| The employment outlook for the nation's newspapers | | | | resources that may be useful as The Journalism Jobs |
| is becoming bleaker every day. Well respected icons | | | | web site allows you to search for journalism and public |
| like the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times | | | | relations jobs across the is dedicated to providing |
| owners have filed for bankruptcy, Gannett has | | | | global PR professionals with strategic career |
| undergone massive layoffs, and newspapers continue | | | | resources and industry information. |
| to lose ground in competing for advertising with | | | | A web site devoted to freelance designers, illustrators, |
| television and especially the internet. | | | | writers, editors, and photographers. A great way to |
| In discussions with my many media contacts, I advise | | | | pick up freelance writing jobs. |
| them to be prepared for the worst and to be | | | | Editor & Publisher The latest job listings from |
| proactive while still working. If a reporter, writer or | | | | Editor & Publisher magazine. |
| editor does end up getting laid off one of the most | | | | Newslink.org This site features a searchable list of all |
| important assets they will want to use in finding a new | | | | media outlets from newspapers and magazines to |
| job is their PR contacts. Yes, that's right; the same | | | | radio and TV all on a city by city or news affiliation |
| people who send you press releases may be able to | | | | basis. |
| assist you in finding new work or a freelance gig. | | | | Mediabistro This is one of my favorite sites. It keeps |
| The publicists you deal with on a regular basis may be | | | | tabs on everything going on in the media world. It has |
| in the best position to help you, and will want to help | | | | job opportunities in magazines, television, radio, |
| you. As for new jobs, I don't have to tell you journalism | | | | newspapers, book publishing, online media, advertising, |
| jobs are scarce so don't rule out coming over to the | | | | PR, and graphic design. I read it every day. |
| "dark side" by becoming a publicist either... it's not all | | | | HARO A free service for journalists looking for |
| that bad! Keep an open mind for some free lance | | | | experts. Similar to ProfNet. I suggest you monitor the |
| work, or even a career change to marketing, | | | | 3+ time a day feeds to see what is going on in the |
| corporate communications or web content. In any job | | | | world and you may spot an opportunity. I devour each |
| search, networking is probably the most important | | | | of those emails myself. |
| activity you can do. | | | | RTNDA rtnda.org The Radio-Television News |
| Since the corporate office won't always telegraph | | | | Directors Association posts jobs for TV and radio |
| pending layoff plans, one of the first things I would do is | | | | folks and offers a wealth of resources for job |
| to be prepared for that possibility by gathering all my | | | | seekers. Searching for jobs is free. |
| contact phone numbers, email addresses, and mailing | | | | In today's job market it's critical for job seekers to use |
| addresses and save them to a disc or memory stick | | | | the internet as part of their overall strategy. Make a list |
| and take it home. If that's not possible send them out in | | | | of career boards and visit them daily to do job |
| an email to yourself at another address. Why be so | | | | searches. Better yet, sign up for daily email alerts. Go |
| paranoid? I've heard of cases where the boss | | | | to the websites of the companies you want to work |
| announces the layoff, reporters are told to hand over | | | | for and find their job postings page. You can also track |
| their blackberries and cell phones on the spot and then | | | | the companies you want to pursue by signing up for |
| they're locked out of the computer system with no | | | | Google Alerts on certain topics you want to follow or |
| time to get that info. | | | | for the names of companies you'd like to keep tabs on |
| Then if that pink slip comes, you'll have the info and | | | | as well. |
| you'll be able to reach each and every contact. Let | | | | There are also several general job banks that you can |
| them know you are searching for a new job and | | | | use to find public relations positions when conducting |
| share information about the job you are seeking. If you | | | | electronic searches. You may be aware of many of |
| are emailing them send an updated resume. Don't be | | | | them but some of the best are monster.com, |
| bashful to ask for help and to tell them you've been | | | | flipdog.com, America's Job Bank at ajb.org and you |
| fired, laid off or whatever. Don't keep it a secret. | | | | can find salary and job demand information for public |
| There's no shame in losing a job these days especially | | | | relations and other fields by using the Michigan |
| under the crazy economic situation we're in now. | | | | Occupational Info System (MOIS) at mois.org. Two |
| After the bad news is announced make sure you or | | | | additional sites directed to communications related jobs |
| your former boss puts an auto responder on your | | | | are and Although the internet will be critical to your job |
| email so if and when people email you there's an | | | | search, don't fall into the trap of staying home and |
| automatic reply stating you're not there and so and so | | | | expecting the job to come to you by email. You still |
| is replacing you or whatever and that you can be | | | | have to hit the streets and meet with people you |
| reached for personal matters at this number or email | | | | know, and people who know people who know |
| address. | | | | people who are hiring. In the end, it is networking and |
| Because I deal with media persons all the time, I often | | | | personal contacts that will land you a job. |
| deal with reporters, editors, writers and photographers | | | | A media person's job search is, in reality, a public |
| who lose their jobs. Often the media outlet keeps the | | | | relations and marketing campaign. Use all the writing |
| email address alive for months and someone else | | | | and creative skills you have to write a pitch and job |
| answers the email. Some media outlets even keep the | | | | marketing letter. You have written many articles to |
| reporter's phone mail going and someone else checks | | | | convince readers to share your opinion or to take |
| it periodically. Not all layoffs are done in the bright light | | | | action. Use those same skills to convince someone to |
| of the day and as a result we publicists don't always | | | | hire you. Just consider it the biggest pitch letter you'll |
| hear about it right away. | | | | ever write. |
| Over the years I've compiled some resources to | | | | As a publicist I've seen first hand the problems facing |
| assist those in our business that I am happy to provide | | | | this industry and I understand that it is very tough for |
| to you now. It's the least I can do: | | | | professionals in the media to keep their jobs and to |
| PR Newswire It's a great resource and the local office | | | | find new jobs when necessary. But there is hope, |
| may know of a local company or PR firm looking for | | | | especially when you use the skills you have to get |
| employees. The number is: 800- 697-9712 PRSA - | | | | what you need the most - that next job! And when |
| Public Relations Society of America prsa.org They | | | | you get that new job, drop me a line. |
| have a "Job Center" section that allows you to post | | | | One more thing. Not to be a smart aleck but the |
| your resume. | | | | newspaper business is thriving in one part of the world |
| Society of Professional Journalists spj.org/jobbank.asp | | | | and some Americans are getting hired. Where? India. |
| Check out their Job Bank for members only. It may be | | | | Go figure. |
| worth the annual dues. There are some free | | | | |