I know where you're at. I've been there. You just graduated college and you're looking for your first editorial job. One that isn't just a gig to compile clips but a job where someone will pay you a salary to do what you love. Now, there aren't that many opportunities in Los Angeles to work as an editor so like a starved alley cat you pounce on anything that seems like it could have remote possibility of starting your editorial career (or something that will keep you eating while you work on your literary masterpiece). Either way many of us rush into situations where we end up doing things we never wanted to do just for a few bucks and a few by-lines.
So when looking for jobs online, here are the best ways to ensure the listings you are looking at are what you are truly looking for:
Beware the Internships
You've graduated, you're moving on and you have student loans to think about. No matter how enticing it may seem to take a non-paid internship at this point just say no. It's time you move up to the big leagues. If you were smart in college, you had internships, you wrote clips for webzines and college papers the time is now to look towards your real goal. Larger companies especially--once you are an intern you better be ready to work long and hard for even the smallest by-line. And if you are hoping and praying that MAYBE just MAYBE an editorial assistant position will open up and you'll be the obvious choice remember: They HAVE to advertise the position. They HAVE to interview people and give everyone a fair chance. So even if you've been busting your ass all summer hoping your hard work will pay off they may look past you at a more qualified candidate. It's business after all not a charity.
Ignore the Sales Associate Positions
Unless you've come to the staunch realization that you need money and you need it NOW don't EVER EVER EVER things that just because you are a sales associate it will lead to bigger, brighter and more creative things. It's much easier to get a sales job at a big name publication than it is an editorial job and the sales team and the editorial team (at any good publication) are in completely different worlds (our sales office is 60 miles away). And if you do a good job they aren't going to want to move you to editorial--sales is where the money is and as long as you're making money they'll want to keep you there. Also, as a sales associate you can be pretty expendable. So only take sales positions if you are hoping to make enough money to have time to work on other freelance projects on the side.
Read the fine print
Want to make sure you'll be doing tasks you're interested in and actually learn something to take with you onto the next job? Don't be blinded by the company name and title READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION. What if there is something in there you just know you'll HATE doing? What if the publication you are looking into is solely online and you wanted to work in print? There could be a multitude of things like, data collection, answering phones, inventory, picking up lunch that will make the day to day of your job miserable. And if it is written in the description when you sign onto the new job you have absolutely no right to gripe about it. It's there in plain black and white and you agreed to it when you took on the position.
Have a Salary in Mind
Do some research, find out how much entry level is for the position you are applying for then budget how much you need to cover your cost of living. They will ask you in your interview how much you'll be expecting so be prepared. They may want to negotiate but that's fine, knowing how much your services are worth are important. If you are confident in the figure you present, they'll know you're worth every penny. Ed2010 posts a salary report that can help you with your research. It also wouldn't hurt to ask about their vacation and benefits package. Don't just take any job, you're going to bust your ass for them they should compensate you fairly.
Last but Most Important: Don't Rush It
I know this is advice that is hard to swallow but before you regret it, take time when looking for a job. Just because you get an interview and the word "editor" appears somewhere in the title doesn't mean this job is right for you. There are a lot of shady business out here in Los Angeles, and if you feel you are sacrificing something big to do this job than it's probably not worth it. You have to feel comfortable not just excited when walking away from an interview knowing that the company in question is reliable and will serve as the foundation for what will be friends, a very rewarding and bright career.
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6 comments:
Ke, I have to ask after this post: Have you been shortchanged recently by a job that didn't deliver what you hoped it would?
I think it's sound advice when looking for work online to be educated about positions you are applying for. When I first started looking for work I jumped into anything that had anything to do with Editorial. As a result I had some pretty disappointing experiences with start-up webzines and the like.
It's better to be educated and informed than waste time don't ya think? See RealTALK LA article below.
Yeah, educated is better - but sometimes, you jump in fully knowing it's going to suck, but the "prospect" of a paycheck overrules your good sense.
Exactly. Which is why it's important to be realistic, understand what you're getting into and knowing how much you are worth. All things I wish I knew when I first set out looking for a job, I had some interesting experiences with the Huffington Post, and other places I worked at before my current position.
Would love to hear the HuffPo stories.
I'm sure they'll work their way onto this blog someday =)
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