By Saundra Wilson
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University
It’s the question many soon-to-be college graduates dread: “What are you going to do next?”
While trying to land a first job can be daunting, Beth Hunt, a national recruiter for the American City Business Journals, said confidence and intention go a long way.
Hunt spoke at a session geared toward college students preparing for their first business journalism position at a Saturday evening session at the spring conference of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in Seattle.
“One of the hardest things to believe when you’re still a student is that someone will actually want to hire you,” Hunt said.
But, Hunt said the interview is not one-sided.
“If I’m a hiring manager, I am selling myself to you as much as you are selling yourself to me,” she said.
Sarah Wynn and Christopher Beyer, journalism students in their senior year at the University of Missouri, said Hunt’s insights about what to do to land a job were refreshing and encouraging.
“It was incredibly useful,” Beyer said. “It was kind of a reaffirmation of what we’ve heard throughout our undergraduate years when we’ve asked, ‘Hey, what are they looking for when we’re going to do interviews?’”
Wynn, who is new to the world of business journalism, said the session made her feel like she can make it in the field.
Hunt offered some tips for where to look for jobs, what to say during interviews and how to stand out among other job hopefuls:
1. In an interview, communicate who you are and what you do.
“Hiring is a problem-solving endeavor,” Hunt said. “Spend some time with yourself, take yourself out for a walk on the beach and ask yourself, ‘what do I want to do?’”
Hunt said that once you figure out what you want, you can become the problem solver.
2. Make yourself known.
Hunt said job hopefuls should look for news organizations that will allow them to start out in a position they want.
3. Don’t doubt your worth and know what you bring to the table.
“The truth is, if you come in with business experience, are a digital native and have experience that makes you an expert on something, you all of a sudden become more valuable,” she said.
4. Be intentional.
Hunt said if you know what you want, you can ask yourself, “What do I have that will get me there, and what do I need to fill in the gaps?”
5. Have an answer ready when your interviewer asks how much you want to be paid.
“Don’t be greedy, don’t undersell yourself and answer the freaking question,” Hunt said. “You have to practice it because it doesn’t come naturally.”
6. Be confident.
“You bring to us as much as we will bring to you,” Hunt said.
7. If you want to turn your internship into a job, intern in the right place.
“Not every news organization uses their internship program to find people to hire,” Hunt said. “Develop as deep of a relationship as you can with as many people as you can.”
8. Send the clips you’re most proud of.
“I want the stories that kept you up at night,” Hunt said.
9. When people offer to help you, take them up on it.
“Don’t let the opportunity pass,” Hunt said. “Be the person that responds to that offer.”
