Gary Klein has a very calming presence about him, which is a
good attribute to have as a Managing Director at Gilbert Tweed International, a
corporate executive search firm. In a time when media jobs are fluid, layoffs
seem to occur at even some of the most heralded companies, the world of
executive search can appear to be frenetic and stressful. But Klein offers some
soothing, sage advice as to how to navigate finding a job in the media and
digital universe.
Klein entered executive search almost by accident, which he
says is not uncommon in this business. “I started out with purpose in life and
my purpose was to be on the people side of the business.” This led to a job in
Human Resources where he later moved into the entertainment industry where he
rose in the corporate ranks before leaving to join an executive search firm.
In this thought provoking interview, Klein talks about how
the job search in media is changing, advice for specific job seekers such as
the newbie trying to enter the media industry, the executive over a certain age
seeking a new job and the loyalist who has been at the same company for years
and is now forced to move. He also advises on how to dress for an interview,
how the role of the resume has changed and offers overall advice to current job
seekers.
There are four videos below with the following topics and lengths:
Subject Length
(in minutes)
Background and Advice (6:19)
Job Hunting Scenarios (10:06)
Best Media Jobs (6:45)
Resume and Interview Attire (6:56)
Charlene Weisler interview Gary Klein who talks about his background and some genreal advice about getting a job in media. This video is 6:19 minutes.
Charlene Weisler: How would you say looking for a job has changed for
candidates in media since you first started in executive search 25 years ago?
Gary Klein: I don’t think it has changed that much. I think
that the industry has changed a bit. But only a bit and that may be surprising
to many out there who look at the media industry and say that it is totally
different than it was years ago.
In my eyes, over the last decade, one of the changes has been that the
media industry has been diversified. There are more opportunities under
the media umbrella than ever before b/c the umbrella has spread its
wings. Between digital/content, virtual reality, gaming, the
opportunities are more vast than they have ever been. I also think that another
difference is that there is more technology involved, even though there was
always technology in the media industry. It’s just more sophisticated now and
there is more of it. There is a saying in the media industry that it is all
about content, content and content and it still is all about content. I think that if there has been any major change
it is that there is even more opportunity now than ever before. So it is the
best of times if someone is really interested in being in the media business.
Charlene Weisler: Gary, what advice can you give to someone looking for
a job in media?
Gary Klein: It is a matter of having a network. The key is
to always maintain and build on your network. Your network includes business
relationships that you have within your company, business relationships that
you have in your industry outside of your company and of being a part of groups
and associations that represent your company and industry.
Charlene Weisler gives Gary Klein three job hunting scenarios and asks for his advice for each type of job candidate. This video is 10:06 minutes.
Do we need a resumes today? And how can we best dress for an in-person interview? Gary Klein tells Charlene Weisler the importance of each in this 6:56 minute video:
Charlene Weisler: Here is a job seeker scenario: I have been loyal to
my company for 20+ years. Now I’ve lost my job. What advice can you give me to
get another job?
Gary Klein: Obviously you have honed your skills well. So I
think that is something to take advantage of and to build on. I think that if
you have been in the same role for many years, you may not want to seek
something totally different than what you have been doing. I think the key is to really understand the
strengths that you have developed, the value that you bring to the table and an
understanding of where you can take that which you have honed so well and do
something with it. Twenty years of experience is positive. Feel good about it
and do something with it. Look for companies out there that are doing something
similar to what you have been doing or have voids in that sector and explain to
them how you bring value or fill those voids.
Charlene Weisler: Here is job seeker scenario: I am just graduating
from college. I am interested in media. How do I get my foot in the door?
Gary Klein: I get this question all the time. If you have a
broadly defined interest, do some research and look at what companies comprise that
industry. Media has some clearly defined segments to it. It has a creative element, it has a pure business
piece, it has a technology piece, it has a futuristic piece and probably others
that I am not mentioning. It is a matter at looking at who you are and where
your passions are and then seeing if you can take those passions and those
still developing skills and go out and sell yourself like crazy. People are
willing to listen but you need to have a story. Be aggressive, look around, use
your internet skills, convey your interest and get yourself in play.
Charlene Weisler: What do you look for in a resume? Do you need a
resume? How do you stand out?
Gary Klein: I am not a great believer in resumes. However
there is a caveat – I deal with C-Suite candidates and that individual really
doesn’t need a resume. They have history behind them, name recognition and sets
of experiences that have been written about. They need more of a capsule bio.
But for the population by enlarge, some form of a resume can be used. It can’t be just a listing of where you’ve
been; you need to show what you have accomplished. The resume should reflect an
output. What did you accomplish in both a qualitative and quantitative sense so
you can be evaluated on your successes.
What are the best Media jobs? Is traditional Research passe? Charlene Weisler asks Gary Klein his opinion in this 6:45 minute video:
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