WCBS news director talks resumes

WCBS2 News Director David Friend spoke to University communications students on Monday night from the NewsHub in Dempster Hall about applying for broadcast positions in the workforce.

"You've got to be determined, you've got to work hard and not for a lot of money," said Friend, whose television news career spans three decades. Friend played examples of audition tapes and discussed them with students, explaining what he looks for in a potential employee.

"You have to paint pictures with your words. You can't assume an audience will absorb all that stuff without explaining it," said Friend, after showing a news report. "The resume tape has to tell a story about you."

Friend also said education and experience, especially in the New York area, were things he looked for in an employee.

Writing is another important quality, said Friend. "I'm intrigued by great writers." One way to become a better writer, he advised, is to "find a reporter on television and copy that person's writing style."

Friend used many anecdotes from his time in the broadcast industry to illustrate his points. "No one should tell you there is one way to do it," he said. Friend had joined cable business channel CNBC when cable news was just beginning. "No one understood what it was," he said, "no one had done this kind of television, for hours and hours a day."

Friend's CNBC documentary, "The Age of Wal-Mart" went on to win a Peabody Award.

The event was co-sponsored by the University chapter of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, or RTNDA, and assistant dean of the School of Communication, Susan Murphy. RTNDA President Lydia Pleiman introduced the speaker, and said the event would get students more aware of RTNDA's presence.

"Most seniors don't know how important networking is," said Pleiman, a junior broadcast journalism major. "These broadcast videos will give you an idea of what you need for your resume."

About 40 students filled the NewsHub for the event. For some students, like junior broadcast journalism major Valentina Steen, it was an opportunity to ask Friend directly, "What do you look for in interns?" Friend replied: "Be smart, be informed, ask questions."

"He gave it to us straight," said Steen. "Now I know what to expect."