Every job has a salary range. You will find many employers list the expected salary range on job postings. Job seekers should also have an understanding of their expected salary range, and should be able to articulate it when negotiating a job offer.

Your compensation expectations should be anchored in your experience, and your business case for the position. Career trajectories are usually measured in five year increments. Look at your portfolio and you can gage where you are by counting your years of experience in a particular area of the industry:

1-5 years = entry level
5-10 years = mid career or manager level
10-15 years = seasoned expert in your craft or senior management level
15-20 years = leader in your craft, mentor, or executive level

So if you’re at the entry level, you can’t command the top end of the range. You can negotiate around the bottom end of the range, or try to shoot for the middle if you can make a strong business case for the extra value add’s you bring to the position.

This also works both ways. If a senior manager applies for a low paying job, employers are not likely to consider their candidacy because fair market value on their expertise far exceeds the offer. Unless a strong business case has been made to support the job seekers long term commitment to the position, the perception is that the candidate will likely jump ship for something better over the short term.

Much of the employment in our industry is contract work. Employees are paid marginally more on contract because you are only guaranteed work for a specific (weekly or monthly) period of time. Consider that full time staff employees who make less on paper are also receiving benefits, sick days, and sometimes bonuses which may even out the salary range.

The time to start discussing salary is after the job offer is made. Avoid raising the issue of money and benefits in the first interview. It implies that you are more interested in yourself than in the job or the company.

If an offer comes in below your compensation expectations, then point out that you want to work for the company, give them your positioning statement with your accomplishments, skills and qualifications, and explain why you cannot accept an amount below your minimum salary requirement. If a company is firm on not being able to meet your salary requirements, then consider the value of other parts of a potential compensation package. In lieu of salary you may be able to negotiate perks, which cost the company very little but would be of value to you. This might include a shorter work week, or working from home, workshop or conference participation, or memberships with professional affiliations. You could also consider proposing a salary review after a probationary period in your new position.

How you address and negotiate compensation on a job offer can influence the amount of that offer, so it’s in you best interest to determine the fair market value for your experience. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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When you have secured a job offer from a company, congratulate yourself first, then consider gathering information to plan a smooth entry in to your new work environment.

Clarify the details about your new work place with the person you will be reporting to…. details like: start time, office space availability, dress code, security details, and HR forms and processes. This step helps establish trust and reliability with your new employer. You want to make sure your needs are met as well. If you have commitments in your life that may affect your work schedule then discuss it up front. It speaks to your organizational ability and your willingness to fit in from the start.

You will also want to clarify the expectations of your new job. You have guidelines and information from the job posting, and from the interview process. Now take the opportunity and initiative to further familiarize yourself with the demands of your new position by reading through files, making appointments to speak with key staff, and reporting on your progress.

When introduced to new colleagues, take the time to discuss common areas of interest and responsibility. You are the new kid. Ask questions, and be clear on the parameters of your role and how it may work with, cross over, or depend on others. It will be to your advantage to start forging strong, reciprocal relationships from day one. Learn the culture of your new place of employment, and how you fit in to it.

It usually takes approximately three weeks to understand the “lay of the land” in a new company, and even more to feel truly settled in your new position. Take that time to observe and familiarize yourself on the culture and systems of your new office. It should pave the way for a smooth and successful working relationship. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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Delegating effectively is a great way to accomplish more and advance your career. It makes good business sense to delegate work to others with an appropriate, solid skill set. It also frees up your time and personal resources to do what you do best.

Delegation is a request, not a demand. It can sometimes be perceived as an excuse to unload work. The difference lies in the motive. What should be delegated is not what you don’t feel like doing. It’s what’s right for someone else to be doing, what’s right for that person’s development, and what’s right for the success of your project. Here are some tips for effective delegation:

What to Delegate…

Look at the list of responsibilities on a project and identify the time and resources needed for each. The more you understand the specifics on what needs to be accomplished, the better you will be able to divvy up the work load and communicate clearly the outcomes to be met with the team.

Task = Talent…

Determine which task would be best suited to which person on the team. Take in to consideration ability, experience, reliability, and the personal interest of your co-workers to match responsibilities with strengths and enthusiasm. Take care to spread the mundane tasks evenly on the plates of everyone on the team… including you. Make sure to be clear about the expectations, priorities and deadlines. Everyone has their own unique way of working through a task, so it is wise to be more concerned about outcomes rather than the specifics of how a job gets done.

