Becoming a radio disk jockey (DJ) requires a strong vocal presence, a willingness to work unusual hours for low pay, and the flexibility to move from station to station or even from state to state. An entry-level radio DJ may also be responsible for a station's clerical work or commercial production, so a background in office management or electronics may also prove useful. A radio DJ's workday can range from a four hour shift on the air to a day-long remote broadcast from a distant location.

One suggested educational path to follow in order to succeed as a radio DJ is a concentration in English, speech and theatrical arts. A radio DJ may be asked to create his or her own advertising copy, so a strong writing background is fundamental. A radio DJ may also have to rewrite news articles provided by a wire service or create interesting bits of patter between songs. By taking creative writing courses in high school, a radio DJ can develop the sort of on-the-spot storytelling skills popular with audiences.

Another important educational tool for a radio DJ is theater and speech. Program directors at radio stations prefer to hire applicants with strong vocal skills and the ability to speak clearly. Theater and speech classes can help a potential radio DJ improve his or her clarity, while eliminating any distracting accents or impediments. Many high schools offer in-house communication courses with working television or radio stations. These facilities offer excellent opportunities for on-the-job experience and even offer the chance to create an audition tape, called an air check in the radio world.

A number of colleges and universities offer broadcasting as a major, so a radio DJ candidate should enroll in a suitable program with a radio broadcasting component. Working as a campus radio DJ can provide real world experience, along with a more professional air check tape. Although a degree is not strictly required in order to break into the radio business, program directors often give hiring preference to degreed candidates. College programs can also provide technical training for a radio DJ assigned to work a board, radiospeak for operating a studio control panel.

Once a radio DJ candidate has a professional air check tape and a degree in hand, it's time to seek employment. The main person responsible for hiring new on-air talent is the station director. In smaller operations, this task may fall to the station's general manager or owner. In general, the station director usually has a generous supply of air check tapes and resumes from would-be disk jockeys, but smaller stations may advertise openings from time to time. The trick is to get the station director to listen to your air check tape personally and call you in for an interview.

A new radio DJ is often assigned to overnight or weekend shifts at first. While this may seem like a career setback, demonstrating a willingness to take on unpopular assignments can help you secure better shifts in the future. If you're fortunate enough to be hired by a popular radio station, expect to spend many hours in the studio cutting commercials, broadcasting sporting events and anchoring remotes. There is a significant amount of turnover in the radio business, as computers have taken over many routine aspects of the job and experienced radio personalities constantly move on to better paying markets.

Finding work as a radio DJ in smaller markets can be hit-or-miss. It is not unusual for freelance disk jockeys to move several times a year for work. As radio formats or station ownerships change, a radio DJ must learn to change as well or prepare to move on to another gig.

The average salary for a local radio DJ is rarely more than 1,500 dollars (USD) a month, usually paid out as an hourly wage. Only a small percentage of nationally recognized radio talents earn the top wages associated with the entertainment industry. Most radio disk jockeys supplement their income through mobile DJ work or nightclub gigs.