The employment outlook for the nation’s newspapers is getting to be bleaker every single working day. Properly revered icons like the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Instances owners have submitted for personal bankruptcy, Gannett has been through enormous layoffs, and newspapers continue to lose floor in competing for marketing with television and specifically the web.
In discussions with my several media contacts, I advise them to be ready for the worst and to be proactive while still functioning. If a reporter, writer or editor does stop up obtaining laid off one of the most critical property they will want to use in finding a new occupation is their PR contacts. Yes, which is proper the very same men and women who send you press releases might be ready to aid you in locating new work or a freelance gig.
The publicists you offer with on a typical foundation may be in the greatest situation to assist you, and will want to assist you. As for new work, I do not have to inform you journalism work are scarce so will not rule out coming more than to the “dark facet” by turning into a publicist either… it really is not all that undesirable! Hold an open up head for some free lance perform, or even a occupation adjust to advertising and marketing, company communications or world wide web material. In any occupation lookup, networking is almost certainly the most essential activity you can do.
Given that top hollywood publicists is not going to always telegraph pending layoff strategies, a single of the initial items I would do is to be prepared for that possibility by collecting all my speak to mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses and preserve them to a disc or memory adhere and just take it house. If that’s not attainable send out them out in an email to by yourself at one more tackle. Why be so paranoid? I’ve read of circumstances exactly where the manager announces the layoff, reporters are advised to hand above their blackberries and cell phones on the place and then they are locked out of the computer method with no time to get that info.
Then if that pink slip comes, you may have the information and you may be able to achieve every and every make contact with. Permit them know you are seeking for a new work and share info about the task you are looking for. If you are emailing them send an up-to-date resume. Never be bashful to question for support and to explain to them you have been fired, laid off or what ever. Do not hold it a secret. There’s no shame in dropping a occupation these days particularly below the crazy financial circumstance we are in now.
After the bad information is introduced make positive you or your previous manager puts an auto responder on your electronic mail so if and when people electronic mail you there’s an computerized reply stating you are not there and so and so is replacing you or whatsoever and that you can be arrived at for private issues at this quantity or e mail handle.
Due to the fact I deal with media individuals all the time, I often deal with reporters, editors, writers and photographers who drop their employment. Frequently the media outlet keeps the e-mail tackle alive for months and an individual else solutions the e mail. Some media outlets even keep the reporter’s cellphone mail going and someone else checks it periodically. Not all layoffs are accomplished in the brilliant mild of the working day and as a end result we publicists never usually listen to about it appropriate away.
Above the years I’ve compiled some methods to support those in our business that I am content to supply to you now. It really is the the very least I can do:
PR Newswire It really is a excellent useful resource and the regional workplace may possibly know of a local company or PR agency hunting for personnel. The amount is: 800- 697-9712 prnewswire.com
PRSA – Public Relations Modern society of America prsa.org They have a “Occupation Centre” area that permits you to publish your resume.
Modern society of Professional Journalists spj.org/jobbank.asp Check out out their Task Bank for users only. It could be worth the once-a-year dues. There are some free of charge sources that may possibly be beneficial as effectively.
journalismjobs.com The Journalism Jobs net site allows you to research for journalism and community relations work throughout the U.S.
workinpr.com is focused to offering international PR professionals with strategic profession methods and business data.
Elance.com A net website devoted to freelance designers, illustrators, writers, editors, and photographers. A excellent way to select up freelance producing positions.
Editor & Publisher editorandpublisher.com The most current task listings from Editor & Publisher journal.
Newslink.org This website functions a searchable list of all media shops from newspapers and magazines to radio and Television set all on a metropolis by city or news affiliation foundation.
Mediabistro mediabistro.com This is one particular of my preferred internet sites. It keeps tabs on every thing heading on in the media world. It has occupation options in magazines, television, radio, newspapers, guide publishing, on the web media, advertising, PR, and graphic design. I study it every day.
HARO helpareporter.com A free of charge support for journalists looking for specialists. Comparable to ProfNet. I advise you check the three+ time a working day feeds to see what is likely on in the entire world and you could place an chance. I devour every single of individuals e-mails myself.
RTNDA rtnda.org The Radio-Tv News Directors Affiliation posts work for Tv set and radio individuals and delivers a prosperity of assets for work seekers. Searching for employment is cost-free.
In today’s work market place it truly is critical for work seekers to use the net as portion of their general approach. Make a listing of profession boards and visit them daily to do occupation lookups. Far better however, signal up for daily electronic mail alerts. Go to the websites of the companies you want to work for and uncover their task postings webpage. You can also keep track of the firms you want to go after by signing up for Google Alerts on particular subjects you want to comply with or for the names of businesses you would like to maintain tabs on as nicely.
There are also numerous common job financial institutions that you can use to find community relations positions when conducting electronic queries. You might be aware of numerous of them but some of the best are monster.com, flipdog.com, hotjobs.yahoo.com America’s Task Financial institution at ajb.org and you can discover income and task desire info for public relations and other fields by using the Michigan Occupational Details Program (MOIS) at mois.org. Two further websites directed to communications connected positions are talentzoo.com and PRCrossing.com
Though the world wide web will be vital to your task research, never drop into the lure of staying house and anticipating the work to arrive to you by e-mail. You even now have to hit the streets and meet up with with men and women you know, and individuals who know folks who know folks who are selecting. In the conclude, it is networking and personal contacts that will land you a occupation.
A media person’s job look for is, in reality, a general public relations and advertising and marketing marketing campaign. Use all the creating and imaginative capabilities you have to publish a pitch and work advertising letter. You have composed a lot of content articles to influence viewers to share your opinion or to consider action. Use these very same abilities to convince a person to retain the services of you. Just think about it the biggest pitch letter you’ll at any time write.
As a publicist I have seen first hand the issues facing this industry and I comprehend that it is very difficult for professionals in the media to keep their employment and to find new work when required. But there is hope, specially when you use the abilities you have to get what you want the most – that next task! And when you get that new work, fall me a line.
One particular more issue. Not to be a sensible aleck but the newspaper business is thriving in one element of the globe and some Americans are receiving hired. The place? India. Go figure.