"Getting out of the business" resource thread

[Precious Roy]

Success story: Down to three days a week doing design as I am working in the mental health field as well. I am two semesters away from my masters in Psychology to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Going to be a good gig that really incorporates the interviewing skills that helped me in my journalism career. Sad to see that 10 years in the biz and I am about to see it end, but the future just never looked like anything to make a life from anymore.

 

[Meatie Pie]

Success story: Down to three days a week doing design as I am working in the mental health field as well. I am two semesters away from my masters in Psychology to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Going to be a good gig that really incorporates the interviewing skills that helped me in my journalism career. Sad to see that 10 years in the biz and I am about to see it end, but the future just never looked like anything to make a life from anymore.

"I know about tedium that can lead to mental challenges. I used to design newspapers."

Congratulations to you. Best wishes on future success.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Success story: Down to three days a week doing design as I am working in the mental health field as well. I am two semesters away from my masters in Psychology to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Going to be a good gig that really incorporates the interviewing skills that helped me in my journalism career. Sad to see that 10 years in the biz and I am about to see it end, but the future just never looked like anything to make a life from anymore.

"I know about tedium that can lead to mental challenges. I used to design newspapers."

Congratulations to you. Best wishes on future success.

"I know you feel life is hopeless, but it could be worse. You could be depriving kids of scholarships."

Congrats and good luck.

 

[Fredrick]

I post this here partly to vent my frustrations and also because I figure it may help others to know the sorts of things we're facing as we try to move out of the newsroom and into other types of jobs.

I've been actively seeking another job since March. I got very close to a PR job that didn't work out because the firm decided at the last minute that it was not going to make a hire. I'd had two interviews and had all but been formally offered the position.

A couple weeks ago I had a phone interview with a firm I didn't expect to hear from when I sent off the resume. I was qualified, but not highly qualified. Nonetheless, they called me and wanted to talk. About a week after the phone interview I received an email from them saying I was not in the running -- which was not unexpected. But it bothered me a little that the person who did my phone interview was from the HR department, not the manager who oversees the open position.

I understand, of course, that the manager gives the HR department an overview of what they're looking for. There were probably specific things the HR person needed to hear in order to move me to the top of the pile. And again, I'm not surprised that didn't happen. But just for the heck of it, I Googled and found the LinkedIn profile of the HR person I talked to -- a 2010 college graduate whose degree is not in communications, journalism, marketing or public relations, and who has been working at this company for less than a year.

I was glad I got a call from them. But I'm bothered by the idea that my ability to land a face-to-face interview hinged on the word of a kid who was in college two years ago and has no background in anything related to communications or publishing. I may be under-qualified, but I probably know more about what's involved in doing this job than the HR person does.

I suppose the moral of the story here is that we're all used to the way things work at newspapers -- where an editor looks at resumes and clips, and as an applicant you feel like your qualifications are being evaluated in a real way, by someone with experience. It doesn't work that way elsewhere, apparently.

I still feel confident that I will land something else soon. I hope by the end of this year. But it has been discouraging so far.

I think this is happening in newspapers and many other fields as well. Somehow the HR departments the past many years have gotten so much power. It used to be if a newspaper sports department had an opening, many times the sports editor (who didn't just go to meetings all day, every day) would fill it on his/her own. He'd know many many people in the business and fill the opening very very quickly. Now, it's HR's ballgame. Very strange how that all happened.
I know somebody who works part time in PR for an organization and they have an opening and want to hire him full time. They told him how to apply to try to make sure HR recommends him for an interview. Even though he already works there. Even though the bosses want him, he has to pass the mustard with HR. Very very bizarre world we now live in.

 

[Ace]

I am trying to get out, even though I still could work at the Plain Dealer, dammit.

If you are applying for jobs outside of journalism (and sports), I have found that it has helped to scrub all the sports off the resume as much as possible.

So instead of covering the Podunk Plodders minor-league baseball beat, you are using your communications, web, video and social media skills to keep the audience informed of up-to-the-minute news on a local professional franchise (or some such).

You aren't designing the sports section six days a week, you are working with stakeholders to produce an attention-grabbing web and print product in a fast-paced environment.

Anyway, you've got to use the words the businesses use. They don't understand what we do. We probably work harder and can handle more than most communications or PR people or whatever, but they talk a different language.

