Newspapers and magazines can be difficult career areas to break into. Writers often get discouraged when interviewing for jobs at print publications, but there are a few hints and job search strategies that are sure to help aspiring print writers get hired for a newspaper or magazine publication.
Don't Just Send Your Resume to a Newspaper or Magazine Job - Submit Clips as Well!
When sending a resume to a print publication, you must include clips and writing samples unless the job listing explicitly advises against this.
Never send in a resume with a notation that says, "Clips/Writing Samples Available Upon Request." This indicates a lack of experience in the field of journalism, as seasoned print journalists will realize the importance of demonstrating their writing skills to a potential employer.
In short, newspaper and magazine editors and publishers are going to focus more on an applicant's writing skills and reporting abilities and less on the writer's past experiences in the field. Past work experiences are more important when applying for an editorial position, where news judgment and other such experience will play a more prominent role in the hiring process.
Submit Clips and Writing Samples on Stories That Would Appear in the Newspaper, Magazine or Other Publication
When submitting writing samples and clips to a prospective employer at a print publication, it's important to demonstrate a knowledge of the publication's style and mission. Applicants can demonstrate a knowledge of the print publication's editorial guidelines by providing clips and writing samples that are in line with the other articles that appear in print. In short, if the publication wouldn't publish your piece, it's not suitable for submission as a clip or writing sample.
Between 3 and 5 writing samples should be provided when applying for a job at a newspaper or magazine publication. And at least one of the aspiring journalist's writing samples should be a piece on a story that has appeared in the newspaper or magazine.
The key is for job applicants to show the editorial staff how they would have handled the story had it been assigned to them. And it's important to avoid simply re-writing another journalist's work; select a story that the publication has covered and improve it or expand upon it in a unique or compelling fashion that proves the applicant can produce writing that is comparable or better than that which already appears in the pages of the print publication.
It's also important to remember that writing samples are just as valuable as previously published clips. Generally speaking, editors are going to place more emphasis on an applicant's ability and skill as a reporter or journalist, and less emphasis on where that writer has previously been published.
Call and E-Mail When Submitting a Resume, Cover Letter and Writing Samples to a Print Publication
When applying for a job in print, it's important to express genuine interest, as this gives an applicant an advantage. Editors and human resources staff receive dozens - even hundreds - of resumes from writers.
Interviewing candidates for a job and reading writing samples and clips requires a time investment on the part of the editorial staff and/or human resources staff at a publication. With limited time, they are more likely to make this time investment in a journalist whom they view as "serious" about the job, rather than a writer who has sent out dozens of resumes to dozens of different publications.
As a result, editors tend to place preference on those writers who express genuine interest in the form of a phone call and e-mail accompanying the resume, clips and writing samples. Customizing writing samples so they're in line with a print publication's style and mission is another way of expression serious interest in a position, where thereby increases one's chances of getting hired for a position at a newspaper or magazine.
More Resources for Writers and Journalists
Looking for more tips for writers? Visit the Resources for Writers page, which features some very helpful articles like How to Write a Newspaper Article along with How to Make Money by Writing Online?
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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