Getting and staying employable in the media industry

Now, more than ever is the time to stay relevant to remain employable in a highly competitive industry. The industry is also getting smaller with some media owners having been negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke to Karen Bailey, co-founder of Cinevation, an innovative media agency, specialising in marketing, advertising, design and activations.

Bailey has the following advice to offer graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs. She believes that a starting point could be some research on the media industry, as this will empower one to align passion, skills and abilities to the right media role.

Bailey values the following in current and potential employees.

Energy 

I am always on the move, and so is the media industry. I love individuals who are bright-eyed, interested, enthusiastic and have something to offer.

Sports fanatics

I love sports and prefer people who have played or still play sports. I believe sports brings out the best in people and shows whether one can work within a team and play their role. This attribute is essential when hiring salespeople. Teamwork is not an option for us; it is a must.

Piranhas dressed as goldfish 

Sales is a huge part of our business. When we hire salespeople, we prefer hungry and determined individuals who are also personable and likeable. People buy into people, after all. It is essential to have individuals with strong networking abilities who are also client centric.

Attitude, attitude and attitude 

We started Cinevation to empower people and make a difference in the media industry. I hire for attitude, I can teach skills, but I cannot teach attitude.

Bailey believes an internship can be an excellent way to learn and gain experience. Work for free, if you must. Show interest and always go the extra mile. Find a mentor to help guide you. If you show potential, you could be asked to stay on after your internship. The future is in your hands, take charge and make it happen.

About Rosebank College 

Rosebank College is an educational brand of the Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). With over 70 years in the education industry, nine campuses nationally and over 19,000 students studying online and full-time, Rosebank College is proving that education is accessible. Students can start with an IIE Higher Certificate and progress to an IIE diploma or degree. IIE graduates from Rosebank College have the competitive edge to compete on the global stage with over 12,000 of them placed in employment since 2012.