Past over for a job

[News Junky]

Hi everyone!
I was hoping to get some words of wisdom, advice, encouragement from those who have been in the business a long time.
I have been in the business for only two years but have worked in 2 top 20 stations and I think I am really good at my job. Recently though I was passed over for a full time position (as I am currently "part time" but of course work full time hours!) and told I am not ready for the position. Needless to say I am really bummed and wondering what it is I am doing wrong and if maybe I am not meant for this business.
I was hoping to hear from some folks who maybe have been passed over or even fired but have gone on to succeed in the business.
Thanks!

[Mom]

You can start by developing your writing skills. Your post is poorly written and whether you're a producer, reporter, anchor, editor, photog or anyone else in a newsroom, it would be to your advantage to develop a better style. Your thread title is incorrect. It should read "passed" over as it does in your post. If you were to argue, "Who cares, this is only a message board," I would argue back that no matter where you represent yourself, it matters. Making careless mistakes in the newsroom, such as the one you made in the thread title, would prevent you from being promoted. When your bosses tell you that you're not ready, it's best to believe them. They're reacting to what you've done for them so far. Obviously, what you've done is not enough to get you promoted. Work on improving and then, proving them wrong.

[Hurricane]

Your location says Orlando. O-town is not a beginners market. If that is truly where you are now employed then you might need to consider getting experience in a smaller market and then try to go back.

[kmfdmatt]

There are some ND's out there, though, who look at people starting in larger markets with a bit of skepticism when they're applying for jobs in smaller markets, full time or not.

[thenewsleader12345]

with 2 years experience...you really cant expect to move up in a top 20 market. Thats not a lot of experience.

[Stack It]

I'm going to follow Mom's lead on this one. Besides the error in the title, it's not clear what News Junky does. For all I know this person could be an editor, run TelePrompter, or be in production. That's the most important part of this. You've told us you've been in the industry for 2 years, but you didn't tell us what you're doing. This tells me that you're none of the following: reporter, producer, writer, or assignment editor.

Help us a little more so we can help you.

[News Junky]

I am an Assignment Editor. I started in the Tampa market and am now in Orlando.

I appreciate the constructive criticism.

[Bureau Chief]

Gees...ya you need some smaller market experience. You are in a tough position. Many AEs work for years to get where you are right now. In smaller markets, writing skills for the AE are vital. Get to work, take some classes in writing and start scouting out prospects in the smaller markets for a couple of years. In other news....GOOD AEs are worth their weight in pizza! See the earlier thread on what makes a good assignment editor.

[Another side]

Or, you could stay where you are in Market 20, learn from those around you, develop maturity and contacts and wait your turn.

You're ND is right ... you're not ready. But I'm not sure expecting you to voluntarily move down to a smaller market to get more practice for a job you're already doing in Market 20, is reasonable.

Listen to your ND.If he/she will tell you why they believe you're not ready, take that and run with it. If he or she didn;t want you there -- particularly for a weekend, early AM desk shift, you wouldn't be there.

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by Another side:
Or, you could stay where you are in Market 20, learn from those around you, develop maturity and contacts and wait your turn.

You're ND is right ... you're not ready. But I'm not sure expecting you to voluntarily move down to a smaller market to get more practice for a job you're already doing in Market 20, is reasonable.

Listen to your ND.If he/she will tell you why they believe you're not ready, take that and run with it. If he or she didn;t want you there -- particularly for a weekend, early AM desk shift, you wouldn't be there.I agree with this.

You don't *always* have to start in East Kabum****, Nowhere in this industry. I also started my career in a "top 20" market and went from there directly to the network, via RADIO before leaping into television. And I stayed in that "top 20" market for 7 years before moving to NYC.

If your'e good, you're good. But even the good ones need at least SOME experience before moving on, or even before being fully reconized in their own market!

[ October 28, 2007, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: TVMattNYC ]

[Stack It]

Here are some observations News Junky. You've held two jobs in 2 years as a part-timer, and you've stepped back in markets. There in lies your answer. You need more experience, plain and simple. Whether that means staying at your current station part-time or going to a smaller market for a much more prominent full-time position is up to you. But I read this as a message from your bosses to you telling you develop your skills.

Good AEs are hard to come by and it's a thankless job for the most part. But if you build a good reputation, you will move up. Read up on that thread about what makes a good assignment editor. Good luck.