Attention DU journalists

[HEyHEY]

Okay, as some know I am looking for a job now. I have post secondary training in journalism and have been freelancing for a while (though I have not done much recently).

I haven't gotten much response from the papers I have sent my resume and clippings to. At first I thought maybe there was a problem with my writing. But no, I'm just as good as anyone else that would be applying for these jobs. I am more of a radio person though.

So I'm wondering if I'm sending the right kind of clippings..or maybe my cover letter or resume are off-putting. I never have been able to write about myself very well.

Any advice?

[Fridays Child]

1. Write to these people. They're Liberals.

http://anshellmedia.com/anshell_home.htm :-)

[HEyHEY]

3. Looks interesting

I will do that. Thanks.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. how many clips are you sending?

If you usually send..say, 10 clips, but only four of them are what you would call "great" - then send only those four clips.

Also, have your resume looked at by someone professionally.

[HEyHEY]

4. Haven't had any pros looking at my resume

I'm only sending four clips. Actually three. I send three articles and a photo example. I have been sending these three because they are the most diverse threee.

[eyesroll]

5. The employment climate for journalism sucks right now

...at least it does in the U.S.

I edit a trade publication. I had to hire someone about a year ago (when it was equally lousy). I received maybe 100 resumes for an entry-level job that doesn't pay very well.

It may just be that there aren't any openings, or way more applicants than openings. Freelancing assignments also are scarecer, because editors either face budget cuts and have to do more in-house, or they're up to their eyeballs with freelancers already (more out-of-work journalists who need something to pay the bills).

But one other thing -- Are you making yourself seem over-qualified? I turned down a lot of people because their salary history suggested they wanted way more money than I was willing to pay (one person wanted almost double my present salary), or because they were looking for high-level stuff (that they were very qualified to do, but it wasn't the job).

Rarely is the cover letter a problem for me, assuming it's spelled properly and it's neat. The one exception was when the applicant indicated he was planning to relocate to this city soon, to be with his girlfriend, which would have been fine (I don't care about your living arrangements) except one of his clips was about how he moved across the country to be with (I guess a prior) girlfriend, and they broke up and he had to quit his job after two months. Yeah. Don't give personal info like that in your cover letter. But you knew that.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Edit: Check your PM.

[HEyHEY]

6. Well

There have been many openings in my area, and I cal every paper I don't just send my resume, most places have 15 resumes per job. My one assumption is that because most of these jobs are in Alberta and I am probably competing with Alberta students. I am from BC. So many editors may go with a person who went to a school in Aberta because they are familiar with that school.

I had one offer the day I quit my job, but turned it down because I thought the paper was too soft. Plus when heads cleared in the morning I realized I may have made a hasty decision. I only now wish I had taken it because I didn't realize there was a CBC bureau in that town I could have cozied up to.