Ask the Recruiter

Q. I am preparing my references for the upcoming internship season and had a question about whether I should use a past or present editor from a previous internship. I had two editors there, but the one that I worked with more closely took a buyout several months ago and is no longer in journalism. The other is still at the paper, and I also have a good relationship with him.

In the age of buyouts and layoffs at newspapers, does it make a difference if a reference no longer works for the employer?

As always, thank you for the column. It's an incredibly valuable resource.

Jeremy

A. A lot of people ask about references, but this is a new question.

You can use either reference -- or both. Future employers are not interested in what your editors are doing now. They are interested in what you did while you worked with them. And so many journalists are facing buyouts and layoffs, I hope there is no stigma attached to that.

Do this: Rather than ask people whether they will give you a reference -- most will just say yes -- ask them what they would tell someone. If you like what you hear, then make the request.

Coming Thursday: An opportunity for her husband may force her to move. She has read about an opening there, but it's at a small weekly. Would she be better off to learn new skills, instead?