Obviously you need a certain skill set to get any type of job. It’s why you spend a ton of money on school, work hard to establish yourself in the business, keep up with your contacts, and the like. That’s one side of the coin. The other side is – you’d be surprised what kind of jobs you can get, even if you think you’re not experienced enough.

Sometimes, I’m still surprised that I managed to get work in a top five market, coming directly from a pretty small station! When I first started thinking about making the jump, I doubted if it could ever happen. In fact, I interviewed in surrounding cities (that were smaller) just to hedge my bets. The “big city” job I ended up getting was a freelance job and not on staff. Also a lot of it had to do with my contacts, but I still made that jump – in large part only because I dared to try.

Even as an intern I was able to take on a considerable amount of responsibility (due in part to the fact that I interned at a small, local station). I would go out and conduct interviews with my own photographer, and the interviewees often asked for my business card – assuming I was the actual reporter!

Just recently I got a gig writing for a publication that covers on-line gaming – things like World of Warcraft, Second Life. I’d never once ventured onto a site like these, but I was enthusiastic and willing to participate – and document my journey as a “newbie.”

I tell all of these stories to say, often when you think it’ll never work out for you, it will! But at the same time, you can’t expect to apply for once such job and magically get it. It’s true, there are a number of positions I’ve applied for when, according the company’s requirements, I’ve been rather underqualified – and still at least gotten the interview. But for every one interview I’ve gotten, I’ve probably sent out a couple dozen resumes. Those are the times when I probably was truly underqualified for that job.

Basically, you shouldn’t let a job description or qualification requirement put you off. But at the same time, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, and you shouldn’t count on getting that job. Consider it a bonus if you do!

*alexis (www.10thfloorpr.com)