This is one of four workshops I am doing for Northern Kentucky University.

1. Finding a job
in digital journalism
Steve Buttry
Northern Kentucky University
March 30, 2012
#nkujourn

2. Read more
• @stevebuttry
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (“career
advice” category)
• Check links in today’s blog post
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com

4. Your job search is a story
• Research online. Thoroughly
• Work your connections
• Nail the face-to-face interview
• Be resourceful
• Try multiple approaches
• Never say no for someone else

5. Build your digital profile
• Google yourself. What do you find?
• Google+ profile
• LinkedIn profile
• Twitter, Facebook Timeline (movie)
• About.me, Intersect
• Blog (when did you last post?)
• Personal site (“about me” or portfolio)

6. Build your experience
• Student publications
• Internships
• Blog
• Social media
• Freelancing (stringer or one-shot)
• Part-time jobs
• Professional convention coverage

7. Network
• Connect digitally w/ people you admire
• Especially on Twitter
• #wjchat, #spjchat, #dfmchat, etc.
• Follow up (Twitter, email, handwritten)
• Comment on blogs
• IRL

8. Show, don’t tell
• Hyperlink résumé (but make sure it reads
well w/o links)
• Don’t send hard copy by U.S. mail unless
asked
• Video as part of résumé (you,
Xtranormal, Search Stories, FB Timeline)
• Pitch through social media
• Use new tools (Storify, Pinterest,
Intersect, Dipity)

9. Do your reporting
• What does the job require?
• Who does similar work? What are their
strengths? What are yours?
• What strengths should you highlight?
• What are you doing to address
weaknesses?
• Research people you interview with

10. Little things are big things
• Customize your résumé
• Spell the prospective boss’s name right
• Take initiative (can you schedule your
own interview?)
• Include Twitter username on résumé

11. Interviews count, too
• Prepare thoroughly
• Listen effectively
• Answer honestly
• Ask tough questions
• Don’t fake: “I don’t know” beats BS
• Follow up

12. Follow up
• Thank interviewer(s): email, card, tweet
• Elaborate on answers (send link to story
you mentioned, etc.)
• Send link(s) to notable new work
• Send links (not just yours) they might like
• Persistence is a job skill
• Don’t overdo it

13. Read more
• @stevebuttry
• #nkujourn
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com (“career
advice” category)
• Check links in today’s blog post
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com

15. In job-hunting …
Don’t let obstacles
become excuses