You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

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.a sp

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.

© Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of the Free Ezine for Writers featuring news, reviews, and continuously updated links to the best resources for writers online like - freelancing & jobs, markets & publishers, literary agents, classes & contests, and more... Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

---

Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More

Marketing You and Your Career

Imagine if a business invested years into the research, design,... Read More

Job Interviews: Answering Whats Your Greatest Weakness?

Many interview guides advise candidates to answer the common "What's... Read More

Where Did All The Farmers Go?

Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

Job Tips For The Frustrated Job Seeker

There is nothing more frustrating and depressing when you are... Read More

Top 10 Resume Writing Tips to Get You the Interview

There are many reasons why you could be in the... Read More

Speak Up: Your Job Is At Stake!

How good are you at standing up for yourself?Do you... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career

Many people in the last decade have experienced either a... Read More

To All Managers: How Does ADD Affect Your Workplace?

Tent caterpillars create a cocoon for an entire colony. Within... Read More

The Telecommuting Tightrope

For many of us, telecommuting seems like the ideal situation.... Read More

Do I Have to Provide a Salary History?

Often you see job postings with a request such as... Read More

80,000 Americans Work in the Oil Change Industry

There is a huge shortage, which effects franchises costs in... Read More

Pebbles in Your Shoe Dont Only Hurt your Foot But Cause Back and Hip Problems!

CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More

Keep Your Phone Costs Down!

When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More

The 5 Essential Telecommute Résumé Components

1. An attractive layout that is easy to read and... Read More

Avoid Your CV Always Ending Up in the Bin

Cover Letters must grab the reader's interest so that they... Read More

How to Transform a Boring Note Into A Killer Cover Letter - Part I

The AIDA formula is as old as dirt. It was... Read More

Illegal Interview Questions -- Be Prepared

I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Employer Ask Illegal Interview... Read More

5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Outplacement Firm

With today's economy, more and more companies are... Read More

The Perfect Resume

The perfect resume presents hiring managers with a... Read More

Change Your Career, Change Your Life

Change Your Career,Change your Life!Lots of times I see and... Read More

How To Answer Your Call In Mid-Life

Hank Bochenski's story proves it is never too late to... Read More

How To Take The Pain Out Of Performance Reviews

The Painful ApproachFor many years, "performance management" was of an... Read More

Finding Employees For Insurance Industry Jobs

Finding the right employee for any job opening can be... Read More

Career Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love

Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More

Interview Quicksand

How will you respond when you're asked the following two... Read More

3 Resume Secrets the Pros Use

You don't write a resume every day. Not even every... Read More

How to Choose Your Ideal Career

They say that most people do complete and total career... Read More

The 10 Second Window of Opportunity, Resume Hour Glass

Do you know that a hiring manager just spends 10... Read More

Managing Change -- Endings Are Just Doorways to New Beginnings

Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More

Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem

The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More

Dynamic Pre-Hiring Practices

The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. Much time and... Read More