A lot of us big-city journalists are job hunting or thinking about it as our staffs are being downsized. The big names or the specialists don't have to worry -- they'll be snapped up quickly.
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The 30-year veterans usually have nice pensions and can relax if they so choose. Then there's the rest of us, quality journalists with solid clips, who've worked in more than one department, who usually have some editing and management experience too. We've spent the bulk of our careers quietly doing stellar work in a large newsroom, and this job-quest thing is exciting but a little confusing.
I can watch the Web sites for jobs that interest me, but I'm guessing that even then I'd need to convince smaller papers that I'm not just looking for a place to camp until something better comes along. How best to do that?
Also, if I'm open to relocating to several smaller cities, is it worth sending a package to the hiring editor in those places asking to be kept in mind for future openings? Or is that too general? While versatility has been valuable to my current employer, it's probably less helpful in finding a new niche. But when you've been in the business for a couple decades, you're bound to have done a number of things, and done them well.
Retirement is still a long way down the road, and I'm guessing there's a fair number of people like me out there. We still have a passion and we still have a lot to offer, even if we know there may be a pay cut waiting at our next destination. Any advice?
Mid-Career Job Hunter
As someone with 30 years in, who cannot think of retiring, I sympathize.
Your flexibility may be one of your key assets. Newspapers have reversed their move toward specialization and are negotiating contracts that allow people to work in more than one area. Varied experience can be a selling point.
You are right to be concerned that smaller papers will suspect your motives. I would counteract that by applying for larger jobs at smaller papers. Look to land the prime beat or move to editing or a more prominent position. Some smaller newspapers will have to be coaxed over a mild inferiority complex, and some will have to find positions for you that warrant the kind of paycheck you have been earning. Few offers get made to pay a person less money to work. It just feels like a recipe for unhappiness. So look for larger jobs.
If you are willing to trade in your check for a smaller one, make sure there is some kind of trade-off in terms of more influence, a chance to live near family or, in the rare cases where you can find it, a lighter workload.
Coming Friday: This recent grad with international experience is not getting hired at big papers and has no desire whatsoever to cover local news at some tiny paper in the middle of nowhere.