And they just think you "Get to go to all the games."

The most important thing is to get someone to flag your resume or reach out to the hiring manager. It's very difficult to even get an interview if you just apply electronically to a big company and wait to hear. Work it.

Good luck.

 

[Ace]

FYI,

Just accepted a job in the business world working communications for an insurance company. Less than a week left in sports journalism.

That aside, I got nowhere till I scrubbed the (very impressive, I thought) sports stuff off my resume and just focused on skills we all have to some extent -- communications; project management(ish), directing staff, handling budget (freelancers), working with other stakeholders (photo, design, marketing, advertising), deadline performance, web stuff, photo, video, etc.

These are all valuable skills. You just need to translate them to whatever job you are looking for. I almost blew my interview when they asked about graphics and design skills. I said that wasn't my strength, but I could manage.

I was thinking newspaper or web design. They wanted to know if I could work Power Point.

ALSO, and this goes double if you are looking for a job outside sports journalism, you've got to find someone to flag your resume or make direct contact with the hiring manager. Ideally, you can get your name out there before a job is even posted.

Only interviews I ever got were when someone flagged my resume and I had already received the "thanks, but we are looking at other candidates" email from HR for the job I eventually landed.

Good luck,

Ace

 

[I Should Coco]

That's great news, Ace. Good luck at the new gig.

You'll have a job — and, more importantly, a life outside of work — when they finally close the Plain Dealer, dammit.

 

[Walter Lippmann]

How does one go about getting a research position as an epidemiologist or virologist? Not looking at more schooling, and have one biology class under my belt as an undergrad. Chance me.

 

[1GreytWriter]

I have an interview tomorrow for an online marketing position. The salary is about where I want it to be, I would learn some new skills to build on my part-time social media gig (and the job itself includes social media management and strategy) and the managers seem eager to train and mentor the right person to bring them up to speed.

I've only had interest from two other employers in a little over 30 applications. One phone interview, after which I decided I wasn't that enthused by the job, and one interaction with a recruiter who sent my resume to the hiring company and then disappeared.

I feel decently prepared; just wish a couple of friends (one in journalism and two who never have been in the field) wouldn't stop trying to make me miserable by telling me things like "Don't ever expect holidays off" and "I never get a day off." I am screening for balance for my next position, but so many other factors are contributing to me leaving the field. I wish people could just be supportive, but at the same time, it's not going to take away my relief/excitement of having an interview, even if the job doesn't pan out.

 

[Leaver?]

As a formerly employed Journalist seeking employment in an office based environment, how do I translate my newspaper experience to competencies useful in office.
Some of the buzzwords mentioned already are deadlines, project management, any more?
Reason I ask, is I wonder do non-newspaper people grasp what happens in newsroom, or do we know how to communicate these 'competencies' etc.
I am struggling a little with putting them to paper on a resume. Any tips appreciated.

 

[Ace]

As a formerly employed Journalist seeking employment in an office based environment, how do I translate my newspaper experience to competencies useful in office.
Some of the buzzwords mentioned already are deadlines, project management, any more?
Reason I ask, is I wonder do non-newspaper people grasp what happens in newsroom, or do we know how to communicate these 'competencies' etc.
I am struggling a little with putting them to paper on a resume. Any tips appreciated.

Leaver,
Unless they have been in the business, assume they think you "get to go to games" so make your resemble or talking points reflect your skills that match the position.

Say it's web marketing and you are a reporter. You have marketed and branded your content. You have identified and tapped into subjects of interest in your community of on your beat. You have used metrics to identify hot issues and trends. You are an expert at social media. You worked with advertising and marketing department to develop opportunities (maybe coordinated football tab). Comfortable presenting to and interviewing leaders (not everyone has this skill). Etc....

 

[1GreytWriter]

The job I interviewed for last week I ended up not getting. I felt pretty good about the rapport I had with the hiring manager, but I also sensed I was underqualified anyway. I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

I was hoping to be employed elsewhere by the end of the year, and while there's still time, I know the chances are going to be less likely as the holidays are coming.

I'm very fortunate that my company has an EAP I can sign up for, and I may as well take advantage of it while I'm working there because if nothing else, it will give me some ideas and advice on how to stay sane while I continue my search and I have the benefit at work. I can't seem to shake the depression and blows to my confidence over this whole thing.