About a year ago one of my clients was taking a cross-country vacation and decided to visit some stations along the way. She was in a small entry level market, had a good tape, and was looking to move to a medium market. While she was well received at many stations, she got quite a rude treatment from one ND.
"This is a big market," he told her, drawing the word "big" out into a few syllables. "You need years of experience to work here."
The market was in the 60's. Big market? Oh, please, get over yourself.
I did a little checking. The station was a perennial number three in the ratings. Then I checked the station website and saw that they streamed their newscast, so I watched.
Lead story: car wreck.
Second story: car wreck
Third story: house fire
Yeah, that's a real big market product.
Obviously my client didn't get hired there and she was glad she didn't. Who wants to work for someone like that?
I hear stories like this from time to time, about rude treatment during interviews, and it's a red flag for you guys when you run into a huge ego that has no business being a huge ego. Funny, you see them more in small and medium markets than you do in large ones. I guess some NDs need to validate their existence by making young people feel inadequate.
In any event, don't get your heart set on a certain station or a certain job. You never know what to expect until you actually meet people face to face.
If someone is rude or condescending to you during an interview, can you imagine how you'd be treated as an employee? Beat your feet and leave skid marks.
If nothing else, you'll save a stamp by not sending a thank you note.
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