Spring 1995
Get an education. Read. Read a lot. Be persistent. And even when you get a rejection letter, say "thank you."
These were some of the tips offered to first-time journalism job hunters by a group of professionals in one of the first panels of the Way New Journalism conference. The workshop presented Friday afternoon by four journalists representing broadcast, daily newspapers, weeklies and magazines was attended by more than 40 students and aspiring journalists.
San Ramon Valley Times editor Karen Magnuson offered the most detailed series of steps to embark on the job trail.
"First, get an education," she said. While a journalism or a graduate degree is not really necessary, a four-year degree is a must.
She advised students to subscribe to a number of publications, to emulate good writers and to find a mentor in the business.
"I base my decision on the clips," she said about her hiring decisions.
San Francisco Bay Guardian editor and publisher Bruce Brugmann talked about the growth of weekly and alternative newspapers. Speaking of the decline in dailies, he said "the future of American journalism is with all the other papers in town.
"It is important to know who you're working for," Brugmann said. He emphasized the importance of having a "good boss" and told students they should have an appetite to "reform the world."
"There are plenty of open markets," Brugmann said about opportunities for entrepreneurs to start their own publications.
San Francisco State University Professor and Way New Journalism Conference Chair John Burks spoke of the advantages of the magazine business.
"You can start now," he said. "You don't need to relocate." He advised students to approach publications about freelancing in a very systematic way.
"Pick six magazines that you'd like to be working for," he said. "Read them carefully. Start putting together a list of query letters with specific stories." He suggested targeting one magazine each week in a six-week cycle.
Television and radio station "head-hunter" Don Fitzpatrick, said that thanks to the growth of new networks such as Fox, the Cable News Network and Turner Broadcasting System, many more broadcasting jobs are available today than a year ago.
Fitzpatrick said it is important for job applicants to show news directors that they know how the broadcast business works. He said not to call in the afternoon when stations are preparing for the evening news.
Fitzpatrick gave specific advice on preparing a tape to submit with job applications. He said the first thing news directors are interested in is "what you look like. Then go into your strongest piece." He suggested a maximum of 10 to 12 minutes with three or four stories.
Members of the panel agreed that it is important to be familiar with the publication one is applying for.
"Before you interview, read a week's worth of the newspaper," Magnuson said. "It will pay off." She also spoke of the importance of skills such as a second language and knowledge of the internet. "It might give you the edge."
Panelists said competition for jobs is tough, and emphasized the importance of persistence in the job search. Getting to know people, making contacts, attending conferences and joining professional organizations are good starts.
Burks said it is important to know how to write, copy edit and generally be "multi-talented. That's how the game is done. Demonstrating that you can do the job."
Adding a note of humor, he suggested aspiring journalists should "crash parties" to get to know editors. He said most local magazine editors know and consult each other when they have job openings.
Brugmann agreed. "A lot of the best jobs are not advertised," he said. "They are handed down." He described local magazine editors as a "local Mafia."
Magnuson said it was important to follow up even after a rejection.
"You could have been number two," she said. "Follow up with a thank-you note," as editors take that into account the next time they have an opening.
A bit of wisdom repeated by all the panelists was that journalism is a tough profession.
"If your work isn't your passion, you're in the wrong job," Magnuson said. "It's never a nine-to-five job."