Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Do Multiple Skills Confuse Editors?
Q. Thanks for the column. It's given me insight for years. Perhaps you can help me again.
I've had difficulty finding a new job for the past six months. I've worked full-time for a strong weekly and now a small daily, (circulation about 25,000), for the past three years. I'm eager to move on for family and
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professional reasons. My official title has been staff writer at both papers, except I shoot and edit nearly all of my own art with my own camera gear. I'm also trained to shoot and edit video for the Web. My current paper allows me to use my skills but, similar to others, my organization is short-staffed. I fill a dual role in both news and photo departments. I enjoy it.
These skills, however, have not been well received in my intensive job hunt, in which I've sent award-winning clips, images and video clips. I was offered a position at a slightly larger paper last fall, but I rejected it because the editors told me they have no idea how to use my writing and visual skills. In interviews with another editor, I have been told my resume is "complicated" or "a problem."
I was told in J-school to develop multiple talents. Convergence is a necessary tool. Now I'm marketing myself as a utility team player for their 21st-century newsroom, but I'm not finding editors embracing my skill set. Do newsrooms and editors want candidates with multiple skills? Am I getting tossed because I don't perfectly fit the cookie-cutter opening?
Thanks!
The JugglerA. Multiple skills should in no way be a problem. While we might not know exactly how to use them, the answers will become clear. Your journalistic future seems to lie in new media or digital journalism -- right where our industry is growing.
I can't be certain, but the problem might be your Web site and blog -- which are very good, by the way.
The blog especially mixes your work in journalism with your side business. An autobiographical mention is fine, but I am finding work samples from both your worlds on the blog. Tighten the focus of your blog. Certainly, lots of people have
blogs unrelated to their work, and some have blogs that are related to
their work, but yours is trying to do both.
Your Web site is quite professional -- right down to profiles of your partners and your rates -- and is largely separate from your journalism, which is good.
I do not see an obvious conflict between journalism and your other business, but employers want to know they are hiring someone who is focused on the job at hand. Many, many journalists have non-conflicting side work as freelance writers, editors and photographers. In some cases, side work can even enhance the core job. Ask the Recruiter is an example of this. But it appears from your Web site that your side work may be such a big
operation that it could pull you away from
your journalism.
One more thing: I don't know that you've really been tossed. Remember, you turned down one offer. There are likely to be others.
Coming Wednesday: This journalist is expecting her newspaper to offer buyouts, but she can't find much information about how they work. She thinks she'll take it, but wants to know more.
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