I may have mentioned that want to be a journalist. I want to uncover different stories everyday; research them, interview people, write them up and help keep the community connected. I want to be part of a team that celebrates the people’s personal, professional and sporting achievements, but also reports hard truths, including crime, social issues, injuries and deaths.

Journalism excites me because it not only documents, but also has the power to engage and invigorate communities. It draws peoples’ attention to issues and it can get discussions going about solutions. I will always write, but I prefer writing about others and with a clear purpose and deadline.

I may also have mentioned that I am looking for a job in this field. Since I spend so much of my time thinking about this search, I thought I would share with you what I have leant thus far:

At University

• Your media degree won’t necessarily prove that you can work in the media. It does not show that you can write newspaper, magazine etc. articles, nor does it prove that you can write to daily or even hourly deadlines.
• So, do a range of internships and placements. Apply early to placement programs. Ask your course director or careers advisors for support.
• Get involved with student media.
• Blog regularly.
• Consider doing a more practical (as opposed to academic course).

Applying for jobs

• Look at as many job listing sites as possible (e.g.: Seek, MyCareer, CareerOne, Ethical Jobs, Mumbrella, Grapevine Media Jobs, Gumtree and your University career’s page). I still check out the classified in the newspaper.
• When a listing tickles your fancy, read it carefully and click through to/send an email for the complete job description.
• Write a concise cover letter that only includes information addressing the job. If this demonstrates you are a strong candidate for the position (including that it is well written), the recruiters will then read your resume that can inform them of the other things that make you a great person!
• Target your resume for each job application. Remember that recruiters will get tens, sometimes even hundreds, of applications, so ensure your formatting makes your resume easy and quick to read.
• Do not lie on your resume. If the recruiter finds out, which could happen if they contact your referees, you will no longer be considered.

The interview

• Research the company and their position within the industry and community.
• Go over job description and think of examples that prove that you can perform all of the listed roles. Don’t stew on memorising precise answers. It is better to brainstorm your experience and qualifications on broad subject areas* as mental dot points.
• Prepare a list of questions you want to ask about the organisation and the position (which shows that you have considered the role).
• Look neat and professional. I think it’s probably ‘safer’ to dress quite conservatively and ‘corporate’.
• Arrive 5-10 minutes early.
• Bring a spare copy of your resume and portfolio to the interview.
• Appear relaxed and confident – sit up straight, lean forward slightly and keep your body language open (e.g.: don’t cross your arms in front of your chest). Show that you are listening to the interviewer by turning your body to face them and maintaining eye contact.
• Listen, never interrupt and answer questions honestly and directly (i.e.: keep to the point).
• If you are uncertain about a question, ask them to rephrase it or to give an example. For example, in the interview for a journalism cadetship with Shepparton News, the Deputy Editor said, “We don’t shy away from running campaigns.” Alarm bells – I don’t want to be part of a paper that campaigns for politicians. So I asked her for an example. She explained that last year, the Goulburn Valley Hospital needed to raise a significant amount to improve their oncology ward, so residents could be treated there instead of having to go to Melbourne. The paper ran a series of profiles of people who would use the ward (i.e.: residents with cancer). She also said two local teenage girls had committed suicide in the previous weeks, so she wanted to speak to mental health workers and do a series on these issues, particularly they ways in which they affect found people.

