A good clip package tells a story about you as a reporter in a way that your cover letter and even your resume can't. The key is to make it neat, easy to read, and containing only your best work relevant for the position. As you work toward your career goals, try to get story assignments that will give you a variety of good clips.

Save your clips:

• Make a master copy shortly after the piece is published. Make sure to store all originals in a cool, dry place, stacked flat and out of direct sunlight.
• All copies should be on 8.5 by 11 paper and easy to read. The clips should be straight on the page, with no edges missing. Don't use a damaged original.
• If you use two or more pages, the type should always face the same direction.
• Give the story context. Include companion photos even if you didn't take them. If it was a lead story, include the magazine cover, or part of the newspaper's flag so the editor can see that. If it had color, use a color photocopy.
• Always include date, page and name of publication.
• Web printouts are ok.

Select the clips you want to send:

• Unless the editor says otherwise, send about six to 10 of your best clips, or 3-5 longer stories. The exact number is less important than the quality. Send only your best work.
• If you're applying for a general assignment position, choose a mixture of hard and soft news, and stories from different beats. Include an investigative or explanatory piece if you can and at least one breaking news story.
• If you're applying for a beat position, select clips relevant to the job.
• If possible, clips should be from within the past year. But again, send your best.
• No typos, grammatical mistakes, AP style errors, or misspellings in the stories.

Present your clips:

• Presentation should be consistent, simple and clean. Staple pages of the same story. Paperclip the entire package with the best clip on top.
• Write a brief note about what you think that clip shows on a Post-It and stick it to the story. (ie: to report this story, I had to wait all night in the rain...) Or write an annotated list at the start of the collection.
• You may also want to highlight one or two clips in your cover letter. Conversely, if you mention a story in your cover letter, make sure the clip is in the package.

University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication Office of Internships and Assessment -- E324 Adler Journalism Building
telephone: 319-335-1406
jmc-internships@uiowa.edu