Tips for women applying for jobs at a multilingual television station

Are you looking for a job where you might apply your multilingual/multicultural skills at a new television station?

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced on February 14, 2002 that it had granted a licence to Multivan Broadcast Corporation (MVBC).

With that licence, Multivan Broadcast Corporation started a multicultural, multilingual television station in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The new television station is called Multivision Television or Channel M; World Wide Web: http://www.channelm.ca/.

You might find the steps, tips, and information here helpful, if you want to apply for a job at the new television station.

Applying for a job at a new multilingual/multicultural television station

You might want to try these steps:

1. Job openings at Channel M

   Find out what job openings are currently available at Channel M.

   If you do not wish to apply for any of the posted jobs, you might perhaps try to encourage the television station people to create a job where you, if hired, benefit the station greatly. How? Think about the station's needs from the viewpoint(s) of the people at the station. Then, after you have done your research (you might use some of the resources listed here), you might try to encourage the television station management to create a new job position in a field where you do good work and from which the station would benefit. Then you apply for that job position. Additional tips on career planning and job search might be helpful.

2. Television production

   You can learn about or review television production.

3. Television licence from CRTC

   Find out what the CRTC said on February 14, 2002 about the licence granted to MVBC:

   1. A news release provides a brief summary.
   2. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-39 provides details.
4. Channel M
   • View the Channel M Web site.
   • Find out about the equipment used at Channel M.
     • Find out more about equipment and technology that might be similar to that used by Channel M:
       • Sony

         To know more about Sony equipment perhaps similar to equipment at Channel M, find out about Sony broadcast and production equipment.

         Know more about

         • DVCAM
           • Select and view DVCAM brochures.
           • Select and view DVCAM manuals.
         • MPEG IMX
       • ENPS
       • Grass Valley
         • Vibrint
           • FeedClip™ Interactive Feed Capture System
           • NewsEdit XT Nonlinear Editor
           • NewsEdit LT Laptop-Based Nonlinear Editor
           • NewsEdit SC Software-Based Nonlinear Editor
           • NewsQ Manual Playback System
           • NewsQ Pro Automated News Playback System
         • Profile XP Media Platform family
       • Avid
         • Symphony
       • Harris Broadcast Communications
         • Automation
       • Pinnacle Systems
         • FX Deko II
         • Thunder LT
         • Thunder XL
       • Discreet
         • 3ds max
       • Curious Software
         • Curious World Maps
       • VDS
         • Liberty
       • COFDM
         • The how and why of COFDM (How to view a PDF file)
5. MVBC at the CRTC hearing for the licence application

   Find out what Multivan Broadcast Corporation (MVBC) and others said at a CRTC public hearing for the licence application:

   1. View what MVBC said about its application:
      1. For the MVBC presentation, go to http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/transcripts/2001/tb1015.htm, scroll down, and start reading at item number: 1430.
      2. For answers by MVBC to questions from the CRTC, go to http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/transcripts/2001/tb1016.htm, and start reading at item number:1505 or 1506
   2. For more context or details, you might note that transcripts are available for each day of the CRTC hearing from October 15, 2001 through October 18, 2001.
6. Your job application

   Prepare your application:

   1. Update your resume.

      Perhaps also include your electronic contact information (your name, your area code and telephone number, and your e-mail address) printed in bold in the top, bottom, left, and right margins of your resume.

   2. Make or update your demo reel or demo tape.
   3. Make or update your business cards (or calling cards).
      1. Include on your business card perhaps at least: your name, your (desired) occupation, your e-mail address, and your Web site address, if you have a Web site.
      2. If you do not have an e-mail address yet, you might get one for free now via MyThanks.
      3. Perhaps provide at least two copies of your business card - one with your resume and one with your application letter.
      4. Bring some of your business cards to the interview, if appropriate.
   4. Using your research (for example, from the Web pages mentioned here), write an appropriate application letter.
      1. You might want to begin with a congratulatory sentence indicating something like:

         "Congratulations on your new broadcast licence!"

