Video: Tip for Getting Hired On Camera

A Counter-intuitive Concept for Getting Hired On Camera - Video Transcript:

This is part 2 of our discussion on how to get a job on camera in sports TV – this may sound counter-intuitive but aspiring sportscasters and sports reporters need to consider taking an entry level job at a major network that is not going to be an on camera job. Think like production assistant or video editor jobs at networks like ESPN, CNN, NFL Network – some of the bigger networks.

Here’s why:

Getting hired at a major network is going to give you exposure to the best reporters, the best sportscasters, producers, directors – you’ll learn so much in your time there that it is almost like going to grad school for television & broadcast journalism (without the $250,000 bill). You’ll still be able to work on your resume reel and you might even be able to shadow a reporter out in the field on your off-time. That opportunity will give you such greater skills that when you start sending your reel out to the market you’re going to have something really stellar on your resume that will stand out. Hiring managers will say to themselves ‘wow we’re bringing in somebody who has some talent and some real experience.’

Chances are you’re going to jump up the market ladder faster and start out in a higher, more relevant market which will really benefit you in the long run. The alternative is to start out in market 210 and try to slowly build your way up making a lot of mistakes along the way and improving in smaller leaps and bounds. If you start out somewhere big, not on camera but a production job at a big network, and learn a lot it’ll help you get a good on camera job and have a really successful career after that.