First time applying for SE job, advice?

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

You should outline your vision for the section. Ways it can be better within the current budget constraints. Describe some ways the staff and section can be more efficient. We are not in a climate where you're going to get "more." We are in a climate, from the largest papers to the smallest, where we have to make more with less. Show how you would do that. ....

Through an Interpretative dance

 

[Gomer]

I've got an interview in two hours for an SE job of my own. At my current paper, I've moved up to the SE spot after being hired as a reporter.

My biggest concern is that I've heard from a couple people the ME is tough to work with. Problem is, I can't see anyone being worse than my current ME, a dickwad who has a background in internet technology, not newspapers (though admittedly he leaves me alone, something this guy apparently doesn't).

How could I figure out in a 30-minute telephone interview whether I'd be able to work with him? Any questions that might lead me towards answering that question?

 

[Cal E. Fornia]

For you guys trying to become sports editors, I have one word for you: Organization.

Stress that from start to finish and wait for the job offer. Worked for me.

Good luck.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Never been an editor. As a worker, can only say this. If you know what you want, and can communicate that both up and down the ladder, you have the first and most important ingredient of the job down pat.

 

[House]

When my former SE left a while back, the ME whispered in my ear that if I can keep things afloat, he might consider me.

First of all, know that your ME is full of shirt by default. Managment will tell you anything. In my case, it was blabbed that I was looking for another job, so this was a lie to keep me from leaving (nothing came of the search anyway). He also did this to the other writer.

How did I know it was bullshirt? I hadn't even been a writer for a year at that point. I wouldn't have the first clue how to run a section.

He also made it blunt that he didn't care about the opinions of what our section should be. He wanted monkeys to put out the sports section he wanted. Our current editor is an editor in name only. He has no time for story-planning, editing, administrative work or writing because he absorbed the designer duties.

Also, I am at a under-25K paper. You will not receive more money to hire more help. From last year, we shrunk from an editor, two writers, one designer/writer, two part-timers, two correspondents and some old woman who plagerizes from bowling magzines writes bolwing columns to an editor, two writers, one correspondent and some old woman who plagerizes from bowling magzines writes bolwing columns.

So I guess it depends on your ME.