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Author
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Topic: Getting an entry-level position in a small market
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tomato
Junior Member
Member # 15159
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posted June 14, 2007 12:57 PM
I am a recent college graduate who lives in the #1 market, and trying to get a producing job in the New York City area is extremely difficult. I am more than willing, and want, to move to a smaller market to get experience...How can I convince a News Director from a smaller market that I am more than willing to relocate to their area and cover their news?
Posts: 8 | From: East coast | Registered: Jun 2007
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neodeity
Open Line Veteran
Member # 6980
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posted June 14, 2007 01:01 PM
Somewhere on your resume, include the phrase: willing to relocate.
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"The Cowboys are the greatest team ever! Class dismissed." - writer2
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newz2me
Member
Member # 14479
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posted June 14, 2007 02:15 PM
I too hail from "The Garden State" and the answer is simple. When I sent my resume to my first station in Morehead City, North Carolina for example, they understood that the job is in N.C., so I would be moving there.
The Greenville/New Bern/Washington market is a good place to start if you're looking. Good Luck!
Posts: 224 | From: Just North of Insanity | Registered: Mar 2007
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JoinUsForCake
Open Line Veteran
Member # 4613
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posted June 14, 2007 02:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by apapa814:
I am a recent college graduate who lives in the #1 market, and trying to get a producing job in the New York City area is extremely difficult. I am more than willing, and want, to move to a smaller market to get experience...How can I convince a News Director from a smaller market that I am more than willing to relocate to their area and cover their news?
Well, it's a good thing you are so willing to settle for not being in the # 1 market as your first job. You have that going for yourself.
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"I refuse to live in a world where whispers become fact, and guilty men murmur; the innocent shout to the rafters." -- Jim Williams, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Posts: 2458 | From: Doug Wilder City | Registered: Oct 2003
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Shot A Load
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2729
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posted June 14, 2007 02:32 PM
Anymore it wouldn't surprise me if a #1 market did hire a recent grad.
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That reporter gives skanks a bad name!
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wxgeek
Senior Member
Member # 2051
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posted June 14, 2007 02:35 PM
For the sake of this discussion, applying to a top 10 market does not qualify as "willing to move to a smaller market."
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I am the original wxgeek. Accept no substitutes.
I AM in shape! Round is a shape.
Posts: 1004 | From: Right about there | Registered: Sep 2002
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Spike
Open Line Veteran
Member # 3434
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posted June 14, 2007 05:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by apapa814:
How can I convince a News Director from a smaller market that I am more than willing to relocate to their area and cover their news?
By applying for a job at his station. The fact that you're applying for the job implies that you are willing to relocate. Otherwise, you wouldn't have applied.
You don't really need to spell it out. No news director is going to look at your application and say, "Gee, I wonder if this candidate is willing to relocate, or if he/she will expect to telecommute from New Jersey."
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Always watch television in a bright room with a dark heart.
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writer2
Open Line Veteran
Member # 5966
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posted June 14, 2007 07:57 PM
Good luck, apapa814! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Sounds like you have the right attitude.
[ June 14, 2007, 07:57 PM: Message edited by: writer2 ]
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Panic early and beat the rush.
Posts: 6434 | From: death valley | Registered: Apr 2004
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Roy Hobbs
Open Line Veteran
Member # 8266
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posted June 14, 2007 08:22 PM
It's pretty easy to find yourself in a rear-entry position in a small market...
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newz2me
Member
Member # 14479
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posted June 14, 2007 08:36 PM
Just be ready for a culture shock. There's a big difference between North Jersey/NYC and small town America. Much slower pace of life, one movie theater showing only 2 movies, no major sport teams, Wal-Mart is the biggest shopping center within 50 miles, in some cases very little night life, stuff like that. But you learn a lot about the people, habits and cultures of this great land.
