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Ask the Recruiter

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Joe Grimm
Joe Grimm, visiting journalist at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, tackles the toughest recruiting questions.
TO GET YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate why.
 
 
If you're a student just getting back to school, now is not too soon to start thinking about internships for the summer of 2009. Get "Breaking In: The JobsPage.com Guide to Newspaper Internships." You can download a copy immediately.


When Do I Use a Reference Letter?
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The managing editor at the paper I interned for last summer wrote me a glowing letter of reference. I'm hesitant, though, to include it in applications to papers which have not specifically requested letters of reference. What should I do?

Thank you, as always.

Daniel


Clearly, you have an ally.

Joe Grimm
Joe Grimm
But I would not send that letter out with my resume and clips. It can seem a little, well, amateurish. Hold onto the letter, and list your old managing editor as a reference, for sure. If asked to furnish references, then send the letter along.




Coming Monday: The new job she took in a bid to move to more daily reporting is demoralizing. She wonders whether it is time to quit and go get the journalism degree she never got.


Posted by Joe Grimm 12:00 AM
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