Aisha Bean, VP, People & Culture, Create Music Group
Aisha Bean is Vice President, People & Culture at Create Music Group. Create sits at the intersections of music, culture, technology, and data. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm partners with over 25,000 artists and over 2,500 record labels.
With over 18 years of experience leading people and culture strategies across the tech, advertising, and entertainment industries, Bean brings a future-focused approach to organizational design and talent development. Recognized by the LA Times as a 2024 DEIA Visionary, she is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and building high-impact teams.
Below, as part of Music Business Jobs’ Career Advice section, Bean offers five top tips (plus one bonus tip!) for job seekers based on her own experience as a hirer…
Whether you’re trying to break in or grow, success depends on more than passion—it’s about showing value, being intentional, and understanding how the business actually works. At Create, you don’t always need music industry experience, but you do need a plan.
From data science to A&R, here’s how future leaders are getting hired—and building careers that last:
Tip 1: Lead With Value – Especially If You Work in Data or Tech
Yes, loving music matters. But what’s more compelling is how your skills drive monetization, innovation, or efficiency.
Are you a data analyst spotting fan trends? A product manager who’s built royalty tools? An engineer scaling content platforms? The industry needs builders who understand how systems sustain the ecosystem. Speak to that.
Tip 2: Your Resumé Is a Billboard. Your Portfolio Is the Proof.
Your resumé should pitch your impact. What did you build, improve, or launch? Use metrics when possible. But go further – show your work. A portfolio isn’t just for creatives. A project manager might include workflow maps or sprint recaps. A developer can link to feature demos or code repos. Social marketers can share their favorite campaigns. Use your portfolio to connect the dots between your expertise and how it would drive results for the role you’re targeting. The easier you make it for someone to see your impact, the more likely they are to remember you.
3. Go Beyond the Cover Letter – Make It an Experience
Cover letters still matter – but modern candidates tell their story across mediums. Make your resumé a clickable hub: link to samples, campaign recaps, or a short intro video.
Use platforms like Notion, Canva, or your own site to curate your body of work. Whether you’re in A&R, Marketing, HR, or Legal– show how you think, not just what you’ve done. Great storytelling leaves a lasting impression.
4. In Interviews, Bring Your Vision to the Table
We’re hiring Innovators. The strongest candidates think like entrepreneurs: they challenge assumptions and create value. Share moments where you launched something, solved a problem, or drove innovation. We prioritize candidates who are trend watchers and trendsetters that fluidly demonstrate strategic execution. Show us you’re more than your job title – you’re a driver of what’s next.
Tip 5: Your Soft Skills Will Set You Apart
Music is a relationship-driven industry. Research company culture and demonstrate how you align, authentically. Being technically strong isn’t enough if you can’t build trust and communicate effectively. Show how you lead with empathy, navigate ambiguity, while shifting priorities.Can you turn feedback into fuel, not friction?
Hiring managers are looking for more than cultural fit—they want cultural contributors. Bring examples that show how you elevate team dynamics.
Bonus Tip for A&R: Don’t Just Spot Talent – Spot Opportunity
Modern A&R is more than good ears. Taste matters – but so does data fluency, business sense, and cultural insight. Can you turn early buzz into growth? Guide artists through brand-building and monetization? The best A&Rs are part curator, part entrepreneur. Show how you develop talent, not just find it.
The bottom line is, don’t shrink to conform, differentiate yourself from the competition.
