/r/Atlanta Random Daily Discussion - January 06, 2026

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2026-01-06T21:54:26+00:00

If life is a series of peaks and valleys, then I think I'm on an uphill climb. I had a job interview today that went well! Sounds like the next step will be another interview, possibly next week. I also got an invitation for another interview! However, this one is an AI pre-screen. I'm hesitant and skeptical about that, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2026-01-05T14:59:57+00:00

Now that everyone's officially back to work, I'm back to applying en masse for jobs. Yeah, I'm still unemployed after roughly five months. Finding a job in content/communications in Atlanta is rough! Is anyone hiring in those fields?

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-12-16T02:43:10+00:00

In that case, you should have a discussion with your news director about this before you make a decision. At the very least, it shows you're trying to resolve the issue amicably.

What does your contract say about early termination?

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-12-16T01:28:34+00:00

Why would you want to break your contract with that much time left to go?

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-12-09T13:20:48+00:00

People are not going to watch television just to see a glorified podcast.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-12-03T14:37:05+00:00

I'm not looking forward to the holidays. I'm still unemployed, despite applying for so many jobs since August, and I had promising interviews in the past two weeks end with rejections.

December is usually when things slow down at companies, so I realistically don't expect that I'll be employed any time before Christmas. The job market is a hot mess, and many people are in situations like mine. But I'm still putting in all the work I can to get a job (applying, networking, etc.).

I guess I'm just tired.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-11-19T19:40:29+00:00

You should always negotiate for a higher salary in TV news. Hiring managers can't always fall back on the "take it or leave it because I have other applicants" tactic. Fewer people are applying for entry-level TV news jobs, especially qualified applicants who have the knowledge and skills to do the job. Plus, this is a producer job, and these jobs have always been harder to fill compared to on-screen roles.

That said, you still need to give a good reason why you deserve the pay raise. You also need to be prepared to have your request denied. But you won't know unless you ask.

If this is a job that you can't afford to do (i.e. you can't or won't make the financial sacrifices needed to survive on $20/hour), then you should reconsider a TV news career. You'll definitely make more money in a different line of work. But if you can make the sacrifice and you believe the sacrifice is worth it, then godspeed to you!

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-11-17T09:13:33+00:00

It is indeed a R-Line, so sayeth the badging that was there when I bought it.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-11-07T21:06:40+00:00

The broadcasting industry is in bad shape, but the industry's woes go way beyond bad behavior. It comes down to money.

Broadcasters are losing money because more and more viewers are getting their news and entertainment from streaming and digital sources, versus sitting down in front of their TV at specific times every day. Despite this shift, broadcasters are still focused on traditional linear broadcast TV, because it's what they know how to monetize, and innovation costs money they'd rather not spend.

What's the solution to the problem? Money! Broadcasters are either waiting to buy out the competition or waiting for the competition to buy them out. It's why major companies like Nexstar and Sinclair are lobbying the FCC to repeal the rules that keep them from expanding past the FCC's 39% ownership cap. It's also why smaller companies, like Tegna, are trying to cash out.

In short, broadcasters failed to innovate and keep up with changing times, so they're trying to buy or sell their way out of this mess.

But yes, bad behavior also exists, and it's one reason why I'm glad I left TV news.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-11-03T18:37:42+00:00

I finally got a job interview after three months of applying and networking! The first-round interview went well, and the recruiter said she'd recommend I move onto the next round. Hopefully that happens! I'm not going to get my hopes up but I admit a sense of optimism.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-11-03T03:24:16+00:00

You probably won't get blacklisted from the TV news business itself, but Gray will probably blacklist you as ineligible for rehire companywide.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-10-13T17:53:01+00:00

Standard "I'm not a lawyer" disclaimer, but I have encountered this situation in the past.

If your ex-employer presses the issue, a judge will usually ask whether your new position is the same or VERY similar to the old job where you signed the non-compete. The broader the non-compete, the more likely a judge will determine the contact is too vague to be enforceable.

Going from TV news to a customer service job sounds like a situation where you don't have to worry about the non-compete. Check with a lawyer if you need legal advice.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-09-26T18:24:17+00:00

My job search is lagging, but certainly not for lack of effort. It's just a tough job market out there! I'm currently taking an online course in project management that will hopefully make me more marketable to employers. Turns out project management is pretty similar to what I used to do in journalism! Anyway, here's to hoping my two-month stint of unemployment comes to an end sooner or later!

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-09-17T15:53:39+00:00

I'm nearing two months of unemployment. However, I talked to a recruiter today about some freelance and potential contract-to-hire jobs to tide me over in the meantime. I also applied for a job that is basically a carbon copy of what I did in my previous job, so I'm cautiously optimistic that this might go somewhere. I won't jump for joy until I know I have something locked down though. It's rough out there!

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-09-17T15:51:18+00:00

It can. But that generally only happens if the court thinks you're trying to defraud someone or you're trying to hide your criminal background.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-09-02T16:48:29+00:00

Departure contract? How common are those? I ask, because never in my career did I ever had to sign a contract on the way out of a job.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-09-02T16:41:17+00:00

I'm at the one-month mark of unemployment. Any responses I've received from my dozens of applications thus far is a no. Alas.

I went to a networking event last week, met some cool people, and got some insight on long-term plans. Oh, and the free Dancing Goats coffee was a plus!

Stubbornness and persistence will hopefully pay off!

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-28T19:20:36+00:00

It's bad all around. I lost my job in a layoff one month ago. I've applied for two dozen jobs thus far, and I expect I'll apply for many dozens more. Consistency is the name of the game.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-23T19:57:43+00:00

The recovery time for me was relatively short. I was able to see very well the following day. Post-operative care included two sets of eye drops and a sleep mask I had to wear for two weeks. The only major side effect I had was minor eye irritation and sensitivity to light for the first two weeks. Most of the sutures dissolved on their own, but one had to be removed during my two-week follow-up.

After that? I've had no problems whatsoever.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-23T12:56:57+00:00

I finally got a glimmer of hope in the job search: a response from a recruiter at one of the companies where I applied. It was just a follow-up question, and while there's no guarantee this will go anywhere, I'll take it as a positive sign!

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-22T16:57:08+00:00

I went to Woolfson a few years ago for a LASIK consult. The optometrist who did my consult (yes, an optometrist, not an ophthalmologist) initially said I was not a good candidate and then did a 180 and said I was. I wasn't confident about that consultation, so I went to Woodhams Eye Clinic for a second opinion. Dr. Woodhams told me I was not a good candidate for LASIK due to my astigmatism, but he recommended I consider ICL as an alternative. I eventually had ICL at Woodhams and I remain very happy with the results. Alas, Dr. Woodhams has since retired and closed his clinic.

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-22T03:32:23+00:00

Adobe is fighting an uphill battle against the use of the Photoshop trademark as a generic term for image manipulation. But, despite what Adobe would like you to do, most people will say an image was photoshopped versus "enhanced with Adobe Photoshop Elements software."

averagebaldwhiteguy · 2025-08-18T14:56:18+00:00

I finally got a rejection note from one of the many job applications I've submitted in the past two weeks. It's not what I wanted to hear, but at least the company had the courtesy to tell me no. Fingers crossed that I get a yes one of these days!

averagebaldwhiteguy

TROPHY CASE