Check In…

If you have effectively matched tasks with talent you can trust that the work will be completed. Allow each person to manage their part of the project, and make appropriate decisions, but be there to provide assistance if needed. Set mutually agreeable progress check ins ahead of time so you don’t have to ask, “Are you done yet?”

Share the Credit…

After a project is successfully completed share the credit both ways, up the chain with management, and with everyone who contributed. Encouragement reflects in group confidence and competence.

What not to Delegate…

Never delegate managerial functions like; performance reviews, promotions, motivation or teambuilding, or anything personal, or to do with personnel.

Delegation has its challenges and is not always easy to do, but will result in better team dynamics and ultimately in a stronger product. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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Your professional positioning statement gives future employers a compelling reason to hire you. It clearly articulates what separates you from all of your competitors. It’s a good idea to craft your very own professional positioning statement for use in your portfolio materials. Keep it in your back pocket for networking opportunities too.

Think about who wants or needs your services, and address your positioning statement for that individual or organization. If you have compiled a job search database, and analyzed the results, then you likely know what a company or organization you want to work for needs. Give them a convincing reason to make you a part of their team. Think of it this way…

YOU ARE A (state your functional specialty here: a Business Development or Finance Specialist/Production Manager/Editor…) YOU PROVIDE (state your subject matter expertise here: macro experience in public broadcasting/animation/lifestyle series/music production…) UNLIKE (state how your skills are better tailored to your understanding of this company or project’s needs than anyone else)

Building your positioning statement helps strengthen your professional brand. The profile paragraph at the top of your CV outlines who you are, where you come from, and what you want. Your positioning statement builds on that to include the sector you are in, the core services you offer, and the market you serve.

Once you have composed a professional positioning statement then promote it. Put it on your portfolio materials, and use it as your signature introduction. Make it known when networking. Use it when cold calling. Bring it to a job interview. Have it ready when you are at conferences, or with alumni and professional groups. Keep it handy for the elevator. It doesn’t hurt to practice your positioning statement with friends to make sure you are comfortable saying it out loud.

Building a strong positioning statement that is consistent with your professional goals, and matches your carefully crafted portfolio materials will go a long way to help you secure the job you want. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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Look closely at your professional history… you likely have skills that could demonstrate an area of expertise. As a SME, or “smee” you are defining yourself as an expert to solve problems or bring very specific credentials to a team. A Subject Matter Expert is an individual who can lead a group in their understanding of a specific area, and answer questions about it in a supportive capacity. It’s what employers are looking for, and candidates should take the time to emphasize in their portfolio materials.

As stated in our first post everything starts with your goals, which help articulate who you are and what you want. The notable skill list and profile statements on your CV summarize the unique credentials you possess to meet your professional goals. When you are building your portfolio it goes like this: notable skill (becomes) / functional specialty (becomes) / subject matter expertise.

For example, say you are a producer who has worked their way up through the ranks with small series experience under your belt. You have the know-how to back up the notable skills required to work in production. Your functional specialty is production. Your role is producer. If you build on that by taking seminars in program development and create a successful series, you’re now a producer with expertise in pre-production and content development. You may bring an area of expertise through knowledge and credentials outside of your current profession. For example, you could be a producer with considerable expertise in professional sports, or the music industry, or early childhood education. You can build on that with surrounding knowledge areas that support your SME. For example, you may be an accredited bookkeeper (your Subject Matter Expertise) with professional development or experience in small business management or business affairs to support your SME.

When revising your CV, careful thought needs to be put into identifying your Subject Matter Expertise. What are the common skills, areas of production or business that pop up throughout your work history? What unique credentials or experience do you bring to the table? What are you good at? Look for very specific areas of Subject Matter Expertise in order to better identify the exceptional qualifications you bring to each job opportunity.

Even if you’re just coming out of school, and you have limited media experience, you have spent time and money training for your profession. Don’t think of it as a lack of credentials. Own your experiences, and build on them for a solid body of work around the Subject Matter Expertise that matches your career goals.

