Ok, Team. This is our third PMJ victim. A senior communications pro in need of some advice....

And now, this total stranger is going to hit you up for a piece of advice. I'm a 28-year veteran broadcast journalist looking to make the transition to corp. communications. Despite everything I bring to the table, I'm finding it's much easier said than done.

My accomplishments in journalism are impressive. I was a major market consumer/investigative reporter for 10 years...winning more than a dozen awards in the process. I toiled as an anchor and correspondent for two networks that no longer exist...CNN and All News Channel. Most recently I spent 3 1/2 years as news director and anchor of a small-market TV station in upstate New York. I opted not to renew my contract when it expired last month...primarily because I decided it was time to make the jump.

I have so many skills that would make me a perfect media relations or public affairs executive...superior writing skills, management experience, a go-getter attitude, tangible results, award recognition by my peers. As a journalist, I make contact and foster relationships with government officials, business executives, social service agencies, other media outlets, etc. Of course, convincing a prospective employer that these abilities would make me an ideal candidate is something else again.

If you have any sage advice, I'm all eyes and ears. Thanks for taking the time to read through all this...and have a happy and healthy 2007.

Sincerely,
Mr. J

I'm not sure how much "Nedworking" you've done, but that's the first place to start. Think of the places where you'd enjoy working and let your contacts know you're ready to think about shifting gears. Volunteer--community and church groups are always glad to have experts roll up their sleeves--you can have fun, make new friends and lots of potential job contacts. Joining professional groups and doing keynote speaking engagements, working on teams running events, etc. all have great potential. Take a few minutes for creative thinking, and you'll probably come up with another great idea to follow up with.
And most of all, have fun doing it! Positive people are always in demand.

Mayday

Not sure what to tell Mr. J. He has all the tools and experience to be an ideal spokesperson/media relations head for a trade association at the national or state level. If he's interested in the Washington area, there are 3,200 trade associations. In Albany, there are several hundred state trade associations. And there's always the New York City market.

I'm not trying to sound dismissive. I agree that he brings a lot to the table. He has a recognizable face and camera presence that would give any organization a credibility boost. He obviously knows his subject matter. I say, network network network (the Ned kind, not the TV kind) and be patient. With his experience the right opportunity is going to come, IMHO.

Tundra Og

T.O. is correct.  You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some

former-broadcaster-turned -association-or-corporate-mouthpiece in this

town.  Some people would enjoy doing just that.  What do employed former broadcasters know that Jody doesn't?  Nothing.  They just happened to be available when the call came.  Jody needs to get connected to networks of communicators, and stand tall when lightening strikes.

Now, where's my dead cat?

Ned

The consensus is you need to practice "Nedworking."

And a couple of additional tips: What do you enjoy covering/reading about the most? Who do you click with? Those are a couple of places to begin. Take people to lunch and make them reveal sources--for possible job leads. All this takes time. Bit it's like dating--you'll know the perfect job when you find it, and if the chemistry is right, they'll want you.

Meow

Dear Mr. Lundquist,
    I've been a subscriber to your JOTW for a while now and I wanted to write you to see if you could me. I am a recent graduate looking to start a career in PR, however I have very limited experience while I was in college (I worked for "NJNEWSWATCH" which was a grass-roots organization and that attempted to give local NJ residents a reliable local news outlet) however due to the limited funds of the program it did not get very far. My title was spokesperson and I was in charge of compiling a list of media contacts and pitching news stories to local newspapers. I've been having trouble finding a job in the PR field because everything requires 3-5 years experience and I was hoping you would be able to help me find someone in the New Jersey/New York area who could help me find some sort of entry level PR work. All I need is a shot, I will provide every bit of effort and hard work necessary to not make you look bad. Please let me know if you can help me. I know you have a lot of work with the newsletter and your job, but any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and I hope you had a happy and safe New Years.
 
Sincerely,
Ricardo O.  

