My Interview with a Television news channel?

[AK]

Hi All!!
Yesterday I went for a Television job interview. I was so optimistic about the interview and confident enough that I would make it through but ultimately things did not turn in my favour; I was rejected. Before I begin narrating about what happened at the interview let me write about how I applied for this job. First, I went to the office and attempted a written test that assessed my current affairs knowledge and written & grammar skills. I had to produce a script and then write long essays on the recent events that took place in India. After submitting my answer sheet, I (and the others who came for the interview) waited outside for about an hour and a half. Then a man comes out of the office and announces my name (and the names of a few other people) and tells us that we have passed the written test.
The second round of the interview was a face -to- face interview. Two women who were in- charge of news production and news bulletin interacted with me and told me that they would put me under observation for three days and based on the feedback they receive from the staff they would announce whether I was through or not. The next day I come to the observation round and they (the two women) directed me to the monitor control room (MCR ) [a department where the producers and directors fire bulletins and conduct shows and live chats. Most of the news bulletins and live chats are aired directly through this room]. They specifically warned me not to interact with the people working there. In the first day of the observation round I did not interact with any of the staff and just observed them. I did ask some questions and they did give me answers. They also taught me the basics but not much, since they were extremely busy with shows and bulletins.
On the second day of the observation round, I was given a chance to fire bulletins and headlines across the screen. This was my first time and I was a little slow. I did make mistakes but then I got a hang of it. On the third day of the observation round, I fired bulletins and I did make mistakes again. I was a little faster this time and ensured that I make fewer mistakes this time. After some time, I got bored and I slowly sneaked into Output department (In this department, people write anchor scripts and news stories). Since, I was inclined towards writing news, I found this department interesting. For the first time I wrote headlines for this local news channel and felt proud of myself. Finally, at the end of the day, they (the two women) called me and told me that they would like to observe me for one more day in the observation round- but this time in the output department. So they called me again the following day. I was in the output department writing a news story – here in this activity as well I was extremely slow, since I was not well acquainted with the editors computers and visuals graphics system. Anyhow with great determination and interest I completed the script and sent it to the copy -editor. He edited my script and asked me to make a few minor changes in the script, since I have an experience with print media, he suggested that I use simple phrases and make my script a little smaller. I edited the script accordingly and resent it – the copy editor this time did not have any problem, he edited just one sentence which had a preposition and tense error. He assured me that I would master this writing in a day or so . I felt relieved and left the office – I was confident that would get this job. The next day I had to face the HR and the two women – they call me and tell me that they were not satisfied with my work and they were not willing to give me the job. I demanded for a reason and they said that my script had severe grammatical errors and the writing was not up to their standards. They also told me that I did not show any interest towards my work and I was not serious with the job. I felt really bad and I requested them to give me another chance and I also told them that I was new to this medium and I did not know how to operate certain equipments. The HR specifically pointed out that I was slow and was unable to contribute to this oragnisation. He just looked at me and repeated that I was not serious with life and work and told me that he cannot offer me this job.
Now I feel so low and sad, this was my only hope and I lost it. How do I react in this situation? This was my first time in a television channel and I goofed it up? I am 21 years old and I am unemployed. And in India, it is very difficult to get a job in a television news channel and this was my only chance to enter the industry. My other friends, who are least interested in news and journalism are employed in this organization today and what I do is to hunt for jobs the whole day.
Why don’t people employ candidates who have the passion and interest to write news, instead they offer jobs to candidates who are uninterested? Please tell me whether other news channel as well treat candidates in this manner. ……sorry for writing a long question .. please help me!!!

Thanks and regards
Sad and depressed such a long

[Anika]

Hey dont worry. Your English is quite good and you also have experience in content writing.

You should apply for copywriting or content writing jobs. If you are good at speaking English, consider jobs as client servicing executive in ad agencies or business development executive jobs. You can also apply for social media marketing jobs. You can do course in SEO, PPC and get a job as online marketing executive.

Dont get panicked. There are too many job options for you.

Here are some good job websites for advertising jobs that I know:

http://www.jobsmedia.in

jobs.socialsamosa.com

jobs.afaqs.com

http://www.linkedin.com



Dont worry. You are good at English and that alone can get you a lot of jobs in India :-)

For example, in Call centers or BPO's. Even you can get a job as a marketing executive and later become marketing manager.

[Alisa]

Don't worry and be yourself. Try with other news channel there are many now a day. You will get the job in one or the other new channel.

All the very Best for your next interview!!! Keep it up...