How You Can Land A Job In Media

Many people aspire to a career in the media, but not everyone is successful in achieving their goals. Despite this, there are a plethora of opportunities in journalism and broadcasting; securing a position that is right for you is as much about being professional and persistent as it is about having the right talents. Get it right and you could end up rich and famous – Tucker Carlson is worth $30 million in his chosen media career!

Here, we look at some tips to help you land that lucrative position in the media industry.

1. Do plenty of research

Many people go into job interviews without knowing a great deal – or even having the first idea – about what they are doing or the organization that they are applying for. So indulge your media addiction. Watch a lot of television, listen to a lot of radio, go online, read a lot of newspapers and get involved. Get your hands on trade publications such as the Press Gazette and Televisual to help you to improve your media expertise. These periodicals all have job advertisements, and media businesses also post job openings on their websites. And keep in mind that good note-taking is just as important as the reading you undertake when conducting research.

2. Network and make contacts

Contacts are everything in the media world. However, just because none of your friends or family members work in the media does not rule out the possibility of making your own contacts. As a result, rally the support of everyone you know for your cause. Also included are friends, family, and non-media professional relationships, because anyone who knows someone in the media is a good candidate for this position.

When you discover someone, contact them by phone or email, mentioning the individual you have in common with them. Inquire if they have any availability for a conversation. Then inquire about themselves: how they got started, what a typical day looks like for them, and what advise they can provide. Finally, inquire as to if they know of anyone else who can assist you. When you are finished, make sure they have your contact information, and make a note of theirs in your contact book. The greater the number of individuals you meet, the greater your chances of meeting someone who can assist you in your professional life.

3. Get plenty of work experience

Nothing prepares you for a career in the media more effectively than actual work experience. As a result, work experience is beneficial, and in the television industry, working as a “runner” is the typical first rung on the ladder.

Obtaining work experience is a combination of research and networking once again. Check out the websites of potential companies to see if they have work experience positions listed.  Mske cold calls to the editors or producers at small media organizations for which you have a strong desire to work. The smaller and more understaffed the company, the higher your chances are of succeeding in getting experience there. 

4. Show off what you have done

It may seem apparent, but if you are not putting out high-quality content, you will never be taken seriously in the media. So show everyone how talented you are. In the case of journalistic and artistic occupations, this entails developing a portfolio; in the case of television or radio, it may entail preparing a showreel or demo tape.

One of the most beneficial aspects of a portfolio, showreel or demo is that it forces you to stop thinking about the job you want to do and really go out and do it. As a result, work for whatever media outlets you can find – newsletters, websites, hospital radio, or someone who will use your services to their advantage. Build a portfolio of work that matches the type of job you want to do in the future, and send it along to potential employers when you contact them.

5. Get qualified

If you wish to work in the media, you can choose between two main career paths: either go straight into the field or take a course approved by a media training organization.

It is tempting to get right into work since it pays the bills, gets you on the professional ladder as soon as possible, and teaches you how to do the job in the shortest amount of time. However, there are some advantages to starting with a course that has a significant practical component. It will assist you in improving your technical knowledge if you work in television or radio, and it may provide you with skills such as shorthand, legal knowledge, and knowledge of public affairs if you work in journalism. Ideally, though, a course can be beneficial in assisting you in making those critical media contacts, gaining media experience, and developing a portfolio or videotape of your work.

6. Make sure you have the tech skills

You should gain some fundamental experience in the skills required for a technical job before applying – whether it is working on the lights for a student theatre production or editing audio at a hospital radio station, for example. However, even if you are not technically savvy, you should be aware of how technical issues influence others around you. In your early stages as a student journalist, you may not be familiar with every aspect of digital design, but you should be familiar with at least the basics. Media is about working as a team: the more knowledge you have, the better the team works, and the more employable you are as a result of your knowledge.

There will be ups and downs in any job – sometimes it may appear as if you are in complete control of your future, and at other times you will feel as if you are trapped in a rut. All you have to do now is maintain establishing contacts and develop your talents.