A Guide to get noticed by your Editor

Want to make a mark as a journalist? Want to know what an editor looks for in his coworker? Then read through…  

An editor with a vision would like to assess you as a person first, and then your journalism skills. Because these do not exist separately and mutually affect each other instead. Your personality traits show up when you are covering news and is the basis of how well you flair in your field. An editor looks for people who are:  

• Motivated: A newspaper does not happen on its own. Its basis is through the people that drive it. One cannot be successful if he cannot work by taking all the coworkers along with him with keeping the higher good of the society and hence newspaper in vision.
              
• Responsible enough to represent the newspaper: The reporter is the one who is actually reaching to the people, thus is the face of the newspaper and the editor to the people. He cannot do this job responsibly enough if he does not take pride in his job and is respectful in his nature.
                 
• Good at handling people: It is true your character shows up in tough situations. Those who have strong people skills can resolve any conflicting situation. They are positive in their outlook and are outcome- driven rather than falling prey to the circumstances.
               
• Resistant to Tough times: Newspaper reporting is quite a demanding job due to the spontaneity that it requires because of the everyday novel situations. Giving results in a tough situation is an ability that cannot be taught in any journalism course. It is something that is either there or not there in you. Thus a strong personality can anytime matter more than just the journalist skills. Of course journalism skills are also important. But a strong personality is the foremost demand.
                 
• Good at phone skills: Most interviews first start with a telephonic conversation which builds its foundation. A person who can remain calm and clear about his requirements can easily build a comfortable rapport with the interviewee. Again these are skills inherent in your personality.
            
• A complete person: Do not just be a reporter. Have a life of your own. Experiment with newer things. Take part in sports, communities, politics, theatre etc. It adds value to your character which shows up in your job.
             
• Good at interaction: Grow your network circle. Do not be just restricted to your own shell. Be interactive and take part in what is happening around you even if that can be done without. Know more people, discuss more issues, and volunteer to help others. Again it shows up your character and also adds to it. This is the stuff reporters are made of.
                
• Alert: Do not be a lost creature. A laid back attitude does not appeal after a while. Be inquisitive, observe your surroundings, think, interrupt, dare to ask questions. You are definitely capable of making an impact.
                 
• Calm in emergency situations: It is true that real mettle shows up in tough times. Compete against yourself and your earlier records. Dare to outdo challenge. Do not take unexpected situations as an excuse for the failure. Show your skills of handling situations that went wrong and require quick decisions. Show strength in touch situations. Ignite courage in your fellow workers in tough times instead of succumbing to the pressure.

Thus being a journalist is not just about learning how to cover news. It is a lot more than that; they are the skills that come ingrained in your personality.