Joe Grimm's News Jobs Café: Ask the recruiter

How High Should I am Job Search?

Q: While I'm still a rookie, I believe I'm ready to officially begin my full-time sports reporting career. I am just not sure if I should shoot for the stars this early or just stick with the moon for now.

I feel like my leading hindrance is my non-journalism degree (BS dual major in business management/marketing). In addition to that, that I will not graduate for one more semester.

I chose the major because I had plans to work in public relations within the same sporting industry that I report. I started working in journalism to obtain well-rounded experience within the industry. Who knew I would love it this much?

I currently work for a non-sporting magazine. While my title is advertising coordinator, I have monthly writing responsibilities. I have been writing a column on the sport I am seeking for my journalism career for more than a year.

I've also been writing for a Web site on my chosen sport for the past seven months, with articles ranging from breaking news to commentary. I have been doing ledes and writethrus, profiles and much more. I've worked alongside several of my journalistic "heroes" in the media centers and feel like I have a clear understanding of how it all works.

Most all of my articles have appeared on a very popular Web site within the industry that compiles and posts links to the top stories and breaking news. While it seems a little strange to me still, I even get fan mail. There have been a couple of times when responders to articles disagreed with everything I said, but ended their email by telling me how much they still enjoyed reading it.

While I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to get my name out in the world as a writer, I would really like to start getting paid for it. Working full-time, going to school full-time and writing for the Web site is a lot less fun when you don't get paid to do it -- especially after this long.

My expenses are not covered either, so I'm getting dangerously close to the point of no longer being able to attend the events. I know I can still get some mediocre stories from watching them on TV and get my quotes from the team PR managers, but it's never the same.

I would hate to step backward in my progress right now, but if I don't make the leap of faith now, I fear I won't have a choice. Freelance writing (and being paid) would be nice, but I want something more stable than freelance so that I can leave my current day job and focus more heavily on my career.

Any tips you can give this somewhat of a rookie on how to approach prospective media outlets with my level of experience (and my potential) would be greatly appreciated.

Kathy

A: You're doing fine. With another full semester still to go, you are getting good experience that will serve you well. It is hard to temper ambition with patience, but you've got to learn to do it. Should you be shooting for the stars or the moon? At this stage, they're all in the same direction.

You should be working now to land a paid internship or starting job when you graduate. Freelancers can get paid for what they do too, of course, but a paycheck brings stability and an additional kind of credibility.

The money is important and will be even more important once you graduate, but gaining quality experience will matter even more. Apply to work where you will get real editing and where you can work with other professionals. They will be your next corps of teachers.

It sounds as though you are known to some of the other writers on the circuit for your sport. Ask them for their advice on next steps. Likely no two will tell you the same thing. And put out the word that you're looking for work -- or will be soon.

How to Find Small Dailies?

Q: I will graduate college in May, and am starting my paid internship/first job hunt in the coming weeks. The advice I seem to be getting from your column, as well as the journalism professors at my college, is to look for a smaller daily paper to work for, as the large metropolitan papers are tough for a fresh grad to break into. How do I FIND these smaller papers?

I have no preference as to WHERE I work, but Googling for and looking through every newspaper in the country seems like a dumb idea. I just don't know, besides the big names where everyone wants to work, what papers are worth bothering with. The journalism department at my school is tiny (only a few full-time faculty), and I've already asked them for advice. Any more tips?

Rachel

A: Several on-line directories that can help you.

One approach is to type "all newspapers" into a search engine and look to see what comes up. With a few clicks, you can be looking at all the newspapers within a given state -- with links to their Web sites. What most of these lists lack is the circulation size.

Circulation is measured by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, which keeps a list of the largest 200 at http://www.accessabc.com/reader/top150.htm. Within the Web site, you can look up circulation sizes state by state.

Newslink at http://newslink.org/minews.html will give you state lists, too, but separates the metros from the other dailies and the weeklies.

Another approach is to explore newspapers by company, figuring out which are the smaller newspapers in good companies by looking at corporate Web sites.

Not all good, smaller newspapers are owned by companies, of course, so you might also try state press associations, which will list their member papers and some details about them. Find them by going here: http://www.gebbieinc.com/presasns.htm

A more graphical approach is to go to the Newseum, www.newseum.org, and call up its list of 500 front pages from around the world.

With this approach -- cross-searching by state, company and front page -- you should find some small papers that are intriguing.

Note: "Ask the Recruiter" is moving to Poynter's new Career Center. The new home is here.

 

Turn down part-time job?

Q: Since I first wrote to you I have graduated from college with a b.a. in journalism and completed another summer internship where I got some excellent clips. Your advice helped me a great deal the first time around, so I though I'd write you again.

I am now seeking a job as an entry level reporter. The large metro daily where I had my first internship invited me in for an informational interview a few weeks ago. This paper has a well-known reputation for hiring recent grads and former interns. They seemed impressed with my clips, but I have been told more than once by the newspaper that they are not hiring any reporters right now. I was told to keep in touch. A week after the interview the paper called me with an offer to be a copy aide part time working the late night shift on weekends.