Dear Ricardo,

I wouldn't be put off by the "3-5 years experience" barrier. "3-5" is the new "entry level." Employers these days are put off by the "entry level" moniker because it opens the door for anyone who thinks that their three hours drawing posters for their high school musical qualifies as PR experience. 3-5 weeds out the poseurs and the wannabes who think their liberal arts degree qualifies them to do everything from Greenpeace field work to running a Fortune 500 corporation without paying any dues.

I say, go for the 3-5 year jobs. You have applicable experience, however brief you think it might be. What did you learn from NJNEWSWATCH--what's it like to create something from nothing? What were the financial challenges you faced? How did you handle adversity? What would you do differently next time? If you have answers to these questions (because potential employers will ask them), then you can demonstrate that you are a multi-dimensional communicator, able to see the big picture. That's not something that requires 3-5 years experience--just one valuable experience. And it's something that many communicators with 10 and 20 years experience don't have.

Tundra Og

Here's my two cents on entry level:

If you can't say you have 3 years experience with a straight face, then I wouldn't apply for the position.  Based on your brief description below, it sounds like you might have 6 months to 1 year experience, with a failed, underfunded organization.  I'll receive 400 resumes for job openings (non-communications field) that have a requirement of 1-3 years experience.  The first job is to cull the stack of resumes down - applicants outside the 1-3 experience requirement do not make it past the first cut.  Those outside the experience range don't make it past the secretary and she is more than happy reduce the stack.

The 3-5 year experience is designed to keep recent college grads from applying - it means that there won't be any training and that is what you need or you'll wash out.  Conversely, it also means that someone with 6-10 years experience should not apply.  To me its clear - don't apply unless your resume can show 3-5 years expierence.

Perhaps you should start your search from your college or university's career service office.  That is where many companies go to get entry level positions filled.  Another option would be to find the company you want to work for - and send a letter to the HR Manager.  Do your homework and find out the name of the contact person - don't just address it to Whom it May Concern. Another avenue is to find the industry you are intrested in and find a PR Firm that specializes in that industry. Follow the same approach and you will get noticed.

Finally, attend networking meetings - don't just show up for one meeting, but volunteer to serve on a committee - that will add to your experience level.

M

I'm not sure how mech "Nedworking" you've done, but that's the first place to start. Think of the places where you'd enjoy working and let your contacts know you're ready to think about shifting gears.

Volunteer--community and church groups are always glad to have experts roll up their sleeves--you can have fun, make new friends and lots of potential job contacts.

Joining professional groups and doing keynote speaking engagements, working on teams running events, etc. all have great potential. Take a few minutes for creative thinking, and you'll probably come up with another great idea to follow up with.

And most of all, have fun doing it! Positive people are always in demand!

Mayday

Another possibility for someone finding it challenging to break in as an entry-level communicator is to accept what amounts to an internship,

[perhaps with a fixed tome limit, say three months.  It may give you an

opportunity to impress people and make yourself indispensable so they

make an offer to keep you around.

Ned 

We have a new quandry for us to address for 2007: What happens when those we work with lack ethics? Is there a way to address an ethical issue without hurting an organization?

Here's an honest to God, true story about a conflict of interest and a

breach in ethics. 



At a local charity where one of the employees got

divorced, she soon made up for lost time by taking on a dual role at one of

the the organization's annual events, a date auction. The person I am

referencing not only planned the event, but also took part in it as the star

of the show. As the director of special events and a representative of that

group, it is my belief that she should have been behaving better by sticking

to event planning, and not accepting freebies from vendors and using them on

herself! Can you say conflict of interest and unethical???



Certainly, there's no crime in supporting your employer. I support mine with

financial contributions. However, employees should never be spreading

themselves so thin or accepting gifts for the organization and using them

for personal gains. The sad part of it all is that details were left undone,

which compromised the event. But because a lot of money was raised, which

was the organization's chief objective, nobody will be reprimanded. However,

a group of volunteers are mad and believe an employee should be behaving

better. But beyond that, the employee should be showing some ethical

considerations. Nonprofits are having to compete like never before for

donations, media time and volunteers. What does this story say about where

their priorities are?

