I was at a party with my wife on New Year’s Eve. It was hosted by friends of hers. It was attended entirely by friends of hers. I was polite and friendly. I introduced myself to people, shook a few hands, made some small talk, and then found a comfortable spot on the couch for a while.
While my wife mingled and shared jokes with friends, I scrolled through Twitter. It was the last day of the decade and I am sure, just like you, I was bombarded by all the people sharing stories of how they progressed professionally from the last day of 2009 until now. Everyone followed a similar format: things were uncertain, it was scary, now things are great, the end!
Did your decade go like that? Mine definitely did not. Reading one performative bullshit post after another was really triggering my depression. I know I wasn’t the only one that struggled this decade, so I wrote a little Twitter thread of my own.
Maybe your struggles came near the end of the decade. Maybe you ended the decade staring uncertainty or unemployment in the face and 2020 is the year you want that to change. That’s good. Let me help you.
There are a few things I have learned in my time working with Barrett Sports Media about job searches. I have participated in them on both sides, and I want to share with you three tips that can help. These won’t guarantee you a new job, but I have found they can open a few more doors and save your sanity a little bit.
1. HAVE A GOAL AND A PLAN
We have all been in that spot in a job search. Any job in the sports radio industry that pops up on this site, All Access, or anywhere else seems like a dream job. After all, we just want to be back in the industry. We don’t care how.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that makes you more attractive. This is a small business. People? It’s a decision you have to make before you start sending out audio and résumés.
Maybe you also need to think about geography and living situations. Are their places you or a spouse know you absolutely do not want to be? You need to have those conversations and make those decisions. It will save your sanity.
Finally, make a decision about how you are going to market yourself. Talk to your circle and figure out who would make the best references. Do you need letters of recommendation? How many? Think about what your packet (digital or physical) should look like before it is time to start sending emails.
2. WORK YOUR NETWORK
Let friends and allies know you’re looking for work. Again, this is a small business and people talk. You never know who your friends know. There are two things you need to remember though to keep the folks on your side on your side.
First, be respectful of people’s time. Don’t make a phone call when a text or an email would suffice. No one is going to advocate for you like you will, so it makes sense that you want to keep your foot on the gas. Just be careful that your persistence doesn’t crossover into annoyance.
Next, understand the situations of the people you are reaching out to for help. Maybe they aren’t unemployed, but maybe they are searching for a new opportunity themselves. Are those people really going to be the best asset for you? Maybe they are willing to invest in good karma and make a phone call or send an email on your behalf in hopes that you can do the same for them, but just know that isn’t going to be their top priority right now, so have a backup plan for pursuing whatever job opening it is you think they can help you with.
3. BE WILLING TO INVEST IN YOURSELF
It can be a shitty reality in this country that when you are unemployed and have no money coming in, you need to spend some money to get on hiring managers’ radars. That isn’t always true, but in the cases that it is , you need to prioritize and be smart.
Do you have the money to invest in a Comrex or some other piece of mobile broadcasting equipment? They are expensive (around $5000), but used units can be found on eBay and various industry marketplaces online. If I have learned anything about fill-in work over the last few years, it is that a lot of PDs prioritize availability over ideal fit. If you can make yourself always available, it is worth it.
Can you pay to travel a little bit? Expand what fill-in and networking opportunities exist for you by being willing to drive. It gets you in front of more eyes and ears than just the ones in your market that already know your voice and name.
Finally, and this is where we tie tip 1 into tip 3, have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. If this industry requires you to invest in yourself for a job search, save some money by knowing what types of positions wouldn’t be fulfilling and avoid investing both funds and time in them.
I hope this is the year we all find that dream situation we’re seeking. Job searches are a nerve-wracking process. Again, following these tips don’t guarantee you will find new, more fulfilling work in the new year. They are meant to manage your mental health and put you in a better position to succeed.
Happy new year and good luck to us all!
Demetri Ravanos is a columnist and features writer for Barrett Media. He is also the creator of The Sports Podcast Festival, and a previous host on the Chewing Clock and Media Noise podcasts. He occasionally fills in on stations across the Carolinas in addition to hosting Panthers and College Football podcasts. His radio resume includes stops at WAVH and WZEW in Mobile, AL, WBPT in Birmingham, AL and WBBB, WPTK and WDNC in Raleigh, NC.
You can find him on Twitter @DemetriRavanos or reach him by email at DemetriTheGreek@gmail.com.
