Ask the Recruiter

Q. I'm graduating from college in December with a degree in journalism and a couple of internships at major dailies under my belt, as well as plenty of experience at the school newspaper. I have a friend

ASK JOE A QUESTION

To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail: * Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.)

with cancer (in a town with a newspaper I have no desire to work at), and I would like to be around for the last few months of his life.

If I don't start applying for work until May or June, would it hurt my chances of getting a job? Conversely, if I apply for jobs in November and December that I couldn't start until the summer, would I have any chance of getting them?

Thanks for your great column.

Caleb

A. Be where you have to be.

Joe Grimm

While conventional wisdom says that a gap in your resume can hurt you, it is less harmful when it comes right after graduation, and you have a great reason for it.

You won't have much luck applying in November and December for summer jobs.

Here's a strategy: Apply for summer internships. Those will be filled in December and January but will give you several months to help your friend, and would bridge a resume gap.

You and your friend are lucky to have such a close relationship.

Grimm on internships: "Breaking In: The JobsPage.com Guide to Newspaper Internships."

---

Coming Tuesday: After six years in radio, he feels he needs to move to TV, but wonders how to get the resume tape material he needs.

---