The Tennessean - Tennessee Titans No. 2 beat writer

Yep.

I've been hired for three jobs in this business. Each time, I highly doubt I would have emerged from a national search as the most qualified or experienced or talented candidate. But I knew the hiring editor and had people who could vouch for me. Two of the three times the job wasn't even posted.

That's the way this business -- or any business -- works. If you want perfect parity, take a civil service test. Otherwise, get used to life.

 

Why is getting to know people in your business akin to "ass kissing"? Seems like quite a leap.

 

because it's the easy way for people to feel better about themselves -- it's easier to say that guy or gal got a job because he kissed ass/is purple/is a hermaphrodite/will work for free or whatever else than to look inward at how you can better do your job and make yourself wanted

 

I've seen plenty of ass kissers in this business. Those guys don't get hired. Believe me. It's embarrassingly transparent.

 

It sounds like what some people call "ass kissing" is simply getting to know other people in your field. You're cultivating sources to work your beat better; I don't see how cultivating contacts to enchance your career prospects is substantially different. Besides, I've learned that you can make some good friends in the process.

 

If I've done stringer assignments for other papers, I always include something saying keep me in mind if another assignment or something long-term should come up at the paper. It doesn't hurt - and who knows, if you do a good enough job, the SE may remember you.

 

I heard the guy from Fresno got the job

 

Ya think? It's worked pretty well for me. To each his own, I guess.

 

So who's the ass kisser, I mean the lucky person who the job?

 

I think Jessica Hopp is GA and has done Titans backup.

 

That's been the answer quite a few times over the last few years.

 

Any suckers want to make a bet on whether a replacement is hired for "the guy from Fresno"?