Jobs, Resumes, Self-Marketing Hofstra JRNL10 Prof. Vaccaro Jobs, Resumes, Self-Marketing

Rest of the semester April 19 (today!) April 26 May 3: Final class More copy editing notes Review job talk Review for final April 26 NO class (professor is away) May 3: Final class Final exam

Writing headlines Summarize the story Capture readers’ attention Bring search engine users to stories Maintain the mood of the story Indicate importance of a story Add to the attractiveness of the page

Characteristics of good headlines Accuracy in fact, tone and scope Emphasis on the main theme of the story Clear, succinct, grammatical Easy to read and understand Vitality through strong, active verbs Balanced and fair summary of the story Tasteful Fresh and immediate Legally sound (avoid libel)

Let’s review online headlines We’ll check a few news websites to compare and see what’s engaging … or not

Editing pics and graphics Selection pictures Attracts readers attention Can communicate a story effectively Enhance the overall appearance of the page Selecting the best shot Point of view Subject contrast Framing Lighting Prominence Proximity Timeliness

Working with captions Don’t repeat from accompanying story Explain fully Get as much detail as possible Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy Communicate with photographers

Things to do in College SPJ compiled a list of things for student journalists to do before they graduate. Let’s take a look at that list to start… CLICK HERE

Take Advantage of Your Surroundings Before jobs come internships and before internships comes on-campus experience; school paper, school websites, school magazine, school radio station, school TV. Get my drift? Many internships look for some previous experience. If you submit a resume with nothing compared to your competitor who has done all of the above … he or she wins. How do I get started? Knock on the door, say hello and be open to new things. Send an email. Make a phone call. Network. Do it all. Now is the time.

Think Outside-the-Box Freelance for outside publications or radio stations … you don’t need a previous internship, you need some clips (on-campus) or something substantial to show you can perform the task. Treat your classmates and peers as competitors … always try to be better off in your career and your experience then others you know. Always try to be the hardest worker you know. What can you do, that others haven’t? What will someone say wow about? Network at functions, meetings, cold call people, ask power position individuals for advice.

Apprehensions I’m nervous, I never wrote or did anything like this before. So what! That’s what college is for … test it out, see if you like it. How much is enough? Do I get involved with everything? It depends on your major and career goals. Everyone is different. Assess your goals and do what you think is necessary. Talk to a professor/advisor. I work, I commute, I take a full course load, how am I supposed to do more? Sacrifice is an important characteristic. Understand that need to work hard now to reap the benefits of landing a job later. Remember that there is always someone out there working harder.

Landing the Internship Prepare: Update your resume, edit your resume, let someone look it over, put it on plain white paper, do not be fancy. Write a cover letter specific to that internship, be to the point, not longwinded and overly creative. Target: Where do you want to apply? Proximity … to your home or your campus housing, where you live. But if you want to move, then open the search wider. None of them are guaranteed, so don’t take chances by applying to only a few. Apply: Four-month lead time … don’t wait until May for a summer internship. The beginning of the semester is a good rule of thumb. Interview: If you get called in, that’s a good thing. You need to look presentable, speak clearly, do not show any signs of nervousness and come prepared with understanding the company you might intern at shortly.

Internships done, graduation done, now what? Time to get a job … apply for everything and anything. With this job market, there are no guarantees. Use your connections and networks from four years of college. See if the place you interned at is hiring. How many jobs should I apply for? As much as it takes. 250-300 is not too much by the way.

I can’t get anything, now what? Continue to stay active in the craft… free-lance for things nationwide if you’re up for it. For broadcast students, remember that PA jobs or low level part-time jobs are good to start with … you can work your way up fast, so don’t turn them down. Use Hofstra and its alumni network. Consider going to graduate school If you want something bad enough, you’ll figure out a way to get a job. Do not let the market dictate your future, only you can affect the outcome of your life and career.

How do I market myself? You have a resume, cover letter, clips and ambition, but it’s not enough Create a Twitter feed that you can list on your resume, Facebook if you want, but not necessary. Show the employer you know social media … everyone uses it. Open a LinkedIn account Create a digital portfolio …

Resume do’s and don’ts Must always be 1 and only 1 page Don’t lead with an “objectives” statement Don’t lead with your education/degrees Play up ALL communication/journalism related activities Break up into sections: journalism experience, miscellaneous, education, references Always include at least 2-3 references

Final review Similar open book style as midterm More AP style questions Ethical reasoning questions in relation to copy editing Other items from today’s lecture

Next Class Reminders … Bring resume/cover letter to be critiqued next class ALL FINAL WORK DUE next week!