Q: I love your journalism forum, and have been reading it for years.
I have one very small, seemingly silly question that has me unnecessarily bothered: Do you prefer clips that come in a pocket folder or a plain manila folder?
I know, I know, who cares as long as they’re great stories? I’ve got the solid clips (I’ve been a reporter for seven years and currently cover the N.Y. Capitol). But a very good reporter friend stopped cold when I told him I use the glossy, pocket folder, and recalled an editor at a very impressive paper who scolded my friend for bringing his clips in a binder (years ago). This editor said he’d toss anything that wasn’t delivered in a plain manila folder.
I also send them priority mail so they don’t get mixed in with all the other stuff. Is that too much?
Please advise….the sooner the better because I’m sending more out this week!
Erin
A: You’re right. You’re unnecessarily bothered by this. But, then, you are looking for a job and so little things can take on immense proportions.
Use a plain manila folder. If your application it to become a file at the newspaper, it likely will be in a drawer filled with plain manila folders.
Only a crazy editor would throw out an application because of the type of folder it came in. But some editors are crazy. Plain manila should please them.
I agree with your tactic of using priority mail. It attracts extra attention and says you do things in a first-class way.
