5. DON'T JUST PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW, "PRODUCE IT"
Television news is a medium dominated by producers, so, you need to 'produce' your interview, and not just show up at it. Most interview tips for TV news are the same as for other careers (research the organization where you want to work, act pleasantly, don't show up high on crack, etc.), but there are a few things you should pay particular attention to when looking for an opportunity in TV news:
Know that you will be judged by your appearance
Television is filled with people are paid to make snap judgments based on how things look, so they can't help themselves when it comes to you. Like it or not, you need to look as good as you can. Ladies, dress for success. Pants suits seem to do the trick. Guys, strap on a suit. Don't overdo it, though. Cake on too much make-up or hair gel and some techie might mistake you for the talent and throw you on the set. Either that, or the whole newsroom will laugh at you when you leave. Hopefully, a little of both.
Know what's 'going on in the world,' and what the day's top stories are
Be prepared to discuss three or four stories you have been following over the last few weeks. That doesn't include sports or your personal life. If you haven't been following any, do a little background reading. If the interviewer asks you what you think about any of the stories, don't give your personal opinion. Show that you can be objective. Talk about how the media has covered these issues and what you would do differently.
If you're heading to a local station, make sure you have digested the area paper before you walk into your meeting. If you're going to a network, don't walk inside without having fully read the New York Times. To be on the safe side, skimming USA Today, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal (you'll need a paid subscription for this one) can't hurt. Listen to the radio on the way over. Being able to discuss the story of the hour with your interviewer shows them that you'll be up-to-the-minute on the job.
Be prepared for breaking news
Most consulting firms probably won't make you stand around for forty-five minutes if the local mayor resigns or there is a school shooting at the other end of the country. In TV news, they may. If this occurs and you happen to know something about whatever the story is, count your lucky stars and speak up. Volunteer whatever information or sources you know about without getting in the way. Whatever you do, don't just sit there for a few minutes and then say you have to leave. Showing that you understand the nature of breaking news can be a nice plus right off the bat.
For the love of God, do not be late
Have you ever seen an evening newscast where the anchor is still getting dressed or making notes to himself or humming weird tunes for the first four minutes of the show? (If you have please, send us a tape). Deadlines aren't flexible in live TV. Strolling in late for an interview shows that you think they are.
Bring writing samples
Got any clips from your college newspaper? Bring them. (If you don't, and you are still in college, try to get some under your belt.) Otherwise, a good exercise is to grab some copy from the news wires - Associated Press, Reuters, etc. - and rewrite them as thirty-second anchor 'tells.' (A 'tell' or 'reader' is when an anchor reads the whole story into the camera without introducing a reporter who delivers a live report or taped piece.) For techniques on clear, effective writing for broadcast news, it's hard to beat Writing News for Broadcast by Edward Bliss and John M. Patterson. Especially at networks, entry-level jobs involve little or no writing. Still, demonstrating that 'you got skills' might show them that you're a good investment. If you know how to edit videotape, say so.
Bring story proposals
Here's where you can blow your interviewer away. Research two stories that have been simmering on the back pages but nobody is talking about. Or look into stories that everybody is talking about but nobody is writing about. Craft a brief proposal for each (a page will do) saying why it's important, who you would talk to, and what footage you would show with it. These should not begin with, "Call the President of the United States and ask him what he thinks about China." If you're at a network they will already have this covered, and if you're at a local station they'll probably recommend you apply to their Beijing bureau. If done right, story proposals will almost always put you in a category above everyone else applying for the same job.
Show that you're willing to do grunt work
If you're interviewing for an entry-level job, make it clear you're not afraid to do entry-level tasks -- because that's what you'll be doing. Most beginners in TV start out answering phones, printing out script pages, scanning the news wires, and unclogging paper jams in giant scary photocopiers. These jobs aren't hard, but they actually are important. One unanswered phone call or misplaced script page can wreck a newscast. Show them that you know that and will never let it happen.
In TV news, getting your foot in the door is perhaps the hardest part of building a career. Use any personal connections you may have, no matter how extraneous, and if you're not an anchor by the time you're twenty-three, just keep plugging. The Tele-prompter is waiting.