I understand being a copy aide is sometimes a good way to break in at some of the larger newspapers, but I'm not planning to stay in this area of the country for more than one or two years and I really need a position where I can get a lot of experience fast. When I was an intern at the paper it didn't seem like the copy aides did much more that just that, assist reporters with faxes and copies. I feel that I'd get better clips and more relative job experience writing for a smaller paper or even freelancing.

To complicate matters, I just found out that this newspaper has recently hired a new reporter, eventhough I was told they weren't hiring at all. I politely turned down the offer and said I needed to find something full-time. Did I just make a big mistake by turning down the jobs? I can't stop thinking about it and I hope I didn't burn my bridges.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice.

B.B.

A: You had a difficult choice to make. And you chose well.

Even if the paper had not turned right around and hired when it said it could not, even if it were not in an area that you plan to leave, even if it had not offered you a part-time job -- you chose well.

You have decided to become a journalist and are holding out to be one.

That is smart, though tough, in the face of a small offer from a big paper.

Stick to your guns.

I once had a new graduate turn me down for a copy aide job, saying she was going to report instead. I admired her courage, kept in touch and hired her later -- after she had a few years of reporting experience.

I like your intestinal fortitude.

Part-time job or internship?

Q: Hey, Joe, love to read your advice. Now that I need some myself, I knew who to come to. A lot has happened in the past year. I will summarize:

I'm involved in a one-year-long internship at a large daily (300,000 +) and will graduate in tandem with the end of the stint this December. I'd freelanced for the same paper for two years prior to the start of the internship, accumulating about 10 great clips -- all enterprise pieces. Under the same editor, I began the current internship in January and have amassed over 80 clips covering two municipalities while finishing up at the university. These beats have afforded me a wide range of clips: from features to hard news to profiles -- but not much breaking news (save for a handful of breaking online stories that I suggested be posted on our newspaper site, which were).

About a month ago, I began training for the city desk as a clerk. As a result of that, I now have a couple of breaking news clips and a few colorful obits under my belt. It's been a good experience. They even gave me one permanent weekday shift, knowing that I'm still taking classes full time.

The other day, I was offered a part-time job as the breaking news reporter for our Website in the morning hours five days a week. I accepted with no doubts, salivating at the prospects of the experience I know I'll gain. ... There was no talk of the fact that I'm still an intern. There was a comment about how I'm still in school and the editor wants that to be a priority, wants me to finish school asap.

So the bottom line is: other than my school newspaper, this is the one paper I have worked at my entire young career in journalism. And it is a great, famous paper. And I love where I live, I grew up here, my family is here. I know I need to keep doors open, but at this point, I see myself continuing to move up at this paper.

The question: this internship application season, do I send out résumés for next summer, or do I wage the bet on this gig and see where it will take me?

Things are looking good, I'm being noticed, my dreams are materializing. But I don't want to be a victim of tunnelvision ...

T.K.

A: You sound like you're thinking smart about all the variables -- and appreciating the good fortune you've had so far.

Making your next move does not need to be such a mystery.

Go to your editors, tell them you're thinking about plans after graduation and that you're planning to send out some internbship applications. Also tell them that you like the paper and would like to stay with it.

If they decide they want to keep you around, they'll grow your internship and part-time job into something more full-time and permanent. If not, you'll have those applications out with other newspapers. If you get a good offer, talk it over with your current editors. Don't just accept it without seeing where things stand. Handle things well and they will be happy to have you back someday.

I do like the way they're treating you and it is clear you appreciate what they've done for you so far. Make sure they hear that. But don't get stuck without a job.

Future editor?

Q: One of our daughters wishes to become an editor. She is in the 6th grade, homeschooled. The girl has read voraciously since she learned to read (I'm talking a Brian Jacques size novel every two days for years now) and I am wondering if she will need extensive grammar to be prepared for this or simply a solid working knowledge of the English language. She is a good writer for her age. Please advise.

Genny

A: I would be reluctant to push her into extensive grammer at this age. I feel pretty good that, with her love for reading, that will come.

Let her continue to do what she loves. Encourage her curiosity. Let her explore a wide range of interests. Show her how to be skeptical without being cyncial. Snd help her get used to working with a wide variety of people.

These skills are even more important to editors than a good grasp of grammar.

Journalism in Japan?

Q: I've got a problem. I've been living abroad in Japan for the last four years since 2002. And I haven't done anything journalism related since then.

I graduated from a fairly good school, did several internships and even had a job as a copy editor for a couple of months before I left for Japan. Now, after spending some time here as an English teacher and learning the Japanese language to an extent, I'd like to get back into journalism. More specifically, I'd like to do it here, in Japan with some of the English-language publications.

I'm determined to cold-call some editors and pitch them some stories/ask them for some assignments, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about that would be. My clips are limited and old and I haven't written anything for a long time. Of course I'm also trying to write as much as I can now for online publications and such, but in the meantime what should I do?

Jesse

A: Your English fluency may be one of your best assets.

