Intrepid Miami journalist

Introduction: During nearly 10 months on a free agent journey to my next career destination since leaving the Miami Herald as business editor, I've experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.

Actually thought I'd seen and experienced it all, when it comes to striving to get the attention of hiring managers in this ultracompetitive labor market by pitching my talents to them during interviews and follow-up emails and conversations.

A first time for everything: But this week I experienced a first. After learning about an attractive editor role, I submitted a resume. Just hours later, the next morning the respected media outlet, which is part of a market-leading national company in business over 40 years, responded with an email requesting to arrange a first interview. Of course, I happily replied and confirmed a first conversation about the leadership opening.

I've learned to stay in the moment and not get too overjoyed when scoring such incremental wins, because you never know how a recruiting process will play out. Today, for example, with thousands of journalists searching for work the only two sure things are the competition will be fierce for every position for which I compete, and the interview process with each company will go slower and take much longer than expected. Think same is true for most others on a similar career quest no matter the business sector or industry.

Let me give you an example of what I mean. If you're seeking a new position for a fresh start or an entirely different career path, you also might have experienced this scenario.

A slow roll: At the beginning of May, I threw my hat into the ring for a coveted editor position in another state. If a prospective employer is impressed by my career portfolio, I'll often get a note within two or three weeks asking to interview me. But with the deluge of resumes high quality companies receive daily and weekly, it's not surprising to take a month or six weeks to get that good news about wanting to set a first interview.

In this situation, May and June passed with nary a word to me from this company. I went on vacation in mid-July thinking the silence surely indicated this news outlet isn't interested in me. Then early one morning at the end of July I got an email from a senior editor there asking if I could talk later that day. We had a productive conversation and I learned a lot about the job expectations. By the end of the 90-minute interview, the hiring manager indeed got me enthused about this position. He closed by saying we're going to move quickly, therefore, I could hear again from him in a day or two.

Well, three weeks went by. So much for moving quickly. At least where I come from in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, three weeks isn't considered quick. Thought this more than 100-year-old media company in the Southwest finally had moved on from me. Wrong, again. This week the senior editor I spoke with last month emailed. He apologized for the delay, renewed his interest in me and said he'd follow up soon. Was happy to receive this unexpected good news. But I realize it could be weeks before I hear again from him. Whenever that day comes, I'll be excited to talk with him.

Go hard to finish line: I cited these two contrasting situations to encourage any of you fellow free agents to never lose hope, always stay patient and never stop seeking, reviewing, assessing, pushing, competing for new career opportunities ... until the day a hiring manager makes you a first job offer. Then there's nothing wrong with deftly attempting to secure a second offer, if possible, from another attractive prospect before saying yes to one employer.

While persisting confidently on my journey to the next career chapter, I've continued to document this trek here on LinkedIn and on Substack . As I've said from the start of this unplanned adventure, besides keeping myself visible to hiring managers I'm purposefully telling my story to pay it forward with career management takeaways that hopefully will be useful to others.

It's imperative today when searching for another fulfilling position that'll advance your career to put a smart, prudent career management plan in place. Then stick to the process, consistently network with close contacts and trust your gut and instincts. Even if the job rejection emails pile up -- and they will -- and your search takes six, nine, 12 months or more, you have to remain confident and ready to seize the moment.

Avoid the trap: When you navigate these choppy waters for almost 10 months as I have, it's tempting to start slowing and get comfortable when one or two potential employers have begun interviewing you. Don't fall into this trap. Because if you do, don't be surprised when these hiring managers ultimately tell you they appreciate your interest and like your skills but have decided to promote an internal candidate.

After getting passed over for more positions than I care to count since November 2023 in favor of internal candidates, I've learned this lesson. There was a time when it was rare for an employer to post an opening and conduct interviews with external candidates, when qualified people were on staff and primed for promotion.

Those days are clearly over. In fact, in all of the more than 20 interviews I've had with prospects, I've asked about inside competitors. In a few cases, I was told emphatically by hiring managers some version of there aren't any, only weeks or months later to be told sorry we decided to promote from within.

Aim for multiple options: Important message here is that in this post-pandemic recovery, employer talent needs can change by the day. It's up to us free agents to use our ingenuity, and our network of professional contacts, to try to stay a step ahead of employers or at least to position ourselves with multiple options.

For this reason, want to let you know about a couple of tactics I'm using even though I've got two respected media companies sincerely interested in my talents and engaged in conversations about openings -- at least until they say they are no longer interested.

First of all, I'm actively still exploring other desirable positions at companies that I've determined are solid financially and have proven to be excellent because of their respective product and service delivery.

To be crystal clear: If there are potential suitors unknown to me anywhere in the country for my consistent years of proven results from top-notch writing, editing, coaching, communicating, collaborating, researching, public speaking, strategic planning, project management, digital publishing, smart risk taking, innovating and change leadership, please don't hesitate to contact me via email to [email protected], LinkedIn, directly on X @BiznewsPaulB or text me at (215) 237-4448. (Please, please don't waste your time and mine by texting me with product sales pitches or marketing schemes.)

Prioritize quality company over a job: Also, through research and conversations with trusted former colleagues I've identified a small group of companies I'm prioritizing as ones I'd love to have the opportunity to join their teams and go all-in working for them when openings emerge. I've gotten the email addresses for hiring managers at these firms and I've written to them expressing my interest in working for them should a position open that matches their needs and my skills.

This practice has enabled me to start ongoing conversations with a few key and receptive senior managers who have encouraged me to keep checking in with them periodically. They don't have appropriate positions now, but that could change tomorrow, next week, next month or sometime later.

Gaining leverage: If and when jobs open at these employers I've already decided are desirable, I'll have a big advantage over rivals. The hiring managers already know me and the skills and talents I could bring to their companies. I won't just be another cold resume, arriving from another faceless person with unknown experience, performance and potential.

Thank you for reading. Hope you'll continue this journey with me to my next career chapter. Please feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Substack , or at [email protected] to offer your thoughts, suggestions and job leads.