Please check it out at: http://www.dcworks.info/

I will still be posting weekdays. And please keep sending ideas, questions, and job leads — either through the new site or to me at jodifs@verizon.net.

Happy hunting!

Jodi

Hiring experts give two pieces of advice here: Don’t address the issue yourself  but when they bring it up, give a solid, honest, makes-sense-to-me reason for your exit. Defensiveness will make them question you as a candidate but highlighting this can also hurt your chances of being considered for a position.

Here’s some specific tips for handling the question of why you left a previous job:

*Don’t bring it up — especially in the case of a layoff or firing — early in the process. Your resume and cover letter are no place for explaining the reasons for your previous moves or for why you are looking for a job now. You should be pitching your skills, experience and talents, and in the cover letter indicating your interest in this organization and position. Announcing a layoff — even when it clearly had nothing to do with your performance, such as when a company or division has been sold — may give them pause and won’t get you to the next phase of hiring. Instead, wait until they bring it up in an interview to explain.

*Provide the context. When asked why you left your previous job, you should give a straightforward, brief, businesslike answer — for instance, “My division was reorganized and my position was cut. I was offered another job with less responsibility in the company but I opted to take a buyout instead” — that doesn’t portray you in a bad light. Yet it’s important to provide the context so that they have the whole picture. For instance, if they ask why you left a job covering a good beat on a well-respected newspaper for a position in another city, you can say: “I had long wanted to be an editor, and this gave me an opportunity to break into editing. I also had been with my newspaper for a long time and wanted some experience with another news organization. There were also family reasons for the move.” This way you’re not saying you left a job because of a spouse’s move — though that’s part of the reason — but you are providing the full context for why you moved on.

*Avoid going on the defensive. There is nothing to be gained by playing defense, even if the hiring manager seems to be cross-examining you a bit in going through your resume and the choices you made in steering your career path. Again, answer questions in a straightforward fashion and try to provide the information they need so your moves don’t raise a red flag, but don’t ramble and don’t apologize. You may have made choices that they would not have but they were your choices — own them.

*Don’t blame yourself or others. Unless you have been fired for cause and must give a full explanation for it (as they’ll find out anyway), there is no reason to accept blame for a layoff or buyout. Instead, when asked give the business reasons — such as a reorganization, sale, losses, whatever — for the cuts. Be unemotional in your response. And be careful not to blame your bosses or the management at your previous company (even if they deserve it) for losing your job; this could backfire badly, even if the hiring manager appears sympathetic. No one likes to hear a former boss being blamed — that could lead the hiring manager to wonder what you may say about them in the future if you were to join this organization.

*Some very good news today on which to end the week — Maryann Haggerty, who has been a great contributor to dcworks, will be starting a new job Monday in D.C. as managing director at the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, the bipartisan panel set up to the examine the causes of the financial crisis. It will be a six-month assignment, as the commission faces a deadline for its report, and she says, “it promises to be absolutely fascinating.” Maryann, a long-time Washington Post writer and editor who took a buyout in 2009, has been happily freelancing and traveling since leaving daily journalism. When asked for some advice for others who are looking for their “next chapter,” Maryann responded:  “Let’s see. Useful advice? A situation like this would NOT be for everyone. It would be VERY bad for someone who requires a stable situation and dreads the thought of starting the hunt all over again in six months. Those same factors that allowed me to consider full-time freelancing put me in a place where I could consider this. (Those include a tight grasp on the household budget and a husband with big-company health insurance.) But after a very long time with one employer, I wanted the opportunity to experiment with some different things. It looks like I found one!” Indeed. And good food for thought. Congratulations and best of luck in this position to Maryann!

*Please continue to send along word of those in the dcworks community landing jobs, temporary positions or good freelance or contract work….Success breeds success!

*And with Monday’s blog, dcworks will be moving to a new URL and will have a whole new look and new features…I hope you’ll all like it. It will migrate (not on its own, unfortunately, if only I could wave a magic wand!) to its new URL home over the weekend and I’ll provide information about that here and on Facebook and LinkedIn, so look for the change. (And if you can’t find it, send me an email at jodifs@verizon.net, and I’ll send you a link.)

*Now, for some good leads to end this work week:

*The Save Darfur Coalition in D.C. is looking for a senior director of communications:

Senior Director of Communications
Save Darfur Coalition – Washington, DC
outreach and other communications activities and will… and advocacy communications for issues, people/candidates or causes; • Exceptional communication skills…
From idealist.org -

*Bloomberg News has a big batch of openings in D.C. in its Bloomberg Government (BGOV) operation for writers, editors and managers including this one for a product director:

Product Director – Industry
Bloomberg – Washington, DC
and market data, pricing, trading, news and communications tools to corporations, news organizations… written and oral communication skills to effectively…
From Bloomberg -

*PBS in Arlington has several openings, including for a director of executive communications:
Director – Executive Communications
PBS – Arlington, VA
TITLE: Director, Executive Communications DEPARTMENT: Corporate Communications STATUS: Full-time/Active… and other executive communications. ESSENTIAL DUTIES…
From PBS

*The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in D.C. is looking for a tax communications manager — this might be worth considering for a financial journalist with knowledge of the tax world who is looking to make a career switch:

Tax Communications Manager
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Washington, DC
communications plan are met. The Tax Communications… overall tax communications strategy and tax communications plan Coordinate multiple communication team…
From CareerBuilder

*UnitedHealth Group has an opening in D.C. for a senior director of public policy communications:

Senior Director of Public Policy Communications – Washington, D.C.
UnitedHealth Group – Washington, DC
Use strong verbal communications skills to position… actively in the Corporate Communications department meetings and Communications Council Embody and…
From UnitedHealth Group

*Smart Growth America in D.C. has a six-month, full-time opening (which could lead to a permanent job) for a communications fellow, who will report to the group’s chief of staff:
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE, SMART GROWTH AMERICA   Smart Growth America is seeking an enthusiastic candidate for a wide range of communications work to support a national communications effort on smart growth issues and organize and engage with supporters on and offline. This position requires comprehensive knowledge of website maintenance, HTML, CSS, knowledge of traditional and new media, and is a fantastic opportunity for an individual looking for on the ground experience.   Tasks will range from writing compelling content about our issues, using social networking tools and non-traditional media outlets, engaging online supporters through e-advocacy, working with our advocacy toolkit (Democracy in Action), supporting report releases and stories, and promoting regular blog coverage of smart growth issues.   The Communications Fellow will work in the Washington, D.C. office of Smart Growth America and will report to the Chief of Staff. This is a full-time fellowship for a minimum of six-months. This position may lead to permanent employment at SGA.

A successful applicant will have experience with the following: * Writing about growth, housing, transportation, equity, sustainability or other key issues, and an understanding of how to discuss these issues with the public. * Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools like Salesforce or Convio. Experience working with Content Management System (CMS) is a plus too. * Drafting or working with e-advocacy alerts — drafting compelling messages, setting them up and tracking participation. Hands-on experience with Democracy in Action is a significant plus. * Knowledge of new media, social tools and online organizing. Experience with WordPress and working knowledge of HTML and CSS. PhP is a plus, as it’s the language WordPress is written in.

Compensation: The Fellowship comes with a stipend of $1,500 per month. In addition, he or she will receive 6 days of paid sick leave or vacation per six months and will have paid leave on all federal holidays that occur within their tenure at SGA.   How to apply: To be considered for this position, please submit application materials to jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org. A complete application will include: 1) resume, 2) cover letter, 3) three references, and 4) short writing sample (not to exceed two pages). Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Job is available immediately.

*And to wrap up today’s leads, the National Press Foundation (NPF) in D.C. has an opening for a (paid!) fall intern:

NPF seeks an undergraduate student with an interest in non-profits, journalism, international affairs, and event planning to join NPF for the Fall 2010 Semester. Duties will include implementing professional development programs for U.S. and international journalists, helping with the Annual Awards Dinner, and more. More info is available here.

Happy hunting and have a great, relaxing weekend! (Take at least one day completely off!)

Jodi

That’s all fine and well and most of the time, hiring managers would tell you to comply. If you refuse to take the test or prepare the critique, it’s a little like telling the nice policeman that you’re not interested in the Breathalyzer: They’ll wonder what you’ve got to hide. And that could very well be the end of the hiring process for you.

