::: I'm looking for a job :::

[[6]]

I need some help.

I graduate around May/August, and from a previous post, some said to start the job hunt now. Where should I begin? What websites or other sources should I use to assist me in searching for entry level job openings? I would prefer to stay in Texas, but if I have to, I’m willing to relocate.

Anyone with advice, please post here or e-mail me at kenny077@yahoo.com.

Thanks a lot!!!

[ November 30, 2006, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: ray2005 ]

[Globetrotter]

well Medialine is a good place to start...also check out tvjobs.com
another good resource is this link http://newslink.org/stattele.html
you can search tv stations by state and check for each place's job listings by website...
What do you want to do? Report, produce, shoot??

[Sir Dropham Pants]

If you're out of school this summer, you have a busy few months in front of you.
Do you have internship experience? Does you college have a newscast? If your answer is yes to either of these questions (especially the internship) start picking the brains of those in the newsroom.
Define what you want to do, produce, report, shoot etc. But keep in mind your first job will likely require you to do all or some of those under the same position.
Search individual stations' websites for job openings. A subscription to Medialine or tvjobs will cost you, but it's worth it.
Search past topics on this forum. If you can wade thru the non-tv related stuff, there is a wealth of information.
Good luck!

[Tripe Face]

What industry do you hope to work in? Oil and Gas? retail? banking? Perhaps, seeing as this is MEDIAline, you are interested in the Media?

Would that be TV? Radio? Newspaper? Magazine? Internet? Public Relations?

A few more details about YOU would help US give you advice. Or you can leave us hanging and we'll just abuse the sh!t out of you (which we like to do anyways)

But that said... my advice to job seekers is aim high... VERY high. While you are applying for the jobs you think you can get, ALSO apply for jobs you NEVER IMAGINE you could get hired for yet. The worst they can say is "no" (if they say that)... and if they say "yes" bingo you are sitting on a dream job right out of college.

Good luck, come back for more abuse after you land the big gig.

[LittleBabyPuppy]

Make lots of tapes and send them out.

After college, I sent out 99 tapes over several months time. The 99th tape got me a job in a bigger market than I would've imagined. It's a tough few months ahead of you, just make lots of friends in the business and don't get discouraged. It wouldn't hurt to send a tape to Medialine. I believe my News Director first cuaght a glimpse of me in the talent showcase.

Just keep trying and improving your tape until you make it. Also, make sure you get lots of feedback on your tape, resume and cover letter. You'd be surprised how many people will step up to help.

[ November 30, 2006, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: LittleBabyPuppy ]

[[6]]

Originally posted by ray2005:
I need some help.

I graduate around May/August, and from a previous post, some said to start the job hunt now. Where should I begin? What websites or other sources should I use to assist me in searching for entry level job openings? I would prefer to stay in Texas, but if I have to, I’m willing to relocate.

Anyone with advice, please post here or e-mail me at kenny077@yahoo.com.

Thanks a lot!!!Sorry that I wasn't specific. I am interested in becoming a TV news reporter! I have interned at a news station since May.

[John M.]

Originally posted by ray2005:
Sorry that I wasn't specific. I am interested in becoming a TV news reporter! I have interned at a news station since May.Having an intership by itself means little. How you take advantage of the opporunity means all. Have you made a tape there? Have you made one anywhere?

Yes, you can begin to look for job opportunities but if you want to report on the air a station will want to see examples of you reporting on the air.

Start there. Either at your internship station, in classes or with your own camera and editing software, gather not only the material you need to make your tape but the regular and repeated practice you need to be able to do the job on a daily basis.

Don't wait for someone at your station to come to you. Take the initiative. Volunteer to come in on weekends and help the photog doing VO/SOT patrol. Some of these stories might be good enough to be packages. Ask the photog if he/she'd be willing to shoot some extra video and interviews so you could have enough to make a package for your own use. You could also tell the newscast producer what you have and offer to write an anchor-voiced package. That will help justify the extra effort in what was supposed to be a "quick VO/SOT" on the assignment sheet.

However you do it, do not leave your internship without building a resume tape. You need more than the tape of that one time you got to read a mock newscast on the set. You need to demonstrate that you can report and write a story for television.