*Broad subject areas covered in job interview

• Your general background/qualifications (including experience, education, volunteer work and personal attributes).
• Your reasons for applying, which might include what attracts you to the the industry, organisation and position. You can also answer these questions in such a way that demonstrates how you have been working towards this job. In the interview for Shepparton News, I was asked about my connection to the community.
• Your career goals. Make these considered and precise, for example the Shepparton News Deputy Editor asked me, “Who is one of your favourite journalists? Who would you like to emulate?”
• Your expectations of the role, including salary (The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s  ‘Journalists Published Media Award 2010′ distinguishes between cadet and graduate cadet journalists (appropriateness of candidates’ degrees are determined by employer). So, if I am considered a graduate cadet, I would do a one year cadetship, during which I would be paid at the rate of the final year cadet, which is 90% of Level 1 employee: 90% of $698.20 is $628.38 p/w (annual: $32 675.76). But, I ‘normal’ cadet, starts on 60% of the Level 1 employees’ salary: $698.20 which is $418.92 p/w (annual $21 783.84)
• Your strategies to deal with stress and crises. Flexibility and resourcefulness are vital to being a good journalist. So in the cadetship interview, I was asked how I would act in two hypothetical situations:
  • “If we send you out to Nathalia (a smaller farming town that is a 45 minute drive from Shepparton) one afternoon, how would you find five stories for the next morning?” My grandparents have a farm in Nathalia, so I had brainstormed something like this on route to the interview. I suggested the following stories:
    • My grandparents’ old, rusted farm gates had been stolen the week before, and that they were surprised to learn that they were actually worth $1,500 and that other people had their gates stolen too. So I would call up the local police and suss out if there was a story there.
    • I would speak to farmers or their spokespeople about the fact that because many of the farmers in the region had a ‘bumper’ harvest, grain was selling at a lower price per tonne than it had in previous years.
    • I would also ask them about farming technologies, including lazer grading of paddocks.
    • I struggled to think of the fourth and fifth article ideas, so half joked that I would go to the pub and speak to the people there. The Editor and Deputy Editor seemed to love that answer!
    • In hindsight, another topic I could have looked into would be the impacts (economic, social, ecological) of the swarms of tourists that come up to Nathalia at Easter. There are always stories of tourists getting injured and/or behaving badly.
    • I could also have spoken about the (Murray-Darling) Basin plan’s probable impact in 2012 (but, I wasn’t sure of the papers’ stand on this issue)
  • The Deputy Editor also asked me what I would do if I was on the court round and I was reporting on a case in which an 18 year old man was found guilty of drinking under the influence of alcohol and then crashing and killing one of his friends. His mother comes up and begs me not to report the story because her mother (the boy’s grandmother) is very sick and would die if she read it.
    • I acknowledged that it is a horrible situation. I said I would ask my mentor journalist but that my initial reaction would be to report the story. We have a responsibility to inform the community, and perhaps someone could learn from this tragedy. I wish I had also said that court is a public space, and that if anyone was interested in finding out the case’s outcome they could just check online. I wish I had also said that we have a responsibility to the dead boy’s family and friends. I did say that the only thing I could suggest to the driver’s mother it that she hide the paper, or at least that page, from her mother.
  • The Editor also asked me how I would deal with this case emotionally.
    • He seemed to like my response that included that yes, it was an awful story, but that I was in no way to blame for it – I didn’t make this young man drink, nor did I make him get behind the wheel.
  • “But people do shoot the messenger…”
    • “Yes, but my first and foremost responsibility is to the wider community.”
  • They also asked me what I would do if I made a mistake, for example we published something false.
    • I said prevention is better than the cure, so I would check facts, get people’s consent (and have it documented) for quotes and be diligent about reporting exactly what they said. Oh when I spent time with the ABC courts reporter, she reminded me of always saying “alleged” when reporting on upcoming or ongoing court cases.Despite this, mistakes do happen. If something did go wrong, I would admit responsibility ASAP, then we could publish an apology and a correction and take the offending article off the website.
  • They also commended me on my writing, but asked how long I had to write a feature article for the student paper. I replied, “Two weeks.” The Editor then asked, “Could you do it in two days?”
    • “Yes” and I explained how I would go about doing it (quickly plan the time I would spend on each stage: research, taking preliminary notes, interviewing, writing out the interview (not a complete transcript, but interesting points and quotes) and putting it together. If you write good notes from the research and interview as you go along, writing up the article should be pretty quick.)
• Towards the end of the interview, I was asked if you have any questions of your own. I wish I had thought of one! Questions I thought of after include:
  • What are the company’s plans for the future?
  • What kind of further training does the organisation provide?
  • Do we get a car or fuel allowances?