Yet increasingly, news organizations are asking candidates — sometimes after only a cursory interview — to give them pages-long beat reports, detailed story idea lists and critiques that mimic business plans. And this raises obvious questions for the candidate: What is the organization going to do with this? Will my ideas soon turn up on their Web site and in their pages? And will this really help me get the job?

It can be a tough call, but sometimes they may be asking for too much. Here are some suggestions about how to handle a request during the hiring process that you think goes too far:

*Figure out how serious they are about you. If you’re likely to get an offer for a well-paying job after jumping through a hoop or two, it may be worth pulling the proverbial all-nighter or giving up your weekend to write a sterling proposal. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? But if you are just one of a dozen or so candidates being asked for a detailed beat memo and you don’t really stand a chance, it probably doesn’t make sense to sign up for some unpaid work for an organization you’re unlikely to join anyway. Do a risk/reward analysis of the project. Also, see if you can put it off until you’ve determined where you stand in the hiring process. You certainly don’t want to have to do this all over again for another hiring manager in the same organization a few weeks or months in the future.

*Determine whether this is being required of all candidates. If this is a regular part of the hiring process for all finalists for a position (and a finalist actually means that — just a few candidates), it’s going to be hard for you to say no or to negotiate the terms of the project. Yet if it appears they ask this of candidates who came to them rather than those they sought out, for instance, you’re probably standing on firmer ground to reject the request. Figure out whether the rules are being applied fairly — this will also tell you something about the organization. If they play fast and loose at this point, what would it be like if you actually worked there?

*See if you can alter the scope of the project. Years ago, as a candidate for a magazine editing job, I was given a new mission statement and set of goals for a magazine publisher undergoing a redesign, and was told to come up with a 10-25 page critique of the old magazine with a focus on what could be done in the new one. The search firm I was working with quite strongly suggested I comply, so I did. Not only did I not get the job (or even a polite brush-off) but months later, to my disbelief, I saw many of my proposed concepts  — down to the exact phrasing — in their redesigned magazine. Sure, I was a fool — but only once; I vowed never again to turn around a major proposal like that for free. A friend, recently burned by seeing her very specific ideas in a beat memo turn up weeks later in the words of a columnist for that organization, is much more wary these days — she tells organizations she will give them a story proposal or two with which to judge her work. Of course, you don’t want to appear defensive or frustrated when you try to adjust the terms of their assignment but if it will take you a long time, you can tell them you’ll need a longer deadline or a shorter project. If they’re reasonable, they’re likely to listen.

*Turn it into a freelance or consulting job. Organizations that have a valid reason for a project — such as determining whether you can adjust to their writing style, for instance, or seeing how you handle deadlines — often will agree to pay you for the project or for your time. That’s often a good sign that they’re serious about you; they wouldn’t necessarily fork over money if it wasn’t going to have a potentially bigger payoff for them. And not only will you feel better about the assignment if you’re being compensated for it, but in handling a freelance or consulting project for an organization you’re likely to get to know them better and gain more information about whether this job might be a good fit for you.

*Though in this economic environment it’s tough to get a big merit raise and it’s even tougher to negotiate a better salary with a new employer, there are other perks or bennies you should consider going after. Remember that employers often have more “wiggle room” with non-salary compensation, so decide what you want and seek it. Here’s some good advice from marketwatch.com:

Job perks that don’t cost much

*Consider these new job leads or pass them along to others:

*CyberCoders in D.C. is looking for an account executive in social media:

Account Executive – Social Media, Digital Marketing jobs in Washington, DC Account Executive – Social Media, Digital Marketing, Strong Writing Skills If you are an Account Executive with Social Media and Digita…
See details or apply

*The Midtown Group in D.C. is hiring for a contract job expected to last four to eight months for a writer-editor to compose a security manual for a government agency:

*Path Technologies in D.C. has an opening for a technical writer/editor:

*With a hat tip to poynter.org, for these next two openings, Foreign Policy Magazine in D.C. is seeking an art director:

Art Director

Foreign Policy Magazine

US – DC – Washington

The ideal candidate would have at least five years’ design experience, a passionate desire to translate big ideas about the world, and a keen interest in web as well as print design.  Exper…
Aug-25-2010-

*The Center for Investigative Reporting in D.C. is looking to hire a researcher in D.C. for a contract position on a homeland security project:

Researcher for homeland security project

Center for Investigative Reporting

Sample Tasks for ResearcherCreate revolving door database – Build a spreadsheet of former homeland security officials who now work for government contractors and vice versa. The researcher wou…
Aug-24-2010

*And last but not least today, and courtesy of paidcontent.org, TBD in Arlington is looking for a local sales manager:

Local Sales Manager
Arlington, VA (Washington DC…
TBD

Happy hunting!

Jodi

So, if you really want to help someone be successful in their search (and you should — it’s not only the right thing to do but “what goes around, comes around” and the next time you’re looking, they may well be in a position to help you!) here are some thoughts on how to do so in a meaningful way:

*Offer and provide tangible support. Rather than merely saying “what can I do?” or “who can I contact for you?” get going on your job-seeking friend’s behalf. Sit down with them and help them map out a job-hunting plan if they’re just getting started — often the act of discussing this with someone they trust will give them the energy and focus they need to start tackling their search. Come up with a list of folks you know who could be helpful contacts — and folks they know who could help — and make some introductions by phone and online. If you are skilled at this, offer to review their resume and help rewrite it. Prep for interviews with them. Bring them to a networking event with you and pass along other invitations that could be useful; urge them to go. An when you’ve offered to make a connection, do so right away — the worst thing you can do for a job hunter is to say you’ll help and then “forget” or put it off for a long while; don’t offer unless you really mean it.

*Be honest. This is especially important to do for a friend who has been job hunting for a while but for whatever reason isn’t getting callbacks or can’t seem to land a job offer after rounds of interviews. They are likely making some missteps and a real friend will help them figure out what they are. Help them review their interviewing style (on the phone as well as in person) and how they are following up with organizations. Go over their reference list with them and try to determine if those folks are as helpful as they might be — and whether someone on that list may be hurting their efforts. Help them figure out whether they are saying some things to hiring managers that aren’t working in their favor. Don’t sugar-coat things. Instead, make them face up to what they may be doing wrong in their search — this could help them turn things around in their job hunt.

*Stay the course. Job hunting can be a lonesome, frustrating and ego-wounding process. And just when they’re needed most, many friends and former colleagues head for the hills — especially if one’s job hunt goes on for months and months. So check in regularly with your job-hunting friend and follow up on suggestions you’ve made previously. Help them set new deadlines and look for new avenues for openings. Assist them in considering part-time, free-lance or temporary positions to give them some income — and perhaps an ego boost — while they look for a more permanent position. Also, encourage other friends or former colleagues to become part of their efforts as well. Together, you may soon be able to help them celebrate landing a new job!

