Translating Your News Skills

I advise a lot of current TV news journalists who are looking to get out of the industry. The most common question they ask is, "How do I explain to someone outside of TV news what I do and how it can translate?"

The truth is former journalists have a TON of skills that are highly sought after and would benefit any industry. The irony is this group of professional communicators has a hard time communicating that fact!

As an experiment, I typed into Google Gemini: Imagine you are an experienced TV news anchor who's looking to move into the world of professional communications. You want to list a set of skills on your resume. How would you describe them so they translate into the new industry.

Here's what it responded with:

Communication Skills:

• Content Development & Storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that engage audiences and deliver key messages across various media platforms. (Previously: Anchoring newscasts, tailoring complex information for diverse viewers.)
• Clear & Concise Communication: Deliver impactful information accurately and efficiently, ensuring audience comprehension in written and verbal formats. (Previously: On-air news delivery, scriptwriting and editing.)
• Interviewing & Active Listening: Elicit insightful information from subject matter experts through focused questioning and active listening. (Previously: Conducting in-depth interviews with diverse sources, fostering trust and rapport.)

Public Relations & Media Relations:

• Media Outreach & Relationship Building: Develop and manage positive relationships with key media contacts to secure strategic placements. (Previously: Cultivating connections with news outlets and journalists for news coverage.)
• Message Development & Brand Storytelling: Craft compelling brand narratives that resonate with target audiences and elevate brand reputation. (Previously: Tailoring news stories for audience engagement, highlighting community impact.)
• Crisis Communication: Remain calm and composed under pressure, crafting clear and concise messaging during sensitive situations. (Previously: Anchoring breaking news events, delivering factual information during crises.)

Additional Skills:

• Project Management & Time Management: Organize workflow, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to achieve communication goals. (Previously: Leading newscasts, managing tight production schedules with diverse teams.)
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Proficient in utilizing content management platforms to create, edit, and publish content effectively. (Previously: Teleprompter experience translates seamlessly to CMS familiarity.)
• Visual Communication & Presentation: Develop and deliver compelling presentations that visually enhance understanding and audience engagement. (Previously: On-air presence, utilizing teleprompter and graphics to deliver clear visuals.)
• Employee Engagement & Advocacy: Develop and implement communication strategies that foster employee engagement, build trust, and encourage brand advocacy within the organization. (Previously: Anchoring company-wide town halls, facilitating discussions on company initiatives.)
• Change Management Communication: Craft clear and consistent messaging to guide employees through organizational changes, ensuring understanding and buy-in. (Previously: Reporting on company developments and mergers, explaining complex business decisions to viewers.)
• Internal Content Creation: Develop engaging content (e.g., newsletters, intranet articles, videos) to keep employees informed, motivated, and connected to the company culture. (Previously: Scriptwriting and storytelling, tailoring content for specific audiences.)

Internal Collaboration & Relationship Building:

• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate effectively with leadership teams and internal departments to understand needs and develop targeted communication strategies. (Previously: Interviewing company executives, building rapport with diverse stakeholders in the community.)
• Employee Feedback & Listening: Foster a culture of open communication by creating channels for employee feedback and actively listening to concerns. (Previously: Conducting on-air audience surveys, addressing public questions and concerns with sensitivity.)

Additionally:

• Metrics & Analytics: Demonstrate understanding of using internal communication metrics to track engagement and measure the success of communication campaigns. (Previously: Analyzing news ratings, understanding audience demographics and gauging viewer response to stories.)

These aren't perfect. But they can provide you a good starting point. You can utilize AI to help explain to prospective employers what you do and how it can work for them.