What Do Editors Expect?
Large photo/artwork caption
•Executive Director, Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism•Editor, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader•Executive Editor, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.•Managing Editor, News & Record, Greensboro, N.C.•Business Editor, The Philadelphia Inquirer
AustinLinda
mug
ExperienceTechnical skillsSoft skillsPersonal brand
From Clark Kent to…
ResumeCover letterWork samplesNetworkingInterview
And then, how do you get the job?
InternshipsJobsPage.comhttp://freedomforumdiversity.org/chips-quinn/https://www.newsfund.org/ASNE.org (Job Resources)Campus media
Experience
Report/editWriteMultimedia skills/WPForeign language, multicultural skillsSocial media skillsComputer-assisted reportingSearch-engine optimization
Technical skills
InitiativeJudgmentTeamworkCuriosityWillingness + ability to learnEnthusiasmFlexibility
Soft skills
IdentifiableSpecific promise of valueConsistent
Brand
Copious Notes blogTwitterFacebookLinkedInPersonal website
Personal brand: Rich Copley
Personal brand
Personal brand: www.richcopley.com
Personal brand
http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2009/journalists-must-build-a-personal-brand-10-tips/
www.knowem.comSamples of your best work should be linked.Your real work experience should be easy to find and scan quickly.Webinar: March 5; sign up: http://bit.ly/bizjtraining
Personal brand
Personal brand: www.laurenmichell.com
A mentor can be your editor, your
editor’s editor or a non-supervisor
who shows interest.
Breaking In
“No one-trick ponies need apply!"
Julie Engebrecht, Content Director,
Cincinnati Enquirer
ResumeCover letterWork samplesNetworkingInterview
And then, how do you get the job?
Name, address, phone, e-mail (not FoxyLady42@...)Objective – if not apparentLead with most impressive – education or experienceGo beyond job titles – countOne page – no errors
Resumes – who, what, when, where?
Regard it as a marketing brochureDo not repeat what’s in the resumeSell yourself
Cover letter – the why
1. I am a junior at Smarty Pants U, majoring in journalism…
Bland
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
2. I am currently looking for a summer internship in the print journalism industry and would like to be considered for such a position at your newspaper.
Wordy
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
3. Each day, Barb Shook carried an armful of shirts into the dry cleaner, where I was working the counter to pay for my journalism studies. Finally, I had to ask
Tell a story
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
4. In two summer internships, I have written more than 100 stories on everything from a murder-suicide to a tractor pull.
Experience
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
4. As editor of my campus newspaper, I hold the record for…
Experience
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5. My experience at school and in a prior internship, as well as my knowledge of the area, make me a strong candidate for your job.
Direct approach
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
6. It’s been said you’re only as good as your last story. Let me tell you what that was for me.
Twist
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
7. There are few guarantees in life. I am one. Hire me, and you will not be disappointed.
Confident
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8. All the hours I spent in journalism class didn’t teach me as much about reporting as the summer I spent driving a cab.
Autobiographical, interesting
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
8. I’ve been preparing for this job since I became a journalist – in the second grade.
Autobiographical, interesting
Pick a cover-letter lede – Breaking In
No more than 10Show a rangeOnline versions okayDo not shrink the typeOr refer me to your website
Work samples – the how
Networking
http://businessjournalism.org/2010/02/25/networking-tips-for-better-business-stories-and-jobs/
Research the media outlet.Background your interviewer.3 STARs: Situation, Task, Action, ResultHave some questions.Thank you notes – one last marketing chance
Interview
@LindaAustin_
http://www.slideshare.net/BizJournalism/what-do-editors-expect
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