You guys are so helpful all the time...I don't know who else to turn to sometimes. And again I turm to you.

Ina few weeks I will be interviewing for the Editor position of my college literary magazine the "Analecta". Any advice as to what I should say during the interview? I belive the board will consist of various faculty members from departments such as English, Women's Studies, and other liberal arts departments. I don't have any sort of a plan yet...themes, promotions, etc. so any thing you can help me come up with will be a great idea.

Thanks!

My only advice would be to talk to former editors at your college, or other colleges and ask them what to expect. If you can prepare yourself for typical interview questions, such as these:

1. What unique qualifications do you bring to this position?

2. What is your bias/point of view as editor?

3. What do you see as key issues here at the magazine?

4. Why are you applying for this position?

5. How would you handle sensitive issues (name one)?


These are the types of questions that might be asked at such an interview. I really would talk to the current editor and ask them what to expect.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Les

and... what I consider most important when I interview a person:

Don't speak badly of anyone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2006 01:25PM by JohnnySansCulo.

Johnny,

I can't tell if your being sarcastic throught the computer screen or not. I'm assuming not.

I'm really bad at interviews. I tend to "overtalk" when I'm asked a question, after all, I'm a writer not a talker. My resume looks great, but when it comes to the interview, uhgh!

Talia, you might get some ideas here: [www.google.com]

From my own personal interview experience, I find the interviewers sometimes have a specific "ideal" candidate in mind. Be a good listener, find out what traits a good candidate has by listening to the interviewers questions. Often, the types of questions will give you a clue as to what type of candidate they're seeking. Your experience, ambition and enthusiasm should speak for themselves.

Be careful not to talk yourself out of the job by appearing arrogant, insensitive to management, or unable to focus on details. Some interviews are not conducted to find out about your skills, but rather to see how much poise you have under pressure. Good leaders keep their wits about themselves.


Les





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2006 11:35PM by lg.

Les's questions are a good way to prepare.

You are probably familiar with the current magazine. What do you like about it? What would you want change/add/improve? Any particular topics you'd like to address? What are passionate about in literature? Why do you want to be the editor? What would your goals as editor be?

They may be looking for "an ideal" candidate, but... My advice (even though it sounds like the worst advice possible) is just be yourself. That's the ultimate "edge". Enthusiasm helps. Having a vision helps. But most of all... Be confident and relaxed. Perhaps easier said than done.

I wish you all the best with your interview.
V.

If the editor is also expected to take general responsibility for the profitability of the magazine, e.g. for circulation, pricing, and how the magazine is marketed, and for attracting advertising revenue and any other necessary finance, and for controlling major cost items, you will need to show some grasp of those issues, and formulate some exciting, credible objectives. For instance, do you know the break-even circulation? Maybe you can do some preliminary research on the economics of this magazine. Maybe speak to the outgoing editor.

Sometimes an interviewer will ask, maybe at the end, whether there's anything you would like to ask. Have one or two intelligent questions prepared.

Ian

Talia, no, not being sarcastic at all.

It's obvious advice, but often unheeded.

Thanks for all the advice. Luckily this mag is a pure expense--free to all (except for the student activity fee we all pay).

I'll let you all know how it goes.

I don't know if you should mention this or not:

[www.geocities.com]

>I'll let you all know how it goes.

Please do, Talia.

Marty

One is tempted to air drop some Gloria Steinhem leaflets into her tent. lol, Johnny.

Interesting. I haven't met many Talia's and so the pungent spices, exotic silks...its allnew to me. Maybe I should leave that off my resume.

You're the only one I know personally, or as personally as talking on-line could be.

So at least if someone throws the al-ghul reference at you, you'll be prepared !

I knew a Thalia once. Ick.

There is a famous Mexican singer named Thalia...very famous. She even has a line of clothing, I believe and her name is pronounced similar to mine.

Haven't you heard of Talia Shire? She is the one who played Adrian in the Rocky movies. I think she was in Godfather, too.

Here is a link to "the" Talia

[www.sspoetry.net]
[www.bycliffordagreen.com]

I don't personally know any of the Coppolas


neat links

Well, Talia, how did it go?

Les

The deadline for submitting a resume was extended a week, so I've not yet interviewed (I have a feeling I don't have a lot of competition, since it was extended) but I have been in touch with the current editor (also a fellow student in many ofmy lit classes) and she has given me tons of info that will be very helpful in the interview.

