How to stand out?

[As The Crow Flies]

Do you happen to be 1/64th Native American?

 

[Gator]

For starters, use two words when writing stand out.

 

[Tweener]

Maybe this is just my opinion, but one of the things that sticks out to me when I've looked at submitted applications for a job in our smaller-town sports department is some sort of tie-in to the area or beats. Maybe this is unfair, but I will usually favor someone who is local or has a local connection than someone from 2,000 miles away who randomly saw our job posting online. The more I think about it, I believe every full-time hire we've made in my time here has had that type of connection in some way.

So if you're from New York, you might have a better chance applying for jobs in Massachusetts or Pennsylvania than you would applying for a job in Iowa or Colorado.

This is absolutely true and totally fair. I've interviewed more than once for jobs where I objectively felt that I was more accomplished, at least in terms of resume and experience, than the person who was eventually hired. In every situation, the person who was hired had a connection to the area, the paper or the hiring editor.

Of course I was disappointed about that, but understood. Editors obviously want someone they believe will be there for a little while, and hiring someone with a connection to the area often helps. I have no problem with that.

 

[Azrael]

Write good sentences.

 

[typefitter]

Write good sentences.

Write good sentences, and don't stab your wife.

 

[Azrael]

Write good sentences, and don't stab your wife.

Exactly this.

 

[Writer]

Thank you for the advice!

 

[Severian]

Write good sentences.

Write good sentences well.

 

[justgladtobehere]

A monocle and cravat combo.