| Tips on finding your first newspaper job or internship
Published: October 07, 2000
Last Updated: May 01, 2003
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Getting a
newspaper job is a challenge. There is competition for openings in every newsroom.
Yet, editors are eager to hear from applicants who have a solid education
and who demonstrate the talents and skills of journalism. Your chances of
landing an internship or your first full-time job are enhanced if you prepare
carefully. Here are some things to consider as you plan your search for a
newspaper job.
Evaluate yourself
Go over your background to
identify experiences that may strengthen your application. Travel, educational
specialties, work as a volunteer and knowledge of languages or different cultures
are learning experiences that can contribute to preparation for journalism. Be
candid about your strengths and weaknesses. An editor may ask you to talk about
them. Take a measure of your passion for newspaper work.
Know what you want
Interview yourself about what you expect from your first job.
What kind of newspaper work interests you? Is location or geography important
– small town or metro area? Where do you want to be five years from now? What
path do you want your career to follow: reporting, editing, photography, design/graphics,
management? Are you willing to travel?
Understand the market
Smaller newspapers offer broader opportunities for beginning reporters. Larger
newspapers typically are more interested in entry-level candidates with many internship
experiences or specialty reporting skills. Young reporters often can benefit from
the personal attention and close community contacts gained at smaller newspapers.
ASNE offers additional insights on career opportunities at small newspapers in
a free pamphlet, @
Small Newspapers.
Read, read, read
Being well-read is a characteristic of a good journalist. In addition to the local
newspaper, the campus newspaper and your hometown paper, develop the habit of
reading news magazines, national newspapers, books on the press and trade magazines
such as Quill, The American Editor,
American Journalism Review, Columbia Journalism Review and Editor & Publisher.
Know the newspaper
Before you apply, spend time with the newspaper. You might find copies in your
college or journalism school library. You can get a one-month subscription by
mail. Read the paper, then study it. Does it reflect the community? Is it well
organized? Are features and sections easy to find? Does it carry information that
is useful to someone new to the community? Are the stories interesting, informative,
balanced? Jot down your impressions on the paper’s strengths and weaknesses. Learn
the basics about the paper: its major market, circulation, history and traditions.
Apply early
Many newspapers select interns as early
as December. You should be thinking about an internship during August and
September, and be prepared to send your applications out during October. The start
of your senior year is the right time to begin looking for a full-time job.
Letter of application
The best way to introduce yourself to an editor is through a letter. This is a
chance to tell an editor who you are, what you have done, what you have to offer
the newspaper. If you plan to call the newspaper to schedule an interview, say
so in the letter.
Accuracy is important
For many students, the letter of application can also reveal carelessness. Make
sure all of the information in the letter is correct, including names, titles,
addresses. Misspellings, typos, inaccuracies and awkward phrasing in a letter
will end your chances of being considered.
Preparing
Your Resume And Clips
What to include
In the resume, highlight
your academic preparation, extracurricular activities, leadership skills and
activities related to journalism. Skill in a second language is important. List
your work experience, even if some jobs have no relationship to journalism.
Explain any gaps in your educational or job history.
Be easy to find
Provide telephone and/or fax
numbers, as well as current and permanent addresses, where you can be reached.
Explain when and where it is best to contact you.
Select references with care
List people who know you well, rather than references with impressive
titles who may have little personal contact with you. Be sure you provide the
name, title, place of employment, address and phone number of each of your references.
As a courtesy, ask each reference if he or she would be willing to talk to a prospective
employer.
Edit, edit, edit
Your resume should be concise and well organized. If possible, keep it to one
page. Edit for meaning, clarity, grammar, and spelling. Use good quality paper
in white or neutral color.
Get your resume critiqued
Ask other students, college counselors or business professionals to review the
draft of your resume. They can help you improve the presentation and correct errors.
Pick the most effective clips
Samples of your work should show the range of what you can do, as well as your
best work. Five or six clips are sufficient. If you do not have published clips,
provide samples from class assignments.
Interviews
How to get an interview
You should attempt to arrange
an interview at your hometown paper or a paper where you might be visiting during
a school break. Call ahead or write to ask for an interview. Walk-in interviews
rarely result in an opportunity to talk to the editors who do the hiring. A
job fair also is a good place to meet
recruiters from different news organizations.
Set goals
Your best immediate prospects
may be at smaller newspapers. Larger papers like to track promising beginners
for a few years. Make arrangements to stay in touch and send samples of your work
to a larger paper that interests you. At a job fair, you can talk to editors from
larger papers and learn about their requirements and expectations. This will give
you an opportunity to think about long-term goals. Ask recruiters what you need
to do to become competitive for a job. Discuss the comparative rewards of different
newspaper career paths.
Dress appropriately
Personal appearance is important. Business attire is always appropriate.
Conduct yourself properly
Make direct eye contact with the interviewer. Maintain good posture. Ask questions.
Give honest, concise answers. Don't ramble. Take notes. Remember names of those
you meet and use them in conversation. Ask for a business card from the recruiter.
Discuss salary at the end of the interview. Smile.
Learn from each interview
Use a few minutes at the end of each interview for feedback from the recruiter.
One question to ask is, "What are my chances here?" If the response is not encouraging,
ask for an assessment of your candidacy and for the interviewer's best advice
and guidance. Listen carefully but make up your own mind about your career objectives.
Keep in touch
Follow up an interview with a thank-you note to the editor or recruiter. Reinforce
your interest in the paper. Promise to stay in touch, even if there is no opening
for you. Follow through by corresponding regularly with the recruiter or editor.
Discuss what you are doing, what you are learning. Send a few clips from time
to time. It helps to call recruiters occasionally to remind them of your continuing
interest.
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