Creative job seeker takes to airwaves

DO IT YOURSELF:Phil Hyde hopes his newly established radio station will provide him with a full-time career, after almost two years without a job. Photo / Bevan Conley

Phil Hyde has been job hunting for almost two years.

The 43-year-old was made redundant from his position at Cartridge World in Upper Hutt in February 2010. Except for a two-month stint as a shuttle driver in Wellington during April and May in 2011, he has remained unemployed.

But rather than despair about not being able to find a job, Mr Hyde is trying to create his own.

The money he earned as a shuttle driver helped him buy a radio transmitter, and he set up a low-power FM radio station, Dagsy FM 88.0, which began broadcasting in November 2011.

Mr Hyde said he was giving the local Cartridge World store free advertising in the hope it would bring customers and perhaps part-time work for himself. He is also delivering the Midweek to bring in extra money.

Born in Upper Hutt, but schooled in Wanganui, Mr Hyde said his move back to the River City also meant cheaper living expenses. He has experience in IT, retail management and as a general tradesman.

Most of all he hopes he can find a job that complements his work developing the radio station, which he hopes will, in turn, provide a full-time career.