Help me apply for this news reporter job

October 7, 2013 2:36 PM

I plan to apply for a job that I'm overqualified for but need desperately...and I've been out of the journalism field for several years because of the economy and some personal issues. I need help to not look like a desperate failure when I apply.

Me: A professional writer from 2003-2008 until the crash. Since then I've been going from subsistence job to subsistence job (mainly nonprofits and telemarketing) and I lost my mojo for freelancing except for a couple of gigs. Neither of them were hard news gigs. I was dealing with ADHD and low-level depression that made me feel pretty hopeless, so I didn't try that hard. (Both conditions are better now due to meds and therapy). I'm 40-something and female. I recently had to move back in with my parents due to a harsh breakup and am just now feeling up to job-hunting.

I have a portfolio website, but I've found little success using it as an "online resume" as was recommended by a friend not in my field. The clips on it are good, but 5-10 years old except for the recent non-news articles. I've also found that employers don't want to click on a link to a portfolio; they want clips and a resume emailed.

The job: A full-time news writer at a daily, family-owned paper (print and online) that serves a small town in the next county over. The caliber of writing at this paper is solid and respectable. The paper has won state awards and I'd be happy to have my byline on it--which hasn't always been the case, and has been another source of disillusionment with my profession.

The job pays $20-$25K, which is less than I made at a weekly 10 years ago, but since I'm staying with my folks I have no expenses. I'd love to have this job.

My concerns:

No recent clips
No experience at a daily since a 1990 internship, just a weekly, and that was 10 years ago
Not "local" per se as I live in the neighboring county, so I don't know the community
Have lived out of state for more than 10 years, only recently back
My clips aren't hard news as much as they are features, reviews, and commentaries

I absolutely know I can do this job, but how do I convince the managing editor?

Throwaway email: [e-mail].

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Have you considered writing something that would be a good fit for them and submitting it with your resume as one of your clips? There's nothing like showing them what you can do.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 2:41 PM on October 7, 2013 [2 favorites]

I also vote for writing a "spec" article on something current and relevant to the local paper. Study up on the town, read back issues of the paper to get a feeling for the paper and editorial style/slant so you can make sure your spec article fits.

Also prepare a list of reasons why you'd want to work at a small, daily paper. For instance: it is a chance to report on things that are meaningful to the community or a chance to get to really understand and know the players on your "beat", whatever appeals to you. Before you interview, read your list and get yourself hyped up--you're not "overqualified" you are just exactly the right person for the job.

Then do what I did when I was trying to relaunch my career--which is treat yourself to a new hairstyle or fake fingernails (my choice) or a facial or whatever you can afford that will make you feel really good for your interview. Then go knock 'em out.

Remember, you are the solution to their problem
posted by agatha_magatha at 2:58 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

When they wonder why you left journalism for a few years before wanting to return, among their likely guesses (given the state of our beloved profession) will be that it was alcohol/stress/burnout/etc related, so you'll need to make it plain that you are fighting fit and ready to resume the game. Could be as simple as saying "I just needed a break, but I've realised how much I miss it" - they'll understand that, they're journalists themselves. But whatever line you pick, own it - don't show up apologising for yourself (all this talk of desperate failures - begone!)

Also be ready with a good explanation as to why you want to return to news after a stint on features - most people are only too glad to go the other way as they get older and tireder.

I agree with the idea to include a spec story, you could add in some one line pitches for a handful of other stories to show you can find news as well as write it.

As well knowing about the current hot topics of the day, know the paper inside out, its readers, its features, its furniture, the way it uses pics, its use of social media - be prepared to offer a constructive critique of the paper when asked, including one or two tactful suggestions for improvement. Basically, show you know it well enough to have opinions about the minutiae.

Be aware that newspaper reporting has changed a lot in recent years - half the staff doing the same amount of work; everything desk-based and done over the phone because there's no time to go out etc. So stressing your flexibility and willingness to work limitless unpaid overtime will probably go down well!

Good luck!
posted by penguin pie at 3:49 PM on October 7, 2013

If it is a small newspaper, I would call him and sell yourself. There is no comparison to selling yourself in person or by phone with trying to do it on a resume. The above advice about writing something new and relevant is also great advice.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 4:40 PM on October 7, 2013

Also, you might want to look over what they have done and find a hole. What area of town are they not covering? What issues are under-reported? Make an argument for how you know resources are tight and how you want to cover what they want but "Hey, there is also Area X and it's my passion!" (as long as you can make a good argument that there is a readership for it). Again, you are showing the managing editor how you'll fit in the job from the first contact you make.

Best of luck!
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 4:58 PM on October 7, 2013 [1 favorite]

I absolutely know I can do this job, but how do I convince the managing editor?

Meet with them. You're a local-ish, so give him/her a version of this pitch. It is passionate, and that counts.

Don't worry to much about the hard news thing. That comes. (And in small towns is often smacked down).

The job: A full-time news writer at a daily, family-owned paper
The job pays $20-$25K,

Please tell me this isn't accurate? Memail me if you want, but as a cadet 20 years ago I was earning that.
posted by Mezentian at 8:49 AM on October 8, 2013