If you were a news assistant at your last job, but you did a little reporting in your spare time, don't say you were a full-time reporter and leave out what you spent most of your time doing. Instead, be truthful about your job and show how you pursued other assignments in addition to doing your regular job. This will show that you're a go-getter. Don't be careless about typos and grammatical errors. Take the time to make sure your resume and cover letter are organized and error-free.
Some applicants are so focused on what to say that they forget about presentation.
How your resume and cover letter look is often a good indication of your work habits and professionalism. So there is a good chance the job you want may still be open. Even if it's not, you could be considered for future openings if your resume is impressive. Dan Rohn is a former copy editor and writer with The Washington Post , and a former business editor with America Online. He also has done freelance reporting for Money magazine.