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Current:
Deputy Chief Copy Editor for the Gold Coast Bulletin, Australia’s largest regional daily newspaper. Daily responsibilities include layout design and execution; copy editing; headline writing; and the management and supervision of a staff of approximately 10 copy editors.
The Gold Coast Bulletin is a six-day-a-week newspaper which varies from 48 pages to 200 pages. Circulation reaches approximately 50,000 on weekdays and approximately 85,000 on Saturdays.
At the moment, The Bulletin is transitioning from one pagination system (SII Coyote) to CyberPage, in preparation for bringing our new $40 million press online in June, 2004.
I have been trained as a high-end user of the new system and am currently involved in testing the new system and training my colleagues in its use.
1998-2002:
Layout designer and chief sports copy editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin’s sports section. Daily responsibilities included layout design and execution of a section that ranged from six to 24 pages, including a 24-page full-color liftout on Mondays; copy editing; headline writing; and check editing. I also did shifts as night sports editor and day sports editor as roster and vacation demands required.
I also filled in as Deputy Chief Copy Editor as required in the general news section.
1996-1998:
Copy editor on both the sports and general news desks of the Gold Coast Bulletin. Daily responsibilities included copy editing, rewriting, headline writing, caption writing and check editing.
1988-1996:
Sports reporter with the Gold Coast Bulletin. I covered a wide range of sports including basketball, four codes of football, tennis, baseball, swimming, golf and had sole responsibility for the paper’s coverage of women’s sport.
Major events I covered included the 1996 World Gymnastics Championships, the annual WTA and ATP Tour tennis tournaments, the annual LPGA and PGA golf tournaments and for six years (1990-1995) I traveled the country following the region’s National Basketball League team, the Gold Coast Rollers.
1987-1988:
Reporter with the Whitsunday Times, a weekly newspaper (circ. 5000) based in Airlie Beach, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Responsibilities included reporting on local politics, tourism, education, health, police and crime and sport.
Major stories included a $9 million drug bust and two murders.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
I am proficient in the use of the following software:
CyberPage v2.4.7 and CyberNews
Coyote SII
Microsoft Word 6.0
QuarkXpress 4.1
Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and 7.0
HTML 4
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
Netscape
Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and XP
OTHER SKILLS:
I am an excellent writer and possess a keen news sense. I respond well under pressure and have no problems operating to deadline. I am cool in a crisis and can be relied on to perform above and beyond the routine call of duty.
I work well within a team and have also proven myself to have good management skills. I enjoy the opportunity to teach and advise less experienced journalists within the framework of the supervisory role I fill. Those skills were rewarded this year when I was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Copy Editor.
I learn quickly and adapt to change and new technology well. An example of that is the way I have learned our new pagination system, CyberPage, to such a degree that I am now being used as a high-end user, testing and training my colleagues on the system.
I have a sharp intellect and a keen sense of responsibility which allows me to recognize my weaknesses and work on improving those areas. I have a good sense of humor and the ability to inject a sense of fun and excitement into the job while still meeting deadlines and high professional standards.
GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS:
I want to be the best journalist I can be. My ambition is to work in the best newspaper industry in the world, and I believe that is in the United States. Whether I am working for a small newspaper or a large one, in whatever role I am employed, I want to reach and maintain a level of excellence, not only individually, but as a member of a team.
I want to walk out of the newsroom at the end of every edition’s process and be able to say that I contributed everything I could, to the best of my ability.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Employing a non-American does involve a potentially time-consuming immigration process. I am prepared to work as unsalaried volunteer, or intern, for the length of time it takes for my visa to be approved.
I am prepared to pay all my own relocation expenses, and I am happy to pay for all visa and attorneys fees that may be incurred by the immigration process. My main aim is to do whatever it takes to make the process as painless and quick as possible.
AVAILABILITY:
I am available for a phone interview at any time that is convenient to you. My contact information is listed below. Alternatively, I can call you at your convenience.
I can be in your office for a face-to-face interview on a week’s notice, assuming the availability of flights, at no cost to you. My next scheduled trip to the US is slated for September 1 to October 15.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
By email:
kotb@qldnet.com.au
By phone:
011-61-755291516 (home)
011-61-755392522 (work)
011-61-418188806 (cell phone)
By mail:
41/469 Pine Ridge Road
Runaway Bay Q 4216
Australia