With the pandemic still playing a huge role in the economy, finding a job in a world where opportunities are scarce can be disheartening. But while you can’t force a job, you can definitely prepare for one.

There are many different aspects that you can take a look at when searching for potential career paths. But there are specific things you need to pay attention to, such as:
  • what area in the industry do you want to go into
  • how to prepare for the job
  • what skills you need for the job and how to grow them, and
  • what qualities do you have that you can improve on.
Once you have answered these questions, you can narrow down your options to the perfect job. This means that you might apply for fewer jobs but the ones you do apply for will be more specific to what you are actually interested in.

Ready to get into? Let’s go:

1. Break the panic mode

When you start looking for a job — especially one in the media industry — it can become a bit of an obsession. You are constantly checking that LinkedIn inbox of yours and your visits to Careers24 became a lot more than the ones to Netflix.

It is important to take a break when looking for a job. Take a week and focus on something else; this way, you will ensure you do not burnout or get demotivated when it takes time to find the perfect job.

2. Choose your favourite medium in media

Since the media industry is ever changing and extremely big, it is important to take some time and find the medium you are most interested in. For example, do you like print, broadcast or online? And if you found the medium you like, be sure to read up on it — a lot!

Do the research and dig deeper. Go back to the history of the medium and learn as much as possible about it. This will give you a good understanding of whether or not you will actually enjoy working with this medium specifically.

3. Write out the perks that you want in your future job

If you are interested in becoming a journalist for The New York Times someday, it is essential to first take time and write down what you are expecting from your future job. Once you have dotted that down onto a piece of paper, go do some research and find out what it will be like working as a journalist.

You might come to see that, if you choose to be a journalist who focuses on current events, late nights and early mornings are part of the routine. If this is something you are not willing or keen on doing, you need to go and look at jobs in the media that meet your preferences. Having specific ideals in mind will help you to filter out the positions that might not be for you.

4. Follow people in this industry

We all have the celebrity or role model that we follow on social media. They may have an influence on what clothes we wear or what movies we like. If we can follow others who influence our fashion and interests, why not follow someone who can influence and inspire us career-wise?

Follow leading individuals in your industry and pay attention to what they post. Seeing what they get up to will ensure that you to stay up to date on current trends and changes taking place in the media space.

5. Look up current job descriptions

Before you apply for a job, be sure to do a lot of research on it. Why? If you, for example, want to work as a journalist, you will see that there are actually many kinds to choose from.

Knowing what each specific one does, and which ones resonate more with you, will allow you to make an informed decision about your career path.

Search different job descriptions on platforms such as LinkedIn, Careers24 or Indeed. Pay specific attention to their descriptions and keywords that were used to advertise the jobs. These will show you what you will do in these jobs, and narrow down your ideal title.

You can also use these keywords to search for jobs relating to the one you did research on.

6. Play around with different tools

If there is one thing employers are looking for in employees today, it is “pick me” people and “unicorns”. This means they want a person who is willing to take on any project, has all the skills, and is able to do the job well.

This is why playing around with different tools such as Canva, amaSocial or Google Analytics can benefit you in the long run. This is a great way to prepare yourself for anything that the industry might throw at you. If you are thinking, “Sure, ‘a jack of all trades but a master of none',” then you need to be reminded of the full saying, which goes:

A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one. — William Shakespeare.
The more you know, the better you will do — especially in an industry that is ever changing.

7. Network

It is important to ensure that you build connections with professionals in the industry. This can be done on LinkedIn, at online functions, by attending events in person or even over email. By networking with these professionals, you are building relationships that can, later on, help you find the perfect job in media.

These individuals could be professionals who have worked in the media industry for a long time. This means that you can learn a lot from them. If they are only entry-level, they can still give you advice on how to get your foot in the door.

If you already work in the media industry, what advice can you give people looking to enter the space? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.

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Now that you know how to search for a job in the media industry, be sure to read more on What not to say in your next media interview.

*Image courtesy of Canva