*Here’s a few upcoming events that could of interest… First, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) is holding a career-oriented training event this Saturday (Aug. 28) at George Mason’s Arlington campus….You don’t have to be a member to attend but you need to register:

*And PBS’ NewsHour is continuing its “Tweet-ups” — the next is on Wed., Sept. 1:

Join the PBS NewsHour at Washington DC’s 19th on Sept. 1 as we celebrate the launch of our new iPhone app! http://bit.ly/dwGX5Z

*And now, for some fresh job leads:

*The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation has an opening in D.C. for a senior director of communications:

Senior Communications Director
Fenton Communications – Washington, DC
communications and marketing program for a non-profit organization. Besides the usual communications… of Communications leads an integrated communications…
From idealist.org

*The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Rockville is looking for a supervisory health communications specialist:

Supervisory Health Communications Specialist, GS-1001-14
Health & Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Rockville, MD
Office of Health Communication and Education (OHCE… communication and outreach channels to increase the impact of CTP’s health information and communications… $105,211 – $136,771 a year
From usajobs.gov -

*This might be a good opportunity for those looking for something to “tide them over” (and work nights and weekends to be available for interviews during the week!) — Kaplan has openings in D.C. for GMAT instructors — though you must have scored well on the test yourself to be considered:
GMAT INSTRUCTOR
Kaplan – Washington, DC
offer comprehensive training to help you master the… 90th percentile score on the GMAT – Previous training/teaching experience preferred – Business/Finance…
From Kaplan

*This could be interesting for someone looking to join the non-profit world — Oxfam America has an opening in D.C. for a lead organizer for “extractive” industries:

Lead Organizer Extractive Industries
Oxfam America – Washington, DC
Develop and present training to provide in-depth… s student training initiatives. Recruit participants, prepare curricula, deliver training, and provide…
From Justmeans – 1

*K12 has an opening in northern Virginia for a multimedia editor:

K12 is a dynamic company on a mission to provide the most compelling, comprehensive, and effective K-12 education available. Our employees are a critical part of an organization that is providing powerful, new options for the way children can be ed…
See details or apply

*Lockheed Martin has several writer-editor or technical writer openings at its Columbia, Md., office, including this one for a technical writer-editor:

*Thompson Publishing Group in D.C. is looking for an editor to oversee its grants publications:

Thompson Publishing Group is looking for an experienced editor to oversee its award-winning line of grants publications. The right candidate must have at least 7 years of experience and a strong understanding of the grantseeking process, grants mana…
See details or apply

*And last but not least today, Hughes Network Systems in Germantown is seeking an editor/manager to lead its team of technical writers:

Hughes is looking for a Technical Writer Manager in our Germantown, Maryland location! Job duties are as follows: – Lead a small team of tech writers. – Interface with Sr. Management for strategic and tactical planning. – Allocate resources to f…
See details or apply

Happy hunting!

Jodi

Decades into my journalism career, I have a few thoughts, and I also checked with a few other long-time, successful journalists for their ideas. And while these tips and strategies are most applicable to those embarking on a career in  journalism, the words of wisdom here could be useful to any professional — especially those in a field undergoing rapid change.

So, here is what we wish we’d have known then, but figured out along the way:

*Journalism is probably more of a business than you realize. (The same could be said for the political and policy worlds.) A long-time political journalist offers this advice: Don’t be lulled into thinking that good, hard work alone will enable you to survive in your career. Always have a contingency plan ready for what you’ll do in the event that your employer decides to put profits (in the political/policy world, substitute political considerations) ahead of all else.

*Pick your battles. Every newsroom seems to have a person who is quite talented, but who tends to go ballistic and complain whenever she or he is questioned or challenged about something. Realize that sustaining a good long-term relationship with your bosses — no matter where you are working — is more important than battling when your story is cut or rewritten. Learn acceptance and moderation, or you won’t survive in this business.

*Specialize but remain flexible and open to possibilities. These days, those who have mastered a specialty beat — such as finance, energy/environment or health care — often have more opportunities than others. It’s smart to pick a specialty area early on and develop that throughout your career. But be careful not to choose too narrow of an area or you might box yourself in. Also, even while specializing, you have to stay open to broader options and possibilities — keeping doors open is one of the best ways to ensure yourself continued employment in this field.

*Stay true to what you want to do. It’s great to work at a top news organization like the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. But it’s better to be really good at what you do. Don’t automatically look to the next career rung before excelling at what you’re doing now. And remember, most news organizations look to promote those who have done an excellent job in their current role — don’t be so anxious to move forward that you look past your current role.

*Do what you love — that’s probably what you’re best at in any case. A successful financial journalist put it so well –no amount of money can compensate you for spending 8 to 10 hours a day or more each working day doing something just for money. If you follow your dream and think about what you’d do if money was no object, you’ll be much more satisfied with your career and your life.  And the chances are also good that you’ll become successful and comfortable in your career because by doing something you love, you’ll become really, really good at it.

Please send along related thoughts and strategies; if I get a batch more, I’ll follow up in a future post.

*Some very good news and congratulations today — to Chuck McCutcheon, a terrific supporter of and contributor to dcworks, will become the new co-author of The Almanac of American Politics, working at the National Journal’s D.C. office. Chuck, who is a former co-editor of Politics in America, has kept busy in the past year since leaving CQ by writing for NJ,  the Christian Science Monitor and other publications, and writing a book. He lives one of the pieces of advice given above — do what you love in journalism. Congratulations and much success in this new role to Chuck!

*Today’s fresh job leads (and one for an internship) focus on communications/PR,  policy, writing and editing positions:

*The Department of Homeland Security has an opening in D.C. for a writer-editor:

WRITER-EDITOR
Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services – Washington, DC
Every day, Our Writer/Editor: Edits, writes and… training materials, manuals, regulations, guidebooks and a wide variety of other written communications… $74,872 – $136,771 a year
From usajobs.gov

*Hill & Knowlton has several positions open in D.C., including one for an account supervisor/VP in its health care practice:

Account Supervisor/Vice President, Health IT
Hill & Knowlton, Inc. – Washington, DC
confident, and dynamic communications senior-level… experience in a Healthcare practice, excellent writing and media relations skills, media contacts, a…
From Hill & Knowlton, Inc

*Amerigroup has an opening in D.C. for a director of government relations, focusing on health care reform:

Director Government Relations/Healthcare Reform/Washington D.C.
Amerigroup – Washington, DC
the federal regulatory and legistive process – Excellent writing, communications, presentation, interpersonal, problem-solving, analytical and organizational…
From AMERIGROUP Corporation

*The National Farmers Union in D.C. has an entry-level opening for a communications coordinator:

Position: Communications Coordinator
Supervisor: Director of Communications
Organization: National Farmers Union, Washington D.C.
Date: August 2010

OVERVIEW

Assist the Director of Communications with all department-related activities and other departments with special project requests.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

· Work closely with other departments and member state organizations to gather news and member profiles.

· Create layout and content for printed and electronic newsletters.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

This is an entry-level position. Requires a combination of college level coursework plus some work experience or internship in communications, journalism or closely related activities.

Experience with Adobe In Design, Photoshop, Illustrator, along with experience using Word Press or similar web content management systems a plus.

PERSONAL SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES

* Demonstrated ability to understand various current technologies and their application or integration into a business environment.
* Project a professional image through personal and phone interactions.
* Self-starter with an ability to prioritize tasks.

Salary Range: $30,000-$35,000

Closing Date: Open until filled

Please send cover letters and resumes to nationalfarmersunion@gmail.com, with “Communications Coordinator” in the subject line.

*AP has an opening in D.C. for a newsperson on its Latin America desk:

*AP has another opening in D.C. for a news editor:

*The Consumer Specialty Products Association in D.C. is looking for a director of communications:

Communications Director The Consumer Specialty Products Association, representing household and institutional products, is seeking an energetic and talented communication director. The ideal candidate will be a quick study and willing to take init…
See details or apply

*And if you know of someone looking for a fall internship, this seems like an interesting opportunity to pass along — CityGrid Media is seeking an editorial intern in its D.C. office:

Tired of internships that are all about filing, faxing and fetching coffee? Think you know your community better than it knows itself? Do you possess a passion for writing, socializing, eating, and shopping? Wanna be tasked with exploring your cit…
See details or apply

Good luck on the hunt today!

Jodi

Well, yes. While it may seem that it’s enough to wow a hiring manager with your skills, experience and knowledge of the organization and the field, it’s not. Human nature being what it is, those hiring want to feel a solid connection with a candidate and want to think you’d be a desirable person to have around the office. Now, if you’re not qualified or prepared, it doesn’t matter how much they may like you. But if you have the skills and experience and they don’t feel any warmth, you may have a problem — especially if another candidate is qualified as well as friendly and warm. This is what’s known as emotional intelligence, and heightening your emotional IQ is an important element in succeeding in  the interview process.

