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↑SAJA

SAJA VIRTUAL: Video of "What Recruiters Want" (+ AI summary)

2024-08-28 6:32 PM | sree sreenivasan (Administrator)

A wonderful virtual panel on job hunting, from a recruiter's POV was held on Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024. You can see the recording below. Scroll down  the AI summary, with tips! 

Panelists Sonali Kohli, senior recruiter for URL Media; Anusha Shrivastava, Associate Dean for Career Development, Columbia Journalism School; and Marc Oppenheim, Founder and editor of MEO jobs and Dean at Hofstra University’s Center for University Advising,  joined our moderator, SAJA board member Divya Karthikeyan, for an hour of useful advice.

If you haven't signed up for SAJA membership or renewed yet, please consider becoming a member: http://saja.org/membership. You don't need to be a journalist or South Asian to be a member!| If you don't want to be a member, but can make a donation to support SAJA, we welcome that, too! http://saja.org/donate

Quick recap via Zoom AI Summary 
The South Asian Journalists Association discussed the current job market for journalists, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, networking, and passion in finding employment. The panelists also shared strategies for crafting resumes, building digital presence, and overcoming self-limiting beliefs, particularly for underrepresented groups. The team also discussed the challenges of freelance experience and the interconnectedness of the journalism world, stressing the importance of self-care, networking, and offering help to others.
Next steps
• Attendees to sign up for Saja's upcoming conference and awards gala in October.
• Job seekers to tailor resumes and cover letters to highlight specific skills and accomplishments relevant to each position.
• Candidates to build and leverage professional networks, including joining organizations like Saja.
• Job applicants to send thank you notes within 24 hours after interviews.
• Freelancers to clearly indicate freelance experience and time commitments on resumes.
• Job seekers to develop a concise 90-second personal narrative pitch for interviews.
Summary
Saja Upcoming Events and Media Job Market
Sree, the president of the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA), announced the association's upcoming events, including a virtual discussion on job recruitment for journalists, an evening reception, and an awards gala. Divya, a Saja board member, introduced a panel of experts who shared their insights on the media job market, with a focus on the current state of the journalism industry. The panelists included Anusha Srivastava, Nali Kohli, and Mark Oppenheim. Divya also encouraged attendees to connect via LinkedIn and share their job search status.
Journalist Job Market and Networking Strategies
Anusha, Sonali, and Marc discussed the current job market for journalists and the importance of networking and adaptability in finding employment. Anusha emphasized the persistent demand for reliable journalists and the need for flexibility in pursuing various roles. Sonali highlighted the challenges of the post-covid digital job market and the necessity of naming and addressing issues of underrepresented groups in the workforce. Marc shared his passion project of curating job opportunities and his insights on the evolving job descriptions. Divya sought advice for recent graduates feeling overwhelmed by the job search, to which Anusha suggested focusing on passion, flexibility, and viewing every experience as a part of their career story.
Exploring Diverse Job Opportunities in Journalism
Divya, Marc, and Sonali discussed the importance of young journalists and students being open to a wide range of job opportunities in the field of journalism. Marc emphasized that one should not limit oneself based on geography or traditional job roles, and should instead focus on the skills and passion they bring to the table. Sonali added that journalists should look beyond their job titles and identify their skills, passions, and areas of overlap to position themselves for new beats and coverage areas. Both Marc and Sonali encouraged individuals to be creative and tailor their resumes accordingly to fit different job roles.
Passion, Adaptability, and Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs
Sonali and Anusha emphasized the importance of passion and adaptability in journalism. They advised that demonstrating a strong interest and learning ability in a particular topic, combined with a desire to cover various subjects, can make a candidate more attractive to potential employers. Divya then raised a concern about self-limiting beliefs among underrepresented groups, such as BIPOC and women, which can prevent them from applying for positions they are qualified for. Sonali suggested therapy, positive self-talk, and building a supportive network as ways to overcome these mental blocks.
Resume and Cover Letter Strategies
Divya initiated a discussion on the importance of knowing one's strengths and limitations while crafting a resume and cover letter. Anusha emphasized the need to be honest about one's capabilities and not apply for roles that are not a good fit. She also highlighted common mistakes such as typos, including photos, and having multiple pages. Marc concurred with Anusha's points and added that conciseness is key in a resume. Sonali, who receives many resumes, agreed with Anusha and Marc's points but also suggested that flexibility should be given in terms of the length of the resume, depending on the individual's experience.
Focusing on Impact and AI in Resumes
Sonali emphasized the importance of focusing on impact and specifics in a resume, rather than using generic or buzzword-heavy language. Divya then introduced the topic of using AI and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) keywords in resumes, which sparked a discussion. Anusha advised that while these tools are commonly used, they should not be the sole focus of a job search, as there may be other factors at play. She encouraged resilience and continued effort in the search for the right job.
Building Digital Presence and Networking
Anusha highlighted the importance of building digital presence and expressing gratitude. Marc emphasized showcasing one's work and professional accomplishments online through platforms like LinkedIn and visual content. He advised against being overly humble and actively sharing evidence of successful work. Sonali provided guidance on networking, suggesting targeted and specific requests when reaching out, and always sending a thank-you note after interviews, regardless of the outcome.
Finding Passion and Pursuing Opportunities in Journalism
Divya initiated a Q&A segment, with Sree inviting questions from the panelists. Anusha and Sonali discussed how to find passion after being out of work, emphasizing the importance of exploring new interests and developing skills outside of journalism. They also stressed the need to maintain a positive attitude and inform one's network about job search intentions. Marc added that one should let their inner circle know about job applications for potential advocacy or insights into company culture. Anusha further highlighted the interconnectedness of the journalism world, underscoring the likelihood of connections that could lead to job opportunities.
Resume Strategies and Career Advice
The team discussed strategies for positioning freelance experience on a resume, with Sonali and Anusha emphasizing the importance of specificity and highlighting range of coverage. They also discussed the challenges faced by Mohammed Mawish, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza, in demonstrating his ability to cover a variety of beats beyond his previous experience. The team also offered general career advice, stressing the importance of networking, self-care, and offering help to others.
AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.

If you haven't signed up for SAJA membership or renewed yet, please consider becoming a member: http://saja.org/membership. You don't need to be a journalist or South Asian to be a member!| If you don't want to be a member, but can make a donation to support SAJA, we welcome that, too! http://saja.org/donate

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