I'm looking for my first job

I have clips, but my sports clips are older. My most recent clips are music features for the local weekly alternative. I did cover high school sports a few years ago for my biggest local paper (Dayton Daily News), but those clips are so old I'm hesitant to send them out.

My question is, if I don't have recent sports clips, does it do any good to apply for sports jobs? I'm trying to start writing for my smaller local papers. Should I just wait to apply for sports reporter positions when I have more recent sports clips, or go with my music clips for every job?

Thanks in advance.

 

I'd send a mix of your more current stories and your sports stories. I would imagine that a sports editor would want to see that you can write a strong game story, etc., and would want to see what you've done lately. I'd say never disqualify yourself for any job. Let someone else do that. I'm sure there are hundreds of examples of people who have gone into sports from another background and vice versa. It helps that you at least have some experience, especially if you're applying to a smaller paper where knowing how to cover high schools and youth or recreation sports is helpful.

 

send out the stuff you have for jobs you're applying to now, use what you write freelancing for any jobs that pop up in the near future

 

If you like your sports clips, don't worry much about the dates on them.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback, everybody.

 

it's football season. go string a game or four and make some extra money while you get some updated clips.