Joe Grimm's News Jobs Café: Ask the recruiter

What Kind of Ownership is Best?

Q: I am a recent graduate with internship experience. I just received a job at a small family owned newspaper. I really want to move up to a larger newspaper after I work here for a couple of years.

Does the fact that the newspaper is family owned make a difference to recruiters at 100,000 circulation size newspapers when considering candidates that they will hire? Would I have a better chance at getting a job if I worked for a smaller paper owned by say the McClatchy company?

Hilary

A: Ownership does not make the difference. Quality does.

There are some excellent newspapers owned by families and some excellent ones owned by large corporations. And, as we have seen lately with the breakup of Knight Ridder, the nature of ownership can change in a wink. Some of those newspapers are still part of McClatchy, while about a dozen went off in different directions, to ther companies or to private ownership. The ones that went private seem to have suffered most, but in the process, McClatchy sold its largest paper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. We don't yet know what changes that will bring.

Focus on doing the best work you can with the best people you find at the best paper that will hire you.

Applying for a Job In-House?

Q: Recently, a new job opening came open in my department for a position that -- on first glance -- seemed intriguing. It was new and a chance to get in the ground floor of something. So, I did the internal application and prepared for my interview.

When I got there, I knew it wasn't for me. The pay was low, the office didn't have the energy I wanted and the job wasn't quite what I expected. A short bit after that interview, another position opened up in my department, one that I'm again interested in.

My question is this: How do I approach my boss again to sign another internal application? I like my current job, I'm just not sure I'm going to grow anymore in it. The hours are horrible, but I learned to deal with that a long time ago. I just believe this may be a good way to grow as a journalist.

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

Internal Candidates

A: Applying for internal opportunities reminds our editors about us and our interests. It can get us into interviews where we talk about big issues like mission and vision. But applying too frequently can make us look dissatisfied and directionless. It can even hurt our credibility. You don't want editors saying, "Well, of course he applied. He applies for everything."

Before you apply for a new job, think about where you're going. What kind of job will this new job lead to? Does it take you in the direction you want? If it does, do your homework. Talk to people about the work, the wages, the hours, the benefits and the burdens.

In many cases, you can ask questions about a position without making a formal application. Be crystal clear. Some editors will confuse an expression of curiosity with one of genuine interest. Tell them you're not applying, but have some questions. If the answers add up, then you can apply.

On this job, sound out your boss and other workers on what the job is like. No surprises this time. If it sounds good, then explore the subject of what your chances would be for getting it. If it looks good, go for it. And good luck. If you don't get it, you should wait a while before I tried a third.