Rubricate your mind

Attention South journalists—here's what I'm looking for in terms of your final (assigned May 8, 2012):

         Journalists are hired on the basis of their work, as demonstrated via a “clip file.” This clip file includes a resume, cover letter and five or six examples (clips) of the journalist's best work. Your clip files will be similar.

          Step one – Go to the Web site journalismjobs.com and root around until you find a listing for a job you like. Copy and paste the information somewhere you won't lose it, and print out the listing where appropriate. Investigate the job and job holder via the Internet. Make sure it's cool.

Step two -- Make an after-school appointment with THE MIGHTY GREENE, the god of high-school journalism. During this appointment (30 minutes or so), be prepared to discuss your work thus far and ask any questions regarding improvement of same.

         Step three – Prepare a skills-based resume'. At this point you have all kinds of skills (writing, layout, podcasting) but not much experience. A skills-based resume is perfect for people like you. Also, write a cover letter expressing your interest in the position and telling why you are the best cat for the job.

     Step four – Over the weeks of Hell Stage Three, keep your eyes peeled for what you believe are your best six pieces of work. These can and should be a stories, opinion pieces, wicked awesome podcasts, sports articles, beautifully paginated pages, etc, produced for H3. (DELETED SO AS TO NOT CONFUSE COLLEEN.) Note: Make sure these "clips" support your case for getting hired.  For example, a clip file of arts features will not help you get a sports-writing gig.

     Step five – Write an introduction for each clip. In this intro, talk about your writing process, what you learned while doing the work, which journalism roles it fulfills, and what you would do to improve the piece now.

Step six: Make a sandwich and eat it. Clean up after yourself.

     Step seven – Use a stapler, envelope, folder or paper clip to consolidate the clips, resume, cover letter, job listing and introductions into a pleasing package. Double check your AP Style and spelling.

     Step eight – Turn your clip file over to me by the date of your exam, whatever that ends up being.