Here's the thing about hiring people: it's a lot like dating. As a manager, you're going on first impressions. While a resume tape shows talent and/or potential, it's the interview that can tell you a lot about a person.
Or not.
Interviews are like first dates. We're all on our best behavior. Best clothes, hair looking perfect, saying the right things. A manager has a few hours to decide if the person sitting across from him is the right one for the job.
And many times, managers are wrong.
Trust me, I've been fooled by people who were great interviews then turned out to be the opposite of the total package I thought I was hiring. I remember one young lady who appeared to be the ultimate team player during the interview. After I hired her, she turned out to be the ultimate drama queen who did nothing but stir the pot in the newsroom and cause me massive headaches.
Point is, you never know what an employee will be like until they're actually working in your shop.
Which brings us to the crash dummy working at the next desk. Every station has one of these. The person who is the laziest in the newsroom, has little talent, and doesn't bother with all that "team player" stuff. And this person makes more than you do.
Several years ago I was working at a station and a reporter made an incredible discovery. He went to make a copy and found that someone had left the station budget in the machine. Which contained all the salaries. (This has happened at plenty of stations.) Naturally, this news made the rounds and caused a lot of hurt feelings when people found out the hardest working staffers were making the least money.
How does this happen? Why does a News Director pay someone who is incompetent more money than you when you're the ultimate team player who consistently knocks out great stories?
A lot of it goes back to that interview.
Let's say I hired you as a reporter for 30 thousand. I've got another reporter opening and this candidate knocks my socks off. She's got a great tape and nailed the interview. She's already making 35 thousand, so I can't offer her what I offered you. So I offer her 38.
Or that same candidate has less experience than you but has other offers. I find out another station is offering her 35. I realize she has less experience, but I'm banking on her potential, so I offer her more.
Or I simply see a future star for the station, someone who can be my main anchor someday. She's got a great tape and I know she'll get other offers, so I make a preemptive strike and offer her more money than I'm paying you.
Now think back to the day you took the job. You may have been happy to get 30k, you may have been desperate, you may have been a bad negotiator. Maybe the ND liked you but you didn't knock his socks off during the interview. Maybe the ND didn't see your potential or team player attitude.
At every station there are salary discrepancies. There's always something that isn't fair. Just don't let it drive you crazy. All things being equal, people aren't.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The souls of 9/11 want media people to remember 9/12
I'm speculating here, but I imagine there are several conversations going on in heaven about the state of affairs in America.
The nearly three thousand souls of 9/11: firemen, cops, waiters, bankers, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, now all working as angels, probably look down at the ceremonies today and wonder if the memories will actually take hold. Or if we've really forgotten what things were like in the days after the attack eleven years ago.
The day after their arrival in heaven they looked down and saw a country united for the first time in a long time. They saw Democrats and Republicans working together. They saw media people unable to control their emotions, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, without an agenda.
They remember that amidst the grief and suffering and anger, 9/12 was one of the best days in America because we were all united.
And maybe they knew they hadn't died in vain.
Today those angels look down and see a country more divided than ever, as split as the nation was during the Vietnam era. Maybe even more. They see Congress so polarized it can't agree on anything. That's not the worst thing they see. They see media people taking sides, objectivity thrown out the window, doing their part to split the country even more. Dividing those who stood together on 9/12.
They hope those who cover the events of 9/11 today will remember 9/12, and check their opinions and agendas at the door.
That's the best way to honor the souls of 9/11.
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The nearly three thousand souls of 9/11: firemen, cops, waiters, bankers, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, now all working as angels, probably look down at the ceremonies today and wonder if the memories will actually take hold. Or if we've really forgotten what things were like in the days after the attack eleven years ago.
The day after their arrival in heaven they looked down and saw a country united for the first time in a long time. They saw Democrats and Republicans working together. They saw media people unable to control their emotions, wearing their hearts on their sleeves, without an agenda.
They remember that amidst the grief and suffering and anger, 9/12 was one of the best days in America because we were all united.
And maybe they knew they hadn't died in vain.
Today those angels look down and see a country more divided than ever, as split as the nation was during the Vietnam era. Maybe even more. They see Congress so polarized it can't agree on anything. That's not the worst thing they see. They see media people taking sides, objectivity thrown out the window, doing their part to split the country even more. Dividing those who stood together on 9/12.
They hope those who cover the events of 9/11 today will remember 9/12, and check their opinions and agendas at the door.
That's the best way to honor the souls of 9/11.
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Monday, September 10, 2012
Fact checkers: they used to be called "reporters"
During the past two weeks we've heard a lot of speeches and interviews from a lot of politicians. As we all know, many politicians will say just about anything to get elected. The term "spin" originated in politics, referring to the ability to tailor facts in such a way as to reinforce your position. Politicians have raised this to an art form; if we were suddenly attacked by aliens from outer space, Republicans would find a way to blame it on Obama while Democrats would tie the invasion to the Bush administration.