Will keep you posted.

I wouldn't take that as a bad sign, it could just be that you're the only one that applied, rather than they're not happy with the candidates they have.

If the interview doesn't go well, stand on the desk and shout: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it!!!". That should set 'em straight. J/K

Les

Did you get your interview, Talia?

The interview is today at 3:00. The head of the Student Publications board is a professor I had last semester and on the day of the final exam he told me not to worry, that he thought I had come a long way and would do fine. There are 5 other candidates. I am nervous already. What to wear? I think I'll wear my smart looking brown jacket and maybe a flowery skirt. What do you think?

The biggest thing is an "opening statement" that I am supposed to make explaining why I want to be Editor and why I am a good candidate.
1. I have always had an interest in the Analecta
2. I have been a contributor for the past 2 years
3. Having completed the majority of English and writing requirements for my degree I feel I have learned a great deal from my professors and am able to make good judgements of literature.

Some of the topics I was told to were often asked:
censorship
staffing
ideas for theme or layout.

My sense of fashion ends with what army jacket goes best with my t-shirt, so I can offer no advice there.

You'll do fine...you're obviously prepared, and confidence comes from that.

Some of the topics I was told to were often asked:
censorship
staffing
ideas for theme or layout.

The trickiest of these would be staffing. Be careful how you answer that one. The key to staffing of course should be that they ought to be based on "qualifiations", but this type of question often brings out the biases of the interviewers. Good luck, it sounds like you've done your homework, you should do well.

Les

Good luck!

Staffing something like this is always fun- it's a matter of finding volunteers, and probably all pulled from your program.

Is there a Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society) branch on your campus? Or an English Dept. club? Potential source of volunteers.

Censorship is always tricky- depends on your campus to a great extent. Of course, you're talking a (very) small press magazine, so articles, stories, poems that might cause controversy are likely to slide under the radar.

pam

like mine, which are loaded with versions both sub and per
but since they're in code, no one knows

Johnny,

Since it's yours, we assume both the sub and per are there- whether we can read them or not.

pam

it's all a di so i can achieve con, as long as you don't have an a

Well I think theinterview went well and I was a bit suprised as to the make-up of the board--3 of the members were students; one editor of the school paper, one President of student government, and one the former editor of the Analecta (who gave me some inside tips when I asked her, and certainly made me feel more comfortable since I knew her). Also, a newspaper columnist (whose columns I thoroughly dislike on a regular basis) from the South Bend Tribune, and two professors, one of whom I am well aquainted.

One thing I am concerned about is that I told them that I was married, and haid an 11-month-old, well the columnist seemed to have an issue, thinking that being a mother would preveNT me from being able to have time to be an Editor. I let her know that I had a faithful baby-sitter and it wouldn't be an issue (and later on wished I had informed her of how efficient and organized mothers must be, but of course that always comes later). Surely they wouldn't discriminate against me...but now I wish I had not even told them that I was a mother. Of course 2 of them already knew.

Prof. Blodgett said I was to know by May 20. So I will let you all know if I've been chosen or not.q1

Talia,

You mention South Bend. I'm wondering if you attend Notre Dame. Anyway, best of luck on the job.

Marty

I think it's this one Marty: [www.utexas.edu]


Les

No, no. It is the same South Bend as Notre Dame, but I could never afford Notre Dame. I attend Indiana University at South Bend.

Well, the wait is over! Thank you all for your interst and help. You certainly gave me some confidence that must have shined through!!

Dear Talia,



I am delighted to be able to tell you that the members of the Student Publications Board were impressed with your credential and your interview on Tuesday and wish to offer you the editorship of Analecta for the coming academic year.

As you well know, we have not yet identified a faculty advisor for next year, but it will be a top priority for me to work on when I return to campus on Monday, May 22. Congratulations. I am already looking forward to reading next years edition of Analecta.



James E. Blodgett

Chair, Student Publications Board

Indiana University South Bend

Congratulations.

Whoo Hoo ! Huzzah !

Congratulations, Talia. Now you'll have even LESS time to visit e-mule :(

Les



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2021 10:30AM by lg.

Oh no! Now I need some help with a theme.

Window Treatments

> a theme.

For an essay?     The falling dollar.
For the Journal?      The impact of ethanol on midwest agriculture.
For your life?      How to stay balanced and still achieve goals.


Les



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2021 02:32PM by lg.

Congratulations Talia!!! Way to go.

Marty