Ask the Recruiter

Q. When I meet recruiters and have the time to speak with them, I try to make a memorable impression. I believe I do usually stick in their minds. I want to know: Is there a way for me to make an impression on a recruiter after I have sent in a packet but haven't had the opportunity to meet the recruiter in person?

I sent my packet to The Washington Post and haven't heard back. I want to make myself memorable, but I haven't had the opportunity to meet anybody from there. Any suggestions?

Two Questions

A. On paper, it is harder. First, don't be gimmicky. You've got to do it with the content in the package, not with the package. Most recruiters throw out fancy packages, anyway.

So, go for a solid resume with a professional design. (If you're not a designer, ask a friend who is to help you design your resume).

Include solid clips with a variety of engaging leads, copied neatly in crisp black and white. No crookedness, no grayed-out margins, shrunken versions or lines running off the pages. It is OK -- wise, even -- to add a short explanatory note to a clip when extreme circumstances occurred but might not be visible in the story itself. The note can be in the margin and/or attached on a Post-it note.

Your best place to show your personal attributes is in your cover letter.

Make sure it's well-written and that it's been edited by another friend who is a crackerjack editor and who will take some time with it.

The cover letter should show WHY you are a journalist and what you are working to become. Don't be afraid to be idealistic, to use a sense of humor or to be very direct about your aspirations. The cover letter is the hardest part of the package, but it's the place to show who you are.

Coming Thursday: Laid off in Washington, she is working the D.C. job market but knows this could take a while, especially with the change of power. How frequently should she check back?