There is no easy way to define exactly what editors, publishers, PR managers, non-profit directors, advertising executives, and other industry professionals want from writers.
There are no written guidelines, standard requirements, or official specifications that apply to writing jobs across the board...
Every employer has special expectations and each writing position demands different skills. In an attempt to gather helpful hints for writers seeking to land a job in one of the many career fields mentioned in my previous article Finding Your Niche at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5746.asp
I talked to some professionals, who have experience hiring writers and/or advising college students as they begin to look for work.
Creativity counts, according to a few sources.
"It begins with your resume, cover letter and/or clips," says T.S. Minns, a professor of Mass Communications, who has taught for more than 20 years at several colleges on the East Coast. "Originality makes a difference. The - less is more - concept that applies to writing in general - also applies to your resume and cover letter," Minns says.
"Editors don't have time, nor do they want to read lengthy letters full of extra words that fail to add to anything worthwhile or meaningful." Lisa Zeicher, a former managing editor for a few publications in the Pennsylvania area, agrees. "Choose your words carefully,"' Zeicher says. "Edit your resume and cover letter in the same way you edit your work. Eliminate unnecessary content. Make it concise and convincing."
Zeicher compares it to writing a news article with "a hook" - the ever important first graph - that should grab your reader and make her want to keep reading.
"You probably have a minute or two to capture an editor's attention," Zeicher says. "You must give your prospective employer a reason to continue scanning your cover letter and resume."
That is the first step, Minns says. "If you fail to accomplish that first step, you will never get to the second step - the interview itself,'' he says.
What Makes a Champion? Do you have the courage to accept that there is a different life out there for you?
Putting Passion Back Into Home Decorating For most people, they can count the times they redecorate their homes in a lifetime on one hand. It's a shame because this is not because they don't have great ...
Credit Cards - A Blessing or a Curse? Getting a credit card can be a huge responsibility; if you don't keep an eye on your spending habits, credit cards can create some serious problems.
The Natural Truth About Quick Weight Loss This article gives an insight into the fact about quick weight loss information. This article also has some facts and points that gives you relevent information...
How to Co-Wash Natural Black Hair Considering wearing your hair natural? You'll want to know: What is a co-wash? How to co-wash? How can I wash and dry for the best benefit of my hair?
Shopping for Loans Online When looking for loans online, you might find yourself wondering exactly how secure your information is...
Improve Your Love Luck with Feng Shui! Are you tired of looking for love without success? If so, the layout, furnishings, and energy of your home and bedroom could be part of the problem. When the ar...
How to Be a Guest on a Radio Talk Show Ever listen to a talk show on the radio? And ever wonder how those experts on the shows got to be there? The dirty secret is that they shamelessly pushed thems...
Victorious Living We have a choice in life. We can feel sorry for ourselves because we are not rich and loaded with talent,or we can step up to the plate and take our best shot. ...
Five Poems Poetry at its most raw and rare form, and wickedest, is from spontaneity. It can be crushing, and although Robert Frost would not appreciate it, or so I believe...
How To Build Trust and Sell More Products! If the headline is what gets them there, then it's the *proof* that keeps them there. Follow closely ... A powerful headline is 10% what you say and 90% what y...
Kids: Channeling Mania Towards Productivity More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD, or Bipolar. There are biological reasons for this, and there are environmental elements which can soot...
Habit Change--Six Steps to Success As every New Year approaches, many of us are doing the usual…thinking, "This year will be different. I'm going to change…(fill in the blanks)…my work habits, m...
Double Down on Marketing If you want to compete in the world of high growth startups, you better know how to play the marketing game. Marketing has become a big stakes game where compan...
Print this page