Ask the Recruiter

Q: I've been working in sales for the last few years but have not been very happy. Recently, I lost my job at a promotional marketing company and am hoping to use my layoff as a chance to move to a career that I would find more enjoyable and fulfilling.

I have terrific writing, organization and research skills, as well as a master's degree in history. Not only that, but I have found that I am at my best when I'm working under the pressure of a deadline. I feel like I would not only enjoy a job in print media as a reporter/writer, but I'd be great at it, too. Unfortunately, I have virtually no experience working as a writer or journalist of any kind.

Are my skills marketable without any experience to back them up? If so, do you have any recommendations on how to get my foot in the door?

Missouri

A: Breaking into journalism is a show-and-tell proposition. You have to show what you can do, as well as talk about it. At minimum, you'll need half a dozen good stories to show prospective editors. To get to half a dozen good ones, you'll have to write at least 20. Freelancing could get you there. But the starting salary for someone with beginning journalism experience may not match your needs.

A master's degree in journalism would be another route to go, if you have the time and money, and likely would help you to a larger first paper -- provided you can show those good work samples.