Published: September 24, 1998
Last Updated: September 24, 1998
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Finding your first 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. 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 The American Editor, Quill, American Journalism Review, Columbia Journalism Review and Editor & Publisher. 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. ASNE offers an electronic internship guide on its Web site. Job search tips  Accuracy is important. For many students, the letter of application can also reveal carelessness. Make sure all of the information in the letter is accurate, including names, titles, addresses. Misspellings, typos, inaccuracies and awkward phrasing in a letter will end your chances of being considered.   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.  Pick the most effective clips. Samples of your work should show the range of what you can do, as well as your best work. A selection that includes breaking news, enterprise, profiles, features, columns and backgrounders may make a stronger impression than a collection of spot news stories. Clips of five or six stories are sufficient. If you do not have published clips, provide samples of your writing for class or free-lance projects.   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 chance to talk to the editors who do the hiring. A job fair is also a good place to meet recruiters.   Dress appropriately. Personal appearance is important. Business attire is always appropriate.   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. Discuss what you are doing, what you are learning. Send a few clips from time to time. Call recruiters occasionally to remind them of your continuing interest.   | Table of Contents |