A U.S. newspaper wants potential reporters to prove they have a "high digital IQ" by using microblogging service Twitter to send their resumes.
The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, put an ad online for a "talented reporter with high digital IQ."
Now owned by Gannett Co. Inc., the Statesman is a daily whose roots reach back to the 1850s, with a weekday circulation of about 38,000.
Described as a paper with a "well-earned national reputation for knowing how to do digital watchdog journalism," aspiring reporters were advised to either email the standard cover letter and clips or "impress us with your digital coolness by Tweeting your online resume link" to executive editor Bill Church.
So far (the ad went live August 9), most applicants who have tried to get the editor's attention over Twitter have done so pretty straightforward intros with links.
Some of the first like Russell Vineyard, sent a link to his Wordpress blog or Devin Higgins tweeted a link to his LinkedIn profile. Others started by tweeting resumes - then used the microblogging service as a way to introduce "soft skills," in one case the ability to bake cupcakes after Church tweeted (jokingly?) that the paper wants to woo a star "reporter/baker."
There have been a number of companies that have launched tweet-to-apply schemes, mostly for internships.
How well do you come across in 140 characters?
Hat tip to @AAdamGlenn