Jobs in television production are quite competitive and run the gamut from writer to stage manager to sound engineer and even to anchor. Although various boards list hundreds of media production jobs, obtaining a television production job depends on a combination of training, skill and, to a large measure, perseverance. Salaries vary as widely as industry positions, based on such factors as location, company, industry and experience. For example, Simply Hired, an online job search database, shows the typical salary for a TV production manager averaging between $38,000 and $58,000.
While some entry-level jobs in TV production offer on-the-job training, other TV production jobs require more formal training with full diplomas. Also consider internships that help you get a foot in the door toward a career in television production. Take these steps on your way to TV production employment:
1. Check out online job boards that focus on television production jobs.
2. Explore the possibility of freelance jobs in television production.
3. Gain valuable experience with non-paying or low-paying internships instead of full-time, salaried media production jobs.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Search online boards that specialize in TV production jobs
Many job boards list television production jobs and internships. You can search by industry, category and location at some sites, which makes it that much easier to find your perfect job.
I recommend: Media-Match,
MediaBizJobs.com and
Mediabistro.com post TV jobs around the country, no matter your area of expertise or level of experience.
Consider freelance video production jobs
While a bit more risky than traditional salaried video production positions, freelance production work is another route to consider. Working from home and making your own hours are the positives; paying high employee taxes and waiting weeks, sometimes months, for paychecks are the negatives.
I recommend: Simply Hired is a great source for freelance television production jobs. You can even sign up for email alerts or view jobs as an RSS feed. At
Sologig, you can simply search for freelance video production jobs via the site or sign up to become a
Premium Member to put your resume at the top of relevant employer search results.
Find an internship in television production
Don't rule out non-paying or low-paying TV production jobs at the onset of your career. They can provide on-the-job experience that may lead to higher-paying positions in the field.
I recommend: EntertainmentCareers.net lists internships by state, job title and company. You can also search for paid work here. Contact one of the big networks or media companies directly, such as
NBC,
Disney (which owns ABC),
CBS,
Turner Broadcasting (which owns CNN and TBS) or
PBS for TV production internships and paying jobs.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Consider job sites that let you create online profiles and post resumes. As you gain experience, you can list jobs in your profile for potential employers to see.
The official source of Television Production Jobs is
the Television Production Jobs page at Business.com
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