Move to features editing now?

Q: I work on a news copy desk and hope to move to a new paper in a year or two. When I move, I would like to get on with a features copy desk. A spot on my paper's features copy desk is about to open.

Would working on it improve my chances of getting a features job when I decide to move? I have the wide range of cultural knowledge necessary to work on a features desk, so would further news desk experience help more?

Richard

A: Taking that position on the features desk could be an excellent step in your transition to a features-editing job at another paper. When editors are hiring, their confidence level typically goes up as the list of changes the new hire will have to make goes down.

Moving to a new paper in a new town on a different kind of desk would be three switches. You’ll be cutting that down to two and will have clips that are more germane to the kind of work you’re looking to do. While diversity in experience is beneficial, it can hold you back when you’re looking to make a job change.