Lately, though, we've seen many reporters from big markets and networks use opinions from "fact checkers" in their coverage. When Obama says one thing in a political ad and Romney says the opposite, who's telling the truth? Many reporters have fact checkers on speed dial to find out.
Excuse me if I missed something on day one of Journalism 101... but aren't reporters in the business of checking facts? When did we become like American corporations and start outsourcing this basic duty? Am I to pick up the phone and call some guy in India to find out if some politician is lying in a television commercial?
And here are some important "facts" to consider about fact checkers: How do you know the fact checkers are credible? How do you know the fact checkers don't have an agenda of their own? And did you ever notice that Republican fact checkers often differ from Democratic fact checkers?
Finally, if you're a real reporter, why in the world would you trust someone else to check the facts for your story?
Politicians can spin the truth in the same way that Hollywood accountants can tell you that Star Wars lost money. It's up to you to dig up the facts and present them to the audience. When you rely on someone else to do you work for you, you may as well turn in your notebook and go home.
And if you want to do a really unique story for the first week of sweeps, check the facts on the fact checkers. Dig up their backgrounds, find out if they have an agenda, discover who funds them. Those are the kind of facts I'd like to know.
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Lately, though, we've seen many reporters from big markets and networks use opinions from "fact checkers" in their coverage. When Obama says one thing in a political ad and Romney says the opposite, who's telling the truth? Many reporters have fact checkers on speed dial to find out.
Excuse me if I missed something on day one of Journalism 101... but aren't reporters in the business of checking facts? When did we become like American corporations and start outsourcing this basic duty? Am I to pick up the phone and call some guy in India to find out if some politician is lying in a television commercial?
And here are some important "facts" to consider about fact checkers: How do you know the fact checkers are credible? How do you know the fact checkers don't have an agenda of their own? And did you ever notice that Republican fact checkers often differ from Democratic fact checkers?
Finally, if you're a real reporter, why in the world would you trust someone else to check the facts for your story?
Politicians can spin the truth in the same way that Hollywood accountants can tell you that Star Wars lost money. It's up to you to dig up the facts and present them to the audience. When you rely on someone else to do you work for you, you may as well turn in your notebook and go home.
And if you want to do a really unique story for the first week of sweeps, check the facts on the fact checkers. Dig up their backgrounds, find out if they have an agenda, discover who funds them. Those are the kind of facts I'd like to know.
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Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Tim Tebow effect: bias creeps into the sports department
What's the difference between Tim Tebow and Michael Vick?
Right now Tebow gets more bad press.
Let me get this straight: on the one hand, we have a guy who did sick, twisted things to animals and on the other hand we have a squeaky clean kid who wears his religion on his sleeve. And the latter gets hammered in the media?
Tebow is not alone as far as "nice" athletes who get ridiculed for their religious beliefs. Olympians Lolo Jones and Gabby Douglas have also been victims of criticism simply because they believe strongly in a higher power and don't mind telling the world. Jones has the audacity to add that she's a virgin.
Meanwhile, Michael Vick, the guy who went to prison, the guy voted this year in a Forbes Magazine poll as the most disliked athlete in America, is a recipient of gushing praise from sports reporters. As if that stuff with the dogs never ever happened.
Tebow? He has the second best selling NFL jersey behind that famous ne'er-do-well, Peyton Manning. So obviously some media people aren't on the same page as fans.
Yet in an era during which politicians will tap dance and "do the little side-step" on any question while getting a pass from reporters, people like Tebow are criticized for what basically amounts to one thing. Being honest.
It wasn't too long ago that the sports department was immune to political correctness. After 9/11, only sports reporters and anchors were "allowed" to wear American flag pins. But now it appears that bias and agenda have crept into the sports section.
Funny, but every football fan I know roots against the Eagles simply because Michael Vick plays for them. I even know a guy from Philly who wants the Eagles to lose or trade Vick because he can't stand the fact that a felon is quarterbacking his team. Of course, you never hear any of that from the media.
Tim Tebow is an easy target because he's not going to hit back.
Lots of professional athletes have causes as they try to be role models. Justin Tuck raises money for literacy. Tom Brady has an organization for people with disabilities. Drew Brees runs a foundation to help cancer patients. These guys have a cause and use their celebrity to promote it.
Why is that any different from Tebow's cause?
And when did being a good person become something to criticize?
If you want to hammer Tebow because half his passes look like wounded ducks, fine. But if you're going to slam the guy simply because he lives a lifestyle you don't agree with, you're not a real reporter. And you're just as bad as the biased journalists who give our business a bad name.
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Right now Tebow gets more bad press.
