Here are some points of interest from a survey that our own Debora Wenger was involved in producing. Some drawbacks- this survey only covered some large employers and no radio outlets. The landscape is likely to have changed since last year. But the information is still of interest.
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What TV News Broadcasters want from new Employees
From a study of 2008 TV job postings based by Debora Wenger, Lynn C. Owens, Michael Charbonneau, Kristine Trever
Reporter job postings most requested previous professional experience (88.5%), strong writing (86.9%), enterprising (60.7%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (45.9%) and willingness to work long hours (37.7%).
Web writer/multimedia producer job postings most requested Web/multimedia skills (91.1%), previous professional experience (82.2%), strong writing (68.9%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (62.2%) and team player (60%).
Assignment editor job postings most requested previous professional experience (88.6%), communication skills (62.9%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (62.9%), news judgment (57.1%) and enterprising skills (45.7%).
Editor job postings most requested non-linear editing skills (95.8%), previous professional experience (75%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (75%), willingness to work long hours (54.2%) and team player (29.2%).
Anchor job postings most requested previous professional experience (85.7%), strong writing (66.7%), enterprising (28.6%), storytelling (28.6%) and Web/multimedia skills (28.6%).
Production assistant job postings most requested production skills (71.4%), willingness to work long hours (61.9%), previous professional experience (61.9%), team player (23.8%) and communication skills (19%).
Director job postings most requested previous professional experience (78.9%), production/field production skills (78.9%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (73.7%), willingness to work long hours (36.8%) and leadership (31.6%).
Writer job postings most requested previous professional experience (76.5%), strong writing (76.5%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (47.1%), willingness to work long hours (35.3%), communication skills (35.3%) and news judgment (35.3%).
News director/management job postings most requested previous professional experience (81.2%), leadership (75%), communication skills (43.8%), news judgment (37.5%) and Web/multimedia skills (31.2%).
Finally, entry level/internship job postings most requested communication skills (45.5%), willingness to work long hours (27.3%), willingness to work under pressure/tight deadlines (18.2%), strong writing (18.2%) and multitasking (18.2%).
Multimedia tasks, such as writing for the station’s Website or posting content online, were mentioned in 23% of the job postings examined.
Web/multimedia skills were required most often in broadcast job postings for Web writers/multimedia producers (91.1%), followed by news directors/management (31.2%), anchors (28.6%), assignment editors (25.7%), reporters (23%), producers (21.2%), executive producers (18.9%), production assistants (9.5%), entry level/internships (9.1%), editors (8.3%), photographers (6.2%) and writers (5.9%). No job postings for directors required Web/multimedia skills.
Conclusions
More traditional journalism skills are still in demand.
Previous professional experience was the top requirement.
Strong writing and working under pressure/tight deadlines were also top requirements for both newspaper and broadcast positions.
Advisers would do well to encourage students to get as much “real world” experience as possible through internships and working for campus media.
Overall, broadcast positions seem to de-emphasize multimedia in favor of more traditional skills and attributes.
Require communications skills and a willingness to work long hours under tight deadlines.
The relative lack of emphasis placed on writing, software and Web/multimedia skills may be attributed to the type of positions included in this category.