Pitch story ideas. Editors are reluctant to give story assignments to unproven people, but will let them try to tackle stories that they think of themselves. Once they have had the chance to edit some of your work, they will have a better idea of how you operate. If you do well, you'll then get some assignments.

Fresh clips are much more important for people seeking full-time jobs than they are for people seeking freelance work.

Getting that first job?

Q: I'm worried and scared as hell. I didn't graduate from a good school and I'm dreaming of starting out with a daily as an intern reporter. Does having four or five daily internships make any difference?

Worried

A: Get a grip and get to work.

Not everyone who wants to get into journalism this year will get in, that is true.

But some people will get in -- ahead of seemingly more qualified candidates -- because they will be more willing to do what it takes to get started.

What does it take? It may take moving, starting at a smaller daily or compromising on the position you take.

Hard work, adaptability and the ability to grow on the job will count more than the prestige of your sheepskin.

So, dont be intimidated by others' degrees. Outwork them, outthink them and look outside of the boundaries they may place on their job search.

Apply to smaller newpsapers?

Q: I've got a twist to the traditional "how to break in to journalism" question.

For nearly two years I've worked full-time as a full-time undergrad student for a set of weekly papers. It has and still provides a great opportunity to build experience beyond the college newspaper experience and internship experience I have. But, after graduating in May, my heart is set on daily work and I don't see myself at the weeklies for much longer. I've got diverse clips from the job as well as that internship and college experience. I'm willing to relocate anywhere for the right job.

I've applied at 50,000 to 100,000 circulation papers. Is there a target circulation you'd recommend? Response to the first few weeks of applications has been nearly non-existent. Am I aiming too high too soon? Any thoughts on how to make this transition to daily?

Kelly

A: Your hunch is probably right. The dailies you're applying to likely want people from other dailies. I would try smaller newspapers.

But it might also be that the papers you're applying to simply have no openings at the moment.

It is difficult to test your chances with the market unless you apply to places that are actively hiring.

But you're on a good track. The experience you've gained will help you get off to a good start through your first couple of newspapers.

Can't get a job?

Q: I'm at my wits end. I recently graduated from college, hoping to pursue a career in journalism. This B.A. is my second, the first was in business. I interned at a local publication in Detroit (Third Street Publications), and got some great clips, or so I thought. The problem is I'm finding it extremely difficult to break into the journalism field. Everyone wants months, or even years of experience. All I have is an internship, and a year of writing for the college newspaper.  What I really want is to be a freelance writer, but finding employment in that area is even more difficult. What should I do? My fear is that I'll have to settle for a career in business, which is not what I want. I'm a writer. I also need a steady paycheck (student loans and all). I've exhausted all the job boards > to no avail. I've looked into broadcast writing, newswriting, magazines, etc. With both a communications and business degree, a passion for writing, and a brief professional experience what's the next step? And how can I break into the field of journalism?

Currently Unemployed

A: This sounds very frustrating!

In the pursuit of a full-time job, I'd pursue three strategies simultaneously:

If every place you apply to tells you that you need more experience, apply to the smaller places they hire from. Get into the pipelines.

Don't get discouraged if places that don't have any immediate openings show you no interest.

Apply for business reporting positions. The demand is greater.

Newspaper job with no internships?

Q: Thank you for providing this service. It is very generous of you. Here is my situation.

I am about a week and a half away from graduating from Cal State Northridge with an. M.A. in Middle Eastern history. I started the program two years ago, without really knowing what I wanted to do. Basically, I started it because I was lost, to be honest, after completing a B.A. in poli sci. It turned out, however, that I loved what I was studying and gained a great deal from it.

I had always liked journalists and admired their profession, but about a year and a half ago, it finally dawned on me that what I wanted was a career in journalism. So I found the college daily and became a contributor. The next semester, I was a staff writer and the wire editor, and this semester I am the opinion editor. I love the field and want to make a lifetime career of it. I have never taken a class in journalism, but I have learned a lot from working every day on the college paper.

Now that I am about to graduate, I have been looking for a way to break into the profession. Because I was always extremely preoccupied with my heavy academic load, I was never able to do an internship while in school. I always managed to miss the deadlines to apply for summer internships, because I was running around trying to write stories while managing my graduate level academic workload. I know this is no excuse and I regret it, but there's nothing I can do about it now.

I started applying to newspapers a few weeks ago and haven't had much response. I am wondering what the best way is to inquire as to whether a paper is hiring and to show interest and persistance without becoming a pest. Unfortunately, I am stuck in Southern Califrornia for at least a couple of years, because my fiancee is working on an MBA. I wouldn't mind this, except that I keep hearing that Southern California is very competitive, making finding a job difficult. Given my particular education and experience, what kinds of papers do you recommend I target, and again, how do I approach them initially? How do I pitch myself to them without appearing too pushy?

Bethania

A: You do have some challenges.

Lots of people would love to work in your area and you do not have any full-time professional experience. The lack of experience is a greater detriment than the lack of a journalism degree, so I would work on getting some experience. Apply for jobs or free-lance opportunities at the smallest papers you can get to, try to get on board and work your way up.

Please, don't worry about being too pushy. It won't lose you any opportunities and might gain your some.