Posts: 224 | From: Just North of Insanity | Registered: Mar 2007
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Pinkie
Senior Member
Member # 9554
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posted June 14, 2007 09:55 PM
Be humble, eager and send your resume. You'll be fine. As long as you're realistic about the markets you're applying to and have a great attitude, you'll do ok. PM if you have any job search questions! Good luck!
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"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
Posts: 877 | From: USA | Registered: Jan 2006
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facts
Open Line Veteran
Member # 3324
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posted June 15, 2007 05:24 AM
I find the question strange. If you APPLY to the job I've posted in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, I kind of assume you're going to move out to Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
Or am I missing something?
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facts
Open Line Veteran
Member # 3324
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posted June 15, 2007 05:41 AM
May I make a suggestion based on what I'm inferring (maybe wrongly) from your question?
Nobody cares that you're from New York. You say you're in the #1 market.. well, you and millions of other people. Being from a big city doesn't make you special.. and in your first job (particularly in the south) may be a liability, IF you talk about it.
You want to create the illusion that it doesn't matter where you're from.. that Podunk Ohio is your NEW home and you're dedicated to becoming an intrisic part of the community forever. and then get out of the market after a few years of course, but that's just between us.
Don't make the mistake of explaining to everyone you meet where you're from. we don't care how you did it up north.
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CorkySherwood
Member
Member # 10718
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posted June 15, 2007 06:04 AM
quote:
Originally posted by facts:
May I make a suggestion based on what I'm inferring (maybe wrongly) from your question?
Nobody cares that you're from New York. You say you're in the #1 market.. well, you and millions of other people. Being from a big city doesn't make you special.. and in your first job (particularly in the south) may be a liability, IF you talk about it.
You want to create the illusion that it doesn't matter where you're from.. that Podunk Ohio is your NEW home and you're dedicated to becoming an intrisic part of the community forever. and then get out of the market after a few years of course, but that's just between us.
Don't make the mistake of explaining to everyone you meet where you're from. we don't care how you did it up north.
AMEN! I get so sick of people, especially in the smaller markets starting every sentence with, "well I'm from..." like that sets them above the place and people where they're at. Get over yourselves.
Posts: 88 | From: a lot of places | Registered: Aug 2006
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chuckbrown
Member
Member # 10240
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posted June 15, 2007 06:30 AM
Broken Bow Oklahoma has a great golf course. I'd move there!
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Gail sirens
Member
Member # 12882
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posted June 15, 2007 10:11 AM
You are in the same boat as every other person fresh out of school looking to break in to the business.
You will be looked at as no better and no worse than anyone else from other places, provided you can get the job done.
Are you willing to pay your own way there? (to wherever)? Is that what you are asking?
Posts: 120 | From: TPA | Registered: Dec 2006
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Meow Meow
Open Line Veteran
Member # 9138
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posted June 15, 2007 10:55 AM
Why are all of you so hateful and rude sometimes? This person came to to ask a legitimate question. Instead of noticing his positive attitude and willingness to work his way up, you automatically attack.
He was NOT trying to show off about coming from market #1. He was simply trying to illustrate that it would be very difficult to stay where he is and get a foot in the door.
Most people on Medialine are pretty cool. But the bitterness on here is really pathetic sometimes.
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ZuZu's Petals
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2719
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posted June 15, 2007 11:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
You don't really need to spell it out. No news director is going to look at your application and say, "Gee, I wonder if this candidate is willing to relocate, or if he/she will expect to telecommute from New Jersey."
It's not as simple as that. Plenty of small market NDs might just dismiss an applicant from the big city.
Thinking... "This kid doesn't want to live HERE." Or at least the thought that someone else expressed here - that the culture shock would be too much for 'em. Or - gasp - that they'll have to buy a car on this piddly salary.
I know that coming from the midwest... NDs in the South and the East didn't give me much consideration. They didn't think I was serious - or perhaps they thought I wouldn't relish the opportunity to drop into another part of the country.