What to do when your boss's office etiquette paints the room blue?

Here's the story:

Could use a little advice on this situation. .but I think I might know 
what  I need to do. 

 I work in the luxury goods industry with some very professional people. 
 However, in the small (# of people) management office the General  Manager 
 I work for curses like a truck-driver . . . all day/every day. I won't 
 elaborate, but suffice to say. . she uses all the of the MOST 
 inappropriate  foul language. Lunches are small gatherings where outside "friends" are 
 called on speaker phone and the cursing continues. I suffer through these 
 situations because to miss lunch on a regular bases is noted and not 
 favorably. I know that I am viewed as a "snob" with no sense of humor. 
 This is such a degrading situation I simply cannot allow myself to be 
 a  part (even as an observer) in this very crass environment. She has been 
sued before (and lost) for harassing my predecessor who was pregnant. I 
have not been personally cursed at. .it's just a part of the everyday. 
Additionally, she changes clothes in her office often right in front of 
several employees, among other completely inappropriate behaviors. She 
smokes at her desk in a non-smoking building. . .putting the butts out  in  a 
cup of water. This is the tip of the iceberg. 

My name is Jay. It's 1:24 in the morning. After another tedious day of working in TV news, I find myself frantically searching the Internet for a PR/Marketing job. I have sent out tons of resumes, but not much luck. I am looking to stay on the East Coast. Any advice is appreciated.

[Resume originally attached. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.]

Jay –

 First, you need to get some sleep!

Next – since you say any advice is appreciated, here goes: what do you want to do in PR/Marketing? You need to be clear about that, so that anyone you're interviewing with has an idea of where to place you. Coming from broadcast media, my guess is that most employers will want to put you in their media relations department/practice – is that what you want to do?

Being in the PR/media relations field, I can tell you that reporters who want to move over to "the dark side" are golden. I think the problem is your resume is bland and starts with a typo: "Strong Attention Detail"... See anything missing here? That does not bode well for the rest of your resume. I would also suggest you list some of the key successes/shows for each of the positions you mention. Most importantly – I think your 'Skills' section needs to be drastically overhauled with much stronger language, and should give prospective employers an idea of what you would bring to the table.

There are some great resume review services out there – invest in one of them, or ask someone from the JOTW community to review yours. Once your resume is in shape – nedwork, nedwork, nedwork. Are you a member of (or at least attending meetings) of IABC or PRSA – or any other PR groups in Philadelphia? Are you scouring JOTW & Craig's List? Are you beating down the doors of PR agencies? Painful as it is, you gotta do all this – and more... and your fruits shall bear labor.

Best of luck –

Elphaba

Jay,
Elphaba is absolutely correct. Your resume needs work.

Check out websites for sample resumes and I think you'll get some ideas. Find a senior person in the business to use as a sounding board, both on the resume and where you want to go from here. Pick someone you can trust and learn from.

A couple of job-hunting ideas: Are there groups you consistently covered and were impressed with? CEOs with whom you built a good rapport? Those are the ones you might want to check out--use these contacts to mention that if you would ever consider a switch, theirs seem like a good organization to work for, then see what your fishing produces.

Along the lines of "Nedworking," what other contacts do you have who could open doors? Ask your friends if they have any connections. What other businesses/organizations are in your area that you'd like to work for? Make your iown connections--contact them, get to know their HR staff, and if it's meant to be, it will happen.

A good job usually doesn't fall from the trees--it's a result of great connections, chemistry and trust. They usually don't appear over night, but grow from what you did last year, last week, and will begin to do tomorrow. Good luck!
Mayday

 Well, it happened again! My job was cut from the budget. I'm unemployed again.WHAT ARE THE ODDS! Can you look over my resume and give me your thoughts ? It would be very helpful if you could. Thanks for your time! 
 
Juanita

[Ed. Note: First portion of resume follows….]

