Journalists - You don’t get the respect you deserve.

Journalists - you don’t get the respect you deserve when switching careers.

When I exited the TV industry, I thought it would be an easy jump to a communications/marketing role.

In interviews I was asked why my journalism experience would be better than candidates with more “traditional” PR or communications backgrounds. While I knew I could make the transition, demonstrating it wasn’t as easy as I thought.

At the time, I didn’t effectively describe - and have them relate - to my work. I wrongly relied on the shiny parts of my experience to convince hiring managers to take, what I was told would be “a risk,” in hiring someone with no direct PR/communications experience. I should have emphasized my gritty skills instead.

Here’s what I wish I had done...
➡️ Educate them - Outsiders only see or read the finished product. Teach them how you accomplish stories, produce rundowns, work the assignment desk, so they understand the skills that went into that polished story or newscast. Working sources, editorial meetings, interviewing, scheduling, collaborating with your editor/assignment desk/photographer, etc. are all things comms folks do every day. Connect what you do daily to the role → crystal clearly.

➡️ Behind the Scenes Matters More - Your live report, online or printed article, produced show, is the culmination of your work - not what you do. You’ve spent hours, even days/weeks researching, interviewing and preparing. You’ve collaborated across teams to fact check and edit, get graphics made and receive final approval. All things you do in comms to prepare a press release, talking points, blog story, media pitch. Highlight the work, not the end product during your interview. I spent too much time pointing to my end product not the skills and experience it took to create it.

➡️ Writing is your Secret Weapon - Journalists know how to write. Content is needed everywhere, whether the role includes writing external blog posts, content marketing, press releases, marketing copy; or supporting HR and internal efforts with employee stories, talking points and intranet updates. Your super power is writing in an emotional, engaging and evocative way. Make sure they know it.

➡️ I Get it Done - Changing stories, breaking news, interviews that don’t pan out, managing rundowns and front pages, learning new topics every day - being a journalist during COVID is being the multitasker of a three-ring circus with a hard-stop deadline. Demonstrating your ability to balance and manage multiple projects in different phases, while bringing your collaborative and creative mindset sets you apart.

I understood I had these skills, but I had too much faith others knew it too.

You can paint a picture of how you can fill the role and be a crucial part of the team. When highlighting your skills, know the job description → connect the dots → be as clear in your personal story as you are in your work.

Show them why hiring a journalist is a good idea.