A Word About TV New's Great Resignation
The Great TV News Resignation .... first, as hard as it is to watch, I get you. There are however a number of things I'll ask TalentBlvd clients to think about before we walk to the edge and leap.
What are you running from?
The first question I always have is are you running from something to get away from it or is it something you've been running to? If it's as simple as a bad boss or a position/role you don't like, just wait because in today's work life both are changing about every two or three years. It doesn't make sense to throw away what you've accomplished so far over something that's temporary.
The exception to this is if you find yourself in abusive, toxic, or discriminatory practices being perpetuated by the company's leadership. It's definitely time to run from that environment but it doesn't necessarily mean leaving an industry you love behind.
Do you clearly see a new career path?
Next, it's important to slow down and complete some due diligence regarding career paths in alternative roles and industries. It might have turned out well for others but what about you specifically? How does the organization embrace your workstyle and how are people rewarded when they accomplish the tasks/work that you like to do and have thrived doing?
This is about you, not a friend that successfully made a leap from TV to a PR firm for example. Drawing ill fitting comparisons between what you've done with someone else's success can land you in a role that turns out to be a very bad fit both in terms of the work and also expectations.
What do you really know about that company's culture?
I believe that cultural fit is a better indicator of your future success than your skills and experience. You can be the industry's most highly regarded SME (subject matter expert) but if you can't work with or through others in the organization, you will ultimately fail. Harsh right? Have you ever worked in an organization where one of the poorest performers had the longest tenure? They have successfully navigated the culture.
You need to look at a number of attributes to be able to predict a company's culture. You should look at the industry, company size, ownership, location, and structure among other things. These are important indicators of what you can expected on day one and thereafter. Check out this TalentBlvd.com article on the ways to uncover a company's culture.
How secure and stable is this new role you're considering?
You really need to take a hard look at the stability of the company/organization and the role specifically. If you are leaving to join a political campaign you had better have an exit strategy the day after the election is held. If you are joining a municipality, have you checked out their funding? Is this a new role or is there a history of support and specifically, funding to meet your compensation expectations.
Many industries are very cyclical. Mortgage banking is tied to ever-changing interest rates. Auto sales (and all the parts in them) are tied to large ticket discretionary income. As are construction, home improvement, appliances, etc. Higher education is tied to demographics, how many incoming freshman are there and is that number trending up or down? These are things you need to approach with your eyes open and data in hand.
The grass isn't always greener ….
Most leaving TV News will pursue roles in PR, Communication, Advertising or Marketing. These are industries where your skills are most transferable and are an easier transition. Here's what I'll tell you about those roles and industries from my experience as a CEO and CMO. When times get tough and companies need to slash budgets to meet their earnings commitments, these are the first roles to be cut. The grass under operations and sales will get watered and continue to thrive while advertising, marketing, and communications will be starved.
In the end, I DO get you. I've made a number of successful career transitions but I've also made a mistake or two. I'm hopeful that you'll take a moment and complete your own due diligence with your eyes wide open while using more of your head and less of your heart.