Best Place to Find a TV Job

Charlie Brown · Dec 8th 2006, 12:57 PM

Where is it?

Purplehaze · Dec 8th 2006, 01:01 PM

Unadvertised openings unearthed through networking.

Dec 8th 2006, 04:24 PM

Honestly - being todays talent was useful for me. Now that you can update your reel with new great stuff you should consider going for it again.

Stack It · Dec 8th 2006, 05:52 PM

Networking and digging through stations websites. Of course, there's always TVJobs and the other trade websites. But, there are stations who only post jobs on their website so they can attract candidates who, in their eyes, really want to work for the station. Instead of advertising, they hope their reputation and/or city will be the draw. That way the ND doesn't get overwhelmed with tapes and assumes the tapes coming are people who really want to come work in the newsroom.

ISTHISTHINGON? · Dec 8th 2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stack It:
Networking and digging through stations websites. Of course, there's always TVJobs and the other trade websites. But, there are stations who only post jobs on their website so they can attract candidates who, in their eyes, really want to work for the station. Instead of advertising, they hope their reputation and/or city will be the draw. That way the ND doesn't get overwhelmed with tapes and assumes the tapes coming are people who really want to come work in the newsroom.

I always thought stations posted jobs on their website as an EOE type thing. I mean, there'll be a posting up for 6 months some times....call the newsroom, find out it's been filled for a couple months. [img]graemlins/face_banghead.gif[/img]

Charlie Brown · Dec 8th 2006, 06:27 PM

I've spent the evening e-mailing news directors/EPs/Asst. NDs in my target markets...hoping something turns out that way.

Roy Hobbs · Dec 8th 2006, 07:53 PM

I've found MediaLine to be very helpful in harvesting all the opportunities out there, and the quickest way to keep track.

By dutifully searching web sites you can sometimes get a jump of two to three days.

The higher you aim, the more critical it becomes for you to get inside scoops to increase the chances of your tape actually getting looked at.

Here's the dirty little secret that some well meaning folks add credence to without realizing it: it is NOT a matter of having the best tape among a pool of people whose tapes all get looked at. Anybody who says so either works in a real small market or got their present great job years ago and doesn't realize the new realities.

Always work on improving your tape, sure, but better yet...improve your knowledge on 1) who in particular looks at the tapes 2) who does the actual hiring and 3)why that particular opening came about.

To sum up, most ads are [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] and the ones that aren't won't tell you the full picture. Avoid HR like the plague, just like other industries.

Here's hoping you aren't a blockhead, Charlie Brown!

[ December 08, 2006, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: Roy Hobbs ]

Dec 8th 2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Purplehaze:
Unadvertised openings unearthed through networking.

totally agree.
you have to find about the opening BEFORE it's posted.

once it's posted, it's gone.

Purplehaze · Dec 9th 2006, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adam & doctor drew:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Purplehaze:
Unadvertised openings unearthed through networking.

totally agree.
you have to find about the opening BEFORE it's posted.

once it's posted, it's gone.[/QUOTE]So how do you network? I guess that's the important question here.

Meet news directors face-to-face. Build relationships. Conventions, state broadcaster association meetings, road trips, any way you can. You'll know after you look them in the eye and follow up by e-mail or phone calls whether they like your work or not.

Sending tapes blindly is a waste of time. Many NDs, especially in the mid-size to larger markets, keep a short stack of tapes of people that they will contact immediately when they do have an opening. The ND has already researched and vetted the people on the short list because he or she has already communicated with them. So previous posters are right. Even if your tape is awesome, the chances are slim that it gets looked at. And you're already behind because the ND knows nothing about you, other than the tape.

[ December 09, 2006, 07:02 AM: Message edited by: Purplehaze ]

Dec 9th 2006, 08:20 AM

networking doesn't just have to be with NDs.

it can be anyone in any newsroom, or people you meet in the field, or people you talked to on the phone, or people you interned with, or friends of friends who are in the business, or used to be in the business, or college professors who've left the business, etc.

literally anyone who can tell you what's going on in their station/former station, or their market/former market, is a valuable source.
let as many people as possible know that you're looking for a job.

carpetsnake · Dec 9th 2006, 09:15 AM

A guy who I worked with several years ago wanted to get a job in my market.
I still kept in contact with him, and told him to send me a tape and resume and I'd pass it along to the news director.
He got the job..AS MY REPLACEMENT..because just before he left, I quit.