Summary of Qualifications

As the Carolina Computer Access Center’s first PR Specialist, my primary duties were: developing and implementing communications plans, special events coordination, trade shows, designing promotional media. Excellent verbal and written skills: news release, media relations, and community relations. Provided opportunity for collaborative efforts between our agency, other organizations and non-profits in the area to improve community relations. Provided information for the agency web site  and expanded the PR program.

Education

2001 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, NC

B.A. Communications, emphasis in public relations and marketing.

Work experience

November 2004 – April 2006 Computer Access Center --Public Relations Specialist

Computer Access Center (CCAC) is a small non-profit agency, established in 1989, that provides access to and demonstrations of assistive technology tools to the learning and physically disabled community.

Developed and implemented the plan for CCAC's 16th Annual Technology Fest, held Oct. 26, 2005.This event provides information about assistive technology to the public. Managed over 20 vendors and agencies from conception to completion of the event. Solicited donations from Harris Teeter, XYZ Dance Theater, and The Vanlandingham Estate and more. Designed flyers and promotional material. Responsible for handling all public relations for the event i.e. news releases, media relations, and publicity. PR efforts yielded print, radio and TV media coverage.

Developed and implemented the plan for the First Annual Fundraising Luncheon… Managed numerous meetings with the Board of Directors, guest speakers, and staff. Researched locations and negotiated costs, which lowered our expenditures. Designed invitations, programs, and pledge card. Prepared the speech for the President of the Executive Board for this event. Coordinated corporate sponsorships and funding for the event. Coordinated all informational meetings and delegated tasks for 16 table hosts. Event secured over $7,000 in donations and sponsorships.

Hey Juanita,

I am sorry to hear about your layoff. It sucks to not have that kind of

control over your career--something that all of us have faced at some

point.

As you engage in this period of introspection, please also keep in mind

that sometimes things happen that are beyond your control. You did not

necessarily do anything wrong to end up in this situation, so unless you

have a secret reason to beat yourself down over this, don't. You are not

a pariah. Or a leper. Or an ethical member of the Bush Administration.

Take comfort in knowing that you are doing many things right--for

example, being part of the JOTW and asking for advice. Networking is a

common thread in the success of every communicator here. If you're a

member of IABC or PRSA, stay visible and positive. Freelance. Nothing

explains an awkward-looking gap in employment better than some freelance

clips.

Good luck!

Tundra Og

From Mayday: What about awards, results, etc?

No Awards, but at my former position I was the first PR person that the 

ever had.At that time the agency was about 15 years old. So single 

handedly I had to build a PR program for them from ground zero they 

didn't even have a media list. By the time I left the center had a 35 

page media list and recieved numerous media hit's including it's first 

TV coverage in over ten years. They now have several community contacts 

as well as regular radio spots. This was no easy task. I planned and 

implemented all of their events. I don't know if this counts but I 

thought it was a big accomplishment for the time I was there.

From The Captain:

Maybe this is the issue. How do you take limited experience and be 

able to move onto a new and better assignment. When you don't have a 

lot to show already, how do you show you have a lot to give?

In Reply:

Sounds like there's a lot to show--that media list, 

the coverage and if 

you can take sample events plans....

 I do think your resume can use work. 

First, write a short, powerful intro—something like: 

Communicator with 3 years of experience in press and public 

relations, skilled in managing events, building successful

 media relations program.

 Then I’d list your position, place of employment, 

and years—as you have—but use short results-oriented 

sentences: Responsible for building public affairs program, 

which resulted in media list with xxxx contacts, and averaged yyy media placements during first year…

 Next, Nedwork. Tell your friends, your mailman, your neighbors 

you are looking! Volunteer! Meet people. Show them how hard 

you work, what a great attitude you have and you will find 

something. Then, do it all over again after a couple of years, 

but next time, do it with the perfect job in mind…

We're back in business, but this is an unusual case. He doesn't know 

he's being pimped. At least not yet. Read on, and you'll see why.....

