Janet Mbugua reveals how she landed a media job, offers 5 tips

Want to get into media? Well, celebrated Citizen TV news anchor, Janet Mbugua, has got several tips to help you land that coveted media job.

Having worked in Kenya and South Africa’s news industries, the successful media practitioner shared the wisdom that she has garnered over the years.

First, you should consider doing an audition tape.

Recording this clip helped her make her debut on the screen: “I already had a packaged screen test; I sent it to the media house and luckily I was able to land my first job as a travel show host.”

When making your tape, the Monday Special host advises you to pay keen attention to your appearance. Select your outfit wisely, get your hair done and ensure that you are presentable.

“I was ready to serve tea to get the job”

If you are planning to start off your career as a prime time news anchor, you should rethink your career map and consider starting from the bottom.

Why, you ask? Well, the seasoned news presenter reveals that blood sweat and tears goes into getting that coveted prime time slot.

“The problem is walking into a media house and saying I am ready to read prime time news. It doesn’t work way; none of us who are on prime time news started that way. We worked really hard.”

Janet reveals that when she was launching her TV career, she was willing to start from the bottom-even if it meant serving tea.

“When I was taking my audition tape to KTN, I was ready to start by serving tea; and I really meant that. I told them that I was willing to do anything to get my foot in…Once you are in, you are able to work your way up,” revealed the new mother.

And when you do finally get your tape and application ready, cast your net as widely as possible, Janet advises.

“Be ready to tarmac! People, seriously don’t expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter! Don’t just hand in your CV to one media house…hand it in to 10 media houses,” advised Mbugua.

You can get the rest of the tips and subscribe to her YouTube channel here: