The New England Job Show

April 15, 2009 9:59 AM

A public television program about finding jobs. This isn't the expected roundtable of flabby retraining advice from consultants pimping their own firms. It's 30-second elevator pitches and happy landings. Read a news article about it. (via The Mediavore.)
posted by Mo Nickels (3 comments total)

"The New England Job Show," a new public cable access production, allows hungry job seekers to record 30-second commercials in a studio at a middle school in Chelmsford, near the New Hampshire state line. Volunteers - all also unemployed - then put the commercials into a half-hour episode that includes discussions on dressing professionally, personal finances and health care options.

It's an interesting idea. But how many people watch public access television? A few do, sure (I remember when I was in high school being recognized by folks I didn't know who'd seen me on televised scholars' bowl matches), but I doubt there are a lot of potential employers who'd be watching.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:47 AM on April 15, 2009

A little exposure in a professional context is better than none. And, speaking as someone who works at a major university career center, the mere act of delivering the elevator pitch (not to mention putting it on video) is good practice for the job seeker. We conduct videotaped mock interviews in our department for just this purpose, then review the taped interview with the subject and give them a copy of the mock interview on CD. Presumably the NEJS subjects also get their own copy, which they can redistribute and/or use for review and further refinement on their own.

This is an interesting idea.
posted by yiftach at 1:23 PM on April 15, 2009

these videos are too overqualified. i don't think that they would like me watching them.
posted by the aloha at 1:32 PM on April 15, 2009