When I was working at the Detroit Free Press, a suspect in several bank robberies was nicknamed “Bigfoot” for the obvious reason. The idea was to give a name and a descriptive identifier to someone who was eluding capture. Before long, Bigfoot was caught. And I believe the Free Press reported his shoe size.
The naming practice is time tested. In 2006, Seattle Times reporter Jennifer Sullivan had a pretty good article describing the FBI’s use of nicknames, from historic examples like “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Lester “Baby Face” Nelson and “Machine Gun” Kelly to more modern crooks like “Pillowcase,” “Dueling Banjo” and “Attila the Bun.”
If nicknames helped people remember bank robbers, I thought, the same should hold true for journalists. I will let you puzzle about how the two occupations are related.
When I interview, I try to notice unique traits about journalists, believing that they are innate and can’t be learned if they aren’t already in you.
Curiosity is a trait I admire and look for in journalists. When I see it, I like to call attention to it.
One student quizzed me at length, always coming up with one more question and scribbling in her notebook. I named her “Detective Columbo” after the rumpled TV detective whose questions took apart even the smoothest criminals.
Another student raised her hand at a journalism seminar, one of the few to do so. When I called on her, she first stated, “I have two questions.” She acted like we were at a White House briefing. I call her “Two Questions.”
The point of a good nickname is to remind me about a quality, to tell them to pursue these natural strengths and for them to let others know about how they have been branded by a recruiter.
A couple of weeks ago, I met a high school journalism teacher who said his students had named him “The Tin Man.” I asked him why.
“No heart,” he said. I like that.
You can’t ask for a nickname. That’s just sad. But be liberal and careful about bestowing them on others and don’t be bashful about repeating any good one you happen to earn.
Career questions? E-mail Joe for an answer.
Coming Thursday: How to extend the freshness date on your resume
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