I am at the National Writers' Workshop at Wilmington, Del., presenting my new workshop, "The Live Interview." One of the attendees asked whether is it appropriate to leave a résumé at an informational interview and, if so, when.
Yes, it is fine.
Here's how to do it:
Show up at the newspaper, ask your questions and expect some in return. Observe everything around you. The editor will likely be watching closely to make some judgment about your journalistic skills.
Take it as a positive sign if the editor asks for a résumé. If that doesn't happen, ask if you can leave it -- with samples of your work -- when it is time to go.
While an informational interview is not a job interview, you are not there because newspapers are a hobby. You are there because you are looking for a potential workplace.
Oh, and when you schedule an informational interview, try to schedule it for just before or after the news meeting. Most morning newspapers have them around 10:30 a.m. and again around 3 p.m.
Piggybacking an informative visit on a news meeting will extend your stay, get you introduced to some top editors and give you a chance to observe the newsroom's culture.
