Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges.

I’ve never hired anyone based on a certification. Or made an interview decision based on one. Or a degree for that matter. Or put much stock in so called knowledge tests (either in house or cert based) prior to moving an applicant to the next level. These days though I’m no longer in that loop. Last year I made some changes, went to another gig for a bit with which my supervisory gig was transferred to the next in line. Still I’ve hired a bunch of people over the years primarily when I was running PA companies in the old country.

I’ve never been hired because of a cert or even because of my resume. In fact I’ve had absolutely one interview due to my resume. In 42 years of gigging. That was during the pandemic for a network TV gig. In fact I didn’t have a resume until I started applying for jobs on the block. I didn’t need a formal resume. Nor did my colleagues. Getting hired in touring is about personal networking. Not so much who you know (though that matters) but rather who knows you. Word of mouth is much stronger than a cold call.

That doesn’t mean certs or formal education aren’t an asset. They are. Particularly when starting out or learning new and developing technologies. Gone are the days when you’d plug a bunch of almost matched gear together, primarily because that’s how it was then proceed to do a gig. These days you need to have a better understanding of how the gear works. With specialized drive systems, console networking and more complex configurations the days of “throw and go” have come to an end. Or at least changed.

Certification though shouldn’t be conflated with knowledge. You can have knowledge and not be certified or be certified and not (yet) have the working knowledge to to apply it to a real world gig. Or best case be knowledgable and certified or have a degree. It’s not so much using a specific product. For example a console. That’s good for learning the desk but having a deeper understanding of the technology behind it aids not only in the use of that gear but in troubleshooting when something goes sideways. If my snake goes Tango Uniform I might need to know some basic networking. I’ve heard at times a tech postulate some batshit wacky audio theory or otherwise out there troubleshooting that’s not grounded in reality. When you know the basics you can avoid that or at least know enough to question it.

Basics include how sound is created and travels in air. The basic mechanics of transducers. Basic electricity and electronics and electrical safety. The physics of rigging and rigging safety including fall protection. You don’t have to be the sparky that taps power or a climbing rigger but you should know enough to realize what’s safe and what isn’t.

While there are OSHA cards for some of this nothing beats experienced pros showing those new to the business or advancing what to do. That’s where us gray beards come in. Not everything is contained in a formal education. Many things, perhaps most can’t be learned in a class, webinar or formal environment. You got to live it to learn it. Back in the dinosaur days we didn’t have the availability education resources that exist today. Take advantage of those as well as real world experience.

The most important aspect I save for last. Don’t be a dick. Treat those that work with you with respect. Don’t freak out is something goes sideways. People skills are just as important and in some gigs (think high end broadcast or corporates) it’s more important than technical knowledge. The client doesn’t care at that point if you have a bevy of badges on your profile. They want to know why the bumpers aren’t loud enough.

Those are what I call the skills that can’t be taught. I can teach you to use any piece of gear. And get great results from it. What I can’t (and don’t want to do) is teach you how to be a decent human. That’s why if we sit down for an interview it’s going to focus on the skills you have that can’t be taught. We may be talking about audio but I’m looking deeper than that. I won’t care if you don’t know something. Just don’t oversell it on your resume or try to bullshit me about it. I know the answer I’m looking for before I ask the question.

As for certs get as many as you like. Most of them are good to have. It’s not a destination and and of itself. It’s a means to get there. There’s more to gigging than gear, swag and inconsistent catering. Above everything there is the human aspect. That aspect is overlooked far too often by some that would otherwise be great techs.