Post: #31

Camborg80-Trey  Wrote:

LoP Guest  Wrote:

Hit craigslist, and make sure you adjust your resume to reflect your writing skills, include your experience but make it very clear you are a capable writer as well and that is what you wish to do.

With this very strategy i just landed a job as a content writer with absolutely no experience, simply a large vocabulary and the ability to format and create paragraphs as well as edit my own work. But you have to clearly define your ability to do this in your resume or whats the point?

Writing is one of the few career paths that is solely based on your ability to produce, whether or not it is original or even good for that matter is up to the individual. So obviously the Resume would be the important first step in the application process and landing the job, you have to get creative!

THANK YOU!

Something concrete. God damn, thank you.

Can you be a bit more specific about how you went about getting the creative writing gig? How were you able to edit up your resume to talk up your writing talents when you previously had no job of such nature?

My current resume works great for "corporate" jobs, even "bartending" jobs. I just have no idea how to re-tool it around for a journalist-geared resume.

Are there any pointers you can lend? Also, how did the job pan out for you? Are you still working there? Did you earn a decent (or acceptable) living? What were the hours like and what kind of content you produced?

A million thanks, again. I've been waiting for a response like this.

Haven't started yet, i start Monday so i am at the point where i don't know what to expect, but the guy is calm and experienced and well aware i am green in this field.

So my best advice is present yourself as experienced and knowledgeable, and like i said, a capable writer but make sure you also stress the fact you know little about the position and are looking to learn ( you play to ego's that way, everybody who thinks they are a "professional" want to teach young people their way of doing things ). By stressing the fact you are looking to learn also include your abilities within your cover letter, and insert words you would categorize as "Above Average". By demonstrating a vocabulary that is above average combined with a willingness to learn a new way of doing things and a desire to be a "writer" you will no doubt in time find somebody willing.

Don't think either that your resume has to stay the same, if you are a writer then it should be no problem to write a specific cover letter for each job. For every job you apply you should effectively adjust your resume to vaguely fit that jobs description, just don't make it look obvious, subtlety is the key!

Time is also something you should consider, i pounded out, and get ready for this, over 350+ emails to different postings on craigslist and monster for writing jobs and related positions over the past seven months.

Our bane as the uneducated comes at the price of effort and time! But with effort there is no doubt you'll get what your looking for!

(And so far, i have found google to be the best "how to" for lessons in SEO, which is an important first step and probably one of the only entry level writing jobs out there.)

Post: #32

LoP Guest  Wrote:

Camborg80-Trey  Wrote:

LoP Guest  Wrote:

Hit craigslist, and make sure you adjust your resume to reflect your writing skills, include your experience but make it very clear you are a capable writer as well and that is what you wish to do.

With this very strategy i just landed a job as a content writer with absolutely no experience, simply a large vocabulary and the ability to format and create paragraphs as well as edit my own work. But you have to clearly define your ability to do this in your resume or whats the point?

Writing is one of the few career paths that is solely based on your ability to produce, whether or not it is original or even good for that matter is up to the individual. So obviously the Resume would be the important first step in the application process and landing the job, you have to get creative!

THANK YOU!

Something concrete. God damn, thank you.

Can you be a bit more specific about how you went about getting the creative writing gig? How were you able to edit up your resume to talk up your writing talents when you previously had no job of such nature?

My current resume works great for "corporate" jobs, even "bartending" jobs. I just have no idea how to re-tool it around for a journalist-geared resume.

Are there any pointers you can lend? Also, how did the job pan out for you? Are you still working there? Did you earn a decent (or acceptable) living? What were the hours like and what kind of content you produced?

A million thanks, again. I've been waiting for a response like this.

Haven't started yet, i start Monday so i am at the point where i don't know what to expect, but the guy is calm and experienced and well aware i am green in this field.

So my best advice is present yourself as experienced and knowledgeable, and like i said, a capable writer but make sure you also stress the fact you know little about the position and are looking to learn ( you play to ego's that way, everybody who thinks they are a "professional" want to teach young people their way of doing things ). By stressing the fact you are looking to learn also include your abilities within your cover letter, and insert words you would categorize as "Above Average". By demonstrating a vocabulary that is above average combined with a willingness to learn a new way of doing things and a desire to be a "writer" you will no doubt in time find somebody willing.