NDs want people who are familar with the area. Just because they are in a small town doesn't mean they're not concerned about their product. (Knowing how to pronounce local town names - etc. I'm sure in my 20s I couldn't have said 'Hoboken' without giggling the first few times **exaggeration**)
This isn't meant to be discouraging. My advice is... know something about the area you are applying to.
When I interviewed for the job I eventually accepted in Western South Dakota... the ND told me that the fact I mentioned frequent family vacations to the area in my cover letter was reassuring to him.
He had called applicants in the past who asked, "Where's South Dakota?" Um. Why'd you apply for the job if you didn't even look for it on the map?
Another time, he mentioned how close the town is to Mount Rushmore (you know... the national monument!)and the kid asked, "What's that?"
That's how NOT to get the job!
My other bit of advice... along the lines of a few other posters here... if you do get the job don't come in saying, "I'm from New York." nobody cares. Most of the people you'll run into have never been there and have no desire to go. Those people will just think you're uppity.
Whimpering about how you can't believe they don't have this store and that store... and that Livestock prices make the news here ...SHOCKING!... won't score favorable points either.
If you think you want to try a small market... you have to view it as a worthwhile experience.... like spending a month in Africa. It's like nothing you've ever experienced... it doesn't have the comforts of home... the people are strange/different and you wouldn't trade it for the world.
[ June 15, 2007, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: ZuZu's Petals ]
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MyracleMan
Senior Member
Member # 4998
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posted June 15, 2007 03:56 PM
ZuZu, I didn't know you did time in western S.D.! Welcome to the club, honey! ![[Hug]](graemlins/hug.gif) ![[Cheers]](graemlins/cheers2.gif)
I'm still here, seven years later...
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"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."
Mark Twain
"But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy (1789)
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Spike
Open Line Veteran
Member # 3434
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posted June 16, 2007 12:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ZuZu's Petals:
It's not as simple as that. Plenty of small market NDs might just dismiss an applicant from the big city.
Thinking... "This kid doesn't want to live HERE." Or at least the thought that someone else expressed here - that the culture shock would be too much for 'em. Or - gasp - that they'll have to buy a car on this piddly salary.
* * *
My other bit of advice... along the lines of a few other posters here... if you do get the job don't come in saying, "I'm from New York." nobody cares.
I think you contradict yourself. On the one hand, you say that nobody will care where this kid is from. I agree with that. The ND will look at the tape and resume, see that (s)he has no experience and will assume that if (s)he has applied for the job, (s)he will be willing to relocate to get a foot in the door. His/her current location won't matter at all.
On the other hand, you say that a news director will care where this kid is from, because somehow just being from the #1 market might make the ND assume that (s)he would not be willing to accept a job in which (s)he already expressed interest to the contrary. That just doesn't seem plausible to me. If the kid has no experience, the ND isn't going to care where (s)he is, because (s)he isn't part of that market as an employee.
Furthermore, I seriously doubt news directors will see culture shock as a factor at the application stage. If the kid is applying for a job as a television reporter, one can assume to a certain extent that (s)he has at least done enough research of his own to understand that (s)he'll be working in a small town to start out. Otherwise, that small town ND wouldn't have received the tape in the first place. It wouldn't be until the applicant demonstrates a narrowness of world view during an interview that the difference in culture might become an issue. Until then, (s)he would be treated as any other entry level candidate from any other part of the country.
I suspect news directors DO see sticker shock as a potential factor, as entry level reporters might balk at some of the ridiculous offers they receive. But that has absolutely nothing to do with being from New York. That's an issue no matter where the candidate calls home. Thus, this candidate would be under no more suspicion than someone from Nebraska.
I'm usually among the first to discount the integrity and common sense of news directors, but I don't think they're generally that dumb.
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Always watch television in a bright room with a dark heart.
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Oh Snap
Member
Member # 10636
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posted June 16, 2007 07:17 AM
I had a similar problem when I graduated. I lived in a city so big that I couldn't possibly have gotten a decent job there, and I had no desire to start out in a market that large -- I wasn't ready and it was too intimidating. I was rejected from a couple of places in favor of people who were from the area. But eventually, I found a News Director who thought someone from outside the region might bring in some fresh views and diversity.
