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Mobile Press-Register Alabama beat reporter

Discussion in 'Journalism Jobs' started by Randy Kennedy, Feb 15, 2012.

  1. Versatile

    Versatile Active Member

    In my experiences, layoffs hit bosses quickly, too. Your direct supervisor probably won't find out you're going to be laid off until just before he tells you.

    Anyway, 1HP, I have heard stories about the same type of blackballing done to people at bigger newspapers who were known to be looking around, including people who told their bosses in advance. Bigger newspapers don't think they should ever lose someone without knowing about it first. If we're talking Knoxville, maybe it's not such a big deal.

    My process: Don't tell the boss the second you apply, but if you get a call for an interview, discuss it with them. Don't drop the two week's notice on their lap blind because they could be useful to you in the future, but don't give away that you're looking.
     
  2. 1HPGrad

    1HPGrad Member

    What part of my advice said you owe it to your boss?
    You owe it to yourself to be honest with your boss. If you want to sneak around, great, go for it. Just don't expect to be rewarded when the beat you want opens. Your boss is going to find out. I can count on four fingers the times in almost 15 years I didn't find out one of my guys was applying. Most of the time they just told me and I helped them. Most of the other times, somebody called me.
    We've all changed jobs, chased dreams. Apparently, some of us just go about it differently.
     
  3. 1HPGrad

    1HPGrad Member

    To Verse's point: In 2006, 2007, when all of this started to go south, I encouraged my guys to look. I couldn't promise them tomorrow. When we went through layoffs, I was just as much at risk as they were, if not more because of my salary. I left the Herald, in part, because I saw where that was headed. Hell, they got rid of the SE. We're all day to day. So if I saw something I thought might be a better situation, I'd mention it to them. I'd even make first calls. I can think of three guys who got jobs because I made the first call, reached out to the hiring SE and said, 'This is the guy you want. He hasn't applied, but he'd be perfect.'
    There's no need for all the animosity that Drip brings to the equation.
    I've never met or worked for an SE or EE who wanted to lay off people. Fire or demote incompetent people, yes, but just to get rid of people? No.
     
  4. Johnny Dangerously

    Johnny Dangerously Well-Known Member

    When it comes down to it, my point is that Mizzougrad really took the choice away from the person in question, yes? Maybe that person had a plan with a timetable that did not coincide with Mizzougrad's post, which because it exists on a sports journalism board changed the nature of the situation. Sort of narrows the field, doesn't it? It's self-absorbed and full of "look at what I know" to post it and take the decision out of the hands of the person being interviewed.

    That's all I'm saying.

    I'd expect something like that from doodad. Not from a veteran. The times when I've seen you come close to describing a search in progress, 1HPGrad, you've had the decency not to identify the paper where the people being interviewed currently work. This crossed the line.
     
  5. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    Why do you feel that your are entitled to know that your employees are looking. I've been in the business many many moons and still have yet to hear a reason why.
    Personally, when I have looked for other employment, unless it got to the point of being serious where money figures were exchanged, I kept it extremely quiet. When you're talking salary, then you are talking seriously. Otherwise, it's just talk.
     
  6. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    I don't get it when you say "be honest." Not to be snarky but if I come to work every day, do my job, and bust my ass, I'm being honest.
     
  7. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    Why are you acting like this is the first time that it's been mentioned that someone is interviewing for a job?

    I'm not going to ask for permission to post something, especially if it's something I know to be true. I'm certainly not trying to bash the guy.

    If I find out that Mobile is bringing in a second writer and I find out, I'll post that name as well.

    I doubt he cares as much about this as you do.
     
  8. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    Mizzou, you are free to do your own thing. I've got no beef with you. I think, and others here may feel the same way, that naming names of people who interview especially in this economic climate, isn't the prudent thing to do.
    If you personally get the go ahead from theperson who interviewed, that's great. But otherwise, throwing out names just builds to speculation and it's tough enough out here without that. Just sayin.
     
  9. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    Yeah, I don't care...

    There's no malicious intent involved. Somebody was interviewing for a job and I hinted at who it was. If you can't handle that, too bad...

    If the Moderators think I've stepped over the line, they can let me know...
     
  10. 1HPGrad

    1HPGrad Member

    You're just oiling the machine, Drip. SEs are human. They have favorites. If you're sneaking around, they've already moved on and really are just waiting for you to leave. Ideally, you have the relationship with your ASE, SE or night chief to where you can tell him. Almost always, they'll help.
    My first two references are SEs I worked under. You want it that way. They know everybody. Moddy knows everybody.
    As Verse noted, you don't have to mention every inquiry. We're smart enough to know if you're looking, you're looking everywhere. And if you're not looking now, I don't know what you are waiting for.
    And, yes, JD, I'm not a fan of throwing out names before hires/layoffs are announced. Couple years ago I was offered a prominent assignment editor job that was discussed on this board -- I saw the opening here -- and I dreaded seeing my name on that thread. Fortunately, it wasn't. My SE knew I was part of the search, but I didn't tell anyone else until after I interviewed.
     
  11. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    I understand where you are coming from. I respect your point of view. However, I've never felt inclined to tell my superiors anything until (1) an offer was made and (2) I had made a decision. Until that point, I'm doing my job to the best of my ability and remaining professional about the situation.
     
  12. Moderator1

    Moderator1 Moderator Staff Member

    I've actually had SEs call me and say, "I know so and so is so and so on the board - you know him/her?"
    Puts me in awkward spot because I will never confirm anyone's handle and ID. But I will say, "I do know so and so if you have questions."

    I always tell my folks, "Bust your ass for me and I'll be your best friend. Even if that means helping you get another job if that's what you want. Just be straight with me and don't let me get blindsided."

    It will get out if you are looking. You owe it to yourself to let your boss know, actually. But contrary to the attitude of some on here, you owe it to your boss, too. If he or she is a worthwhile boss, be straight. Trust me, they'll appreciate it.

    We've also had people on this board use their screen names to send SEs private messages suggesting they give strong consideration to, you guessed it, their real names. Yep, most SEs are too stupid to see through that.

    As for the topic at hand, I don't much like it. But I don't see how I can remove it just before that. If you are off interviewing somewhere and think it won't get out, you aren't very smart. I interviewed somewhere a few years ago. When I turned on my phone after my plane landed, I had about 10 texts and a half-dozen messages from people either wishing me luck or offering advice or whatnot.
     
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