Advice for The Philadelphia Inquirer job applications from Ross Maghielse
'Know why you want to be there and what you’re looking for'
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A big thank you goes out to Ross Maghielse Director of Digital Programming & Audience Development at The Philadelphia Inquirer, for his thoughtful answers to a few questions about what it’s like to work at the major metro newspaper.
What advice would you share with those who aspire to work for The Philadelphia Inquirer?
The same advice I’d give to people exploring a job anywhere: know why you want to be there and what you’re looking for. Sometimes the reason for wanting a job is just going to be needing a job and seeing one you’re qualified to do. That’s perfectly fine and often necessary. But if your aim is to work at a specific company, or hold a specific position, knowing what your expectations are going in goes a long way.
I came to The Inquirer about three and a half years ago specifically because I wanted to move back into local news after several years working in national newsrooms. I wanted to work in a newsroom embarking on significant change, and I wanted to work for a place with an ownership structure I believed in. Having that criteria laid out helped me make a clear case for why I wanted to come here and what I’d be bringing with me.
How can candidates make their applications stand out?
Tailor your application to the job you’re applying for. Journalists are increasingly versatile and have experience and familiarity with things beyond what comes through in their job titles or brief summaries of their day-to-day work. If you’ve done the thing we’re hiring someone to do, make sure you emphasize that, even if it’s a side function of your current role.
Also, cover letters are good. I know, they’re unbearable to write. Sorry. I personally don’t really focus on how “well” a cover letter is written or view it as a reflection of someone’s writing ability — I’m not sure anybody’s actually good at writing them — but having that extra bit of information available at a glance is helpful.
Think of it this way: I’ve opened your application to look at your resume, I’m going to at least glance at the cover letter too, if there is one. So it’s both extra time to make your case and extra time I’m spending thinking about the potential of you in that job.
What is it like to work at The Philadelphia Inquirer?
We’re a local news organization that’s still investing in being better and we’re working toward growth instead of merely managing decline. That’s something I try to remind myself not to take for granted, because it’s not a universal characteristic of this industry.
On top of that, Philadelphia is just an awesome city and this region is a great place to do the news. A lot happens here, and being at the forefront of telling people about it doesn’t get old.
I learn from my colleagues every day and it’s also among the best all-hands-on-deck newsrooms I’ve ever been in. When big things are happening this place just goes. I love that.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Journalism is a small industry, figuratively and increasingly literally. I view our biggest competition as indifference to what we do, not somebody else doing it well. Let’s work together more to get things right.
Send me your feedback and your job openings!
I'd love to hear from you with any questions, feedback or job openings you might have. Hit me up at mandy.hofmockel@gmail.com.