      2. Then transition towards your job-application section. For example, you might write something like:

         "Making - and running - an outstanding, inclusive multicultural, multilingual television station is an exciting challenge.

         "And I share your excitement.

         "In fact, I can already see how my excitement and experience help Channel M."

      3. Explain how hiring specifically you benefits the station uniquely:

         Don't (just) write about your "features" from your viewpoint; for example, perhaps don't just write "I volunteered as a camera operator".

         Instead, translate those features into benefits for the television station from the station's viewpoint; for example, "My language abilities and camera operator background combine. The resulting synergy helps Channel M pull great footage from deep within diverse communities".

      4. Write as though you are already hired:

         For example, don't (just) wishfully write: "If you hire me, I expect to work hard."

         Instead, for example, perhaps write: "As a Channel M floor director, I enjoy efficiently blending attention to detail with strong interpersonal skills. Why? The answer is simple. Talent, viewers, and my colleagues all benefit when I hit my mark reliably at Channel M."

      5. Keep your sentences short, in general.

         Each sentence might, in general, contain only 6 to 16 words, for example.

         If necessary, break a long sentence into two separate sentences.

      6. Use active voice instead of passive voice.

         For example, perhaps don't write:

         "Many communities are touched by Channel M."

         Instead, perhaps write:

         "Channel M touches many communities".

      7. Use vivid verbs and imagery appropriately.

         For example, perhaps don't (just) write:

         "I talk in several languages."

         Instead, perhaps write:

         "As a multilingual specialist, I bridge people - and ideas - at Channel M."

      8. Ask for an interview.

         For example, you might write:

         "I look forward to meeting a Channel M associate to discuss the exciting possibilities in person."

      9. If appropriate, indicate that you will call. For example, you might write:

         "I plan to contact you shortly to arrange a mutually convenient meeting time."

      10. Close/Conclude the letter appreciatively perhaps with a reference to a phrase near the beginning of the letter. For example, you might write:

          "Once again, congratulations! I share your excitement and look forward to meeting with you and your associates."

   5. Put together a copy of your application package, including your application letter, at least 2 copies of your business card, your resume, and, if appropriate, a copy of your demo reel/tape in an appropriate format.
   6. Review some of the basic information and names of people associated with Channel M. Then, if you see or happen to meet some of the people at Channel M, you might more comfortably chat or ask questions knowledgeably.

      If appropriate, print out or write some of the key information onto small notes/cards that you can conveniently carry.

   7. If you can conveniently deliver your application package to Channel M:
      1. Dress professionally (perhaps with business office clothes, not casual clothes) and deliver your application package to Channel M in person.
      2. Bring several of your business cards in your wallet, handbag, or pocket - separate from the application package. Be prepared to give away your business card, where appropriate.
      3. In general, be polite and professional with everyone whom you meet at Channel M when you are delivering your application package.

         For example, some job applicants might assume that a receptionist at a potential employer might not be involved in the hiring process. In some situations, that assumption might be completely wrong.

   8. If you cannot deliver your application package in person, you might mail or courier it appropriately.
   9. If appropriate and/or if you are applying for a job that is not posted, then perhaps two or three working days after your application package arrives at Channel M, telephone (or perhaps e-mail, if appropriate) to set up a meeting/interview time.
   10. Prepare for an interview. Review possible interview questions that Channel M might ask you - and prepare appropriate questions that you will ask Channel M.
   11. Bring extra copies of your business cards, application letter, and resume (and, if appropriate, notes from your research and/or printouts) - with good interpersonal communication skills - to the interview/meeting. Arrive a little early at the interview/meeting.

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At the time of writing, Barry G. Wong and the Equinet Broadcasting Network do not purport to represent any parties mentioned in this communication other than Barry G. Wong and the Equinet Broadcasting Network.

This page was updated on August 27, 2004.

Copyright © 1998-2004 by Barry G. Wong. All rights reserved.