After speaking and ending the call with the hiring manager I thought myself this is not the company or even the industry I would want to work for or invest my time with applying again. This is not the first time meeting with or having discussions from employees that were unprofessional or downright just seemed miserable within this exact company, I don't know what it is with Sinclair but they have some type of ego where they think that a million of people are flocking to the News Industry or where you don't constantly see their job postings being reposted over and over, day after day, and week after week. Sometimes even deleted and reposted again because they can't find the unicorn on air candidates they are looking for, especially for the pay. It wasn't just about the personality of the person I spoke with, but the waste of time. I value my time and others so calling me about a position you don't think I'm a fit for is a waste of my time. I think the initial phone call was to talk about how the company has great growth opportunities within the company which is a lie after the phone call progresses. The person then went on to tell me that my reel was not worthy of being sent to on-air talent and would I accept a producer position and work my way up to be on air. I told him since my experience aligned more with production and if it gets me the opportunity or where I need to be, then I don't mind. It's actually not rare to see individuals start off as producers then on air talent, like some think it's impossible but it's not or unheard off. He went on to say one producer loved what the MMJ does and went on the do on air after production. I replied great! then he went on to say nothing is promised, and he had other employees wanting to do the same but couldn't due to a better new candidate that applied for the position. Now after this comment made me realize this is probably not the company or station I would invest moving to or put my time in, the way he talked about other employees at his station told me all I needed to know, he attempts to say to the ones who wanted to progress to on air and couldn't, "IT'S LIFE GET OVER IT", with a laugh. I didn't chuckle as I thought it wasn't funny and wow, this is how an employer expresses his opinions on others and how he thinks, if he's like this on a phone screen, I bet it's worse at the station. I'm glad I dodged that bullet, and declined his proposition. Although he said he wasn't discouraging, he was. I think there was a shortage for about every role in that newsroom so he desperately needed producers, but I don't see why it's so hard for a producer to move into an entry level low paying role that consist of every element of editing, production, finding stories, and reporting, something that producers would have top notch skills in. The role is still being reposted and that's laughable with only 1-2 applicants that have applied, that says a lot. What had caught my attention with the posting is that it was entry level but the right candidate would be given training. I let the Director know based on things that were said that it was no growth, opportunity within this station or company and I wouldn't even invest my time applying for any job at that News station or within Sinclair.
