Q. Weeks and weeks ago, I had an impromptu meeting with a recruiter for a large paper that I'd like to work at. Because I did not have clips with me at the time, I told her I would send them to her immediately. She asked when and I said Monday. That's where things went askew.
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Monday came and I was back at my current job. News started breaking. I had to handle work for colleagues who were sick and those who had recently left the paper, and... you know how it goes. The week went by, and then another, and I never got a chance to put clips together and send them.
Now it's been a while, and I feel slightly embarrassed because I am afraid the delay makes me look unreliable. If I could do it over again, I still would not have sacrificed my current job for another one I don't yet have, but I probably would have made time on a Sunday.
My question is, how do I handle this? Do I e-mail the recruiter and explain the tardiness? Should I not mention it at all? Thank you.
I don't have a good strategy for you.
When you committed to sending clips on a specific day -- and then did not -- you made a big negative impression. I bet the recruiter remembers you.
I appreciate that you work harder for the job you have than one you don't, but breaking news and
short staffing don't justify missing a commitment to send clips. I just don't see this as an either/or situation. You simply should have worked the clips into that day as you had promised. And how will you explain these subsequent weeks?
Either wait longer before applying or send in an application with an explanation -- but I doubt you'll get in for an interview.
Coming Thursday: A college romance is still strong for these journalists. Now, they'd like to move their careers to the next level -- without locking into a long-distance relationship.
