs once interns are in Ibiza. Full details will be discussed with potential candidates.
► Office Space – Use our office and internet whenever you want, outside of designated office days.
► The summer of your life – a whole summer of the best music, people, parties and beaches. This is what you could be calling 'work'.
VIDEO | Staff writer Jordan Smith and content manager James Chapman filmed an interview with Richie Hawtin during the 2014 season.
What we're looking for
► The successful applicants will have some form of writing experience, with a genuine interest in music journalism. You must show this in your application.
► An essential skill is that we need someone who is comfortable using computers, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Basically someone that isn't going to need their hand held using word or the internet.
► A high standard of creative and grammatical writing goes without saying.
► Experience of Ibiza OR an Ibiza virgin (we are looking for both) as well as knowledge of dance music culture. You're not going to get the position if you don't know the difference between Armin Van Buuren and Jamie Jones.
► We need people that can be creative, be witty, be serious, challenge the status quo, find solutions to whatever problems they're faced with.
► This is no 9 to 5 job, but we need staff to last the distance and to be flexible to meet deadlines quickly.
► Confidence. You're going to be in contact with people every day and need to be able to get along with all shapes and sizes and be able to assert yourself, whether it be a guestlist queue, a grumpy DJ or a busy editor.
► Beyond that there are no rules and no ideal candidate, it's up to you to catch our attention. You may be a Pulitzer Prize winner in the making, but if you don't show us that, we can't pick you.
► Finally, leave your prejudices at home, this is really important. We all have our tastes, but a trance fan who doesn't get Cocoon is as equally unwanted as a techno snob that doesn't get why 5000 go to Cream every week. In other words, be up for anything!
Conditions
► Must be available to work in Ibiza from June to September. For outstanding candidates, exceptions may be made for earlier and later start dates.
► You must arrange your own flights and accommodation.
► You must have your own laptop. IT equipment will be available but a laptop is compulsory.
► You must be prepared to spend time working in our main office in San Antonio.
► Interns will be expected to work 20-30 hours a week, which doesn't include the time you spend out clubbing! This will be a flexible schedule depending on meetings, content you are working on and your other job(s).
PHOTO | Next level dancefloor tomfoolery for our 15th Birthday party at Space.
How to Apply
► No covering letter or email is required.
► Don't send generic CVs as if you were applying for a job in a call centre or shop. Instead provide a mini profile of who you are, your last 2 or 3 relevant jobs, any qualifications you think are worth mentioning and a short summary of what you're doing right now that means you'll be able to take this role (e.g. Tell us if you're unemployed, at uni, between jobs or going to be in Ibiza anyway). Let us know about any previous Ibiza holiday or work experience.
► Provide a max. 100 word paragraph on why you think you'd be good for the job and why you want it. Feel free to tell us about your favourite music, DJs, clubs, etc. Remember: you're applying for a journalist position, don't simply state you 'like to get on it'. BE CREATIVE.
► Include a recent photo of yourself.
Present all of the above in whatever order or format you like but it should all fit on one page of A4. Anything more than one page won't be considered.
All the above should be sent to clubbing@ibiza-spotlight.com with the subject title "SUMMER INTERN 2015 YOUR FULL NAME".
During March we will decide on a shortlist. The shortlisted applicants will then be expected to submit a fresh piece of music writing for further consideration, the best of those then invited for a phone interview. As we get hundreds of applications every year, we will only get in touch with potential candidates. If we haven't contacted you by the end of March, you unfortunately haven't made the cut.
The closing date for receipt of applications is February 15th.
Staff Testimonials
"When I first read about this opportunity three years ago I was so excited that I dribbled a bit. If you are currently experiencing similar symptoms then you're on the right track, because working at Spotlight is easily the best job I've ever had. The clubbing team is small, passionate and generally awesome and will show you a side of the island few get to experience. Good work is rewarded and your opportunities and influence increase the better you do. At Spotlight I have developed a huge portfolio of writing, presenting and filmmaking, an in depth knowledge of a scene, its music and all its players, a heap of industry contacts and friends I'll keep for life."
- Jordan Smith, Intern 2012, now full time.
"Thanks to Spotlight, my first season (in fact, first trip to the island in general!) was the best summer of my life. I got to do my dream job in the best place for music in the world, meet amazing like-minded people, and party, talk and write about it constantly! Highlights included Amnesia Opening, Enter on Thursdays at Space, the whole of September, team days out exploring the island and visiting Es Vedra. (Getting free entry to practically everything on the island and working for such a highly regarded company are great plusses too!)"
"Within a few months after completing the internship, I was employed by Neighbourhood PR, one of the industry's leading PR agencies, covering international press for artists such as Maya Jane Coles, Joris Voorn, Steve Lawler and Hot Since 82. I can't thank Spotlight enough for opening those doors for me, as well as giving me an incredible summer."
- Lydia Laws, Intern 2013.
"If you think interning is all about making cups of tea, then think again. With Spotlight, your day to day life will involve partying at some of the best clubs in the world, interviewing your favourite DJs, reviewing music you love, gaining invaluable knowledge of the scene, and getting to call all of this ‘work'! This summer was my first time in Ibiza, and with the opportunities Spotlight gave me, along with the people I met, I really couldn't have asked for a better first season. From having the beach on your doorstep, to the portfolio of work and contacts you'll come away with, this is easily one of the best jobs out there for anyone interested in getting into the industry."
- Joanna Wright, Intern 2014
PHOTO | The 2014 clubbing team at its peak. From left to right, nightlife bossman Stivi, interns Francesca and Jo, content manager/photographer Chap, staff writer/presenter Jordan and interns Sara and Janson.
Questions / More Info
We think we're being fairly clear about everything here, but if you really aren't sure about something and need clarification, email the above address with the subject title 'INTERN QUESTION'.
Please note that we'll only be replying to valid and pertinent questions. If you want to know where to get some cheap worker's accommodation or how much you'll get for expenses or if your mate can have a Space pass, you're unlikely to get a reply.
The biggest piece of advice we can give is to please be creative and unique in your application. You will be working within a creative and dynamic team and we want someone who can contribute to that.
Good luck!