Don't think either that your resume has to stay the same, if you are a writer then it should be no problem to write a specific cover letter for each job. For every job you apply you should effectively adjust your resume to vaguely fit that jobs description, just don't make it look obvious, subtlety is the key!

Time is also something you should consider, i pounded out, and get ready for this, over 350+ emails to different postings on craigslist and monster for writing jobs and related positions over the past seven months.

Our bane as the uneducated comes at the price of effort and time! But with effort there is no doubt you'll get what your looking for!

(And so far, i have found google to be the best "how to" for lessons in SEO, which is an important first step and probably one of the only entry level writing jobs out there.)

Oh and i almost forgot, when tooling your resume for each job, the most important thing to remember is to use key industry phrases. As i mentioned earlier, research the specifics as much as you can for each position ( i prefer google ) and include terms and positions, techniques etc. that are relevant to the position/industry.

Post: #33

Camborg80-Trey  Wrote:

I wonder if I could find somewhere, somehow, to land a job writing. It's the only thing I've ever been good at, really - I remember being the only kid in my University-English class at Community College to score an A - and that was with me sleeping through the entire class.

Problem is, my resume only displays a strong technical/hospitality background - nada for journalistic pursuits. I don't have a degree, either.

I know if I was given a chance to present some written material I'd wow them. I'm also well aware that there would be a lot I'd have to learn on the job, being that I've never been a paid journalist before.

Anyone out there doing this for a living and have any tips? I'm at that point where, as irresponsible as it sounds, I don't want to do something for a living that I can't be at least remotely passionate about.

Pretty immature, I'm sure. But losing my last corporate gig showed me that no amount of money can make me CARE about my job. I don't want to be another cog in the wheel...I want to get up in the morning and look forward to my job, at least somewhat.

So, any tips or pointers? Much appreciated.

You have to audition for most writing jobs (i.e. send a sample). Back when I did it, it was more important that you knew what you were talking about AND had decent writing style. Nowadays, it doesn't look like either of those things matter but that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Oh and (being realistic) starting out these jobs won't pay the bills.

Post: #34

LoP Guest  Wrote:

Camborg80-Trey  Wrote:

I wonder if I could find somewhere, somehow, to land a job writing. It's the only thing I've ever been good at, really - I remember being the only kid in my University-English class at Community College to score an A - and that was with me sleeping through the entire class.

Problem is, my resume only displays a strong technical/hospitality background - nada for journalistic pursuits. I don't have a degree, either.

I know if I was given a chance to present some written material I'd wow them. I'm also well aware that there would be a lot I'd have to learn on the job, being that I've never been a paid journalist before.

Anyone out there doing this for a living and have any tips? I'm at that point where, as irresponsible as it sounds, I don't want to do something for a living that I can't be at least remotely passionate about.

Pretty immature, I'm sure. But losing my last corporate gig showed me that no amount of money can make me CARE about my job. I don't want to be another cog in the wheel...I want to get up in the morning and look forward to my job, at least somewhat.

So, any tips or pointers? Much appreciated.

You have to audition for most writing jobs (i.e. send a sample). Back when I did it, it was more important that you knew what you were talking about AND had decent writing style. Nowadays, it doesn't look like either of those things matter but that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Oh and (being realistic) starting out these jobs won't pay the bills.

The last part is not true any longer, internet marketing is big and companies will pay big to hire and train dedicated ground level content writers, you need little experience and no particular style to clump together 3 articles a day made from 3 paragraphs about some useless news and given a few keywords to throw in for google.

SEO is big business and easy to train for.

Post: #35

LoP Guest  Wrote:

Camborg80-Trey  Wrote:

I wonder if I could find somewhere, somehow, to land a job writing. It's the only thing I've ever been good at, really - I remember being the only kid in my University-English class at Community College to score an A - and that was with me sleeping through the entire class.

Problem is, my resume only displays a strong technical/hospitality background - nada for journalistic pursuits. I don't have a degree, either.

