I have just started interviewing a number of people for writing and editing positions at the site. These are the kinds of jobs that attract interest from a wide variety of ages and levels of experience. Some are just out of college and looking for their first job in the industry. Others are established pros looking to stay connected to sports media in some way.
We have nice chats. I usually try and just get to know them and what they are into in our initial conversations. I tell them I have a Chewbacca tattoo to loosen them up and see that it is okay to be yourself.
I want everyone to have a positive experience. “Everyone” in this case includes me, and I’ll be honest with you. There are a lot of times I don’t enjoy these chats. I am polite on the outside, but on the inside, the candidate already doesn’t have the job. So let me help you. Here are five things that a hiring manager needs to see or hear from you if you ever want to see and hear from them again.
YOU DID SOME HOMEWORK
I don’t mind if you are not an expert on our site. I don’t mind if you were not aware of it before we posted the job. All I ask is that you take a look and poke around before we jump on a phone call or zoom.
Would you go into an interview to be a PD without a full diagnosis of the station and game plan for it? Would you go into an interview to be a host without listening to the show you’re auditioning for?
Jobs in this industry are scarce. Any hiring manager in sports media wants to know you are invested – not just in this particular opening. Are you invested in the industry and in your own growth enough to evaluate a position to determine if it is a good fit for you?
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
Man, nothing is more disheartening than having a good conversation with someone, asking them what questions they have for you, and having them respond with “none really”. This may just be me, but as someone doing the hiring, I want to know you were engaged and considering what I had to say. Asking follow-ups is a good way to show me that.
I think so many people have been misled into thinking that if you have a question, it means you are unqualified for whatever job it is you are applying for. Dawg, if you had every answer, you would be interviewing me. Come on. You’re interested in working here. Don’t you want to know what to expect?
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE APPLYING FOR
If you work in radio, you have dealt with this before. You have a producer opening, and the candidate you are talking to wants to tell you what a great host he would be. For me, there are a lot of people that I ask to tell me what they would be excited to write about and I get answers like “does shifting your infield really work.” When I ask who they would be excited to talk to they say “Steph Curry.”
Hiring managers aren’t dumb. I think it is a good thing to have big aspirations. I know you want to do more in the long run than just aggregate news on the broadcast industry, but if you’re talking to me, then that is the job you are applying for right now and I need to know you see the value in it and can do the job well.
YOU DON’T KEEP TALKING BECAUSE YOU’RE AFRAID TO STOP
We’re just having a conversation here. I am not Luke Skywalker coming to Yoda for all of the answers to who I am and what my life means. I just want to know we can vibe, because we are going to be exchanging texts, emails and phone calls a lot.
If we are having a conversation, understand it means I know you are smart. I want to get to know you. Sure, that means I want to know what you know about the industry and I may ask you a little bit about how you got to where you are, but relax. If you leave out a detail about who made the best pizza in your college town, it’s fine. And if I point out that we have something in common like an area of the country where we have both lived or a mutual favorite team, the whole conversation doesn’t have to become about that.
YOU BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY “THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER”
One of my favorite things to ask candidates is who is their guy. Who is the person that you want to hear talk about the stories that really capture your attention? Mine are Bomani Jones, Dan Le Batard, and Spencer Hall. After I tell them that, I am also quick to tell them that I don’t care if they know who my guys are. I want to know their answer.
I usually follow that up by asking who they have decided is an absolute asshole. I always make it clear that there isn’t a wrong answer. If they say “well, I really can’t stand Bomani Jones, Dan Le Batard, and Spencer Hall,” the interview isn’t over. I want to know that we can work together, not if I can text you after every episode of The Right Time for a breakdown.
Job interviews should be an exchange of thoughts and ideas, not an oral exam. If you hang up the phone or walk out the door feeling like you absolutely bombed, I didn’t do my job. I want you to feel comfortable enough to show me who you really are.
That’s all the advice I have for you. Now that you know how I operate, if you want to write or edit for us, email me. Demetrithegreek@gmail.com. You already know I have a Chewbacca tattoo, so you’ve got a leg up on the competition.
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.
