First Jobs: Great Time For A Road Trip!
BiB Contributor | George Howell
You’ve graduated from college. You’ve applied to dozens of jobs online, and sent out who knows how many resume demos. The next important step for you is building real-world relationships. The best way to do it – get out on the road and start meeting people!
Road trips are just as much a part of the broadcasting business as pen is to paper. In this line of work, you move around a lot. My first big road trip involved moving from a gig in Spokane, WA back to Austin, TX for a new job in my hometown. Four years later, I drove back up to the Northwest from Austin to Seattle, WA. And just last year, I made the trip from Seattle to Atlanta, GA. Whether you are moving from job to job, or traveling to meet people at a place where you would like to work, you will come to appreciate the feeling of taking matters into your own hands, and moving the ball forward in order to accomplish your goals. In your case, this is probably your first road trip. With new possibilities, there will be likely many more. And like all new journeys, the sky is the limit!
There’s nothing better than meeting people face to face. Take some time to call stations you are targeting for employment to see if you can set up meet-and-greets with News Directors. (Do not just show up unannounced; be sure to schedule an appointment first.) Not only will managers appreciate the initiative you have shown by making the trip, but putting a face to a name will also help you to stand out among the crowd. You’d be surprised by how many people simply rely on email and phone calls. You will get the edge on people who fail to see the significance of making these personal connections.
Just be yourself. Be sincere. Show your natural eagerness, and you will make a great first impression. If you land the job that day, great! In most cases though, you will find that these meetings are more about having conversations to build relationships.
The relationships you build through your travels may bear fruit a week later – a month later – or even years later! The only way to find out is to put the rubber to the road, and start meeting people.
It’s June – perfect time to get started!
Good luck my friend!
Tags: breaking, broadcasting, First Jobs, road trip