Let me get this straight: on the one hand, we have a guy who did sick, twisted things to animals and on the other hand we have a squeaky clean kid who wears his religion on his sleeve. And the latter gets hammered in the media?
Tebow is not alone as far as "nice" athletes who get ridiculed for their religious beliefs. Olympians Lolo Jones and Gabby Douglas have also been victims of criticism simply because they believe strongly in a higher power and don't mind telling the world. Jones has the audacity to add that she's a virgin.
Meanwhile, Michael Vick, the guy who went to prison, the guy voted this year in a Forbes Magazine poll as the most disliked athlete in America, is a recipient of gushing praise from sports reporters. As if that stuff with the dogs never ever happened.
Tebow? He has the second best selling NFL jersey behind that famous ne'er-do-well, Peyton Manning. So obviously some media people aren't on the same page as fans.
Yet in an era during which politicians will tap dance and "do the little side-step" on any question while getting a pass from reporters, people like Tebow are criticized for what basically amounts to one thing. Being honest.
It wasn't too long ago that the sports department was immune to political correctness. After 9/11, only sports reporters and anchors were "allowed" to wear American flag pins. But now it appears that bias and agenda have crept into the sports section.
Funny, but every football fan I know roots against the Eagles simply because Michael Vick plays for them. I even know a guy from Philly who wants the Eagles to lose or trade Vick because he can't stand the fact that a felon is quarterbacking his team. Of course, you never hear any of that from the media.
Tim Tebow is an easy target because he's not going to hit back.
Lots of professional athletes have causes as they try to be role models. Justin Tuck raises money for literacy. Tom Brady has an organization for people with disabilities. Drew Brees runs a foundation to help cancer patients. These guys have a cause and use their celebrity to promote it.
Why is that any different from Tebow's cause?
And when did being a good person become something to criticize?
If you want to hammer Tebow because half his passes look like wounded ducks, fine. But if you're going to slam the guy simply because he lives a lifestyle you don't agree with, you're not a real reporter. And you're just as bad as the biased journalists who give our business a bad name.
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Saturday, August 25, 2012
Hurricane stories that no one ever does
Living on the gulf coast as we do, there's a routine we go through whenever a hurricane is approaching. I'm not talking about boarding up windows and stocking up on peanut butter. That's pretty standard for most people and they don't have to be told to do it. They've already got tarps, batteries, candles, etc.
Here are a few things that don't normally get a mention in hurricane prep packages:
-Generators run on gas, but they hate gas with ethanol. Find a station that sells non-ethanol gas (there are plenty out there.)
-Eat the most expensive food in the fridge or freezer as the hurricane approaches. If you're going to lose electricity and have your food spoil, better to lose the bolony than those lobster tails or steaks.
-Pet carrier. If you have to evacuate, you need one. While a dog will ride in a car comfortably, cats are notorious for hating cars and are not shy about using floor mats as a litter box to let you know it. Meanwhile, if you have an outdoor cat and have to bring Fluffy in, you need one lest your furniture get ripped to shreds. And don't forget the cat litter.
-Many gas appliances (stoves, water heaters) have an electric starter. There's a way to start them safely, but talk to a gas company person as to how to do it with a match without blowing yourself up.
-Which appliances use the most energy and can blow out a generator? Would you believe a coffee machine takes more juice than a freezer? Show people how to calculate wattage and not tax their generator. You also need special extension cords.
-What are the price gouging laws in your state? Keep an eye out for gas stations that jack up the price before the storm.
-Tuesday is a local election day in many areas. What happens if the storm hits on that day? Can the election be moved?
Those are just a few, but will give you an idea that there's more than just the usual.
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Here are a few things that don't normally get a mention in hurricane prep packages:
-Generators run on gas, but they hate gas with ethanol. Find a station that sells non-ethanol gas (there are plenty out there.)
-Eat the most expensive food in the fridge or freezer as the hurricane approaches. If you're going to lose electricity and have your food spoil, better to lose the bolony than those lobster tails or steaks.
-Pet carrier. If you have to evacuate, you need one. While a dog will ride in a car comfortably, cats are notorious for hating cars and are not shy about using floor mats as a litter box to let you know it. Meanwhile, if you have an outdoor cat and have to bring Fluffy in, you need one lest your furniture get ripped to shreds. And don't forget the cat litter.
-Many gas appliances (stoves, water heaters) have an electric starter. There's a way to start them safely, but talk to a gas company person as to how to do it with a match without blowing yourself up.
-Which appliances use the most energy and can blow out a generator? Would you believe a coffee machine takes more juice than a freezer? Show people how to calculate wattage and not tax their generator. You also need special extension cords.
-What are the price gouging laws in your state? Keep an eye out for gas stations that jack up the price before the storm.
-Tuesday is a local election day in many areas. What happens if the storm hits on that day? Can the election be moved?
Those are just a few, but will give you an idea that there's more than just the usual.
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