The point is... someone may not hire you because you're unfamiliar with the market... but keep plugging away. Eventually someone will hire you, ESPECIALLY because you want to produce. Play up the fact that you're familiar with how news operations in NYC work, but also let the ND know you're thrilled about the possibility of working and learning in their market, too. Actually doing some research on the cities you're aiming for will get you knowledgeable and pumped (there are tons of exciting places to live).
Good luck!
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ZuZu's Petals
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2719
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posted June 16, 2007 10:51 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
I think you contradict yourself. On the one hand, you say that nobody will care where this kid is from.
'Nobody' refers to your co-workers and the people in the small town that you interact with... not the ND. Sorry should have made that clear.
quote:
On the other hand, you say that a news director will care where this kid is from, because somehow just being from the #1 market might make the ND assume that (s)he would not be willing to accept a job in which (s)he already expressed interest to the contrary. That just doesn't seem plausible to me. If the kid has no experience, the ND isn't going to care where (s)he is, because (s)he isn't part of that market as an employee.
Have you ever talked with a small market ND?
SOME are suspicious folks. They think 1) that many kids are sending out tapes everywhere... like throwing darts at a map hoping one will stick. When the kid doesn't even know what state the ND is in when he/she calls - that's proof of that. They don't want a job HERE. they just want a JOB. 2) they don't have budgets to fly you out for a looksee. So you automatically don't get a callback. (see thread in freeforall)
and yes... you're right, hopefully they give the benefit of the doubt and wait until they recognize the narrow world view in a potential candidate. No I don't think small market NDs are stupid... just gun shy.
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WX GUY
Member
Member # 6103
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posted June 17, 2007 12:36 PM
I am from NYC (staten island to be exact)- so I couldn't have come from a more populated area. I moved to Casper, WYOMING right after graduation for that first job. Culture shock? YES, long hours, crappy station, horrible pay? YES.
Do I regret it? NO.
I am in a nice medium sized market now, in a city with a lot more amenities and much better pay. Believe me, "putting in your time and paying your dues" pays off big time in the end.
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trunky
Member
Member # 11664
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posted June 17, 2007 03:16 PM
quote:
putting in your time and paying your dues" pays off big time in the end
please expound, this kind of commentary offers hope for those of us feeling disillusioned.
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WX GUY
Member
Member # 6103
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posted June 17, 2007 07:37 PM
basically, what i mean is, take that first job, even if it's in a place you wouldn't have dreamed you'd ever be!
Sure there will be times where you hate it, equipment doesn't work, things break down, management... well, let's just say I had plenty of days at my first job where I was ready to throw in the towel. But stick with it, work hard (working long hours, being underpaid makes you really appreciate your next job!) and it will pay off.
In my case, I stuck with it for a while, got a great offer in a medium sized market and am much more comfortable than I was just 18 months ago. I love my job, am in a bigger city and learning so much.
Bottom line: no matter how much you think it will suck, if this business is really what you are passionate about, then stick with it, and you will reap the benefits in time.
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facts
Open Line Veteran
Member # 3324
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posted June 18, 2007 05:24 AM
Nonsense. News directors themselves are by a vast majority also from somewhere else.
In the hundreds of challenges a new applicant will have getting his or her first job in television, that the news director has some sort of dislike of people from big cities* is about worry #97 on the list.
*there are lots of people from big cities. that's why they're big.
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ZuZu's Petals
Open Line Veteran
Member # 2719
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posted June 22, 2007 12:18 PM
My examples were not intended to be taken as hard and fast rules.
Merely a sample of of what SOME big city - far away candidates might encounter.
Sheesh.
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Charlie Brown
Senior Member
Member # 9382
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posted June 22, 2007 01:30 PM
isn't just about everybody at a small market station - except for the lifers - from "somewhere else"?
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