Tips on finding your first newspaper job or internship

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 (for procrastinators, here is the list by date. 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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