A serial layoff story.

There once was a Marketing Communications / Corporate Communications 

Genius that was so good he changed the face of some really huge companies (AIG, Harcourt, Gannett, banks, and others). Then he got the crazy idea that if he was such a hot shot marketing guy, he could go to a small high tech company and rock their world. He could provide them with all the experience, processes, creativity, and strategic acumen they needed. 

The problem was that these small high tech companies were unstable, 

delivering five years of layoffs. He could fix the parts of the companies that were in his span of control, but couldn't fix the other parts that kept the lights on (and him employed). So now he is looking for a medium to large company that isn't broken - one that is growing, is a leader in its markets, and has a strong corporate culture. He still has the same skills that he built in the big companies, but has added some really great new skills - agility, getting big results with small budgets, and problem solving that identifies the shortest path to revenue. 

[ED. Note: Question from Ned....]

This sounds like a one paragraph pitch.  I wouldn't put the PMJ team on 

This unless you want them to tell you why you've been laid off so many times.

[Ed. Note: Back to our victim.]

 Thanks for your response.  I have been laid off four times for one of 

Two reasons:

1.  The company went out of business

2.  The company was sick to start with, and laid off workers has part 

of a survival tactic

With the first few companies, the lure was that they were high tech 

Startups who needed experienced management and offered huge salaries.  I went for the money and excitement of launching a business.  The next couple companies were ongoing companies that were struggling and needed help.  The lure was "If we could just get experienced people like YOU, who know how to turn a company around, we'll do great."  The problem was that in spite of my success fixing what was in my span of control, that other parts of the company failed around me.

So the next job for me will be different.  Medium to large company, 

Strong growth, leader in its space, strong culture, management that 'gets it.' 

 The question is, how does someone like me, who has gone through a string of smaller companies that have failed, make a credible story to a larger company?  Recruiters in these large companies see thousands of resumes a day.  When they get one that has 5 jobs in six years, they think something is wrong with the person, rather than the companies.

So what can I do with this scenario?

Ouch--this hits close to home; what follows is going to be brutal. 

I went through a period in my career that I refer to as the "lost

decade." Long story short, I went through a nine-year period in which I

was laid off/fired/downsized/right-sized four times and jumped ship

twice. Every one of those jobs was a lateral move, a survival tactic in

which my talent could not overcome my mediocre work ethic. It almost

cost me my career.

I finally figured out what was wrong with me, and changed (yes, it is

possible for middle-aged men to change). My career has been rewarding

since then, both personally and financially.

Your situation sounds different than mine--you don't seem to have

self-esteem issues, or a lack of work ethic. It sounds like you've had

some bad luck (and maybe a propensity to pick jobs poorly without

looking at the company's long-term prospects). 

You will certainly get asked about your track record (I was). The good

news is, there is a right answer (and plenty of wrong answers). The

right answer is honesty. You should be able to summarize that period

succinctly--trust me, a LOT of people thought the high-tech boom of the

early 2000s was a gravy train that was going to change the world and

make everyone rich--but don't dwell on it. Turn the negatives into

positives: show what you learned, explain how it made your skills more

valuable. 

If a prospective employer presses the issue, it allows you to go into

more detail about what happened, but it's a double-edged sword. It means they're serious about you, but they're wary. What you say isn't as important as the presentation: are you maintaining eye contact? Are you shifting uncomfortably? Are you hesitating, using a lot of "ums" and "ers?" It's here where they'll make the decision as to whether you are still worth their time.

Having a lot of job changes these days isn't a fatal flaw -- lots of

people change jobs every one-to-two years. The key is to show growth--and potential.

Good luck!

Tundra Og

Fool me once, shame on me.  Fool me twice, shame on you.  Fool me a third time, well, I'm not really fooled. Fool me a fourth time, it's my only opportunity.

