Unadvertised jobs

I was curious how many jobs (desk or reporting) do you think go unpublished? Is it common for editors to try to do their hiring through contacts first, and then put out an ad? And has anyone been hired for a job where they were actively recruited rather than had to apply after seeing the opening?

 

happens all the time.

 

No secret here, it happens a lot.

I was hired as sports editor in August at this 36K shop without the job being posted. (I had worked here for several years previously.) I hired a new desk guy last month without posting the job. I'll have another (different) desk opening soon, I think, and we'll probably post it. Unless we find somebody we like without having to post it.

Which could happen.

 

Remember, the important thing is who you know!

 

I think this is more prevelent at the bigger papers.
Contacts through APSE and other conference fill the need. There is usually no reason, other than if it company policy to do so, to adverstise on job banks.

 

i worked at major metros before leaving the business and have several close friends still at the majors. it's common knowledge that the way to get to a major metro is to establish contact with them - usually with an ACE or team leader or whatever they call the mid-level editor - and keep in touch over months or even years so that as soon as there's an opening, you're the one they call.

look at it this way - how often do you see job openings at the major metros, either in sports or another department? not very often except the high profile ones discussed here. the biggies have less turnover but it's not like they have zero turnover.

btw this isn't only true for the newspaper business. getting a job is almost always about who you know. who would you rather hire if you're in position to make such decisions? someone you know or an unknown commodity?

 

and a job can be filled before it's advertised. sometimes it's advertised because company policy makes it mandatory. but that doesn't mean the job hasn't already been offered to someone.

 

It's not how good you are, it's who you know while being good.

 

If it's a union shop, then it generally has to be posted, at least internally. If the paper is big enough, word gets out without it being advertised.
I've always taken the view that I'd at least like to see who an opening attracts before automatically taking someone I know.
I might be 90% decided on the person, but you never know who is going to walk in the door.

 

That's pretty close.

 

So what do you do? E-mail/call the ACE randomly and say, "I'm Joe Schmoe, and I'd like to wokr for your paper"? Then bombard them with clips down the road?

Wouldn't said editor be a little put off by the more-than-just-being-aggressive continual contact from a guy he's had little contact with?

And don't flame me; I'm not good at the networking thing, and I really would like to know.