"Getting out of the business" resource thread

Check with your county's Workforce office. Probably Googling Workforce and the state should help. Otherwise, contact you state unemployment office.

 

Thanks, and I appreciate the information. I'll look into it.

 

PM me if you have any questions.

 

Poynter posted a chat transcript about alternative careers for journalists, and followed up today with a profile of Garth Kriewall, who went from the Port Huron (Mich.) Times Herald to a county communications gig.

 

I just found another useful website with a nice jobs bank. I haven't seen this one yet, so apologies if it has already been passed on.

It is geared towards the web side of things.

http://www.newmediahire.com/

 

Any advice on how to word your brief job description on your resume when applying for "a communications manager" position?

I guess I'm asking how do I spin "my beats included" and "was eventually given a column" and "wrote series on . . . " into useful things in a communications position.

 

As part of their community outreach program The NY Mets are providing career advise to journalist that want to get into baseball. Contact Jeff Wilpon for further information.

 

I've tried to tailor the description of my duties into a more general format. I don't think writing about beats, columns and the like is helpful because you can't assume the HR or hiring person is totally familiar with newspapers.

I wrote something like "Research, gather and analyze information to creatively write stories and produce content on a deadline."

Maybe also something about how your "duties and your responsibilities increased as assigned by your superiors" instead of how you were given a column.

 

Here's a story sent to me on Linked In (if you're not on this, you should be) that addresses positions outside of the Biz that dovetail with what we've done and our skill set.

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=56064419&gid=2031170&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emediabistro%2Ecom%2Fprnewser%2Fmedia_audit%2Ftime_out_ny_to_unemployed_journalists_sell_out_a_little_123566%2Easp%3Fc%3Drss&urlhash=1qWF&trk=news_discuss

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think working solely in Sports hurts you when going for these PR and communications position.

I don't think those folks really know what we do and unless you are going for a Sports-minded position, the sledding is tough, especially in this job market.

So make the effort to broaden yourself and make contacts now. Networking is the best way to get an in.

 

Agreed. Made the move to Metro a few months ago. Glad I did.

 

If you're thinking about a move into PR, make sure you read this first:

http://badpitch.blogspot.com/2009/10/axed-hacks-guide-to-flacking-are.html

Pretty good stuff.