My big question is...did the "guru" do his research on the company before accepting the position?  It seems to me that a person who legitimately changed the world should know a company on the verge of bankruptcy when they see one.  So why did someone so asute fail to see the trap the 3rd and 4th time.  Perhaps the claims for the other company contributions aren't as accurate as portrayed?

This self-proclaimed genius is asking for what?  Advice?  Sympathy?  A job?  He thinks he is so good he doesn't need anyone's help, and his vision is so sharp I'm sure he can see what went wrong around him and what could go wrong when he makes his next move.  I am sympathetic to the issue about the limitations of span of control, but communication contributes to the success of the total organization.  Big results with small budgets sounds impressive, but I would like to see some rational approach to establishing measurable objectives that support the business objectives, and a way to get there.  I don't see a strategic approach, and a genius should think strategically.

T.O. --

I, too, have slipped and fallen, and dusted myself off and

 got back up and moved on, learning something valuable in the

process each time.  Show me someone who has never made mistakes

and I 'll show you someone who has never taken a chance.  

Remember, risk is commensurate with reward.  

Having said that, a little humility makes the process of 

moving on a little more productive.

Incompetency Rises to the Occasion (aka: The Peter Principle)

Hi Ned. Maybe you can help me with my current work dilemma. I am the Marketing Director in a 5-person organization. I have been in my current position for over 3 years and we acquired a new executive director one year ago. He is an extremely nice guy, but unbearably incompetent.

To date, he has mailed off one direct fundraising appeal for the organization and brought in no additional organizational sponsors. He has hired a secretary who types out file folder labels for him, as he says he cannot multitask and does not feel organized. Until he is organized, he thinks he cannot raise money.

Additionally, he has told me the following:

1) I am too good for the organization

2) Marketing is his lowest priority

3) I should not work so hard

Among other choice wonders. I have pulled way back and decided to not kill myself since nobody else in the organization seems to work very hard and am of course extremely frustrated. I have not been willing to give up on the job, as I am working for the only children's museum in town and feel extremely committed to the overall success of the museum.

Plus, the thought of handing over my hard work to someone else so that they can take credit for all the preliminary work I have done, practically kills me.

Please advise if I should just call it a day and leave or how to

handle this extremely frustrating work environment.

 From the PIMP MY JOB DREAM TEAM

This sounds so familiar. I worked in a good organization that became a treacherous backstabbing environment, then after my position was terminated, decided to lay low and figure out what to do next. I wound up with an indecisive, micromanaging egocentric boss. After a year of trying to figure out what to do, he was shown the door. But the new guy is a kid.

So I read JOTW and applied to a few key positions.

The result? I am moving to what I expect will be a wonderful job (although it's not with Ned).

Good jobs with great management are rare. 

Here is your list of things to do:

1. Update your resume

2. Make a list of everyone you know and call or email them. Tell them you're ready for a new challenge (if you don't want to burn bridges).

Make them give you the names of people in positions that have hiring  capabilities. Call those people and tell them you're looking for a change....When you meet someone who clicks, send them your resume. ANd make them give you another name to contact!

3. Nedwork. Go to IABC events. Find new people and meet them. GIve them communication/job ideas and get the same. Follow up. and don't just call your contacts once--check back periodically.People forget.

4. Volunteer. Figure out what you love and look for ways to work with them. Your church? It may be full of people with influence. You never know where you're going to meet your next job possibility.

5. Last, be positive. Do something you love--buy a book, or new shoes (alligator spike heels have been popular this year), or see a play or, well, you get the picture. But focus on the positive because people are always attracted to those who are.

Hope this is a start.

You are so kind to share the misery with me! I really appreciate your advice, your thoughts and your input. I've got to redo the resume - that is what has been holding me up, but my old computer had it and now it is swallowed up somewhere and it is just such a darn pain to redo it! But I will.

Many thanks. I don't know about the alligator heels, but I am sure

there is something to treat myself with.

Get out. Run, do not walk, to the nearest exit and never look back. Burn a bridge or two if you need to.

