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In case you are interested

Can you guess where this word cloud came from? (No scrolling down and cheating 😉) If you guessed these are the skills required to work in journalism (that's what I would have thought as a former TV News person), guess again… I used my old pal Google and pulled text from more than a dozen articles on skills employers are looking for in their remote employees (link to blog with full list of articles in comments). It maps PERFECTLY onto the skills enhanced during years spent as a journalist! The connection between what is done in journalism and these skills may seem obvious to journalists. But for a future employer, you need to make the connections. Sure, they assume that you must be a strong communicator. But they probably don’t know: 🔸 The time management required to turnaround a story in time for a 5pm live shot or a newspaper publication deadline. 🔸The emotional intelligence required to interview someone on the worst day of their life. 🔸The organization skills required to produce an entire newscast or radio show. 🔸The technical proficiency required to create a weather forecast or to edit a video for a newscast and then share it on social media. 🔸The self-motivation required to research and pitch story ideas day after day. And the list goes on. It’s up to you to use those storytelling skills you’ve honed to tell your own story and connect the dots for a potential employer. Ask yourself, what news day from my journalism career is the perfect example of one of the skills from the word cloud? Then start writing (or record yourself) and tell the story of that day. What’s the beginning, middle and end? Who are the characters and what is the setting? What conflict did you encounter and how was it resolved? If you’re currently in (or previously worked in) TV News and would like help getting started with this, I invite you to join me for a virtual workshop! On Monday, May 20th at 10am ET I'm leading "How TV News Pros Can Land a Remote Job" (link in comments) We’ll spend an hour crafting these stories and supporting each other through this process. You’ll leave with a stronger cover letter and increased confidence for your future interviews. Registration is limited to 20 participants so we can truly focus on each person’s expertise. #Journalists #JobSeekers #Communicators #Remote ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 👋 Hi! I'm Sara Kobilka, Renaissance Woman! I'm here to give you permission to reject feeling boxed in. Instead, I challenge you to explore your multitudes and embrace your intersecting identities. 👀 Check out my career strategy services (link in the comments) if you're looking for support in your next career step. 🐝Follow #CrossPollinating to find my posts bringing impactful ideas across industries and pop the social media bubble the algorithm tries to trap you in. Image Description: Word cloud with the largest words being communication, technical proficiency, self-motivation, time management, collaboration and adaptability

We have a couple of journalist job vacancies here at Taylist towers. I advertised them on a well known national recruitment website and I am currently ploughing through OVER 200 applications. I am losing the will to live a bit, so here's some thoughts and tips for any potential job seekers... 1) Don't just mash the 'apply' button. 2) Read the advert. All the way through. To the end. Then decide if the job is for you and have another read of point (1). 3) Uploading a generic CV is good practice but if, after point (2), you decide you want the job, adapt it and highlight the most relevant parts. 4) If it has 'writer' in the job title and you're a screenwriter then see points (1) and (2) 5) If it has 'editor' in the job title and you're a video editor then see points (1) and (2) 6) If, after point (2), you decide you want the job but perhaps think your experience isn't enough then try and persuade me why you want it. Honestly, I'll read it. 7) Seriously, don't just mash the 'apply' button. It's not a numbers game. 8) If you're a recent graduate then I don't just want your CV as by the nature there's little experience on it. I want to know WHY you want this job in particular. For example, I appreciate no journalist dreams of writing about toilets but don't head your CV with 'Seeking jobs in fashion journalism'. 9) If you see a job ad you really want on a big recruitment site then don't apply through the site or at least contact the recruiter directly as a personal follow up. This tells them you've put a little bit of work in and will put you in the top 20% instantly. 10) Please, for the love of all things holy, don't use any templated messages, replies, CVs or cover letters that the site gives you options for. Trust me, 'Dear [INSERT NAME], I would like to apply for [INSERT JOB NAME].' is not going to endear you to me for a writing and journalism job. 11) To get in the top 10% instantly, also show them you've done a little bit of work researching the company you're applying for. Not a lot, just a few sentences make a big difference. 12) If you've done point (2) and actually completed the very short task asked of you then you'd go straight into the top 5%. If, after all that, you know anyone who wants to work on kbbreview or KBB Magazine then let me know...

NEWS JOB-HUNTING PRO-TIP: Regardless of where you ultimately want to land in journalism - be it sports writer, columnist, foreign correspondent or lifestyle & entertainment editor - don't overlook the opportunities to cut your teeth in breaking news and general assignment reporting. Hard news should never be treated as an afterthought. Consistently gathering, interrogating and disseminating large amounts of information to the public under deadline in a clear, accurate and illuminating way is the foundation on which all other beats are built. Just about every great sports story, profile or entertainment feature you can think of involves a refined degree of source-building, interviewing, research and investigative skills. And news hiring managers are looking for these skills in the journalists they hire.

