I'm no expert, but I've worked as an editorial assistant and I've learned a few things during my recent (ongoing, call me ;o ) job search. Here they are:1. Network, network, network!
The way I got my second job as an editorial assistant was by knowing a man who is a friend of the editor-in-chief. I had blindly applied for the position, but my former boss later told me that she had been skeptical of my skills written on my resume. I guess she underestimated me because of my youth. Regardless, unbeknown to me, she contacted a mutual friend (of sorts) who she then asked about me. Because he knew what I was capable of, and we'd shared a few laughs together at different events, he readily told her that I was perfect for the job. The next day, I was hired and my boss told me the story. That was a roundabout example, but it proves that you never know where your help may come from.
2. Maintain contact with gatekeepers, movers-and-shakers.
I'm guilty of half-way not following my own advice on this one. There have definitely been cases when I regretted not keeping in touch with administrative assistants and project managers/coordinators. They know a lot about office politics and oftentimes control who gets on a manager's calender and who doesn't. These are great people to call when you want to know if a person still works there, if a job is about to open up or when someone will be on vacation. However, I've done a pretty good job at keeping in touch with a few key decision makers. These individuals aren't directly in charge of hiring, but they have lots of pull. If they really like you and want you around, they'll get you a much needed interview or facilitate the creation of a space for you within the organization ;o )
3. Be ready to start the job the day after the interview.
Man, have I ever learned this one!!! I'd been told this several times before, but I'm just starting to realize how true this is. Media is a creative industry, very little like investment banking. At the end of your average magazine or broadcast (often unpaid) internship, no one is going to offer you a job to begin a year later and take you on a trip to Disney World...But that would sure be nice...No, a lot of time, editors and directors don't make hiring decisions until two days past desperate for someone to fill the job. So be ready. In fact, if you're really on top of things: arrive at the interview with your laptop, radio and office plant (j/k).
4. Live in the city that you want to work in, or relocate now.
No matter the size or reputation of the company, no matter the amount of specialization the position requires, they are going to want to see you in person before they give you the job. Now, you may be thinking, "Of course, DeShaun. That's a given!" But, in the past, I've gotten internships without
ever having seen my intern manager before my first day of work. How you ask? Probably by following suggestion #1. Anyway, unless you have lots of money to spend on travel and lodging arrangements (and how many aspiring media mavens in their 20s do?), you should look for jobs in your area. If the jobs you want aren't in your area, make them - meaning, move to where the jobs are. I have a friend of a friend who was looking for a television writing job in Georgia. Georgia? I think you can recognize the problem there. She moved to Los Angeles, and within a few weeks found a job with a studio. It's not rocket science: for an entry-level job in media, it's not likely that a company will cover relocation costs or smile kindly upon being made to wait for you to schedule a flight to interview. Believe me, I've got stories. So do yourself a favor and follow the industry or interest specificity.5. Follow up, follow up, follow up...and follow up again!
Some may consider this nagging or stalking. I call it being persistent, if you do it correctly. Find out who makes the decisions and when they make them. Get their contact information and create a follow-up spreadsheet. Write down the date you applied, who you talked to and what they told you. Then, check the spreadsheet regularly to see how many days has passed since you last spoke. This way you can gauge how often you're contacting them and who you're speaking to (so you won't be that bothersome applicant who no one wants to talk to). Keep calling and emailing until you get their attention in the form of an interview or notice that the job has been filled. Make sure to thank everyone who helped in the process. The last thing you want to do is make them feel like they've been harassed by your correspondence.
6. Go to media events. Join professional organizations.
The best contacts I've made in media have been people I met through the National Association of Black Journalists or at media events. In fact, I heard about the Magazine Publishers of America student project I did through an NABJ Student listserv. Plus, parties/events are the best.They are relaxed atmospheres where people can discuss their lives and their business. Plus, open bars and hor d'eovres all night!
7. Learn new skills that make you desirable.
You'd be surprised how impressed people are when they hear that you're learning. I talk about my blog and website in interviews all the time. Plus, I tell them about my interests in website design and search engine optimization. Maybe these things aren't your forte, but I'm sure you can think of a few things that you'd like to be better at. Investigative reporting? Multimedia reporting? Fact checking? Event planning? Something makes your eyes twinkle in anticipation of mastering. Hiring managers want to see that, and they'd love it if whatever it is can add value to their department.
8. Remain confident, remain optimistic or get out the game.
This, my friends, is what I struggle with every day. It's emotionally distressing to be a talented, college-educated individual who is told, "No" far more times than "Yes" in the employment search game. As I wrote in a previous post, you can start to doubt your abilities and past decisions. But, no one ever promised that pursuing your dreams would be easy. In Management Leadership for Tomorrow - an organization I'm an alumna of - we were always told to be SCRAPPY. Never to let rejection and set backs get us down. Failure is only failure when one fails to continue striving. So, I am continuing to strive. I will find a full-time gig in my field, with healthcare insurance (lol). So will you, if that's what you want. And if you don't have the confidence to believe so, get out now.
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