Q: I'm a copy editor with two years at a metropolitan daily newspaper under my belt.

I started this right out of college. As an undergrad, I had assorted reporting internships/gigs. I'm trying to find a copy editing job elsewhere, but feel that I'm running into a wall. Many listings mention a requirement of design experience and/or three years' editing experience. I have no design experience yet, but I'm very willing to learn! (And I also did some dabbling with programs such as Quark, Pagemaker, etc.)

Is three really the magic number, or do you think these recruiters are willing to give some wiggle room when it comes to my experience? Same with the design deal -- do you think my enthusiasm or interest would be enough, in some cases, to compensate for my lack of pagination experience?

Thank you so much for keeping up this informative blog for clueless people like me!

All the best,

Need2Leave

A: Don't be put off by the three-year requirement. Most editors will cave on that if they run into an excellent candidate or are having trouble turning up someone.

If you started at a metro, you must be pretty good, and editors almost always have trouble finding copy editors.

The chief hurdle could be that design experience.

With all that in mind, start applying and try to get some shifts or a cross-train on your newspaper's design desk. You'll get there.

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