Joe Grimm, who writes a journalism career advice Q&A column for the Poynter Institute, fields a question Tuesday from a business reporter at a weekly business newspaper who wants to switch to covering news.
Grimm’s advice:
“The best trick in your bag is the one you want to lose. So, let’s use it and lose it.
“Daily newspapers have a harder time finding business reporters than they do finding news reporters. So, go after the business reporting jobs to make the switch and to negotiate your entry salary.
“Once in, be a very, very good reporter. Stop interviewing so many suits by phone. Get out there and meet people face-to-face on your best stories and diversify the sourcing on those stories. The people affected by business transactions and turmoil are often the best part of the story. Good work will attract the interest of editors in the newsroom. The city editor will not have many reservations about bringing you from business to news — but only if you’re very good.”
Read more here.