Emotional intelligence has gotten a lot of press lately, and there’s plenty of studies and anecdotal evidence that show it’s an important, demonstrable skill in the workplace. A recent book that’s not half bad posits the idea that even if you’re not a naturally warm and outgoing person, you can develop some skills and traits that can help you in a job hunt:

The Smart New Way to Get Hired – Use Emotional Intelligence and Land the Right Job

Meanwhile, here are some common-sense tips to help you promote your emotional IQ in a job search, and to avoid being viewed as cold and distant:

*Show empathy. Most job hunters don’t think much about the interviewer on the other side of the desk, and how they may be feeling. Often, a hiring manager is sandwiching this interview in among about 100 other things they’re doing that day and may not be prepared or thrilled about the process. While you may not think it’s your role to put them at ease, if you show some empathy, you may be able to make a real connection. Even little grace notes like “I realize you’ve been talking to a lot of people for this job, and I really appreciate you giving me the chance to discuss it with you” shows that you value their time and you respect the fact that this is a competitive process. They may put their guard down a bit with you and the interview can turn into a conversation rather than a sterile Q&A if you seek to put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes.

*Be human, not a robo-candidate. All kinds of little things — like smiling before answering questions, making the interviewer think they’re asking good questions and listening well — can give a hiring manager the sense that you’re paying attention and trying to connect with them. Showcasing a sense of humor, in an appropriate way, of course (be very careful to keep all jokes and language clean!!), can also reassure a hiring manager that you are someone who will work well with others. And you can show you’re self aware and don’t take yourself too seriously if you make a little joke at your own expense. If you’re nervous, for instance, you might even joke about that — which could show your human side and also might help explain away a flub or two you may make in the interview.

*Prove you can communicate. In addition to assessing the content of the interview, hiring managers often use phone and face-to-face interview sessions as a way to evaluate how well a candidate communicates with others — and under pressure. And especially in communications and journalism jobs, they will be placing a priority on these skills. If you can’t communicate effectively enough for them to feel like they know you somewhat after an interview, they may figure that you’re just not a good communicator — and they may drop you from their list even if they’re impressed by your other skills. So work hard — by how you say it as well as what you say — to get your points across in a conversational way. In person, keep steady eye contact with the interviewer and provide anecdotal examples whenever possible to keep their interest and make memorable points. Don’t ramble; respect their time and respond accordingly to what appear to be their priorities. On the phone, speak clearly and compensate for the lack of body language by adopting a friendly, outgoing tone — underscore your most important points with enthusiasm. Practice all of this before hand with a trusted friend; have them specifically determine whether you seem to be communicating in a conversational style and note what kinds of responses were most effective in making a connection.

*As I didn’t get much response to my request for what really bugs job hunters about recruiters and hiring managers (hoping to serve up a comeback to last week’s post, “Avoid These Job-Hunting Sins at All Costs”), thought I’d try to get something going with this link to a post on glassdoor.com, looking at what organizations should do to get good employees in the door. Being courteous is among them! Let me know what other advice you’d have for those hiring:

What Employers Need To Do To Attract The Right Candidates

*And now for a batch of fresh job, freelance and internship leads:

*Voice of America in D.C. has an opening for a supervisory managing editor of the Persian News Network:

Supervisory Managing Editor (Persian), GS-1001-13–[M/P]
Broadcasting Board of Governors – Washington, DC
Incumbent serves as a Supervisory Managing Editor for the Persian News Network, responsible for the editorial direction and news content of PNN’s news output… $89,033 – $115,742 a year
From usajobs.gov

*The well-regarded Writer’s Center in Bethesda is looking for a director; applications are open only until Sept. 1 so if you’re interested, you’d better get going:

Director, The Writer’s Center
Closing Date: September 1.  The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the country’s premier independent literary centers, offering writing workshops in all genres at all skill levels to more than 2,000 members and the general public in the Washington, D.C. region. Its mission is to cultivate the creation, publication, presentation, and dissemination of literary work. Founded in 1976, the organization is seeking a passionate, committed, and entrepreneurial new Director to lead the organization through its next stage of growth. The Writer’s Center offers a unique literary bookstore, twice annually publishes Poet Lore, the oldest continually published poetry journal in the country, and three times annually Workshop & Event Guide, its workshop and live event guide. The Writer’s Center presents readings and other literary events to the general public, and provides associated services in support of a unique community of writers ranging from the well-established to beginners. The Writer’s Center operates on a budget of $1M and employs six to seven full-time and three part-time employees. The Director is the senior artistic and management staff position, responsible for leading and meeting the artistic mission of the Center, and for the overall management and success of all Center operations. The Director reports to the Board of Directors whose role is policy, supervision, and support. The Director is the Center’s primary representative to the general public, to participants and members, to grantors and donors, and to the literary arts field generally. Applicants should familiarize themselves with The Writer’s Center’s new Web site, www.writer.org. To apply, applicants should forward resume, cover letter, and references to apply@writer.org.

*The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (Md.) is looking for a communications intern to work 10-15 hours a week for the fall semester:

http://www.creativemoco.com/sites/default/myfiles/FY11CommunicationsInternFINAL.pdf

*Politico in Arlington is looking for another Web editor who can handle a fast pace of news. Those interested should contact Danielle Jones (DJones@politico.com).

*The American Hospital Association (AHA) has several communications openings in its D.C. office, including for a senior communications specialist:

The American Hospital Association is recruiting for 5 editorial/communications positions based in either Chicago, IL or Washington, DC.  Check out the website for the specific postings and instructions on how to apply:
http://aha.hrmdirect.com/employment/openings.php

*The Maryland Judiciary in Annapolis is looking for a Web content editor:

If anyone is interested in working a short-term temporary gig with no benefits but the flexibility to work from home or know someone who is, the Maryland Judiciary is looking for a web content editor. The Judiciary has thousands of pages of content that really needs to be re-written, edited, downsized, translated into regular peoplespeak. They prefer someone with a journalism background who is familiar with the writing style needed for the web. Contact: Angelita Plemmer, Director, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, State of Maryland Judiciary, Judicial Education Conference Center, 2011-D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: 410-260-1564
Fax: 410-260-3560

*Grist is looking for a news editor on the East Coast; D.C. would be a preferred location:

http://www.grist.org/about/jobs
News Editor

Grist, the nation’s most influential source of green news and
commentary, is looking for an experienced editor to help develop and
drive a daily news approach, delivering on our homepage and in our
emails a must-have distillation of green developments and
conversations, with a decidedly irreverent POV.

The News Editor will be a ringmaster of sorts, responsible for
monitoring, collecting, and culling the day’s most important and
provocative news, people, ideas, and events in the world of green, and
then applying, with wit and sass, a narrative thread to the
collection.

We want someone who is brimming with ideas for how to engage users
with insightful content. The editor should have a good sense of the
green zeitgeist, considered opinions on its evolution, and an ability
to translate that perspective into a colorful, compelling storyline of
what’s important and why.

The News Editor will ideally be located on the East Coast, preferably
in N.Y.C. or D.C. S/he will report to the Executive Editor.

Responsibilities:
– Work closely with senior management and a team of one or two others to
produce a distillation, updated multiple times a day, of the most
vital and interesting green developments and conversations
– Develop and manage a small team, including volunteer contributors
– Respond to web analytics and integrate social media into the fabric of
the day’s work
– Write and edit ad hoc assignments as required (that’s life at a
mission-based nonprofit!)

Qualifications:
– Killer writing and editing skills
– 5 years experience as an online news editor
– 2-3 years experience managing projects, ideally leading small teams
of producers, reporters, and designers
– Strong eye for visual journalism and what works online
– Significant experience harnessing social media
– Significant experience translating web analytics and user data into
product improvements
– Hands-on experience with HTML, CSS, Photoshop, and other online tools;
hands-on CMS experience a plus
– Bachelor’s degree; journalism degree a plus
– A well-developed funny bone
– Stellar contacts in the media world a plus

Grist offers good benefits, the opportunity to play a crucial role in
an environmental media organization, and a friendly, fun workplace.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@grist.org with
“News Editor” in the subject line. We are looking for a thoughtful,
personalized cover letter that demonstrates your qualifications and
writing style. No phone calls, please. Grist is an equal-opportunity
employer.

*And last but not least today, Yahoo! has a contract opening for a Web editor/producer on the East Coast:

Yahoo! is hiring — Web editor/producer w/ lifestyles experience

Actively seeking a full-time editor/producer for the Starbucks wi-fi front page to be programmed by Yahoo!

We need a Web producer/editor with strong lifestyles content and partner management experience based on East Coast, ideally NYC. This is a contract job (unfortunately no health benefits). Must have at least 5 years of professional online experience.

