How to Get a Job in TV News

It can be challenging to get your foot in the door in the highly competitive world of TV news. However, getting an entry-level position may not be quite as challenging as it seems. Read on for a few tips on how to get a job in TV news.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Getting a Job in TV News

1. Stay current. An essential prerequisite for getting a job in TV news job is a genuine passion for news and news reportage. It is also important to know or learn the facts related to current events--your knowledge is likely to be tested in the interview. Stay up to date on the latest news by watching it on more than one TV station. Listen to news on the radio as you drive. Avidly read more than one of the daily newspapers, both broadsheets and tabloids.

2. Get some relevant hands-on experience. It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the industry and experience in gathering news. If you are still in college, volunteer or get a job at the student TV station or newspaper. Apply at the local TV station or at the local paper--both offer are a great way to learn news gathering basics. Other job placements to consider include the local radio station, community radio or hospital radio.

3. Volunteer. With so many people eager to work in the media, unpaid volunteer positions abound in the industry. You may, for example, work as a low-paid or unpaid "gopher" or "runner" at a TV news station--ideally the particular station that you want to launch your TV news career. It is not glamorous, but you will be well-placed to make important contacts and work your way up.

4. Use the Internet--it offers an ideal and often free opportunity to produce and present your own news content. You may, for example, start a blog that reports on the your neighborhood. You may also produce a brief video news story or create a video news clip of yourself reporting on local stories. These can be uploaded to YouTube and other video sites.

5. Go to school. While an academic credential is not necessary to get a job in TV news, it can further demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the industry. Some courses offer an internship, which will look good on your resume.

6. Tailor your resume to convey your passion for news. Present your work experience in a way that makes it relevant to the TV news industry. News stations are inundated with resumes, so your resume needs to stand out.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[kimlucatorto]

on 7/25/2009 A great resource for getting your first media job and/or internship is: www.HungryGrad.com