Reading List, Nov. 21

A weekly roundup of job-hunting tips, career advice and interesting articles relevant to the magazine industry and being an editor.

• "Make a Great Resume First Impression: 6 Best Tips" by Sheryl Coonan on YouTern's The Savvy Intern blog. It takes only seconds for an editor to toss your resumé in the No pile; these tricks will reduce the likelihood that that will happen.

• "5 Keys to Successful Informational Interviews" by Tim Tyrell-Smith on Tim's Strategy. Informational interviews are a valuable job-serch and networking tool. Before asking for one, read this piece.

• "Manners Matter" by Meg Montford on Abilities Enhanced. Think sending thank you notes is old-school? That's why they get you noticed. This piece shares seven points in your job hunt when sending thanks is a good idea.

• My Favourite Magazine series on SPD. Art and photo directors talk about, well, their favourite magazines.

Reading List, Sept. 26

A weekly roundup of job-hunting tips, career advice and interesting articles relevant to the magazine industry and being an editor.

• "7 Tips for Being the Best Editorial Intern Ever" by Ashley Ross on Ed2010.com. Excellent advice for anyone doing an internship at a magazine. Follow these tips and you'll stand out from other interns.

• "Clichés to Ditch on the Job Hunt" by Meghan Casserly on The Globe and Mail. We all know better than to use clichés when writing articles, but do you fall back on them when writing your resumé and cover letter?

• "Rant: Effective Resume Writing" on Rock-it Promotions' blog, On The Fourth Floor. A refresher on basic resumé writing tips. My favourite: don't forget to spell Canadian!

• "Starting Off On the Right Foot With Your New Hire Orientation/Onboarding Program" by Nancy Mobley on Inc. How much thought do you put into making new hires feel welcome? Some points to consider.

Reading List, Aug. 15

A weekly roundup of job-hunting tips, career advice and interesting articles relevant to the magazine industry and being an editor.

• "Today’s Publishing Career: We Are All Vulnerable" by Robert Sacks on Publishing Executive. It's highly unlikely you will hold your current position for the rest of your career. Even if you're happy with your job, it's important to have your next step in mind.

• "A Rogue Tweeter Titillates, Then Vanishes" by Jeremy W. Peters on The New York Times' Media Decoder. Ok, so you may be sick of hearing about the faux Twitter account that received a lot of media attention last week, but if you haven't read the @CondeElevator feed yet, do. It's terribly amusing.

• "Interns Should Get What They Want or Else Walk Out" on Interns Anonymous. If you're not learning anything at your internship and are just doing busywork, you don't have to stick around. I wouldn't recommend following the author's lead in how s/he left, though; be polite and professional in your departure.

• "Modifying Resume Job Titles Risky… Unless You’re Honest" by Dawn Rasmussen on YouTern's The Savvy Intern blog. Even if you want to change a job title on your resumé to more accurately represent the actual work you did, there are good reasons not to.

• "Are Your Co-Workers Killing You?" by Jonah Lehrer on Wired.com. Yet another reason to leave that toxic workplace sooner rather than later: the stress of being surrounded by nasty co-workers could shorten your life.

Reading List

A weekly roundup of job-hunting tips, career advice and interesting articles relevant to the magazine industry and being an editor.

• "How to Write a Great Accomplishment Statement" by Tim Tyrell-Smith on Tim's Strategy. Next time you update your resumé, really sell yourself by explaining what you accomplished in each position; don't just list your job duties.

• "The 5 Most Common Interview Questions – and How to Answer Them" by Katie Amey on Ed2010.com. Customized for magaziners.

• "Too Much Information:Why I Don't Trust Employment Interviews" by Maria Gottschalk on YouTern's The Savvy Intern blog. A few tips on how to fairly evaluate all applicants when conducting job interviews.

Why I Object to Objective Statements

Do you have an objective statement on your resumé? I don't. Here's why:

1. They already know what I want.
I want the job I'm applying to. There's no reason to write an objective statement that says, "Looking for a challenging editorial position at a leading consumer magazine" or some other nonsense. It's stating the obvious.

2. Your cover letter should say it all.
If there's anything overarching that you need to say about yourself and your goals, it should go in your cover letter, not on your resumé.

Do you hate objective statements as much as I do? Why or why not?

2 Quick Resumé Tips

When an editor is hiring for a position, she will have to wade through dozens, if not hundreds of resumés. It's a tiring and tedious job, and the editor is likely to have a low tolerance level for small annoyances. Anything you can do to make it easier for her to find and read your resumé and cover letter will work to your advantage. Follow these two simple rules and you'll already stand out among the applicants, even before the editor reads your application.