Here’s the job description: http://tinyurl.com/23s5ayp

Happy hunting!

Jodi

What if, instead, we made career choices based on the hard, cold facts — that most jobs, these days, last for an average of four years, and so only represent a small slice of one’s career. Wouldn’t that take some of the pressure off a job hunt? Also, because it has become commonplace to jump around in one’s career, even short-term stints don’t have the stigma they used to — so if it doesn’t work out, you won’t be penalized like you used to be, especially if you find something else relatively quickly. That opens up possibilities and allows one to take some risks.

While I’m certainly not advocating that one should adopt a cavalier attitude toward accepting a job, it’s also true that evidence indicates that our careers will be made up of many shorter-term positions with a number of employers. And rather than fighting that, what if we embraced it and took advantage of this reality?

Here are some ways that accepting the concept of “it doesn’t have to be forever” can help in managing your career:

*This frees you to look at what you can get out of a job. Often, we’re so busy pitching our skills and trying to impress employers, that we forget to be a buyer as well as a seller. If you figure that you likely won’t be in a position more than a few years, you can look honestly at what you can take from it in terms of experience, skills development and contacts, rather than worrying so much about what your long-term prospects will be there. Also, there are times it makes sense to seek a job specifically for the kinds of skills it’ll bring — say, taking a stint with a non-profit organization to learn about grants or going to a Hill office for a few years to figure out how Congress really works. Being deliberate about this can aid your career.

*This allows you to take jobs that make sense at that point in your life. If you figure that this isn’t forever, then you’re much more apt to look at how a position fits into your current lifestyle — and this will obviously change as your circumstances change. For instance, a less demanding job with flexible hours and which allows you to work from home to some degree often makes sense for parents with young children. Years later, when the kids are off to college, a higher-pressure job with long hours and travel demands but high pay may make a lot of sense. When examining the pros and cons of a position, you don’t have to figure out what your life will be like years down the road — you really can determine whether it makes sense based on your circumstances and needs right now, and that you’ll adjust accordingly (in terms of your career) as things change in your life.

*This removes some pressure. Part of what makes a job hunt so stressful is the sense that if you make a mistake, it can cost you big time and for a long time. But if you accept the reality that you don’t have to stay at a workplace for terribly long if you aren’t happy there or can keep at it for a few years until things get better in your industry, for example, then you’ve removed some of the pressure from your search. And by doing that, you’re more likely to feel more confident and open to various possibilities — which can only make you a better candidate to prospective employers.

*A piece from the New York Times (and nytimes.org) provides some good advice — which I’ve given here in the past — for those who have been searching for a long while: Find a temporary job, either within or outside your field, to tide you over…You never know where it may lead, and getting back to any kind of work may help change your luck:

Finding a Bridge Over the Void

*Check out this batch of leads to end the work week:

*The Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS) has an opening in Rockville for a managing editor for its magazine, Regulatory Focus:

Managing Editor, Regulatory Focus magazine
RAPS – Rockville, MD
an appointed Board of Editors on the development of… English, communications or other publishing-related area Seven to nine years of managing editor/copy…
From washingtonpost.com

*The Primary Group in Alexandria is looking for a director of marketing communications:

Director of Marketing Communications
The Primary Group – Alexandria, VA
a Director of Marketing Communications to develop marketing communications and strategic programs based on… management marketing communications in a retail…
From The Primary Group

*LivingSocial has an opening in D.C. for a director of email and retention strategy:
Director of Email & Retention Strategy
LivingSocial – Washington, DC
marketing best practices Significant experience with preference-based communications Strong analytical capacity with experience presenting and communicating…
From LivingSocial

*DCI Group in D.C. is looking for someone to direct its strategic alliances:

Director – Strategic Alliances
DCI Group – Washington, DC
with a variety of communication & personality styles… domestically (10%) Excellent written and oral communication skills null We look forward to receiving…
From DCI Group

*The World Resource Institute’s EMBARQ is looking for a full-time intern to write for TheCityFix.com, an online publication for sustainable transport news and advocacy:

*Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore is looking for a Hispanic outreach writer/editor:

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs/job_item.jhtml;jsessionid=LWHJWG2GYSNMDLAQBQ4CGW15AAAACI2F?id=305800022

*The American Lung Association in D.C. is seeking a manager of online services:

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs/job_item.jhtml?id=305400027

*Women for Women International in D.C. has an opening for a deputy director of marketing:

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs/job_item.jhtml?id=305400002

*BBYO in D.C. is looking for a Web developer:

http://www.jewishjobs.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=uvj&job_id=14230

*And to wrap up today’s (and this week’s) leads, the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) in Rockville is seeking a communications manager:

http://www.jewishjobs.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=uvj&job_id=14236

Happy hunting and have a relaxing late summer weekend! I’ll be back with you Monday morning!

Jodi

So it goes. It’s simple. But how can you make this work for you, especially if you are one of the journalists rather than a neonatal nurse? Even if you may appear to be on the glut side of the coin, hiring experts say, you may have certain skills and attributes that are not necessarily in abundant supply. Timing, types of experience and location also play into the supply-and-demand equation in the job market, and savvy job hunters should keep these factors in mind.

Here are some tips on how to make the laws of supply and demand work for you in a search:

*Inventory what you have that may be in relatively short supply. Even in a competitive job market and in a crowded field — like communications, journalism or politics — you may have experience or special skills that help you stand out. In journalism, those with experience covering specialty beats — finance, energy and health care of late — have been much more successful in snaring jobs at higher salaries than those with more general skills. If you have technical skills that are in short supply, you can make that work for you as well. Try to set yourself apart in ways small and large from the crowd, even if you are looking for a  job in a crowded category.

*Timing is everything. If an organization wants to fill a position quickly and you have the right kind of skills, you may be able to land fairly quickly and even to negotiate a higher salary because they don’t want to wait. Also, if they have been looking for a while and a hiring manager worries that the position may get frozen if they dither any more, their demand quotient goes up. The question is how to determine when timing can work in your favor; the answer is research. If you’re interested in a particular job in an organization, network like crazy to find out not only the details of the position, but about how long it has been open and if there is an urgency to filling it. Just as in real estate, where smart home buyers know they can get a home for less if it’s been on the market a while (and especially if the sellers have moved out and then may be paying for several places), clever job hunters can use timing to their advantage.

*Get your foot in the door and work from there. Sometimes the laws of supply and demand won’t work in your favor right away, but can in the future. It may be worth it to join an organization — even if it’s a lateral move or if you have to take a pay cut from your previous job, especially if you are unemployed now — that likely will have better opportunities in the future, or will be a prestigious stamp on your resume, and can help ensure future demand for your services. Think strategically about each career step. If a certain job will provide you with experience and skills that few others are attaining and will likely set you apart in the future, it may be worth taking that detour now. While it’s always tough to predict what the market will be like five, 10 or more years ahead, specializing and developing technical skills is always a good bet — and may make you a standout a few years down the road.

*Even though those who have been unemployed a while may be all too aware of the costs — financial and otherwise — of joblessness, this piece on marketwatch.com is still interesting, and sobering:

Unemployment’s lingering effects

*But as the glass remains half (or more!) full, plenty of folks in the D.C. area are hiring, and here are some fresh leads:

*First, here’s word of some upcoming hiring plans for a news organization — Newsmax is looking to add about half a dozen staffers to its D.C. bureau, and many more in New York.

The NY Post has more…..