A Call to Action for Journalists ! Job insecurity is a harsh reality many journalists face today. Imagine this: you’ve moved from three to four media stations, yet none seem to align with your dream job. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and can leave you questioning your career path. But fear not! Just do this to change the narrative. Define Your Dream: Take a moment to reflect on what your dream job truly looks like. Is it investigative reporting that fuels your passion, or perhaps multimedia storytelling? Clarifying your vision will guide your next steps and help you stay focused amidst the uncertainty. Diversify Your Skills: Equip yourself with a diverse skill set that transcends traditional journalism. From video editing to social media management, the more hats you can wear, the more valuable you become to potential employers. Network, Network, Network: Never underestimate the power of networking. Connect with fellow journalists, industry professionals, and mentors who can offer guidance and support. Attend conferences, join online communities, and actively engage with others in your field. You never know when a chance encounter could lead to your next big opportunity. So, fellow journalists, don’t let job insecurity dim your passion . Your next breakthrough could be just around the corner! I'm Aanu Akomolafe, a media consultant and content strategist. My expertise lies in helping professionals and organizations stand out in the digital world, managing public relations campaigns, and providing media training. #Journalism #CareerAdvice #JobSecurity

I’m #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? #broadcastmedia #tvpresenter #newsreporter [email protected] REPORTER - JHB & KZN Research: Conduct research and write scripts on topics prior to broadcasts. Identify newsworthy events and developments and generate unique story m Generate thought-provoking and compelling stories. Check electronic media (wires), social media, and articles of interest.   Interviews: Represent the organization at conferences, press briefings, events, and interviews. Interview eyewitnesses, authorities, and people of interest in news stories. Script Writing: Write scripts in line with visuals. Transcribe and summarize events for further news purposes. Provide a time-coded shortlist with all scripts for Sub-Editors. Check facts with relevant stakeholders to ensure that stories are accurate and unbiased. Deliver a well-researched story including a video that has unique angles for online audience.   Reporting: Work collaboratively with cameramen and other members of a reporting team. Attend and report on events that are of interest to the public. Deliver scripted, spontaneous, live, and prerecorded reports on newsworthy events. Conduct live and on-camera interviews that are hard-hitting and probing. Conduct live reports from the field ensuring accuracy and objectivity. Ensure that stories have depth and quality. Conduct in-studio lives that are professional and informative. Provide the news desk with regular updates on stories by adhering to the editorial deadlines. Ensure that there is adherence to story deadlines. Take a multi-media approach to individual stories done by use of graphics and animations thereby ensuring good sound quality, still pictures as well as  moving visuals and overall content are shared, prepared, and edited properly, and ready for air.   Requirements Qualifications: National Senior Certificate NQF level 4 National Diploma Media Studies/Television/Journalism and/or Communications NQF 6   Experience: 5 years of experience in news, Television, and/or Broadcast Journalism is essential.   Competencies: Code EB, an Articulated motor vehicle license is essential. Own Vehicle is recommended Intermediate knowledge of MS Office Suite Ethical and professional research and reporting skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to form and ask probing questions to interviewees. Passionate about the news and current events. Well-spoken, engaging, and knowledgeable about news events. Critically minded meticulous, and excellent recall of facts. Adventurous, calm under pressure, and determined to uncover the truth. Great interpersonal and rapport-building skills.

If you want something done, ask a journalist. (Or a former journalist.) Daily deadlines we cannot shake. If we didn't deliver in a day, we didn't do our job. If a communications strategist sends you an email three weeks later, they start with "Thanks for your patience." "Sorry for the delay". "Circling back after review". Different career verticals have different expectations and that's okay but if you are looking to hire someone who can produce quality work and act swiftly, consider hiring that journalist. All things considered, if you have two candidates and one has a journalism background....Take a chance on the journalist. Would the memo be better written if they took a week to send it back? Possibly. But there is power and momentum in getting it done. #hireajournalist

👀 🔍 What do editors look for when #hiring #journalists? Discover the top qualities and skills that editors look for in their ideal candidates. Enhance your chances of getting hired with these #experts insights.

This is the conversation I’ve had with almost every single former journalist I’ve ever spoken to: How much slower it takes to get things done in the real world and how difficult and frustrating it is trying to de-program ourselves. But, is the business world catching on to the value journalists bring to the table? Just this morning I came across a Director of Public Relations position for a major global company and the job requirement for the PR role: “Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.” Another basic requirement: “You are nimble, organized, and can manage multiple projects simultaneously, while paying close attention to detail.” The problem is most people have no idea what a TV news producer actually does. Line producers deal with breaking news on the fly, make snap decisions, while juggling many moving parts during a LIVE broadcast. They are the definition of NIMBLE and they do it while also working under an incredible amount of pressure, not just on a daily basis, but a minute-to-minute basis. People are always quick to hire the “face” of a news station. While I’m not trying to take away from that, it is short-sighted to not look at *TV NEWS PRODUCERS* for the role, too. Anchors are the plate that arrives at your table. Producers are the chef. #newsproduction #producer #tvproducer #newsproducer #tvnews #hire