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Veteran with experience as NBC Page and a CNBC Desk Producer with writing clips looking to make transition to editorial/writing position

Veteran

Joseph Wade Sparta, NJ

Hi,

I'm a high-speed veteran of the Army and the Navy and recent college graduate who earned a spot in the NBC Page Program and landed a position as a CNBC desk producer. Despite my success in television and in news writing, II have been striving to make my way into a position in digital production, and my greatest strength in digital production is writing.

Currently, I am looking for associate and coordinator roles that allow me to also write and pitch stories, as I still have some room to grow before I step into a higher position. I've applied to a dozen positions, emailed recruiters, and am reaching out to my contacts, but I have yet to receive any calls for interviews.

Does anyone have any creative suggestions or contacts I can reach out to? Maybe some suggestions on other ways to get into the door for interviews? I am also open to fellowships and paid training programs at news organizations.

28 November 2016 5 replies Career Advancement

Answers

Advisor

George Wilhelmsen Rochelle, IL

I agree with everything provided.
1. Network, Network, Network
2. Support leadership positions visibly. When you have problems supporting them, seek help in understanding them from the senior leaders so you can be aligned and support.
3. Show what you can do - actually work on some stuff in your spare time, so you can show the leadership some examples of your good work.
4. Stay positive.

Good luck.

Advisor

Elizabeth Hendler New York, NY

Hi there, some thoughts to support your progress.

How long have you been in your current role?

Who do you admire in your company and field? Ask them to lunch and ask for advice, they may tell you what to do to advance yourself in the job you are now in. This is obvious but in many fields, informal contact is more important than most realize.

Don't sell yourself short and don't give in to impatience. Look at your successes and double check you are presenting your achievements correctly for the place you want to go. Follow up and ask for advice from HR people you submitted to. The folks who ask me what they could do to improve when they follow up on job postings - I tell them.

If you have been doing your job less than a year or two, folks may not want to take you on if you seem disloyal to your current role. Not sure the read of this in production, but writers are likely harder to train and get aligned to a role than others. Even if fast paced, be certain your credentials to date match up with what they are looking for.

As an editor/writer- you made a typo in your letter on ACP- that mistake could land your resume in the trash for serious writing roles. I've had my stuff rejected for less.

In your current role- make sure you understand the core goals of the team leaders/bosses you work under. For better or worse, ensuring you push forward the goals of your superiors as well as your own agenda will produce results. It tends to be highly political in larger organizations. What are the unstated rules?

Have you analyzed what is rewarded at your agency and followed this model? You may think one thing is more important than another, is this really how it operates where you are? Use your analytic talent to see the place you work. Who is promoted? Who is passed over? Can you learn from this? Is it relationship based, or work product related? Are you ok on your pacing? What feedback have you received thus far? Are you hearing it?

Are you taking advantage of all the mentorship available where you work?

Good luck to you!

Advisor

Donald Truss Bridgewater, NJ

It's all about communities of people. Are you on LinkedIn? You need to find a creative way to keep reminding the people who may need your services that you exist

Advisor

Neil Serafin Easthampton, MA

The future for TV news is grim. Low pay, unless you are a headliner in the top 20 markets...with an agent. TV News is now entertainment. The path to a major market starts in the bushes. You have to start looking at the Casper, WY's and the Utica, NY's to apply for jobs. If you want to write....become a Spokesman and writer for an Airport, Police Department or a State Agency. Use your GI points to get these jobs. The long term for employees starting now is health insurance, 401k match and retirement benefits.

Advisor

Mikhail Relushchin Brooklyn, NY

Hi Joseph,

Thank you for the question!I would encourage you to take a look at ACP AdvisorNet's Community page. You can use it to search for Advisors in your general area that specialize in digital production and writing (and related fields), and build a one-on-one dialogue about how your experience can be translated into your job search. There are several Advisors on ACP AdvisorNet that could speak to the industry at large!

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