1. Send PDF files. Word documents can have font problems. All that tidy formatting you worked on can get messed up, making your resumé harder to read.
2. Name the document with your name. For example, "vangerwen-cover.pdf" and "vangerwen-resume.pdf" will be easier to find in a folder filled with documents labelled just "coverletter.doc" and "resume-final.doc."

Less is More, Even on Resumés

You know that old adage Less is More? Well, it stands true even for resumés, as I was reminded by venture capitalist Mark Suster on his blog Both Sides of the Table.

You have only a few seconds to catch the eye of a potential employer as he skims over your resumé; he has a whole pile to get through and isn't likely to spend much longer on your CV unless he sees something interesting. "So the problem is that if you have a few outstanding achievements they get lost in the sea of all the other shite you put in as fillers to make it look like you did a lot more," says Suster. "Many people feel the need to tell the reader everything they worked on rather than the 3 biggest accomplishments. I always advise people to only put the things that had the biggest impact to maximize the chance that they’ll actually be seen."


So the next time you're polishing your resumé, do the job you're good at: edit!

do you put twitter on your resumé?

On a standard resumé, you list your phone number, mailing address and email address, but you might want to consider also including your blog, website and Twitter handle too. Depending on what job you're applying to – say web editor – it's becoming more important to  demonstrate your knowledge of social media and other web tools.

Use with caution, though. If you regularly tweet about things you wouldn't want an employer to know about you, don't include it. If your blog is about cute kittens, it might not be relevant. But if it strengthens your case for being an in-the-know editor, it might be a good idea.

What do you think?

resumé tip: include details about the magazines you've worked at

When listing your work history on your resumé, make sure you include enough information about the magazines and other companies that you've worked at. This will help give prospective employers a better sense of the type of experience you have, particularly when they may not be familiar with the publication.

For starters, always list the publisher (where applicable) and city beside the magazine's name. Something like this:

Assistant Editor, Chatelaine (Rogers Media, Toronto), May 2007 – January 2010

You may want to include the publication's website:

Editorial assistant, Alberta Views (Calgary, albertaviews.ab.ca), October 2008 – Present

You can even go a step further and include a brief description of each magazine/company before listing your accomplishments:

Broken Pencil, which publishes four times a year, is a magazine dedicated to covering zines, independent publishing and underground culture in Canada. 

Or, you could include information about the publication when describing your accomplishments:

• Assigned and edited the front-of-book section of the monthly woodworking publication, ensuring timely, relevant content and a balance of subject matter.

However you decide to do it, you want to make it easy for whoever is looking at your resumé to get a thorough understanding of your experience. Details you might want to include are subject matter, consumer/trade, circulation, region, audience the magazine serves, staff size (especially if you're listing a management position) and/or frequency. Information like this can indicate how similar/dissimilar your experience is to the position you're applying to, and can help explain the type of experience you have and the type of magazine environment you've been exposed to.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone is going to be familiar with the magazines you've worked at, and don't assume everyone is going to Google them to find out. Make it easy for prospective employers to get a sense of where you come from.

be clear!

As Strunk and White have said, "Clarity, clarity, clarity."

Muddiness is not merely a disturber of prose, it is also a destroyer of life, of hope: death on the highway caused by a badly worded road sign, heartbreak among lovers caused by a misplaced phrase in a well-intentioned letter, anguish of a traveller expecting to be met at a railroad station and not being met because of a slipshod telegram.

To this list I would add the missed networking connection or opportunity to prove that you're right for a job because you failed to explain in an email that that's what you're looking for. "Think of the tragedies that are rooted in ambiguity, and be clear!"


Every week I receive an email or two from hopeful applicants looking for a job or an internship at my company. What astounds me is when an applicant fails to simply state that that's what he/she wants. He/she will tell me a little bit about him/herself, and will attach a resumé, but I'll be left wondering whether he/she is interested in an internship, a job or just career advice.


As the author of this blog, I also receive many queries about the magazine industry, with editor wannabes sending bios and resumés my way. But likewise, sometimes I have no idea what they're asking for. Do they want me to make an introduction? Do they think I'm a hiring agency? Do they want me to do a resumé critique? (I don't do this, by the way, so don't ask.) 


Unless you clearly tell me why you're contacting me, I can't help you. And usually I won't be bothered to reply and ask you to clarify. Just like any other hiring manager, HR professional or editor to whom you're sending your resumé, I'm just going to hit Delete.


