As media layoffs continue, it makes sense that journalists are trying switch careers. But how do you position yourself for a role in a different industry, without experience in that field?
In this week’s URHired video, Leonor and I discuss why journalists are very well-positioned to get jobs outside of media, and why they are a great choice for hiring managers. Our skills for communication, working on deadline and storytelling are important to hiring managers across companies and job descriptions.
But identifying your those strengths is just the first step to making a career pivot, said Aundrea Cline, Founder of The Rewrite and the podcast The NEXT Best Thing, where she supports professionals reassess and reimagine their careers in the face of instability. Aundrea spent 15 years as a journalist and wrote a guide on translating transferable skills.
Step 2: You have to explain your skills in a way the hiring manager for a different role will relate to, Aundrea said.
For example, “being a good communicator could mean you inherently understand the audience, and you know how to differentiate messaging to reach them on various platforms,” she said.
Step 3: Offer specific examples — broad use of jargon isn’t enough, she said. “You need to create the stories around your skills. So when was that demonstrated?”
Job Board
| URL Media is recruiting for or supporting recruitment of these open roles and opportunities. Contact sonali@url-media.com if you’re interested in learning more about any of them. |
| Position: President & Chief Executive Officer Company: Independent Television Service (ITVS) Compensation: $275,000 Location: San Francisco, CA Position: Executive Director Company: National Association of Hispanic Publications Compensation: $180,000 Location: Remote Position: News Director Company: KUNC Compensation: $100,000 – $120,000 Location: Greeley/Fort Collins, CO Position: Senior Director, Membership Company: Oregon Public Broadcasting Compensation: $130,000 – $150,000 Location: Portland, OR |
| URL NETWORK JOBS The following are opportunities with URL Partners & friends of URL. We encourage you to apply directly! Position: Part-Time Electoral Journalist Company: Conecta Arizona Compensation: $15,000 (September – December 2026) Location: Southern Arizona Position: General Assignment Reporter Company: The Oklahoma Eagle Compensation: $50,000 – $60,000 Location: Tulsa, OK Position: Development Associate Company: Baltimore Beat Compensation: $30/day, 30 hours/week Location: Baltimore, MD Position: Development Officer Company: Capital B Compensation: $70,000 – $80,000 Location: Remote Position: Augusta Editor Company: Capital B Compensation: $90,000 – $110,000 Location: Augusta, GA Position: Caribbean Community Correspondent Company: Documented Compensation: $30/hour, 20 hours/week Location: New York, NY Position: Media Sales Account Executive Company: WURD Radio Compensation: Dependent on experience Location: Philadelphia, PA Position: Technical Producer Company: WURD Radio |
