Many people like to consult with knowledgeable people, and often this advice brings tangible benefits or simply gives them confidence in their own abilities and in the correctness of the steps they are taking. You always want to ask a successful person: “How did you get started?” British journalists asked this question to media business professionals and, based on their answers, formulated 10 steps to find a job and a career in the media. Much of what follows will be useful to our readers. Not only for those who are planning their career in the media sphere, but also for all other beginners and mature professionals.
1. Make Theoretical Preparations
Gather as much information as you can about the market in which you want to work. Become a media fan. Watch TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers and websites as much as possible. To learn more about working in the media, read special publications.
2. The Media Are Contacts
Don’t despair if no one in your family or friends works in the field. Think of everyone you know-someone is bound to have acquaintances or acquaintances of acquaintances who work in the media. Use all the connections you can, ask to arrange a meeting, and ask the new acquaintance about how he or she got started and what advice he or she can give you. At the end of the meeting is sure to exchange contacts. The more people you meet, the more likely you will find someone who can help you.
3. Constantly Gain Experience
Take every opportunity to gain work experience. The traditional beginning of a television career, for example, is working as an “errand boy.”
Usually big companies publish job listings on their websites. However, it’s easier for a beginner to get a job at a small company. Find the right phone numbers in directories or on the Internet and call the editors and producers of small media companies.
4. Show Yourself
To get a job, you need to try to reveal yourself, to show what you can do. If you are interested in journalism or other creative work, you need a portfolio. If you want to work in TV or radio you require a video or audio demo. The goal is to show the employer what you already know how to do (use all your experience) and, most importantly, what you aspire to.
5. Go to School
There are two paths leading to a media job: start working right away or go to school.
It’s tempting to get a job right away: it brings money, allows you to start your career earlier, and gives you the experience you require. But special courses have their own advantages. You can get the necessary knowledge of the technical side of working in radio or television, you can learn shorthand, and you can get the necessary knowledge of the law, for example. And quite obviously, the training will help you acquire new acquaintances in the professional environment.
6. Think About Specialization
Specialize in areas that interest you. Concentrating on a niche will be good for all specialties – true experts are always valuable. Don’t fear remaining a narrow specialist forever; you can always expand your horizons.
7. Don’t Neglect Technique
If you want a successful career in the media business, don’t neglect the technical side. Working in media is a team effort; the more you know about the whole process of producing a product, the easier it will be for you to get a job and the easier it will be to work afterwards.
8. Modify Your Resume
You don’t always need a resume to get a media job: information about jobs and applicants is often spread by word of mouth.
But if you use a resume, you should make sure to modify it to best meet the requirements of the job. Don’t forget the cover letter.
9. Prepare for the interview
Both what you say and how you do it are important in a job interview. Prepare a story that illustrates your experience and knowledge. For example, if you listed experience working for a local newspaper on your resume, recall a few instances where you were able to handle a difficult assignment and how your colleagues helped you to do it. This will show that you have the qualities you need to work in a small team.
And general recommendations: dress neatly, speak slowly and look into the eyes of the interlocutor. Prepare smart questions. Be prepared for the unexpected.
10. Think about freelance work
You can also make a career in the media by working freelance. Almost a quarter of journalists in both print media and TV work as freelancers. Such work has its pros and cons, but it can suit you. The basic rule: do not forget to promote yourself, use all possible resources to expand your base of contacts. 11.
11. Be persistent and consistent
In the beginning we talked about 10 steps. But there is an eleventh. There are ups and downs in any career. Sometimes it feels like you’re at a dead end and no longer in control of your future. Don’t despair and keep improving.