Job Search Afterthoughts...

[FrontierMan]

I'm on my way to my second reporting job in a top 50. It's a dream, but it wasn't easy. I sent out many tapes before one station called, so I wanted to bring some encouraging words to people who come here looking for advice on their job search.

As a reporter, I never lived in a fantasy world thinking I'd break into a "top 10" fast. I knew I needed to pay my dues. I didn't care where I got my first job, but after sending 100+ tapes, I ended up in a 90s market. People in online communities said if I sent out more than 20 tapes, I sucked. I could have listened to them, but I kept on trucking, and eventually got a job I loved where everyone wanted to see me grow and improve.

My contract in the 90s market ended after two years. Again, I sent out 100+ tapes for my second job, and got rejected by 8 agents for various reasons. I still kept going. I'm about to make a huge jump with more money I could ever ask for....and I really mean more money I could ever ask for!

Many people here ask for advice. My advice is to keep changing that tape. Find a mentor to tell you how to change the reel, make it better and send it out. Don't listen to people here...just believe in yourself and strive for improvement each day. Be creative, be poetic in your writing, and when you like a story....keep it and send it! Eventually, the dream will come alive.

OK...I'm done!

[s'news]

I think the good advice around here far outweighs the bad.

Congratulations.

[Pinkie]

Congratulations, sounds like things are working out for you.


As someone in the middle of her search, thanks for that post. Any other tips?

[Produce man]

Friendly bump...

[FrontierMan]

Hello Pinkie,

My additional advice would be to stand out from the rest of the bunch. News Directors get a bunch of tapes. There are plenty of good looking people who speak well. You'll be different by thinking outside the box. I know many things are crazy when you've only got a short amount of time to cut two packages...but it helps if you show you're eager. When you're excited and pumped, it gets your coworkers pumped to make that live shot the shiznit. When it's the shiznit, it goes on your tape.

Make sure you show something in live shots. If your station does not go live, you have to try harder and prove you can keep people interested during look-likes. If your tape is mainly non-live stnadups...NEVER just stand there. Turn around, show something and say something about it...even if it's traffic on the interstate, or an empty building where someone was scammed two days ago.

Also...I just got lucky that I generally have a personality people like, but if people enjoy working with you, the gigs will eventually come (no matter how good you are). Never complain unless it's a big fat deal! The biz is extremely small, and stations will call people who are not on your reference list...so be nice to everyone. Every job I got in this biz was through some mutual person I was never close to and was not on my references. It's important to keep this in mind....HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE!

Think about your writing. Think about making your stories different. Learn how to be everyone's friend, while knowing how to ask questions people want to know. If a rude question pops in your head, ask it! Blame it on viewers...tell them a ton of viewers called you asking.

Facts are easy to tell. Tell them in interesting ways.

***IMPORTANT***

When you send out a tape, most stations will ask for a second tape. Make sure you have something in your secret story stash which would make that second tape better than the first.

And most importantly, never give up. If you've sent out 85 tapes without a phone call, or even 20...rework that tape to make it better!

Also...Talent Dynamics, Broadcast Image and Magid are all awesome. Very nice people work at all three of those, and they will be honest about your tape if you ask. Send your tape to all three. I won't single any one of these companies out, but one of them got me two offers I didn't accept.

Medialine is a great resource too. Both of my on-air jobs came from MediaLine! I'm already on one testimonial, they don't need another.

Not everyone has the same luck. If I was job searching for a year, is that still lucky? With the market size and pay, I think I'm very lucky! Just never give up...STRIVE TO BE THE BEST! Something will eventually come if you treat everyone with respect while showing progress.

[Gail sirens]

I hope the "more money than you ever dreamed of" is six figures.

[Spike]

I hope the "more money than you ever dreamed of" is six figures.

Some people dream small.

[trunky]

yep, for things like, financial stability.

[Spike]

yep, for things like, financial stability.

Financial stability is not a dream. It's a realizable goal. A dream is something that may or may not be realizable, but you go after it anyway, like being a novelist, rock star, President of the United States or a billionaire.

You can have financial stability on minimum wage. That's not a dream. That's called "settling for less."

[trunky]

you can also make minimum wage, not be financially stable, and dreaming of the day when you are...so aside from being polemic, i'm not sure where you're going with all that.

[DoneThatToo]

Well I liked everything you said but this one line.

Hello Pinkie,

My additional advice would be . . .

When you send out a tape, most stations will ask for a second tape. Make sure you have something in your secret story stash which would make that second tape better than the first.


Why hold back on that first tape hoping for a request for a second tape? Your first tape should be killer, the second should prove that the first wasn't all that you have to offer.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new market!

[TVMattNYC]

I'm on my way to my second reporting job in a top 50. It's a dream, but it wasn't easy. I sent out many tapes before one station called, so I wanted to bring some encouraging words to people who come here looking for advice on their job search.

As a reporter, I never lived in a fantasy world thinking I'd break into a "top 10" fast. I knew I needed to pay my dues. I didn't care where I got my first job, but after sending 100+ tapes, I ended up in a 90s market. People in online communities said if I sent out more than 20 tapes, I sucked. I could have listened to them, but I kept on trucking, and eventually got a job I loved where everyone wanted to see me grow and improve.

My contract in the 90s market ended after two years. Again, I sent out 100+ tapes for my second job, and got rejected by 8 agents for various reasons. I still kept going. I'm about to make a huge jump with more money I could ever ask for....and I really mean more money I could ever ask for!

Many people here ask for advice. My advice is to keep changing that tape. Find a mentor to tell you how to change the reel, make it better and send it out. Don't listen to people here...just believe in yourself and strive for improvement each day. Be creative, be poetic in your writing, and when you like a story....keep it and send it! Eventually, the dream will come alive.

OK...I'm done!

You GO boy!

[Roy Hobbs]

Congratulations, sounds like things are working out for you.


As someone in the middle of her search, thanks for that post. Any other tips?
Yes, don't forget to regularly check e-mails or PMs or you might miss an opportunity (HINT)
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