Roy Hobbs · Dec 9th 2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adam & doctor drew:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Purplehaze:
Unadvertised openings unearthed through networking.

totally agree.
you have to find about the opening BEFORE it's posted.

once it's posted, it's gone.[/QUOTE]Yup, many a time I've networked well and had someone of considerable influence walk a tape in and watch it with the ND, only to be told "Great tape but I already have somebody in mind."

Then two months later you read her bio about growing up watching Bob Schieffer do the evening news, her five dogs and ballet lessons.

AlterEgo · Dec 9th 2006, 12:22 PM

I keep my buddies looking for me. When something opens, I get a call before it's posted on TVJobs

Dec 8th 2006, 01:01 PM	#2
Purplehaze Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: South Posts: 1,033	Unadvertised openings unearthed through networking. __________________ "In Joe D we trust."

Dec 8th 2006, 05:52 PM	#4
Stack It Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The most beautiful city in the world Posts: 878	Networking and digging through stations websites. Of course, there's always TVJobs and the other trade websites. But, there are stations who only post jobs on their website so they can attract candidates who, in their eyes, really want to work for the station. Instead of advertising, they hope their reputation and/or city will be the draw. That way the ND doesn't get overwhelmed with tapes and assumes the tapes coming are people who really want to come work in the newsroom. __________________ He could be the Steve DeBerg of politicians. He keeps both parties in the game.--McCovey Cove Returns

Dec 9th 2006, 12:22 PM	#13
AlterEgo Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Out in the BFE Posts: 1,172	I keep my buddies looking for me. When something opens, I get a call before it's posted on TVJobs __________________ The big earthquake is going to hit Memphis soon, and I'm gonna be ready. Just think of all of the money I can make selling gas out of my backyard. - A.J. Dags

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Dec 8th 2006, 12:57 PM	#1
Charlie Brown Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Here or there Posts: 953	Where is it?

Dec 8th 2006, 04:24 PM	#3
Meow Meow Guest Posts: n/a	Honestly - being todays talent was useful for me. Now that you can update your reel with new great stuff you should consider going for it again.

Dec 8th 2006, 06:27 PM	#6
Charlie Brown Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Here or there Posts: 953	I've spent the evening e-mailing news directors/EPs/Asst. NDs in my target markets...hoping something turns out that way.

Dec 8th 2006, 07:53 PM	#7
Roy Hobbs Open Line Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Between Gil, The Thrill and Kurtis, Bill Posts: 19,584	I've found MediaLine to be very helpful in harvesting all the opportunities out there, and the quickest way to keep track. By dutifully searching web sites you can sometimes get a jump of two to three days. The higher you aim, the more critical it becomes for you to get inside scoops to increase the chances of your tape actually getting looked at. Here's the dirty little secret that some well meaning folks add credence to without realizing it: it is NOT a matter of having the best tape among a pool of people whose tapes all get looked at. Anybody who says so either works in a real small market or got their present great job years ago and doesn't realize the new realities. Always work on improving your tape, sure, but better yet...improve your knowledge on 1) who in particular looks at the tapes 2) who does the actual hiring and 3)why that particular opening came about. To sum up, most ads are [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] and the ones that aren't won't tell you the full picture. Avoid HR like the plague, just like other industries. Here's hoping you aren't a blockhead, Charlie Brown! [ December 08, 2006, 08:57 PM: Message edited by: Roy Hobbs ]

Dec 9th 2006, 08:20 AM	#10
adam & doctor drew Guest Posts: n/a	networking doesn't just have to be with NDs. it can be anyone in any newsroom, or people you meet in the field, or people you talked to on the phone, or people you interned with, or friends of friends who are in the business, or used to be in the business, or college professors who've left the business, etc. literally anyone who can tell you what's going on in their station/former station, or their market/former market, is a valuable source. let as many people as possible know that you're looking for a job.

Dec 9th 2006, 09:15 AM	#11
carpetsnake Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 75	A guy who I worked with several years ago wanted to get a job in my market. I still kept in contact with him, and told him to send me a tape and resume and I'd pass it along to the news director. He got the job..AS MY REPLACEMENT..because just before he left, I quit.