Sports Writer, Springfield, Mo.

spud · May 21, 2008

I had the same reaction to that email. I don't see the value in all that mess.

Jeremy Goodwin · May 21, 2008

I wonder if everyone who applied got that. If anything, it's a good way to weed out people. It seems like it already has taken out a few.

wickedwritah · May 21, 2008

Prince of Persia said:

This is the former paper of board favorite, Chris Schulte.
Click to expand...

One of many stops for Mr. Schulte. Where is he now?

Stitch · May 21, 2008

wicked said:

Prince of Persia said:

This is the former paper of board favorite, Chris Schulte.
Click to expand...

One of many stops for Mr. Schulte. Where is he now?
Click to expand...

Wausau Daily Herald. Why is he a board favorite? My dealings with him have been okay, but I don't work with him.

Stitch · May 21, 2008

Oh, by the way, where's the hard hitting enterprise stuff on the Web site. Didn't see much about the Lady Bears that's unique in the archives. I see just the regular mix of gamers, advances and features.

Barsuk · May 21, 2008

Stitch said:

Oh, by the way, where's the hard hitting enterprise stuff on the Web site. Didn't see much about the Lady Bears that's unique in the archives. I see just the regular mix of gamers, advances and features.
Click to expand...

Maybe that's why they're looking for a new beat writer.

MileHigh · May 21, 2008

And story ideas.

Tom Petty · May 21, 2008

big green wahoo said:

Just got the message below back after I sent in my stuff for this job today. The editor is well within his right to ask for such exercises, but I declined.

It's just my opinion, but I think an editor should be able to tell from a good set of clips whether someone might have what it takes. Phone and in-person interviews and references should fill in the rest. We're not in college anymore.

I don't understand what's to be had out of my writing an essay. I see some value to the story ideas part.

I guess I'm missing something and I'm sure I'll be flamed, but so be it.

Thanks for your interest in the News-Leader Media Groups sports reporting position. As part of our recruiting process, we will need you to complete two exercises to help us assess your skills.

The first exercise is to write an essay. The second is to create four story ideas. These assignments will help us winnow the list of candidates.

Your deadline for all the above is 5 p.m. Thursday, May 29. You can e-mail the assignments to me by the deadline. If your materials are posted on a Web site, please provide me with a link by the deadline.

Full disclosure here: There are so many good candidates for this position that even the slightest misstep misspellings, inattention to detail, a missed deadline will eliminate you from consideration.

Assignment 1: Essay.

I would like you to explore this question: Is there too much emphasis placed on winning in college athletics? There is no length requirement. I want to see your logic and critical thinking, your ability to express yourself and how well you articulate your point of view.

Assignment 2: Story ideas.

At the News-Leader, we have reporters who cover sports. But they are reporters first and foremost. They, like other reporters in our newsroom, are critical thinkers. Im looking for reporters who can get beyond the scores and games and generic coverage to create daily enterprise stories that inform and enlighten and delight. Too many clips from applicants thus far have been soft features or game stories. Our readers deserve more. How can you prove that you can do the work required?

1) Give me four story ideas that you will write about the Missouri State Universitys womens basketball program. If you want to make the cut, youll need to do your homework and learn all you can about the Lady Bears. Then youll need to develop four smart, enterprising, innovative ideas that are must-reads for our community. Generic ideas arent going to make the cut. Think enterprise. Be specific.

2) For each story idea, give me four primary sources you will use to report the story and why each is important. Sources can be data or human. But, again, be specific. (ie: Dont tell me youll look at NCAA data. Show me why specifically -- the NCAAs 2008 graduation report will make your story better and more authoritative)

With all these assignments, Im looking to see your creativity, your curiosity and your critical thinking skills at work. Everybody wants to be a sports writer. Show me how you will do it differently. These are tough assignments, to be sure. But covering the world of sports is more complicated than it has ever been. We need the best and brightest to do it, not those who want to be fans. Got what it takes?
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big green: why in the hell not write a column (and get paid for it) at your current place about ... wait for it ... why there is or isn't too much emphasis put on winning in college sports? run the fucking column and send it to springfield.

and no. 2 doesn't seem all that difficult.

top_dog · May 21, 2008

Tread lightly on this one ... the newspaper overall has had plenty of turnover over the past three years ... The "essay" portion may give you a little hint about how things are run there.

That said, Springfield is a good town to raise a family. And Missouri State women's basketball is huge, and has been for the past 15 years.

playthrough · May 22, 2008

I find that message which big green wahoo got to be peculiar too. In this market I know people can request whatever the hell they want, but still. The essay doesn't bother me, I can see the logic of using that to compare writers on an even scale (though that is rather collegiate; do I need to do it in a blue book?). But I get suspicious when people ask for *very* specific story ideas.

"If you want to make the cut, you'll need to do your homework and learn all you can about the Lady Bears ... Then you’ll need to develop four smart, enterprising, innovative ideas that are must-reads for our community."

If I'm applying from far away, I don't know what the must-reads are for your community. I'd feel presumptuous thinking I do. I'm also not going to become a Lady Bears encyclopedia on my own dime. I think there's a line between brainstorming some good story ideas and an editor trying to stock his idea folder on applicants' backs.

Stitch · May 22, 2008

For a paper that's looking for someone ideally with three to five years covering a DI women's beat, the requirements are bush league.

The EE is looking for ideas because obviously they are having some problems on their own.

Love_Sports · May 22, 2008

when I've applied for jobs and included story ideas, I've had more than a few end up in their paper. it wasn't me writing them, either.

if you want my ideas, you hire me first.

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Sports Writer, Springfield, Mo.

spud Member

Jeremy Goodwin Active Member

wickedwritah Guest

Stitch Active Member

Stitch Active Member

Barsuk Active Member

MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

Tom Petty Guest

top_dog New Member

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Stitch Active Member

Love_Sports Member

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Sports Writer, Springfield, Mo.

spud Member

Jeremy Goodwin Active Member

wickedwritah Guest

Stitch Active Member

Stitch Active Member

Barsuk Active Member

MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

Tom Petty Guest

top_dog New Member

playthrough Moderator Staff Member

Stitch Active Member

Love_Sports Member

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