Steps
to a Job as a TV Reporter
If you’ve
ever watched the news on TV and thought you’d like
to be the one in front of the camera, the good news
is your dream can come true. By following the proper
steps, you can become a television reporter.
Here are 10 steps you
can take to break into this fab job, based on the fabjob.com
How to Become a Television Reporter.
1.
Become a News Junkie
The first step is
to watch as many local and national television news
broadcasts as you can. You should also read your local
newspaper and one national paper daily. Subscribing
to one or two weekly news magazines will help you
to better understand the issues.
If you’ve never paid
attention to the news before, you’ll have a lot of
catching up to do. But, knowing the news is important
if you plan to report the news. So do your best to
get caught up on current events.
2.
Learn to Write
Good writing is the
secret to good reporting. Broadcast writing is short
and to the point, while writing for print journalism
can be a bit longer and more detailed. Several books
can help you learn to write for broadcast. One of
the most respected is Writing
Broadcast News: Shorter, Sharper, Stronger
by Mervin Block.
3.
Find Your Voice
You don’t have to
have a deep, booming voice to succeed in broadcasting,
but you must sound professional. You should get rid
of any regional accents and try to speak through your
diaphragm instead of your nose.
Consult your local
Yellow Pages to find a speech therapist or voice coach
who might help you improve your delivery. Taping yourself
will also give you a better idea of your strengths
and weaknesses.
4.
Sharpen Your Appearance
You don’t have to
look like a model, but you do need a professional,
crisp presentation. Pay attention to the national
reporters and anchors on TV. What are they wearing?
How do they wear their hair?
The key is finding
a look that won’t be distracting to the audience.
This usually means short, neat hair, solid-colored
clothing and no large earrings or flashy necklaces.
5.
Get Experience
If you’re still choosing
a college, find one that offers a broadcast journalism
program with equipment like cameras and editing machines
that will give you hands-on experience.
If you’ve already
finished college, you need to find an internship at
a station that will give you a chance to do some reporting.
This usually means going to a smaller station to apply
for an internship. Starting as a radio reporter is
also a way to get your foot in the door.
6.
Make a Resume Tape
The resume tape (a
videotape of news reports you have done) will make
or break your chances of getting hired, which is why
it must be put together very well. In general, you’ll
need at least three stories on your tape: breaking
news, feature and a longer investigative-type piece.
It also helps to have at least one live shot.
Many news directors
like to see a one-minute montage of a reporter’s on
camera stand-ups at the beginning of the tape, so
they can get a better idea of how the person performs
on air.
7.
Target the Markets
The best way to approach
your job search is by starting with the smaller stations
closest to where you live. Every region of the country
is divided into a television market that is ranked
according to its population.
Currently, there are
210 markets in the United States. The smallest stations
are in market sizes 100-210. You’ll have the best
chance of getting a job at a station in one of those
markets.
8.
Hit the Road
When a station has
an opening for an anchor or reporter, the job is often
filled before the advertisement is published on-line
or in an industry magazine. This is why job hunters
must be proactive in their search. Make two dozen
copies of your tape, set up appointments with news
directors in advance, then pack your car and begin
your tour.
Meet as many news
directors as you can, even if they don’t have any
current job openings. That way, when a position does
become available, you’ll be one of the first in line
to grab it.
9.
Network
Attend professional
meetings and seminars offered in your area. Many of
these programs give you the opportunity to mingle
with news directors and have tape critique sessions
for students or interns. Meetings are offered by organizations
such as the Radio and Television News Director’s Association
and the Associated Press.
10.
Ace the Interview
When a news director
calls you for an interview, it’s time to start doing
your homework. Study the station’s own web site and
go online to find the local newspaper for the town
where the station is based. Learn the most important
issues affecting the community and be sure to know
the state officials.
If you are applying
for a reporting position, you may be asked to go out
on a story. If you’re applying as an anchor, you’ll
probably have to tape an audition.
FabJob.com publishes
e-books that can help you break into a "fab" job.
Visit www.fabjob.com
for information.
