If you’ve spent any time scrolling LinkedIn lately (or read my blog posts), you’ve probably seen the headlines.
Ownership changes.
Consolidation.
Budget cuts.
Hiring freezes.
Restructuring.
Additional responsibilities piled onto already overloaded teams.
It’s enough to make even the most accomplished television professional wonder what’s next.
Let’s start with some good news.
Despite all the noise, local television is still hiring.
Stations still need strong leaders.
Sales departments still need revenue generators.
Newsrooms still need talented journalists.
Digital teams continue to expand.
And ownership groups still compete fiercely for executives who can deliver results.
The reality is that today’s job market isn’t necessarily worse than previous cycles—it’s simply different.
The days of posting a resume online and waiting for three recruiters to call are largely gone. Today’s market rewards candidates who are proactive, visible, connected, and strategic.
At Carver Talent, we speak with television professionals every day. Some are actively looking. Others are simply keeping an eye on the landscape. Regardless of where you fall, there are several things you can do right now to improve your career prospects.
1. Update Your LinkedIn Profile Today
Not next week.
Not next month.
Today.
ADD YOUR RECENT CONTACT INFO>>>TODAY!
Include an updated email address in your contact info. Add your cell number if you really want to be reached.
Many television professionals spend hours perfecting resumes they never share and only minutes updating the profile recruiters actually see.
Ask yourself:
- Does your headline clearly communicate what you do?
- Does your profile highlight measurable accomplishments?
- Have you included current responsibilities?
- Is your profile photo professional?
If a recruiter or hiring manager looked you up today, would your profile tell the story you want told?
2. Focus on Results, Not Responsibilities
Every television executive has responsibilities.
Hiring managers want results.
Instead of saying:
“Managed a sales team.”
Try:
“Led a sales team that increased core revenue by 18% year-over-year.”
Instead of:
“Oversaw newsroom operations.”
Try:
“Managed newsroom operations while improving ratings growth across key demos.”
Numbers get attention.
Results create interviews.
3. Expand Your Network Before You Need It
One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is waiting until they’re unemployed to start networking.
The best networking happens when you don’t need anything. Yes, read that again.
Reach out to former colleagues.
Attend industry events.
Reconnect with old managers.
Schedule a coffee meeting.
Reach out to Carver Talent. (#ShamelessPlug)
Send a quick note.
Strong careers are often built on relationships developed years before opportunities appear.
4. Be Open to Geographic Flexibility
The perfect opportunity may not be in your current market.
The television industry has always rewarded mobility.
Many of today’s General Managers, News Directors, General Sales Managers, and Digital leaders advanced their careers by relocating once—or several times.
Sometimes the next step isn’t next door.
It’s a plane ride away.
5. Learn Something New Every Quarter
The industry’s evolution isn’t slowing down.
Digital revenue.
Streaming.
AI tools.
Audience analytics.
Content monetization.
Sales enablement technology.
Candidates who continually develop new skills often separate themselves from equally experienced competitors.
Experience matters.
Adaptability matters too.
6. Don’t Let Fear Drive Career Decisions
Uncertainty creates anxiety.
Anxiety creates bad decisions.
We’ve seen talented professionals stay in roles they outgrew years ago simply because they were afraid to explore alternatives.
You don’t have to accept every opportunity.
But you should understand what’s available.
Information creates options.
Options create leverage.
Leverage creates career freedom.
7. Build Relationships with Recruiters
A good recruiter isn’t just someone who calls when a job opens.
The best recruiters become long-term career resources.
They understand compensation trends.
Market conditions.
Ownership changes.
Emerging opportunities.
Career positioning.
And sometimes the most valuable conversation is the one that doesn’t lead to a job today.
At Carver Talent, many of our strongest candidate relationships started years before a placement ever occurred.
8. Keep Your Resume Ready
Even if you’re perfectly happy.
Especially if you’re perfectly happy.
Opportunities rarely arrive with advance notice.
The executive who updates their resume annually is far better positioned than the executive scrambling to recreate ten years of accomplishments overnight.
Future-you will be grateful.
9. Consider the Long Game
Not every career move is about immediate compensation.
Sometimes a lateral move creates greater visibility.
Sometimes a smaller market creates larger responsibility.
Sometimes a slight step back creates a much larger step forward later.
The best career moves often resemble chess, not checkers.
Think two or three moves ahead.
10. Stay Positive and Stay Visible
The television industry is changing.
That doesn’t mean it’s disappearing.
Every week, stations hire leaders.
Every week, companies promote talent.
Every week, executives find opportunities they didn’t know existed.
The professionals who succeed during uncertain times are rarely the ones who panic.
They’re the ones who stay engaged, continue learning, build relationships, and remain visible.
Final Thoughts
Yes, today’s local television job market can be challenging.
But challenging doesn’t mean impossible.
There are opportunities available for professionals who position themselves correctly and stay proactive.
Whether you’re actively searching, quietly exploring, or simply preparing for whatever comes next, now is the time to invest in your professional brand.
Your next opportunity may already be out there.
The question is whether you’ll be ready when it finds you.
About Carver Talent
Carver Talent specializes in recruiting television, digital media, and broadcast leadership professionals nationwide. Our services are always free for candidates and completely confidential. Whether you’re actively looking or simply want to discuss the state of the industry, we’re always happy to network and help professionals navigate their next career move.
Ty Carver has over 30+ years of recruiting, HR management, sales, and leadership experience…including the last 15 specific to the broadcast media industry. He is the Founder/CEO of Carver Talent, a local broadcast media management recruiting firm. As the former Head of Recruiting for Raycom Media, he has deep industry relationships. Have a media corporate executive/management or television station management recruiting need? Contact ty@carvertalent.com for more information.