Once you have established your Subject Matter Expertise, then continue to take part in professional development and industry events to maintain your qualifications, and build surrounding knowledge areas to support your SME.

Have fun determining your Subject Matter Expertise! As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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Managing your career through professional development opportunities will help you stay on the right track. Cultivating your knowledge increases your confidence, maintains your marketability, and can support job security. With our industry in a constant state of change, it’s critical to develop professional skills to build the bench strength needed to sustain your career goals… even in the stormiest economic times.

Be proactive about your own professional development. Don’t rely on your current employer to provide on-going training. There are many industry specific opportunities to keep your career moving forward.

If you have completed the goals exercise (see our WELCOME post) then you have a vision of where you see yourself in the next five or ten years. This is an important step because determining your career goals helps avoid becoming so enveloped in your day-to-day activities you lose sight of the big career picture. Utilize that vision to choose opportunities that build your accreditation and education, both formally and informally, to achieve your own goals.

Formal accreditation can be obtained through certificate and degree courses, seminars and workshops. This often requires a substantial amount of time and resources. Once you have researched a course you are interested in pursuing, consider drafting a timeline to best prepare and plan for that critical development opportunity. You may need to plan monthly, yearly, or even longer time frames to accomplish your chosen formal accreditation, but a broad outline on the steps needed to achieve this will ensure success.

Informal accreditation comes from participation in industry boards, public service, committees, as well as internet research/training. You may also find opportunities within your current work situation that can help build your experience and broaden your skill base. Look around you… is there an opportunity for you to support an area or department in need? Can you offer your services on special projects?

The best strategy for professional development is to commit to life long learning. Make a concerted effort to stay abreast of new industry developments. Look in to what the professional and trade associations are doing and keep up-to-date by reading industry specific publications.

Media professionals are increasingly taking ownership of their careers by proactively driving their own professional development. With a little bit of planning and investment in yourself, you will be able to achieve your career goals and objectives. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are here to help you.

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Lawren Harris to Emily Carr
Isaac Asimov to Gene Roddenberry
Irving Layton to Leonard Cohen
Aaron Spelling to Darren Star

All of the above relationships were based on encouragement, openness, mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to learn and share… mentorship. A mentor is a motivator and an advocate. It makes good career sense to participate in mentorship programs to strengthen our industry by supporting emerging talent.

What a mentor does…

A mentor can support long-term career objectives by helping new talent understand the culture of this business, and provide advice about strategies for the best way to accomplish their goals. In the short-term, mentors can recommend learning opportunities through networking or professional development. More importantly a mentor who shares their knowledge in effective communication, responsibility, and teamwork is giving valuable information on the soft skills necessary to succeed.

Benefits to the mentor….

This is an opportunity for you to contribute meaningfully to your industry by developing relationships with up-and-coming talent. As a result you will likely cultivate your own leadership skills. Sharing your knowledge and experiences will encourage you to reflect on your own career so far, and working with promising talent may help you discover new ways of thinking.

Benefits to the mentored…

This is an opportunity to increase your knowledge and awareness of your chosen industry. Take the wisdom, advice, encouragement, and constructive feedback from mentors as a learning tool to help you critically think about your career options. Working with your mentor will help you establish your own career markers or goals, and nurture new networking opportunities.

Benefits to the industry…

As a whole we benefit from a better informed and more skilled talent pool to meet the changing needs of the Canadian cultural industry. We also benefit from increased communication and shared values among all levels of expertise. Consider supporting the success and advancement of your career through mentorship opportunities.

Stay tuned for our next post on professional development strategies. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are available to help you.

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Cold calling is an effective way to dig for job opportunities in the hidden market. A job posting can receive hundreds of applicants, but a cold call at the right time can tap into an opening before a position is advertised. This exponentially increases your chances of securing an interview.

You know which companies you want to work for. If you have built a job search database through research, like reading the trades, (see How To Build Your Job Search Database post) you will have a list of the names of those who may require someone with your skills and attributes or who may be able to give you valuable information. If you have been networking you may even have a referral, which is a great way to start a conversation and gives you an immediate connection to the organization.

Before you call, review what you know about the company and the person you will be speaking with. Know why you will be making the call… you may be seeking a specific position, or requesting an information meeting, or you may be looking for a mentor.

