Q: Everything I know about landing a job in the journalism business I learned from reading your sites over the years. You're providing a great resource to thousands of young journalists across the country.
I'd like to pick your brain if you have a second. I'm two years out of j-school. Right after graduating, searching for a full-time reporting position turned up nothing promising. I opted to stay in a major media market and work for the Internet wing of the city's big media company. All the while I've been freelancing for the same company's flagship paper and building up my portfolio.
Now, I'm in a position I could only have dreamed of two years ago. I have two job offers in my lap at much smaller papers and a possibility at the big-city flagship. The recruiter there has told me that he'd like to work me in if the paper's financial situation improves. He's been saying that (consistently, at least) for a year. Now, he says he has a specific position in mind for me, but it could open up soon or a few months down the line. I believe he's serious, but he's not the one controlling the purse strings, either.
So here's the dilemma: Do I take one of the definite job offers at the smaller papers -- places I know I would be happy but would require a very hefty cut in pay? Or do I pass on them for now, hold out for the prestige of working for one of the top 10 papers in the country and hope for something that would come closer to my current pay.
I'm leaning toward the latter, but I don't want to miss out if I'm just being strung along. What do you think?
Keep doing the great work you're doing!
A: I'm leaning the same way.
If a smaller paper wants you now, it will want you just as much later. And if you're getting closer to something really big, it's worth waiting for.
Ask the recruiter to get you in to meet some of the people in positions to make hires and meet some of the people you might eventually work with. Then have the recruiter let you know if others share his good impressions of you.
