New here? Don't forget you can buy the book at Amazon. Thanks - Tanya x

Sweating?
Shaking?
Crying?

Haven’t got the foggiest what kind of job you want?
Think everything on offer sounds deathly dull?
Swamped by all the choice out there?
Getting rejected but don’t know why?
Can’t get started at all?

Graduates wedged in that tricky in-between stage (post-uni, pre-first ‘proper’ job) can now email questions to me here.

**************

The first question from the floor comes from Sophie…

“I graduated last year and have since been working as a trainee on a national newspaper sub-editing scheme – but due to a reduced budget they have so far been unable to offer me a full-time job. I have started writing freelance commissions on the side (also for national newspapers). I love writing and now want to make the freelance thing work full-time. I see you write regularly for four great publications – how does one go about getting known and getting more than one article commissioned every few weeks? Just from constantly pitching ideas? I’m finding this uncertainty and daily checking of my inbox, attempting to send pitches and not hearing anything a rather disheartening existence and would really appreciate some advice! Thanks – Sophie”

Thanks for your question – actually even though it’s a journalism one, my answer could actually be useful for anyone looking to get into media…

Firstly, well done for bagging a place on a competitive scheme – by no means easy! And well done for sticking with it despite not being offered a permanent job. I often explain to graduates that when getting into media, your first job might not look exactly how you imagined – so be prepared to take a 2 month contract for a particular project, or to cover someone’s maternity leave… Permanent jobs DO come up, but most of us can expect to take a few ‘bitty’ placements first. The more you move around, the more people you meet and the more likely you are to get that all-important call when something permanent does come up that they’d like you to apply for.

It sounds like you’ve got your heart set on writing, rather than subbing (for the non-journos reading this, sub-editors shorten lengthy features, write snappy headlines and captions, dot the Is and cross the Ts…) Well done. It’s easier to make the move now than it will be later – and sadly, subs very quickly find themselves boxed into that role, however fantastic their writing skills.

That said, freelancing is a seriously hard way to start out – so I can see why you’re finding it tough. I did it – but not just through doing commissions. I’d have found exactly the same thing – that I couldn’t get enough pieces to make it work financially.

The problem is that when you’re starting out, you don’t personally know enough people who are in a position to give you work. Which features a publication loves depends almost entirely on the whim of the Editor’s personality and taste. It really is that subjective – they love or they hate it. If you don’t know them personally, it’s a stab in the dark every time.

Your chances of being asked to write a feature they’ve had an idea for in-house are even slimmer. (Don’t worry – I’m getting to the good news!) To get these phone calls from editors, you need to be trusted. They need to know that you’ll get it right. If they don’t know you, they can’t have that confidence in you. Simple as.

Ideally, I’m guessing what you really want is a permanent writing job. By all means apply for anything you see advertised, but remember that once a job is advertised the competition gets a lot stiffer. That said, there’s a lot you can do in the meantime to boost your chances of success.

What I suggest is that you pitch yourself to features editors not as a commissions writer, but as a ’shifter’ – ie someone who comes in and do holiday cover, maternity cover, vacancy cover… – basically, offer yourself as an extra pair of hands in the office. Usually, you’ll be booked by the week – but this can be ongoing for up to a few months if things work out!

Shift-work is a fantastic – and massively underrated, I think – way to get your face and name out there in journalism (and I understand it’s similar in TV, music etc). The first bonus is you actually get your physical being INTO the office – meeting the senior editors, becoming part of the team. It’s another title for your CV, plus you’ll probably get to write something so it’s another one for your portfolio too. Plus, when you leave, they’re more likely to think of you for freelance commissions – and you’re more likely to know what’s a very ‘them’ idea when pitching. You’re also in an AMAZING position to hear about vacancies for permanent roles. And, if the work you’re doing there is covering a vacancy and the team love you, you could easily find yourself in line for the role when the editors finally get their act together to recruit for it! Oh, and the other bonus is that it gets you out of the house, which – as it sounds like you’ve discovered – isn’t quite the Carrie Bradshaw experience people seem to think it is! Good luck x

 Link to this page

 Link to this page