When you make the call keep your conversation short and to the point and take the lead of the person you are speaking with. Make sure to take notes during your conversation in order to follow up appropriately, and always send a thank you note or email.

If you have to leave a message be short but detailed and leave not only your number but suggest times when you can be reached.

If you have left a message and don’t get a call back, then try again and suggest scheduling a phone appointment at their convenience. Many industry professionals will take the time to speak with you, even if they have to tell you they can’t help you. However, if you don’t get a reply after repeated calls then the person you have been contacting is either not interested, or they don’t have time to return calls. Keep in mind that in the calling process you are getting information and cues about the company as well.

Cold calling is not easy, and it doesn’t really get easier after you have done it a few times, but it can produce amazing results. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are available to help you.

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You have a professional portfolio. You know what the next step in your career is, and you have identified the skills and attributes you posses to succeed in that new role. Ok… let’s get the word out. Let’s brand and market your portfolio.

Understand that you are a product, and you are taking your skills and experience to a given market. Personal branding is essential because it helps define who you are, and what sets you apart from others. It’s your reputation with supporting results. Look at the profile statement at the top of your CV (see How To Write a Great CV post) and consider that statement your professional brand. Don’t just let your actions speak for themselves, be pro-active and build a name for yourself by marketing your brand and letting others know what value you bring to a position. You have likely already established a consistent look or design layout for your portfolio materials – CV, bio, cover letters and even business cards. Perhaps you have even researched appropriate networking opportunities – professional associations and public service opportunities - related to your chosen career path. Don’t stop there. Consider harnessing the power of online social networks to market your skills and experience.

Social networks have revolutionized the way we communicate, and millions of people use them regularly. They are a more sophisticated networking tool than e-mail listserves. Do your homework and find social networks that are relevant to your needs because each networking site targets a slightly different set of users.

LinkedIn.com and Ryze.com focus on work-related networking to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. You can connect with past and present colleagues, and seek advice from industry specific experts. If you already participate in social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, Twitter or Tribe, you can use them to the same effect. Consider updating your profile to match your professional brand and portfolio. Ask yourself, “What can an employer find out about me on my profile and online posts”? Make sure your online profile stays active and is consistant with your professional brand because colleagues and employers may google to find information about you.

Viral marketing uses online social networks to get the word out. Viral marketing happens when one person tells a friend a message online, and they tell two friends online, and they tell two friends online, and so on, and so on…(remember the old shampoo commercial?). The results are often rapid and can be staggering in numbers. Rememeber dancing Matt, whose popular Youtube videos enticed a gum company to sponsor two fully paid trips around the world? (wherethehellismatt.com) This is an example of very successful career minded viral marketing.

You don’t have to make goofy videos to get the word out about your skills and attributes, but you can ask your social network what you can do for them. Find out how you can help pass on their message - and then do it. Once you pro-actively participate in their network, they will likely start being part of yours.

Anything you do to cultivate your career brand and market your portfolio will result in a more successful job search. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are available to help you.

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A professional biography is the “wow” factor in your portfolio. When you have a bio you have a professional story to tell, and you will use it for a variety of networking and marketing purposes. A professional bio is not a CV or resume, it’s an overview of your background, experience and expertise.

A bio should be professionally written. A benefit to having someone else construct this for you is that it may help you see yourself in a new light.

Bios are written in third person, and should be branded with the same layout and look as the other materials in your job search portfolio. Keep your bio to one page and let your personality come through. You may choose to include a photo in your bio. If you have been attending industry events, and networking well at those events, a photo will help people remember you better when your bio crosses their desk. It’s good personal branding.

Bios should open with your current title and a description of the principal services, or skills you offer. Follow this with the special experiences, niches, or other factors that make you stand out in your area of expertise. Make sure to include an account of your work history, along with your professional memberships, associations, and public service experiences. If your bio is a compelling account of the story of your career to date, and positively reflects your personality, it will secure the readers interest.

A professional bio is an often-overlooked marketing tool and should be revised, or kept up-to-date annually. You may use your bio for a range of purposes: as a part of your job search portfolio; for your website; summarizing your expertise for speaking introductions; or attaching to articles you have written. It can make the difference in how others perceive you, which may result in securing a great job. As always, the friendly experts at mediaintelligence are available to help you.

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