I'm a copy editor who left a position as a deputy chief two years ago to pursue a master's degree in nonfiction writing. Now I'm ready (well, almost ready -- that dang thesis needs defending) to look for another copy editing job.
|
ASK JOE A QUESTION
|
|
To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that.
Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail:
* Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.) | |
I was a
Dow Jones intern and have been generally regarded as very good at my job at the desks where I've since worked; however, there have been three of those jobs. And then grad school. All in the span of seven years. I don't regret my moves, but I know they could look bad to a recruiter, who might fear I'm an incurable ship-jumper. In actuality, I'm looking for a job at a newspaper and in a city where I think I'd like to stay for the long haul, even (gasp) settle down.
Should I worry about addressing this issue in my cover letter, or should I stick to my skills as an editor? Also, should I address the grad school thing? While it wasn't j-school, it's made me a smarter journalist, and I could talk about that in a cover letter. Or not, because maybe nobody cares what I did in grad school and what's really important is my desk experience.
Thoughts?
Thanks very much for your time.
P.
Stick to your skills and how your master's degree will help you as an editor.
There is no point in defending a record that might not even be a problem for anyone.
When
editors look at resumes, we look for the patterns in them. Patterns manifest themselves in the moves we make and the intervals at which we make them. A pattern of diminishing responsibilities can be a problem. A series of rapid changes for similar jobs can be, too. A pattern of rapidly increasing responsibilities is usually a positive.
It does not sound as though you changed jobs unreasonably fast and, if you were improving your position, this could all be good.
If the most notable exception to your career arc is grad school, be ready to explain how it has helped your growth and increased your commitment.
Coming Friday: New to a small town, this reporter/photographer wonders whether it is OK to work for the local paper as well as the big one across the river.
