I work for the
Minneapolis Star Tribune, which everybody knows is being sold to new owners this spring.
ASK JOE A
QUESTION
|
To get your question answered on this page, send
it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message to Joe.
If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate
that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail:
* Click
here (sent Monday-Friday at 8
a.m.) |
|
The new owners have given no indication what they're going to do with the paper once it's theirs. Management is saying that there will be "no layoffs during the transition period," whatever that means.
A lot of the people at the paper are expecting either buyouts or layoffs, although neither is for sure. As a younger reporter, I have less seniority at the paper than almost everyone and am worried that if it comes to layoffs, I will be one of the first to go.
Is it too soon to start making contacts with other newspapers to talk about job opportunities? Or should I just cross my fingers, hope that my clip file is well organized and wait to see what happens? I love my job now and would be sad to leave Minneapolis. How is a young reporter supposed to keep the faith in the industry when this is what happens at their first job?
Thanks.
Not Assured
I understand your predicament. We have certainly seen some new owners follow up assurances that they will maintain staffing levels with layoffs and buyouts.
In our industry generally -- and with your situation in particular -- it is unwise to take any job for granted. But let's not panic yet, either.
You joined the
Star Tribune for a lot of good reasons, including journalistic quality. Let's prepare to make a quick move if forced to, but let's not make a hasty one.
Tune up your resume, draft a cover letter and start saving good, recent clips. That's a good practice to keep up with. When The Dallas Morning News did 111 buyouts in September, many people had to start resumes basically from scratch. They simply hadn't needed one in many years.
Freshen up your network. As McClatchy was taking over the Washington bureau from Knight Ridder, a reporter there called her contacts throughout the industry to remind them about her and to ask them to keep their ears open for opportunities -- just in case. This made her top-of-mind with people and led to her landing a dream job. McClatchy's D.C. operation has held together, but it lost a very good reporter because of the uncertainty.
Finally, keep your perspective. Some people in Tribune Co. newsrooms are having trouble keeping their minds on their jobs because they are spending so much time speculating about the potential sale or breakup of Tribune. Stay out of that. It is unproductive. Spend your time doing the good work that will help you get a new job -- if you need to.
The recruiter asks back: Are you with the Star Tribune? In one of the Tribune newsrooms? What strategies do you have for coping with today's uncertainty or preparing for tomorrow? Click on Add Your Comments below.
Coming Friday: He is preparing his resume for freelance work but has worked in
corporate marketing/communications since graduating more than two years
ago. With his journalism experience during college a bit outdated, he
wonders how to structure his resume.