Do yourself a favour so your email doesn't end up in the trash: be clear!

trading resumé critiques

I've found in the past that getting professional advice on your resumé can be a fruitless effort. I've never tried paid services, but if they're anything like university career centres, they likely offer suggestions that are way off base. The advisers seem to stick to some HR version of what a resumé should be, without taking into consideration what field you're working in, and if there are any conventions related to it. I have my doubts that a generic service would know what to do with your mix of freelance and on-staff work, for example.

That's why I believe your best advice is going to come from peers and mentors who work in magazines. Joe Grimm, on Ask the Recruiter, recommends the resumé swap: sit down with another editor over pizza and look at each other's CVs. Talk about them.

I think this is a much better approach than even just emailing your friend your resumé. In person, you can have a conversation about it. You can tease out what will work the best, what your key assets are. And, though it won't be possible for everyone to do, if you can hook up with someone who looks at resumés on a regular basis, even better.

going the extra mile to get the job

Remember "the best job in the world" that I posted about – caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef? Not only has the competition generated tons of interest and free press for Tourism Queensland, but it's also attracted some creative applications, like this video and blog entry from Vancouverite Marcella Moser.




It's not my taste, but it is completely appropriate for the job to which she's applying. The key is that it's all show, not tell. Marcella has demonstrated that she's capable of writing a blog, producing video and handling the back end by creating a well-designed custom site. The blog also gives a sense of her writing style, interests and personality, and proves that she can come up with a good idea and execute it well.

Now, by no means am I suggesting you all go out and make a video and start a blog for every job you apply to, but think about what would be appropriate. And even if you stick to a simple cover letter and resumé, keep these points in mind:

• Show more than tell. In your cover letter, include examples of past situations that demonstrate relevant talents. In your resumé, list accomplishments instead of just duties.

• Consider your audience. Include keywords from the job posting and highlight duties and accomplishments most relevant to the position.

• Tailor your application to the recipient. Do the above for each job you apply to. Every position is different, so every application should be.

Related posts:
• Creative resumés
• Putting together a good application package
• Writing a good cover letter

send in your resumé twice

I was starting to question my assertion that it's important to send in a hard copy of your resumé and cover letter – email and online applications have quickly become the norm – but this tip from resumé professionals, cited in the New York Times, supports my theory.

[I]f you really want to make an impression, make a hard copy of your cover letter and résumé and send it to the hiring manager by regular mail. Attach a handwritten note that says, “Second submission; I’m very interested,” [Katy] Piotrowski, [author of career books and a career counselor,] said. “I’ve had clients double their rate of interviews simply from doing that,” she said.

[Wendy S.] Enelow, [author of “Cover Letter Magic,”] calls this “double-hitting,” and says she has seen it work remarkably well. She said a senior-level client of hers got an interview and was hired because the hard copy of his cover letter and résumé reached the company president, whereas his electronic application was rejected by someone in human resources because it did not meet certain rigid criteria.

creative resumés

One of the big challenges with a resumé is how to make it stand out, and one way to do this is to get creative. One friend of mine replaced standard headings like "work experience" with "what I've done" and "education" with "what I know." I've seen one resumé done in the form of a magazine. And then there's this Facebook-style resumé posted on Steve Pratt's blog.

Of course, it's always a good idea to exercise caution when getting creative with your resumé. Think long and hard about whether your plan is appropriate to the job you're applying for – you don't want the recipient to be creeped out or think you're crazy. And unusual resumés can reek of effort. But have courage: if yours is in sync with the publication, its content and its voice, as well as relevant to the position, then you could make a lasting impression.

reader's question: how do I list more than one position at the same magazine on my resumé?

Q. I've held three different positions at the same magazine; on my resumé, should I list them all separately, including duties and achievements for each, or lump them together under one entry?

A. The majority of advice out there recommends listing your positions under one heading, focusing on your most recent accomplishments. List your overall time at the magazine, then list the dates for when you held each position, like this

2004-present Magazine A, Big Three Publishing Inc., Toronto

Associate Editor, 2007-present
Assistant Editor, 2005-2007
Editorial Assistant, 2004-2005

Then list all your achievements, highlighting those most recent and relevant to the job you're applying to. If you regularly went beyond the expectations of the more junior positions, you can draw attention to this by listing achievements separately under each job title.

The benefit of listing your positions under one heading is that it shows longevity, that your skills develop over time and a minor but important detail, it doesn't look like you're trying to pad out your resumé, as it might if you listed each position separately. And, as the website Best Resume Writing points out, it avoids making the impression that you're a job hopper, instead showing that you're a loyal employee.

