It's a career -- not just a job 10 pieces of career advice from a newspaper recruiter

By Cedric Bryant
Manager/Professional Staffing
Gannett Co., Inc.

Cedric Bryant

Top 10 things to remember:

10. Learn to use the Internet for information, including your job research.

9. Control the things you can reasonably control -- your resume, cover letter, job interview preparation and industry/job knowledge.

8. Develop a relationship with your hometown newspaper, seeking winter-break internships or part-time jobs. Meet the people in the jobs you hope to one day have.

7. Read at least one newspaper daily.

6. Master the basics -- AP style, story construction, reporting techniques.

5. Master English -- and at least one other language. All journalists will need to be bilingual within the next five years to be competitive in the job market.

4. Practice, practice, practice your craft. You get better by doing.

3. Find a mentor who will be honest with you.

2. Don't place a chip on your shoulder. Regardless of your background, you can be successful in the newspaper business if you work hard and work smart.

And the No. 1 piece of advice:

Be and stay positive. Your career will be a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get discouraged.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Cedric Bryant recruits for Gannett's daily newspapers across the country. Contact him at newsjobs@gannett.com. If inquiring about internships or jobs, attach a resume in a Word document to your e-mail.