*Clovis is conducting a search for a content editor on a contract basis in Herndon:

This position is a 2-3 month contract. Please send resumes to MARK.DEVER@Clovisgroup.com Essential Duties and Responsibilities: · Under the direction of the core editorial team, perform research and assemble articles and resources on a wide …
See details or apply

*Here’s a good opportunity for the horse lovers amongst us — the Equine Network in Gaithersburg is looking for an online content manager:

The Equine Network, publishers of equine related special interest publications, is looking for an Online Content Manager to join our team. We are looking for a long term, dependable, and detail oriented employee. RESPONSIBILITIES – Manage EquiS…
See details or apply

*Navigant Consulting in D.C. has an opening for a technical editor:

*An Alexandria company is seeking a proposal writer:

We have a great direct hire Proposal Coordinator position in Alexandria, VA (metro accessible). Our company is MI is a prominent Data/Records, Facilities, and Program Management Company. MI mission is to provide management and support services util…
See details or apply

*Calnet in Reston has an opening for a proposal manager:

Founded in 1989, CALNET, INC has become one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the Technology & Intelligence Analysis consulting services arena. Headquartered in Reston, VA and with a branch office in San Diego, CALNET, INC employees…
See details or apply

*With a hat tip to journalismjobs.com, for these next few leads, the Pew Research Center in D.C. has several openings, including the following one for a digital project manager for the Forum on Religion & Public Life:

Company:	The Pew Research Center
Position:	Digital Project Manager, Forum on Religion & Public Life
Location:	Washington, District of Columbia
Job Status:	Full-time
Salary:	Not Specified
Ad Expires:	September 14, 2010
Job ID:	1192047

Description:
Digital Project Manager, Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life

Organization Overview: The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; analyzing news coverage; and holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues. Its work is carried out by a “Core” administrative and publishing unit and these seven projects:

The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (people-press.org) led by Andrew Kohut Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism (journalism.org) led by Tom Rosenstiel Pew Internet & American Life Project (pewinternet.org) led by Lee Rainie Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (pewforum.org) led by Luis Lugo Pew Hispanic Center (pewhispanic.org) led by Paul Taylor Pew Global Attitudes Project (pewglobal.org) led by Andrew Kohut Pew Social & Demographic Trends (pewsocialtrends.org) led by Paul Taylor

•

Pew Forum Overview

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, launched in 2001, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Pew Forum conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. It also provides a neutral venue for discussions of timely issues through roundtables and briefings.

Position Summary The digital project manager supports the communications, editorial and research priorities of the Pew Forum by serving as the project manager for Web and other technology-related projects. The project manager plays a key role in developing effective and innovative online products that meet the information needs of journalists, government officials and other target audiences. The project manager works closely with the Forum’s associate directors for communications, editorial and research, as well as with the relevant units within the Pew Research Center, especially communications, web and IT. The digital project manager reports to the director of the Pew Forum.

Primary Responsibilities Project Management • Serves as the manager of Web and other technology-related projects for the Pew Forum, including projects related to the Forum’s website, content management system (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM) and others. • Coordinates the development of the new Global Religious Futures micro-site by leading the cross-departmental team and outside vendors from conception through implementation. The Global Religious Futures micro-site is envisioned to be a state-of- the-art website providing the most comprehensive, reliable and user-friendly source of information on global religion available online. • Evaluates software and technology needs, makes recommendations, develops and designs project scope, and manages implementation of new systems and applications.

Helps select vendors and technology solutions through competitive RFP processes, making recommendations on solutions, cost and contracts. Manages outside vendors, including reviewing work plans, overseeing projects, ensuring adherence to Statements of Work and other contract requirements, managing bug lists, prioritizing and assessing work, etc. Orchestrates the timely completion of projects by creating schedules and milestones, coordinating meetings with project stakeholders, etc. Coordinates with the Pew Research Center’s director of digital strategy and IT to determine work to be handled by outside consultants and vendors versus work that can be handled by Pew Research Center staff. Develops annual budget for Web and technology-related projects. Tracks and manages project costs and resources.

Website Management: • Collaborates with research, editorial and communications staff on online content and presentation. • Collaborates with designers, editors, researchers, programmers, communications and other project staff to conceptualize and manage the development of online features from requirements phase through deployment. Ensures that search engine optimization (SEO) and usability best practices are considered in all projects. Produces or oversees the production of high quality user interface documents and wireframes. • Participates in design process relating to site layout, information architecture, illustration, photography and creation of information graphics. • Collaborates with communications, IT and knowledge management staff to maintain content taxonomy. • Supervises the work of the Web producer and coordinates internal and external resources for technical projects and applications. • Evaluates CMS performance and determines if and when platform changes are needed. • Keeps up with developments in the online publishing and Web fields.

Web Marketing and Analytics • Works closely with the communications team in developing online marketing campaigns. • Manages technical aspects and implementation of Web marketing and SEO initiatives, in close coordination with associate director of communications. • Analyzes Web traffic using AWSTATS and Google Analytics. Provides data and clear non-technical narrative analysis for grant and other reporting. • Writes clear, non-technical memos to funders, as needed, that may include cost-benefit analyses, project expenditure justifications, online project assessments, etc. • Keeps up with developments and innovative uses of online technology and regularly informs senior managers about them.

Education/Training/Experience • Bachelor’s degree required. Project Management certification preferred.

Minimum of 7 years of work experience required. Extensive experience in progressively responsible positions in project management, including online strategy and operations, Web development, and vendor management. Experience implementing, maintaining and using a CMS and CRM; experience with Ektron a plus. Background in religion and public policy and/or international affairs a plus.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements: • Understanding of HTML and advanced Web-based technology, including audio, streaming video and podcasting. Familiarity with mapping and GIS applications. • Knowledge of relational database applications and SQL, and their use in Web applications. • Exceptional technical abilities and experience working and communicating with technical and non-technical staff. • Demonstrated skills in requirements-gathering, resource organization and schedule development. • Demonstrated ability to think through complex issues, leading to recommendations and action plans. • Experience managing a budget. • Experience in online marketing tactics, including search engine optimization, as well as Web analytics. • Understanding of fundamentals of user interface design; experience with usability testing. • Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. • Strong written and oral communications skills. • Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficiency in at least one design application, such as InDesign or Illustrator. • Ability to work well in team-oriented environment. • Familiarity with and interest in the Pew Forum’s issue areas.

Application Procedure:

Applicant should send a complete resume and cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) to:

Ms. April McWilliams, Human Resources Director, Pew Research Center, 1615 L Street, NW Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036.

Responses can also be faxed to 202-419-4339 or e-mailed to careers@pewresearch.org.

*Federal News Service in D.C. is looking for a political transcriptionist — this could be a good opportunity for someone wanting to enter the news business who is interested in politics:

Company:	Federal News Service
Position:	Industry Leader Seeks Political Transcriptionist
Location:	Washington, District of Columbia
Job Status:	Full-time
Salary:	$35,000 to $40,000
Ad Expires:	September 20, 2010
Job ID:	1193412
Website:	http://www.fednews.com/

Description:
Political Transcriptionist

Transcribe political events (the president, Congress, administration figures, foreign leaders, et cetera) in a team environment for a transcript newswire with a focus on accuracy and speed. Prior transcription experience and outstanding English language skills greatly desired. Must type at least 60 words per minute, be a stickler for accuracy, be a team player, be reliable, have excellent reading and listening comprehension, and have a good ear and a good attitude. Strong political knowledge and online search skills are a must.

* Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., full-time, M-F. * Located in downtown Washington, DC one block from Metro. * Health/dental/vision/life benefits, flex spending, 401(k) plan * Great position for someone interested in politics and current events.

SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: jobs@fednews.com

*MacNeil Lehrer Productions in Arlington has an opening for a digital news editor:

Company:	MacNeil Lehrer Productions
Position:	Digital News Editor
Location:	Arlington, Virginia
Job Status:	Full-time
Salary:	Not Specified
Ad Expires:	September 20, 2010
Job ID:	1179764
Website:	http://www.pbs.org/newshour/

Description:
As a member of the NewsHour’s multi-platform newsroom, the Digital News Editor will play a major role in the evolution of the NewsHour’s news day – from online to on-air. Reporting to the Managing Editor, Digital News, the Digital News Editor will coordinate with the head of the Segment Production unit to plan and execute news coverage throughout the day. While primarily responsible for online coverage, the Digital News Editor will also be expected to contribute to on-air coverage as needed. Duties include refining story pitches, editing copy, enforcing deadlines and ensuring the quality and daily flow of content to the NewsHour’s website, news blog and its news desk. The Digital News Editor must have demonstrated experience working with reporters with differing skill sets, communicating editorial guidelines and maintaining the highest journalistic standards. Excellent writing skills are a must.

