Generally DJs work in one of three main areas these are on radio, clubs and in party's. Radio DJs; and this includes djs that work in shopping centers etc need to be good on the mic but often the music they play is not chosen by them, as the radio station will have a playlist from which to work. Club DJs will almost defiantly choose their own music selection as club DJs tend to specialise in one type of music ie R and B, House, Garage etc and a club DJ will work out smooth mixes to blend one track into the next. Club DJs will play out were the audience will know what to expect and will want the latest and yet to be commercially released dance tunes.

The party DJ needs to have a broad range of music knowing the latest commercially available club music to the hits of the 50's and before. A party DJ needs also to be good on the mic and be able to deal with a audience that may demand everything from Max Bygraves to drum and bass. When a experienced party DJ selects the next tune to play its should be in reaction to how well the current one is being received. The reason for this is that a party such as a wedding or birthday is a totally different environment to radio work or a party in a club. Every party is unique and even if the DJ plays back to back floor filling hits at some point even the most energetic dances get tired.