Publicist offers quick tips on Job - Seeking journalists detained in a Lay - Off Frenzy

Employment prospects for the nation's newspapers is becoming every day more gloomy. Highly respected icons such as the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles times owners have filed for bankruptcy, Gannett has undergone massive layoffs, and newspapers continue to lose ground in the competition for advertising on television and especially the Internet.

In discussions with my many media contacts, I recommend them to be prepared for the worst and to be proactive while you work. If a journalist, writer or editor will end up being dismissed one of the most important assets you want to use in finding a new job is their PR contacts. Yes, it is true, the same people who send you press releases may be able to help you find a new job or a freelance gig.

The publicists you deal with on a regular basis may be in the best position to help, and want to help. As for jobs, I do not have to tell you journalism jobs are scarce, so do not rule out coming to the "dark side" and became a publicist or ... not bad at all! Keep an open mind to work freelance, or even a career change marketing, corporate communications or web content. In any job search, networking is probably the most important activity you can do.

Since the headquarters will not always telegraph pending plans for dismissal, one of the first things I would do is be prepared for this possibility, gathering all my contact phone numbers, e-mail and postal addresses and save them disk or memory stick and take it home. If this is not possible to send them an e-mail to yourself at another address. Why be so paranoid? I've heard of cases where the boss announces dismissal, reporters were told to hand over the blackberries and cell phones in place and then you can access the computer system, with time to obtain this information.

Then if that pink slip comes, you will have information and you will be able to reach each and every contact. Let them know that you are looking for a new job and sharing information about the job you are looking for. If you send them email an updated resume. Do not be shy to ask for help and tell them that I was laid off, fired or whatever. Do not keep the secret. There is no shame in losing a job these days especially under the peculiar economic situation we're in now.

After the bad news is announced make sure you or your former boss puts an auto responder on your email so if and when people email you there is an automatic reply stating you are not there and so and so is replacing you or and anything else that you can be reached for personal matters at this number or e-mail.

Because I deal with people of average for the whole time, I often deal with reporters, editors, writers and photographers who lose their jobs. Often the media outlet keeps the email address alive for months and someone else responds to e-mail. Some media also hold reporter's phone mail going and someone else checks it periodically. Not all layoffs are done in broad daylight and, as a result we publicists do not always hear about right away.

Over the years I have compiled some resources to help those in our business who are happy to provide it to you now. It 's the least I can do:

PR Newswire It 'a great resource and the local office may know of a local company or PR firm looking for employees. The number is: 800 - 697-9712 ​​prnewswire.com

PRSA - Public Relations Society of America prsa.org have a "Job Center" section that allows you to post your resume.

Society of Professional Journalists spj.org / jobbank.asp Check out their Job Bank for members only. It may be useful to the annual fee. There are some free resources that can be useful as well.

journalismjobs.com The Journalism Jobs web site allows you to search for journalism and public relations work across the U.S.

workinpr.com is dedicated to providing global PR professionals with strategic career resources and industry information.

Elance.com A web site devoted to freelance designers, illustrators, writers, editors and photographers. A great way to pick up freelance writing jobs.

Editor and Publisher editorandpublisher.com latest ads work by Editor and Publisher magazine.

Newslink.org This site offers a searchable list of all media from newspapers and magazines, on radio and TV all over a city by city or news affiliation basis.

Mediabistro mediabistro.com This is one of my favorite sites. Monitors everything that happens in the media world. It has job opportunities in magazines, television, radio, newspapers, publishing design, online media, advertising, PR, and graphics. I read it every day.

HARO helpareporter.com A free service for journalists looking for experts. Similar to ProfNet. I suggest you monitor the 3 + time a day feeds to see what's happening in the world and you may spot an opportunity. I devour each of these e-mail myself.

News Directors Association RTNDA rtnda.org Broadcasting jobs for TV and radio people and offers a wide range of resources for job seekers. Searching for jobs is free.

In today's job market is crucial for job seekers to use the internet as part of their overall strategy. Make a list of career boards and visit daily to do job searches. Better yet, sign up for alerts e-mail daily. Go to the websites of companies that want to work and find their job postings page. You can also monitor the companies you want to pursue by signing up for Google Alerts on certain topics you want to follow or the names of the companies you want to keep an eye on as well.

There are also several general job banks that you can use to find public relations positions for conducting electronic searches. You may be aware of many of them, but some of the best are monster.com, flipdog.com, hotjobs.yahoo.com America Job Bank ajb.org and you can find salary and demand for information on the work of public relations and other fields using the Michigan Occupational Info System (MOIS) to mois.org. Two other sites directed to communications related jobs are talentzoo.com and PRCrossing.com

Although the Internet will be critical to job search, do not fall into the trap of staying home and waiting for work to come to you via e-mail. You still have to hit the streets and meeting with people you know and people who know people who know people who are hiring. At the end, networking and personal contacts that will land a job.

Research work of an average person is, in fact, a campaign of public relations and marketing. Use all the writing and creativity, you must write a letter of passage and marketing work. She has written many articles to convince readers to share your opinion or action. Use the same skills to convince someone to hire you. Just consider the letter biggest step you'll ever write.

As a journalist I have seen first hand the problems facing this industry and I understand that it is very difficult for media professionals to keep their jobs and find new jobs when necessary. But there is hope, especially when you use the skills you have to get what you need most - that next job! And when you get that new job, drop me a line.

One more thing. Do not be a smart Aleck, but the newspaper business is thriving in one part of the world and some Americans have always assumed. Where? India. Go figure ....