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Topic: What Is Wrong With Me?
| Author | Message |
| Pete Gass | Posted – 6/23/2008 11:17:49 AM | show profile I used to be a video editor for 5 years at a very well known and successful syndicated TV show produced by a major TV network. This past fall I was layed off due to budget cuts (and so that the producers could give themselves a bigger bonus). Everywhere I send my resume to, be it either for freelance or permanent work, no one ever gets back to me, much less even looks at my reel which I have posted online and linked to on my resume (I have a counter that tells when when it's viewed). I understand that it takes time to find work, but this is crazy. Only one place has gotten back to me and the only reason they did is because I know someone who works there. I've applied to at least 60 places or so. I have experience producing as well, which I thought would make me valuable to someone needing an editor. I am so frustrated I don't know if I want to cry or jump out the window. I would switch careers, but can't think of any job that being an editor would translate well to. Is this normal for people in TV? I don't know if I'm looking for advice or just venting. Thanks |
| rochelle, rochelle | Posted – 6/23/2008 4:19:05 PM | show profile I'm in a similar situation, though I haven't applied to half as many places as you have. I commend your tenacity! I'm a print journalist with more than 20 years of experience. I've applied for jobs for which I have every qualification listed in the job description, and I don't even get an interview. I understand (from others on MB) that this is typical of the times and the economy. I'm finding it difficult to make the effort to apply for jobs when most of the time you don't even get so much as a "thanks, we received your res." I guess what I'm trying to say is, you're not alone. Hope this is somewhat comforting under the misery-loves-company category. |
| web | Posted – 6/23/2008 10:22:20 PM | show profile | email poster well.... Pete Stop doing what you're doing. Really. Most people get jobs from people they know. Go to linked in. See who you know and contact them. The last two people I knew who were looking for jobs were pissed off that they didn't do just that... cause when they did... everyone tryied to help them in some way. One got a job through a connection the other is still looking but now has lots of good action steps and people to meet. I would do a few things: 1_ Stop calling yourself a "used to be". What do you want to be? Say it with strength. 2_ Get yourself business cards with what you want to be on it. YOu can even say you're looking for a position that.... on the card. Don't print your own, but some office supply stores offer black/white cards for a good price. 3_ Create a database of everyone you know profesionally, including family and friends. Send each of them a letter or postcard or something. Let them know what you're looking for and how they can help you. And again, lookat linked in to see who you already know and can connect with. 4_ See if in your area they offer career groups of some sort. Looking for a new position is a lonely job and you need to be around people who are taking action and moving along. Hope that helps. from--- been there, done that. |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 6/24/2008 4:44:57 PM | show profile sounds familiar I have been down this exact road only I was with a non profit who decided it a wise idea to outsource my position (which was that of art director. They also outsourced the web guy's job and several other IT people--we got severance pkgs. but were basically hung out to dry). From my perspective, I'm sure it was also to pad the pockets of the higher ups that had been hired 2-3 months prior to our departure. Sleazy way of doing business but it is what it is. I agree with the above poster's theory. I came highly recommended for my current job by some folks that work here that I used to work with at a former job and voila, I got the job (which I love, by the way!). I wonder had I applied cold if I would have been offered the same opportunity. Yes, networking is KEY! Also, don't let this lay off get you down. It's throughout the industry. Please don't take the lack of interviews personally, although I know how hard that can be. Best of luck to you! -Happy to be employed by a non-sleazy for-profit company:) |
| desertroo | Posted – 6/25/2008 11:00:42 PM | show profile I'm also looking for something new for the last three months. I must have sent out over a hundred resumes. In that time I've had four interviews. I agree that networking is good. Network as much as you can, but I've also gotten jobs cold. In fact my last three jobs I had I got cold. So don't give up on the resumes. Also, I suggest following up within a week on a resume you send out. Just send a friendly e-mail saying "hope you got my resume and by the way here's a few more great reasons to hire me." It shows you're interested. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 6/30/2008 2:55:37 PM | show profile You may have already considered this, but I highly recommend you revamp your resume every time you switch jobs. Not just tacking new things on -- your new experience may change what you emphasize from your old experience, because it probably changes the kind of job you're going to. So tailor your old stuff a bit, slanting it to what your future will be. Also, weed out the very old stuff that makes you look old. Instead of an objective, try a summary -- a paragraph about you that highlights what you're great at that the people you're targeting need. Don't forget to mention the universal things -- people skills, problem solving, whatever. Check to make sure all your contact information is up to par. Don't necessarily put your references on -- make them available on request. Believe it or not, some people get ruled out sight unseen because their references aren't as stellar as they could be, or because unbeknownst to the applicant they've fallen from grace or because they're just unknown. You may want to save references for after you've talked. Smarten up your cover letter, tailoring it to the sort of application you're making. Good luck! |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 6/30/2008 3:35:09 PM | show profile Yes, I had a career counselor tell me that I should only put the past 10 years of experience on my resume. Anything before that is irrelevant and well, makes you look "old" so that's what I did...dropped the old stuff. |
| justthefactsman | Posted – 8/4/2008 4:17:51 PM | show profile I Thought The Same Thing! I'm a journalist who left a bad job at a small paper for a great job for a TV program. Well, the TV show fell through and even though I have lots of great clips from well-known publications, I couldn't get an interview to save my life. Nope, going back to the paper is NOT an option. My old manager is not well-liked, the environment is horrible, and I can't go through that again. I've sent out over 400 resumes for jobs in journalism, real estate, administrative assistance, and food service. I've tried temp jobs and I get the old, "Well, we don't know if you want to work for $8 an hour." I couldn't get a phone call back from Radio Shack! I talked to my friend who is an editor and she said, "Look, you're not a loser. The economy is really bad right now and no one is hiring." I'm still waiting, biding my time in hopes that something turns up. |
| PatriciaJ11 | Posted – 8/6/2008 2:31:09 PM | show profile | email poster to Justthefacts I have always wanted to get into the journalism/film but have no real experience. Except for knowing what appeals and does not, a good eye for camera, and knowlegde of languages and cultures... and what is lacking in the "news". Maybe trying some film and journalism and producing your own new angle. With the job market, I realized that for me, and for many, it would be the only way to possibly start, aside from networking, and many in good jobs are looking out just to keep their progams from downsizing. |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 8/6/2008 8:41:45 PM | show profile Everything WEB said ... ... and more. I don't mean to discourage you, but I'm a 20-year network television writer and producer (with solid videotape editing experience), with senior and executive producing on my resume. I've been trying to get out of my current job for 3 years now. Nothing. Not a single nibble. HUNDREDS of resumes. Horribly discouraging. |
| justthefactsman | Posted – 8/12/2008 4:03:43 AM | show profile It's depressing and helpful... It's nice to know that the market is bad all around, but it's also really depressing. I can't express enough the level of depression that covers me when I realize that my phone hasn't rung all day...or even in five days. It's funny, I have all of the multimedia experience that human resources are looking for. If I could find a job...any job at this point, I'd be ecstatic. It's been months and I've gotten the same, "Why would you want to work here?" The truth? I'm out of money and options, and I don't have the money to move home to mom and dad's. |
| ejj333 | Posted – 10/3/2008 6:35:39 PM | show profile | email poster A LOT OF US OUT THERE Pete... I just added a post in the beginners section called, JOB SEEKING AKA: THE HARDEST JOB I'VE EVER HAD. If you have time give it a read. I was in the News media for over 20 years and we all know where that is going. Although I'm sure it's not much comfort, you are not alone. And if venting gets you through it... then vent away! |
