On Wednesday, I shared 10 common mistakes Poynter’s editorial team found while poring over job applications. In that piece, I asked for more mistakes you’ve seen. Here we have seven more things not to do in your job application, your cover letter and even in your interview.
- Be too serious
Lucy Morgan, previously the Tampa Bay Times’ capital bureau chief, wants to see some of who you are on paper.
“Provide some proof that you have a sense of humor,” she said in an email. “I never wanted to hire anyone for a job in my office that didn’t show me that they could take whatever happens with humor…”
- Talk like you text
We’re not all there yet.
@kristenhare Great list. Also: avoid SMS/text speak (very common among young green journos!) and emoticons (!)
— Natasha Joseph (@TashJoeZA) February 3, 2016
- Ignore details
Previously, I mentioned getting the name of the place you’re applying right. But all the details matter.
@kristenhare @Poynter Correct grammar would be good.
— Angela Simoneaux (@SimoneauxAngela) February 3, 2016
@kristenhare And further to the "don't be generic" thing, be careful to get details of the title right (don't say "weekly" for a daily)
— Natasha Joseph (@TashJoeZA) February 3, 2016
- Include that summer as a lifeguard
@kristenhare @Poynter Don't lead with irrelevant experience. Journalism work matters more than your job at the restaurant/coffee shop.
— Ray Cooney (@Cooneyrj4) February 3, 2016
- Start decorating your new place in your head
@kristenhare Don’t ask me where a good place to live is within the first 20 minutes of the interview.
— Rachel Schallom (@rschallom) February 4, 2016
- Be horrible
This one’s via Facebook.
- Use a cutesy email address
“It makes it feel like you haven’t grown up,” said my colleague Vidisha Priyanka. “It also might lead me to think that you’re not aware of how many email addresses are available that you can sign up for with a better name.”