The exception to this rule, though, would be if the positions you held were quite different and not necessarily a natural progression from one to the next. I'll use my own resumé as an example: At one magazine, I progressed from freelance copy editor to full-time, to copy chief over a couple of years – these positions are listed as one item, with a focus on the most recent. At my current magazine, I've held the positions of copy editor and senior editor – these are listed separately.

resumé tips roundup

Resumé-writing tips elsewhere on the web:

• More.ca has some simple but good tips on emailing resumés.

• Possibilities offers advice on putting together an accomplishment-based resumé.

• Monster tells you how to be concise on your resumé.

create your own online portfolio

I've written before about the importance of managing your online presence, as well as having good clips for when you're applying for a job. One way to address both is to post your résumé and clippings on a personal website.

A post on Freelance Writing Tips outlines the basics of putting together an online portfolio. If you don't know how to build a website (as most of us don't), you can use a service like Writer's Residence (run by the post's author), where you can create an online portfolio by filling in a form, or a blog tool like Wordpress.

proofread your work!

I can't believe I have to say this, but proofread your cover letters! Over the weekend I had two editors complain to me about the number of cover letters they've received with spelling and grammatical mistakes, and it's not the first time I've heard it. I have to say, I'm flabbergasted. For whatever job you're applying to, but especially for jobs like editing, you have to hand in an application free of mistakes. A big part of an editing job is ensuring an error-free publication; your cover letter and résumé are the first indication of whether you're capable of doing that. Having mistakes shows not only that you can't do that, but also that you don't pay attention to detail, you're sloppy and that you don't have an understanding of the job you are applying to. I thought proofreading was common sense. But, since apparently it's not, I'll say it again: proofread your work!

reader's question: how can a mid-career freelance writer get a mid-level editing job?

Q. I'm a freelance writer looking for a job as a mid-level editor and I can't even get to the interview stage. Pluses: five years experience, great clips, and excellent internships. Minuses: could use more editing experience and need to relocate. Even when the job description seems tailored to me, I don't get a response. How does one navigate the no-phone-calls-please job market from a distance?

A. Moving from writer to editor mid-career can be tough, but there are a few strategies that might improve your odds.

1. reevaluate your application package
Are you putting your best face forward? Even if you have the exact experience the position calls for, if you don't communicate that in your cover letter, résumé and clippings, you're not going to get the interview. For tips, see previous posts on putting together an application package, resume tips and how to write a cover letter.

2. prove you can do the job
Being a good writer and being a good editor are two different things – each job calls for a different skill set. I think the hesitation hiring managers have with bringing on a writer for an editor's position, is that maybe that writer will continue to write and not edit. The worst editors are frustrated writers who change copy heavily, inserting their own voice and rewriting the story. Prove you're not one of them by submitting an example of your editing. Other ways to show you can wear an editor's cap: submit a critique of the magazine you're applying to, hand in on-target story ideas, highlight your editing accomplishments in your résumé and cover letter, and resist the urge to send in more than three to five clippings.

3. keep networking
Continue to freelance and make connections in the industry, and make sure everyone knows you're looking to land a full-time editing gig. Knowing someone isn't likely to land you the job, but it will mean people will probably spend a little longer looking at your application. And they may even take a chance on interviewing you if they're familiar with your work ethic.

Beyond that, be sure to mention in your cover letter your willingness to relocate, and obey the no-phone-calls-please rule. It's acceptable to follow up once with an email to ensure your package arrived, but if you call, that will just piss them off and prove that you can't follow instructions.

Do you have a question about your editorial career? Email me at vangerwen[at]gmail[dot]com.

where are the cover letters and clippings?

A friend of mine is currently going through the process of hiring an editor. Under the presumption that she would be inundated with proper application packages, she's been appalled and bewildered by the lack of cover letters and clippings – most applicants are merely emailing their résumés. Why, she wondered, has no one gone the extra mile? Some of the things you may want to include in the next application package you send in:

• portfolio
• tearsheets/clippings (preferably in colour)
• tearsheets of competitors with commentary on what they're doing right/wrong
• story ideas
• reference letters
• sample of a completed edit
• copy of the magazine or printouts/CD of the website you currently work for
• And I can't believe that people aren't including cover letters!

There's certainly no problem with email applications, but in most cases, if you really want the job, make the effort to put together a nice hard-copy package in a professional binder or folder. Then find out who you should address it to and mail or courier it to them. As my friend said, "If I were to get an awesome package, even if the job experience was a little lacking, I'd be so much more inclined to take a person seriously as a candidate."