The job outlook for the nation’s newspapers is growing bleaker by the day. Well-respected icons like the Chicago Tribune and the owners of the Los Angeles Times filed for bankruptcy, Gannett suffered massive layoffs, and newspapers continue to lose ground in the competition for advertising with television and especially the Internet.
In conversations with my many media contacts, I advise them to be prepared for the worst and to be proactive as they continue to work. If a reporter, writer, or editor ends up getting fired, one of the most important assets they’ll want to use to find a new job is their PR contacts. Yes that’s how it is; The same people who send you press releases can help you find a new job or freelance work.
The advertisers you deal with regularly may be in the best position to help you and will want to help you. As for new jobs, I don’t have to tell you that journalism jobs are in short supply, so don’t rule out going to the “dark side” by becoming a publicist either…it’s not that bad! Keep an open mind for some freelance work, or even a career change to marketing, corporate communications, or web content. In any job search, networking is probably the most important activity you can do.
Since the corporate office will not always telegraph pending layoff plans, one of the first things I would do is prepare for that possibility by collecting all my contact phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing addresses and saving them to a disk or memory. paste and take it home. If that’s not possible, email them to yourself at another address. Why be so paranoid? I’ve heard cases where the boss announces the layoff, reporters are told to hand over their blackberries and cell phones on the spot, and then they’re locked out of the computer system with no time to get that information.
Then if that pink receipt arrives, you’ll have the information and be able to reach out to any and all contacts. Let them know that you are looking for a new job and share information about the job you are looking for. If you email them, please send an updated resume. Don’t be shy to ask for help and tell them you’ve been fired, laid off or whatever. Don’t keep it a secret. There is no shame in losing a job these days, especially in the crazy economic situation we find ourselves in right now.
After the bad news is announced, make sure you or your ex-boss put an autoresponder on your email so that when people email you, there’s an autoresponder saying you’re not there and that so-and-so is replacing him or whatever and that he can be contacted for personal matters at this number or email address.
Because I deal with media people all the time, I often deal with reporters, editors, writers, and photographers who lose their jobs. Often the email address is kept alive by the news outlet for months and someone else replies to the email. Some media outlets even keep the reporter’s phone mail and someone else checks it periodically. Not all layoffs take place in broad daylight, and as a result, publicists don’t always know about it right away.
Over the years I have collected a few resources to help those in our business that I am happy to bring to you now. It is the least I can do:
PR Newswire This is a great resource and the local office may know of a local business or public relations firm looking for employees. The number is: 800-697-9712 prnewswire.com
PRSA – Public Relations Society of America prsa.org They have a “Job Center” section that allows you to post your resume.
Society of Professional Journalists spj.org/jobbank.asp Check out your members-only Job Bank. It may be worth the annual fee. There are some free resources that may also be helpful.
journalismjobs.com The Journalism Jobs website allows you to search for journalism and public relations jobs in the US.
workinpr.com is dedicated to providing global public relations professionals with strategic professional resources and industry information.
Elance.com A website dedicated to freelance designers, illustrators, writers, editors and photographers. A great way to get freelance writing jobs.
Editor & Publisher editorandpublisher.com The latest job offers from Editor & Publisher magazine.
Newslink.org This site features a searchable list of all media outlets, from newspapers and magazines to radio and television, all by city or news affiliation.
Mediabistro mediabistro.com This is one of my favorite sites. He keeps abreast of everything that happens in the world of media. You have job opportunities in magazines, television, radio, newspapers, book publishing, online media, advertising, public relations, and graphic design. I read it every day.
HARO helpareporter.com A free service for journalists looking for experts. Similar to ProfNet. I suggest you check the feeds 3+ times a day to see what’s going on in the world and you may spot an opportunity. I devour every one of those emails myself.
RTNDA rtnda.org The Radio and Television News Directors Association posts jobs for radio and television people and offers a wealth of resources for job seekers. The job search is free.
In today’s job market, it is critical that job seekers use the Internet as part of their overall strategy. Make a list of career boards and visit them daily to look for a job. Better yet, sign up for daily email alerts. Go to the websites of the companies you want to work for and look for their job postings page. You can also keep track of businesses you want to continue by signing up for Google Alerts for certain topics you want to follow or for the names of businesses you’d also like to be aware of.
There are also several general job banks that you can use to find public relations positions by doing electronic searches. You may be familiar with many of them, but some of the best are monster.com, flipdog.com, hotjobs.yahoo.com America’s Job Bank at ajb.org and you can find information on salaries and job demands for public relations and other fields at using the Michigan Occupational Information System (MOIS) at mois.org. Two additional sites geared toward communications-related jobs are talentzoo.com and PRCrossing.com
While the Internet will be critical to your job search, don’t fall into the trap of staying home and waiting for the job to come to you by email. You still have to go out and meet people you know and people who know people who know people who are hiring. In the end, it is the networks and personal contacts that will get you a job.
A media person’s job search is really a public relations and marketing campaign. Use all the creative and writing skills you have to write a job marketing speech and letter. He has written many articles to convince readers to share his opinion or take action. Use those same skills to convince someone to hire you. Just consider it the greatest cover letter you will ever write.
As a publicist I have seen firsthand the problems facing this industry and I understand that it is very difficult for media professionals to keep their jobs and find new jobs when necessary. But there is hope, especially when you use the skills you have to get what you need most: the next job! And when you get that new job, write me.
One more thing. I don’t want to be a know-it-all, but the newspaper business is thriving in one part of the world, and some Americans are getting hired. Where? India. Go figure.