Don't wait until the end of your internship to get some stories on tape. You need the chance to show your stories around and learn what's wrong with them while you still have time to improve your craft and re-do your tape. Many people make the mistake of having a tape but having no way to fix it when they find out its flaws. And they'll be plentiful, trust me.

[Produce man]

Everyone has supplied some good advice.

Let me be the one to rain on your parade.

Don't do it.

This is a business on a downward spiral. I would hate to be just starting out in this profession today.

I've made my bed, so be it.

But if I had it all to do over again....

[CJ]

Several small markets in Texas that you should consider.

Sherman/Denison- KTEN/KXII
Abilene
Whichita Falls
San Angelo
Amarillo (130)
Lubbock (150 something)
Laredo
Brownsville
Lufkin/Tyler
Beaumont

Take a look at those markets. A lot of people have gone on to good things from there... PM if you need anything else.

[Stack It]

I'll echo what CJ said, there are a ton of small markets in Texas where you can get your start. I think there are about 13 or something like that. However, you've gotta try and put some sort of tape together. An internship is nice, but what are you doing? Ripping scripts? Looking up file video? Logging tape? Watching feeds? Or are you actually going out with reporters and getting an opportunity to do things in the field. If so, you should try to fire off a few standups, try write a package. Show you're interested rather than hanging around a TV station because it's cool and you'd like to work there some day.

[Dick Shun]

Don't be discouraged by Produce Man. This business is full of jaded people. You might be one them someday. Then again, you might love your job, as I do (I'm an investigative reporter in a large market making a good living).

Medialine and TV Jobs are great places to hook up with first-time jobs. But, I've found the very best resource of all is networking. Do you know anyone who is already working in TV? Who do they know? If they think you're any good, will they make a phone call for you to put in a good word with a friend of theirs in a starter market? Will your professors help you make connections? Everybody who's worked in this business knows 100 other people at dozens of other stations.

My first job was in Des Moines, IA - at the time the 69th largest market in the country. I got it because I met a Missouri alum at RTNDA who was already a veteran reporter there. She walked in my tape. It was a dream first job. I never would've bothered sending a tape there, if I hadn't made the personal contact.

Blanket the country with tapes for sure. But, above all, network, network, network.

Good luck.

[ December 02, 2006, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Dick Shun ]

[TAFKA wacowx]

Originally posted by CJ:
Several small markets in Texas that you should consider.

Sherman/Denison- KTEN/KXII
Abilene
Whichita Falls
San Angelo
Amarillo (130)
Lubbock (150 something)
Laredo
Brownsville
Lufkin/Tyler
Beaumont

Take a look at those markets. A lot of people have gone on to good things from there... PM if you need anything else.If you are including Brownsville (market 92) then surely you should also think about Waco (market 94). ;)

I will point out that in Waco, and I am sure in Brownsville,-Harlingen-Weslaco, that we generally hire those with previous experience. That's not to say we wouldn't or haven't hired anyone fresh, it's just that markets above 100 often (not always) require at least some experience. Don't let that stop you from applying here.

One question to you ray2005: You graduate May/August? What does that mean? You are unsure of your date? May have to take a class in the summer to finish? If you are not sure of your graduation date, it might behoove you to hold off a bit until you are sure or else you might end up being offered a job 4 months before you are finished with your degree.

[Northern Met]

Originally posted by LittleBabyPuppy:
Make lots of tapes and send them out.

Also, make sure you get lots of feedback on your tape, resume and cover letter. You'd be surprised how many people will step up to help.I can't emphasize this enough! Get your tape on ML, get a critique, send it to news directors (yes, they will if you approach it right), anchors, reporters, go nuts with it! If you're bubbling with determination, you will get in.

[Tornadocane]

You said you would like to stay in Texas. Just a heads up, which Im sure you already know...but, hardly ever do we get to choose what state we want to go to. This biz involves lots of moving around and sometimes it takes a lot of time to get to where you want to be. I think many people on this board will agree that we had to move hundreds if not thousands of miles just to get our 1st gig. Although, Texas does have many small markets(most owned by Nexstar, which sucks), look outside and see what else there is.