That last thing I want to hear from a CEO is "you work too hard." A CEO who isn't motivated to work hard is going to drag the organization into oblivion and you need not sit around and witness that.

Your instincts are sound: he IS unbearably incompetent. I suspect that he's found his "dream job" and is making it as cushy as possible. He's also sending you very strong signals that it's exactly how he wants it ("nice guys" can become incredibly insecure and territorial). When he says things such as "You're too good for this organization," and "you work too hard," he is in effect saying that he views your competency as a threat.

If you stay, your work ethic will prove problematic to him in the future and you will be in a no-win situation. You will also become even more frustrated. Someone else getting credit for the groundwork you laid should be the least of your concerns. This man is a cancer and he is going to metastasize the entire organization before he is through (and will apparently be oblivious to the damage he's causing, unless he's as insecure as I suspect he is).

I assume this museum has a board of directors. Is there anyone on the board who you trust, or can confide? It might be helpful as an "exit interview" of sorts to make sure at least one person on the board knows about this. Who knows? In two years, when the situation has reached a crisis, they'll ask you to come back as executive director.

Good luck!

Tundra Og

We will dust off our magic wands.

Tundra Og was really fast replying.....

Hey Stephanie,

A few years ago I did a Career Day at a local school to talk about careers in communication and about halfway through the presentation I asked for a show of hands and asked "?Se habla espanol?" About five hands shot up, mostly Latino kids but one or two non-Latino-looking kids. And then I asked, "?Porque no? ("why not?"), which, in retrospect was a dumb question because only the Spanish-speaking kids understood what I asked. But that what happens when I try to think on my feet.

I'm thinking about you and it's going like this: "Spanish...journalism...L.A. What's not to like?" You'd be taking some strong skills into one of the best markets in the country that could use your talents. Bi-lingual skills are a necessity in California, in my opinion, as a matter of principle and as a matter of good customer service. Whereas here in the Washington area employers might not give a rat's hindquarter about your Spanish major (unless you're trying to get a State Department gig or as a teacher), in L.A. you would be viewed as someone who instinctively understands the marketplace.

The L.A. market is pretty diverse, too, so don't limit your search to just the film industry (you'll be joining thousands already in line) or publicity (see "film industry"). (My brother-in-law has been trying to break into films in L.A. for a couple of years now as a computer graphic/Pixar kind of guy, and he's at the point now where he's starting to rationalize the porn industry.) That is not to say that I am discouraging you from trying; I am saying that there are other opportunities there as well. (And remember, the definition of "publicist" is pretty broad-I recently saw a photo of a publicist for Mariah Carey whose sole job was apparently to hold her bottle of water while not making eye contact.)

I say, go. You've got the dream-you'll regret not chasing it.

Tundra Og

And more....

I speak Tamil, English (or a variation thereof), Hindi (enough to get me by), French (the dirty words are the best) and I can say hello in Portuguese. And goodbye. But, I lack drive, motivation, ambition, people skills and I only want to work when I feel inspired.

Where should I move?

Wait...this isn't about me, is it?

Yes, being bi-lingual is very bueno. But you seem to be struggling with some existential issues here. Perhaps you should address those (why do you have a degree in journalism but feel unmotivated to pursue a journalistic career?) before you uproot ummm...your roots?

uma

Stephanie,

My recent examination of hiring managers looking for communication professionals indicated that experience is what companies are paying for.  You would do well to find an opportunity that will let you think strategically and get actual hands-on experience executing your plans to achieve your objectives. 

The film and entertainment industry, when you get right down to it, is no different than any other.  Your job is, or should be, to help create awareness, understanding and conviction to achieve certain desired behavior that helps achieve business objectives.  This is basic organizational communications, and the tenants of good communication are the same in any industry.

Get real experience.  Have real results that you can display proudly.  Then great opportunities will open up for you.

Ned

(Took French in Junior High and High School.  Spanish in college.  Intensive Italian language training at Defense Language Institute.  Can get by in English and Australian.)