2011-2012 Staff Applications

Editor-In-Chief
Application due Monday, March 28 to The Chimes office
Label each page with your name, major, phone, box# and year.

Application Questions. Please respond

thoughtfully and briefly. (Please leave
responses in non-bold text.)

1. Why are you interested in the job of editor-in-chief?

2. What is the role of an editor-in-chief? What are the primary responsibilities?

3. What is the purpose of The Chimes?

4. What kind of experience do you have that you feel will assist you in being the editor-in-
chief? (Please list all coursework that is applicable, high school newspaper experience,
Chimes experience, and job-related experience).

5. What is your vision/goal for The Chimes as a whole?

6. Where would you want to see The Chimes in five years, and how would what you do next
year contribute to those goals?

7. This job entails much independence. How would you keep yourself accountable to the
goals and standards you establish?

8. What would you like to see changed about The Chimes’ online presence, print
publication or work flow in general? What problems exist with the status quo, and how
would you strive to change those flaws?

9. How familiar are you with concepts of layout design? The editor-in-chief should be able
to navigate the basics of Quark in order to assist staff members in the absence of the
managing production editor.

10. How skilled are you in copy editing? How familiar are you with AP and Yahoo style?
11. How do you determine that something is newsworthy?

12. Describe your leadership style. How do you think your style would sync well with the
editor-in-chief responsibilities?

13. How do you plan to effectively lead and unify a staff of 20 people of various scholastic
backgrounds and personalities?

14. Describe your experience with conflict management and team development.
Specifically, how would you foster healthy, professional community within The Chimes?

15. How do you as a leader avoid conflicts of interest in terms of stories, personnel and
exterior influence, as well as distinguish between a good story and pure advertisement?

16. This job, though taxing and difficult, does have its perks and accolades. How would you
intentionally and constantly seek to remain humble in this role?

17. What intimidates you most about the job, and how would you tackle that particular
area or areas?

18. Describe your familiarity and expertise with the journalistic processes and procedures
of a newsroom. (Interviewing, working on a deadline, writing for breaking news, FOIA,
dealing with government, etc.)

19. This position will take 15-30 hours of your week, with a large chunk of production time
taking up your Tuesdays and Wednesdays. What is your anticipated schedule for next
year? (Please attach schedule if available.) Do you feel you can handle the time
commitment that this position requires, and why do you think so?

20. One of the biggest problems that The Chimes has always had is meeting financial
budget requirements. How will you, alongside the business manager, lead the business wing
of The Chimes to make ends meet? What experience do you have with money/business
management?

21. Finally, and most importantly, do you view The Chimes’ work as kingdom work? If so,
how and why? How would you integrate your faith with this job, and how would that
change how you work?
*Attach at least two writing samples. Published works/articles are acceptable, or articles written
for journalism courses.
*Include a faculty recommendation from someone familiar with you and your writing.
*Interviews will be scheduled individually. Make sure your contact information is located at the
top of your application.