DUTIES The digital news editor’s duties are further detailed as: 1. Helping to coordinate story coverage among desks for online and on-air news efforts 2. Editing content in text, video, broadcast script, blog or multimedia format 3. Writing homepage headlines and planning and publishing homepage turnovers 4. Editing and scheduling blog coverage throughout the day for maximum traffic impact 5. With the rest of the newsroom staff, watching wires for breaking news and events 6. Mobilizing reporting and production personnel to best respond to breaking news 7. Coordinating with reporter/producers and desk editors for editorial sign off 8. Coordinating with correspondents on planned digital content 9. Coverage of live news events and special editorial projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must have at least three years of experience covering daily news and editing news stories and analysis on multimedia platforms. Skills in Final Cut Pro or an equivalent program are strongly desired. Strong editing, communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to handle breaking news and troubleshoot technical issues, is desired. The Digital News Editor will report to the Managing Editor, Digital News and will be based in the multi-platform PBS NewsHour newsroom in Arlington, Virginia. Some weekend hours may be required.

MINIMUM STARTING SALARY Commensurate with experience

CONTACT Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and list of three references to Maureen Hoch, mhoch (at) newshour.org. No phone calls please. EOE

*And last but not least today, Elsevier’s International Medical News Group (IMNG) has an opening in Rockville for a video editor/producer:

Company:	Elsevier
Position:	Seeking Video Editor/Producer
Location:	Rockville, Maryland
Job Status:	Full-time
Salary:	Not Specified
Ad Expires:	September 17, 2010
Job ID:	1192990
Website:	http://http://reedelsevier.taleo.net/careersection/51/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=HEA0004T

Description:
International Medical News Group (IMNG) is seeking a Video Editor/Producer to coordinate the technical and creative aspects of video direction and production. The Video Editor/Producer will be responsible for working closely with editorial and design staff on the development and execution of editorial multimedia/video content to meet video editing deadlines. The successful candidate will also train and instruct staff on video editing at a level that takes them from basic shooting to high level technical quality videos. The job offers the opportunity to work with a large editorial and production staff in a lively, stimulating environment. Key responsibilities include:

•Completing video packages ensuring video content contains voiceovers, slides, graphics, lower thirds, etc.

•Shooting and editing videos with addition of B-roll, slides and graphics to specifications in Adobe Premiere

•Developing an archival system for storing, classifying and retrieving footage for video productions.

•Maintaining network for the purpose of editing video files shot by staff reporters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•Bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum 3 years experience in multimedia/video editing OR equivalent experience.

•Flexibility and creativity that facilitate managing new video, audio, and multimedia products and workflows.

•Demonstrable technical expertise in the use of Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere, After Effects, Encore, and Photoshop. Wide-ranging skills related to the use of computers, video, audio-for-video, and video lighting equipment.

•Experience in designing graphic components and motion graphics for video.

•Computer graphic and design capabilities that allow design of virtual news sets and other CG/virtual backgrounds, including green screen technologies.

•High reliability and availability to perform a variety of tasks to maintain and update video network capabilities.

We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package as well as a real opportunity for career growth in a growing organization. Elsevier is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

Interested candidates should apply online at http://reedelsevier.taleo.net/careersection/51/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=HEA0004T Please include a cover letter listing salary requirements and resume.

Happy hunting today!

Jodi

We all make missteps in managing our careers and a few mistakes won’t take you off course too much. Yet over time, if you regularly fall into one of these categories, you’ll likely have trouble getting ahead in your career. Here are some tips on the job hunting sins, why hiring managers worry about them and what you can do to avoid them:

*Arrogance. This is a sense that just because you’re job hunting, the job is yours. It is displayed in a job search through a haughty attitude, overly generous (and inflated) descriptions of your abilities in a resume and cover letters and in the interview itself. The arrogant job hunter interrupts the interviewer, doesn’t really answer questions (he or she is so above all that), wants to know about salary, benefits and opportunities for promotion right away, drops names and tries to use connections to get around the hiring manager and go over his or her head because they aren’t important enough. Why recruiters hate this: Because if hired, this person would likely be insufferable to work with, and is usually more of a legend in their own mind than in reality. How to avoid this: Simply put, don’t be a jerk. (See July 8 post, “Why It’s Smart Not to Turn into a Jerk While Job Hunting.”) Be respectful and friendly throughout the hiring process, and always thank anyone involved (including secretaries and assistants!) for their time. Respect the process, even if you don’t always agree with it. Don’t presume someone isn’t important or a decision maker — if you’re talking to them at any point as you make your way through the hiring gauntlet, they likely are involved and you ignore them at your peril.

*Ignorance. Not knowing much about the company or the job, and failing to take the time to find out. This is shown through poor preparation, substandard interview skills, a lack of questions or silly questions about the company, presuming things about the organization that aren’t true or were true years in the past, and a lack of curiosity. Why recruiters hate this: Because why would they want to work with someone who isn’t competent? A lack of preparation during the hiring process is presumed to indicate that you wouldn’t be able to handle the job’s duties if hired. How to avoid this: Research, research, research (the company, the job and even the interviewer) and preparation — and showing that in interviews through your ready answers and good questions. Be careful not to make assumptions based on outdated information. Rehearse your interview answers and prepare all materials with care.

*Sloppiness. Hiring managers say this sin will end your candidacy faster than anything else — perhaps because it’s so glaringly obvious. It’s displayed through errors on your resume (ugh!) and cover letter (which are more common than you might think) and in other materials. It’s also shown through dressing inappropriately or sloppily for interviews and through bad habits like being late for an interview, having poor phone interview skills, or not responding right away to a hiring manager’s requests. Why recruiters hate this: They think you’d be sloppy with your work product, if hired, as well. How to avoid it: Pay attention to all details during a job hunt. You don’t have to be Miss Manners or a beauty queen, but you should show enough respect to the organization to be careful in your dealings with them and not to be sloppy about anything important. Networking helps — ask your friends and contacts about interview etiquette if you’re unsure of anything.

*Poynter.org has a good, realistic piece that should hearten unemployed journalists (and others) — it’s NOT your fault and you shouldn’t be blamed is the message:

Blaming Joblessness on the Jobless is Wrong

*Check out these fresh leads:

*The Defense Department’s Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) Office in Falls Church has an opening for a communications program specialist:

Communications Program Specialist
Defense Human Resources Activity – Falls Church, VA
The Communications Specialist supports the Communications Program Manager in executing the communications… communication mediums. Supports the Communications… $89,033 – $115,742 a year
From usajobs.gov

*Ogilvy Public Relations in D.C. is looking for an account director:

Ogilvy Public Relations – Account Director, Business Solutions Group
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide – Washington, DC
creative, achievable communications programs that… 7 years work experience in public relations, communications or a related field; previous experience in a…
From Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

*An Alexandria company is looking for a proposal writer:

*Kforce Professional Staffing is looking to fill a short-term (two to three-month) contract position — with a possibility for extension — for a technical writer in McLean:

*A-TEK Inc. in Bethesda is also looking for a technical writer:

*Stephen James Associates in Herndon has an opening for a tech writer/business analyst to work on the Making Home Affordable program:

*Here’s an opportunity for someone with a broadcast background — with a hat tip to dcrtv.com, WSVG Radio in Mount Jackson, Va., is looking for a talk radio host and salesperson:

TALK RADIO HOST AND SALESPERSON – WSVG RADIO. WSVG 790 AM, a talk radio station in Mount Jackson, VA, seeks entertaining talk radio host willing to sell his/her show in the Shenandoah Valley. Our 1K signal reaches both Winchester and Harrisonburg metros, with further clearance in Woodstock, Luray, Staunton and surrounding communities. We are old-fashioned small market radio just an hour + outside DC. This is a commission-only opportunity – aggressive commission paid immediately upon collection. Must be self-starter, with contemporary interests that appeal to P25-54 demo. Show concept must be entertaining and locally-oriented, serving the communities of the Shenandoah Valley. Applicants must be proficient at conducting interviews, gathering and editing audio, and producing a professional show with a major market sound. Those with new and different perspectives encouraged to apply. EOE. Email resumes and airchecks to: radioshen@gmail.com.

