Lead columnist, Tulsa World

[SnoopyBoy]

If I didn't already have a better job, I'd go for this! Good job.

 

[bake1234]

Good gig at my ol' shop. The World covers three D-I football schools - Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Tulsa - plus Oral Roberts basketball. The paper still travels well in football, because the higher-ups have a commitment to covering sports. Even in today's economic climate, I don't see that changing. Some very good high school football and minor league sports (Double-A baseball, hockey and WNBA), and although Sittler never wrote about the OKC Thunder, there are probably some options there, too. It's a darn good gig. Best of luck to all applicants.

 

[MonsterLobster]

Question: This would probably be a job where you would at least have to have experience covering a major college, right? Just trying to be realistic and deciding if it'd be a waste of time to apply for this if all you've ever done is cover high schools.

In this market with so many good journalists looking for a job or a promotion, I'm sure they'd consider a preps writer with no college or pro experience as their columnist and face of their sports section. You should definitely apply.

Don't be an ashhole. Some people aren't as masterful in the employment chase as you.

Apply for this, mltru2tx. They odds are stacked against you with the market and your relative lack of big-time experience, but if you think you've got something at any level that will stand out to someone looking over columnist applications, apply for it. Don't let the jaded people on this site talk you down from your aspirations.

 

[jr/shotglass]

Question: This would probably be a job where you would at least have to have experience covering a major college, right? Just trying to be realistic and deciding if it'd be a waste of time to apply for this if all you've ever done is cover high schools.

In this market with so many good journalists looking for a job or a promotion, I'm sure they'd consider a preps writer with no college or pro experience as their columnist and face of their sports section. You should definitely apply.

Don't be an ashhole. Some people aren't as masterful in the employment chase as you.

Apply for this, mltru2tx. They odds are stacked against you with the market and your relative lack of big-time experience, but if you think you've got something at any level that will stand out to someone looking over columnist applications, apply for it. Don't let the jaded people on this site talk you down from your aspirations.

What he said.

 

[Mark2010]

Question: This would probably be a job where you would at least have to have experience covering a major college, right? Just trying to be realistic and deciding if it'd be a waste of time to apply for this if all you've ever done is cover high schools.

Honestly, it really depends on the person. Every person got their big break somewhere. Given that this is a writing job, put together your best clips and apply. I suspect it will help if you've written some opinion and/or investigative pieces in addition to game stories and previews. To me, game stories are blase. Too often written on tight deadlines with little room or time for creativity and depth.

Now, don't get mewrong. There's an art to cranking out 15 quality inches in 15 minutes with the clock ticking and colleagues talking in your ear. But when I look over my best stuff, it usually tilts toward features, columns and enterprise.

Good luck.
In this market with so many good journalists looking for a job or a promotion, I'm sure they'd consider a preps writer with no college or pro experience as their columnist and face of their sports section. You should definitely apply.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Question: This would probably be a job where you would at least have to have experience covering a major college, right? Just trying to be realistic and deciding if it'd be a waste of time to apply for this if all you've ever done is cover high schools.

In this market with so many good journalists looking for a job or a promotion, I'm sure they'd consider a preps writer with no college or pro experience as their columnist and face of their sports section. You should definitely apply.

Why wouldn't they? They could hire such a person on the cheap.

 

[sprtswrtr10]

Do I get from the ad, that the expectation is that hardcopies will be received of resume, cover letter and clips?
Fax or mail? Would it not be better to cheat on the chain of custody and e-mail directly to the sports editor? Anyone? Anyone at the world want to clear this up for me?

 

[Versatile]

Do I get from the ad, that the expectation is that hardcopies will be received of resume, cover letter and clips?
Fax or mail? Would it not be better to cheat on the chain of custody and e-mail directly to the sports editor? Anyone? Anyone at the world want to clear this up for me?

You can go any of those options (they're all listed; I don't know what's so confusing), but I would probably recommend sending the materials to the HR guy. If you wanted to do a follow-up e-mail to the sports editor, that would be a good idea.

 

[Traveling]

Do I get from the ad, that the expectation is that hardcopies will be received of resume, cover letter and clips?
Fax or mail? Would it not be better to cheat on the chain of custody and e-mail directly to the sports editor? Anyone? Anyone at the world want to clear this up for me?

Having interviewed once with the World, I can tell you that your first interview will be with HR, quite likely over the phone if you're an out-of-towner. Do as the instructions say and send your stuff to HR.

 

[JRoyal]

Do I get from the ad, that the expectation is that hardcopies will be received of resume, cover letter and clips?
Fax or mail? Would it not be better to cheat on the chain of custody and e-mail directly to the sports editor? Anyone? Anyone at the world want to clear this up for me?

Having interviewed once with the World, I can tell you that your first interview will be with HR, quite likely over the phone if you're an out-of-towner. Do as the instructions say and send your stuff to HR.

He's right. Plus, everything HR gets, Michael will have access to.

 

[sprtswrtr10]

Still flummoxed by the instructions.
It asks for resume only to HR.
When and to whom do I send a cover letter?
How many clips should I gather and to whom do I send them?
I think, without great answers, I will send everything every step of the way.
Still, I would like to know what HR is expecting.

Will HR simply collect resumes and then the real search will begin when those are whittled down and sent to the sports editor? I hope to have everything sent by this time tomorrow. But any further advice would still be helpful.

 

[Versatile]

Still flummoxed by the instructions.
It asks for resume only to HR.
When and to whom do I send a cover letter?
How many clips should I gather and to whom do I send them?
I think, without great answers, I will send everything every step of the way.
Still, I would like to know what HR is expecting.

Will HR simply collect resumes and then the real search will begin when those are whittled down and sent to the sports editor? I hope to have everything sent by this time tomorrow. But any further advice would still be helpful.

Resume often means resume packets. If you're having such trouble, have you considered calling the guy in HR?