*And with a hat tip to poynter.org (for these next two positions), the International Reporting Project (IRP) has an opening in D.C. for a communications coordinator:

*Wrapping up today’s leads, National Geographic in D.C. is looking for an energy news content producer:

Good luck on the hunt!

Jodi

And it’s also a way, obviously, to obtain important information before they make an offer. Sometimes that information will cause you to end your candidacy as the organization, pay or duties may not at all match what you’re looking for — and better to do this earlier rather than later to avoid wasting your time and that of the hiring manager.

Yet the types of questions you ask and the way in which you ask them are crucial to your success in the interview process. Many otherwise well-prepared and qualified job candidates blow it at this stage by botching their questions in both the style and substance categories.

Here are some tips for succeeding when it’s your turn to ask the questions:

*Adopt a friendly, conversational questioning style. Think of your favorite TV talk show host (I prefer the Johnny Carson method — warm and boyishly funny, and he always made the interviewee look good and appear smart) and prepare your questions with him or her in mind. Modulate your voice so it doesn’t sound like you’re cross-examining the witness. Smile and look directly at the interviewer when asking questions, and give them plenty of time to answer. Actively listen when they’re talking (though avoid taking notes as this can be distracting) and follow up only when they’ve clearly finished with what they’re saying. The more they talk, the more you’re engaging them in conversation so even if they don’t answer your question completely, don’t worry. You can follow up later — and this gives you a good reason to email them after the interview — with specifics, what you want now is some good give-and-take, like that of a well-handled TV interview.

*Don’t be too aggressive in questioning. Again, they’re not the witness and you’re not Perry Mason or those crafty lawyers on “The Good Wife.” (great show if you haven’t seen it!) As your questions likely will come at the end of the interview, you don’t want the lasting impression of you to be as a bulldog who is trying to trip them up. Also, though at some point in the hiring process you’ll need to ask questions about salary and benefits, etc., be careful not to ask this too early in the process. Timing is everything with questions. It’s better in your initial interview or two to ask about a timeline for the hiring process — how many interviews there will likely be, and with what managers, and when finalists will be asked for salary requirements. That way, you can refer back to this information in a subsequent interview by saying, “I believe this is the point at which we’ll be discussing salary and benefits. I have a few questions about salary details, as you can imagine, and I presume you’ll have some questions about my expectations. Is this a good time to discuss them?” Let the hiring manager remain in charge of the process, even when it’s your turn for Q in the Q&A.

*Ask open-ended questions. Again, while there are times you’ll have specific inquiries for the hiring manager, it’s usually best to pose inquiries that will get them talking. And these tend not to be yes and no questions. Good topics are always about the company’s goals, their expectations for the position and their vision of the job and how it fits into the company. Here would be some good questions to get a hiring manager talking at an initial interview: “What are the organization’s top priorities and challenges, as you see them, for the coming year? What are the priorities for your team, and how does this position fit into that mission? What are the most important ingredients for success here? What do you think are the most important qualities for succeeding in this position?” Obviously, you’ll want to tailor your questions to the specific job and organization, but open-ended questions like these are a good starting point.

*Listen and be flexible. Just as when interviewing a source for a news story, it’s important to be willing to change your questions based on their answers. Show that you’re listening — with a slight nod or through your facial expressions — and then follow up with good questions based on what they’re telling you. This may cause you to toss out some of your carefully prepared inquiries, but that’s okay. The questions you’ve researched should be a guide and you shouldn’t stick to them at the cost of appearing inflexible or worse yet, looking like you haven’t been paying attention to the hiring manager’s answers.

*More evidence that the D.C. job market — though it may not always appear this way to those on the hunt — is much better than others. According to the Washington Business Journal, the search engine Juju.com again (I’ve noted this here in previous months) found that among 50 large U.S. cities, the D.C. metro area scored the best in its Job Search Difficulty Index. The index takes into account the ratio of jobless workers in a  market to  job openings advertised online. So I guess we’re better off than it may seem sometimes!

Read more: Juju.com: D.C. is best city for job seekers – Washington Business Journal

*Consider this opportunity for journalists and other creative thinkers. AOL wants to award some money:

Please visit the website, www.aolartists.com/project-on-creativity for more information regarding 25 for 25 and the entire Project on Creativity or feel free to contact AOL with any questions at 25for25@teamaol.com. The 25 for 25 website will be open until September 1, although postal applications via the required branded envelopes AOL provide will be accepted through until September 15.

*And here’s some fresh leads to check out or pass along to others:

*CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a non-profit group in Bethesda, is looking for a vice president of communications who will also serve as an editor:

Vice President, Communications
CureSearch for Children’s Cancer – Bethesda, MD
communications support for organizational initiatives and employee communications. Communications Programs… Serve as editor for communications materials…
From NonProfitJobs.org -

*Kaiser Health News (KHN) in D.C. has an opening for a senior Web producer for KaiserHealthNews.org:

http://www.kff.org/about/senior-web-producer-KHN-DC.cfm

*The American Red Cross in D.C. is seeking a manager of its corporate partnerships unit:

http://bit.ly/b2VssI

*The Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Directorate of Management in the Defense Department in D.C. is seeking an editor:

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89840074&JobTitle=Editor&q=FAS&x=0&y=0&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&pg=3&re=4&AVSDM=2010-08-05+12:12:00

*Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) in D.C. is looking for a communications director:

Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) is seeking a Communications
Director. AFR is a coalition of more than 250 consumer, labor, civil
rights, senior, community, business, academic, and other groups
working together to hold Wall Street accountable and to reform of our
financial system so that it serves our families and our communities.
AFR played a leading role in strengthening and winning passage of the
Dodd Frank bill, and is now focused on tough and effective
implementation to fulfill the promise of that legislation, and on
continuing efforts to transform our financial system.

*Though this isn’t in the D.C. area, thought I’d include it anyway as Newsday on Long Island, N.Y., is doing quite a bit of hiring. Here are the details:

Newsday’s newsroom is hiring! 

In a big step forward on boosting our local coverage, during the next six months we will hire 34 new journalists for our newsroom and digital teams, and add 2,600 pages of additional news and opinion to our newspaper annually. I’m very excited to announce that we are making this significant investment in people and pages to provide more and stronger coverage for Long Islanders.

Many initiatives will increase town and local coverage in print and provide our online audience with more updates and faster coverage of breaking news around the clock. They include:

• Adding to the number of town reporters
• Doubling the number of Long Island news pages in Newsday each day
• Upping the number of regional zoned editions of Sunday’s LI Life to provide more localized town news and information
• Hiring community journalists who will hit Long Island’s streets in search of local features and personalities that define each community as we launch hundreds of hyper-local pages later this month
• Gathering and building even more databases to become the definitive online source of local data for LI communities
• Expanding our “community watchdog” role by increasing local investigations and enterprise reporting staff to dig into key topics that matter most to Long Islanders
• Cross-training staff to enable them to cover news in both text and video

We also plan to expand our business and feature sections by:

• Adding space to our daily business section, with more local, useful information for and about the Long Island business community
• Introducing a daily e-mailed business newsletter
• Boosting pages in LI Life to include a weekend Explore LI component for planning the week ahead
• Creating a weekly in-depth profile story that will highlight the life, lifestyles and trends of Long Islanders

The Opinion section will grow as the editorial board under Rita Ciolli’s leadership adds three new positions and increases its weekly space in the newspaper by nearly 80 percent. This section will offer a full page of readers’ letters every weekday, along with more opinion pieces from across Long Island and beyond, representing a broad spectrum of viewpoints.

In sum, we will add 37 people to our teams as part of our commitment to be the indispensable source of news and information for Long Island.

If you know journalists interested in applying for these positions, please have them send their resume and clips to maryann.skinner@newsday.com.

*And to wrap up today’s leads, Bloomberg is significantly expanding its D.C. staff through its Bloomberg Government (BGOV) operation. The next wave of hiring will include 20 editors and 13 editorial analysts. Here are the listings; select Bgov under job section pulldown:

 http://bit.ly/5TLElv

And the following link is to a Forbes.com piece with more details on the BGOV expansion:

http://blogs.forbes.com/bizblog/2010/08/11/details-surface-on-new-bloomberg-editorial-venture/?boxes=financechannelforbes

Happy hunting today!

Jodi