I know if I was given a chance to present some written material I'd wow them. I'm also well aware that there would be a lot I'd have to learn on the job, being that I've never been a paid journalist before.

Anyone out there doing this for a living and have any tips? I'm at that point where, as irresponsible as it sounds, I don't want to do something for a living that I can't be at least remotely passionate about.

Pretty immature, I'm sure. But losing my last corporate gig showed me that no amount of money can make me CARE about my job. I don't want to be another cog in the wheel...I want to get up in the morning and look forward to my job, at least somewhat.

So, any tips or pointers? Much appreciated.

You have to audition for most writing jobs (i.e. send a sample). Back when I did it, it was more important that you knew what you were talking about AND had decent writing style. Nowadays, it doesn't look like either of those things matter but that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Oh and (being realistic) starting out these jobs won't pay the bills.

Won't pay the bills?

....well, shit.

Post: #36

You're falling into the "want everything and want it now" chasm. The chances of getting the work you enjoy as well as it paying the bills, is very much a long shot. The vast majority of people loath the work they do and spend their entire lives doing work they hate. You really have to put the effort in to be able to make a living doing something you enjoy.

If you want journalism, then you have to play the long game. The bar tending can finance the long game, but you also have to put the work into getting to your real goal.

Try sitting down and writing, point by point, the advice given in this thread rather than skimming over it. Then use it to work out a plan of action.

Based only on the advice given in this thread one route I see is:

1) Decide what type of writing you wish to do
2) Start a blog; write on subjects/types of articles you're interested in. Make it as professional as you can.
3) Use the blog to show your work, i.e. provide the link in your CV/cover letter. Anyone with the slightest interest will look it up.
5) Consider purchasing your own website on which to publish the blog, with enough hits there may be an opportunity for paid advertising.
4) Find out where people in the industry eat/drink, don't just sit at your computer saying you don't know, then give up.

Another thought, use the 'blog' for local news, then maybe local businesses will pay for advertising space, or even a promotional article on your site. Basically produce a local online magazine. This may bring in more income while you work towards your next step. This plus the bar tending can finance you until you can make a living at the writing.

But first this:
Try sitting down and writing, point by point, the advice given in this thread rather than skimming over it. Then use it to help you work out a plan of action.

Post: #37

Go to the bookstore. Yes, I know they are sometimes difficult to find these days. Purchase a book called The 2013 Writers Market.

Here is a link

http://www.writersmarket.com/

It is the foremost tool for writers and selling your work.

Now, for a few good leads.

1. Find the local newspaper that is thrown on your driveway without you ever subscribing to it. Usually called the Gazette, The Leader, The Bee, The Bulletin or some such name. It is about 20 pages on half or 3/4 sheet. Call their editor and ask about freelance work.

2. If you are in a city or nearby. Find the monthly area magazine that tries to be the New Yorker usually called something like Richmond Magazine or Twin City Magazine or Tulsa Magazine. I think you can get the idea, and it can be found in most area grocery stores. It is generally a giant advertisement magazine with some articles that review new restaurants, a local winner of home decorating/remodel, pictures, a expose that is really a PR piece for a local builder or pool designer and reviews of charity and fundraising events for the local arts scene or some new wing of a hospital. They have small staffs and they always need freelance journalist. Helps if you can take good photos to accompany your article or review of the local rotary club dance or tapas restaurant.

3. Find the free Alternative Press paper distributed at Bars, Restaurants, Head Shops, Music Sales, etc. They are usually pretty stuck up and full of anti-establishment types and no matter what, you don't fit their mold because you don't like the same Indie Bands that they do, think there friend who paints like a first grader is talented because he uses his own feces and don't reek of patchuli, but their editor will hire and pay for freelance work, just don't expect to be hired full time unless you are best friends with the staff and can kiss their ass.

4. Take the other advice given. Blog. Blog. Blog. Buy a domain name, and build a Weblog. Make it look as professional as you can with a classic logo masthead. Incorporate as an LLC, and don't be afraid to sell advertising even if it is for $20 a year. Build the site, but keep it local specific and do not editorialize. Make it a generic as possible but be honest. Review your favorite bars, or least favorite restaurants. Print some business cards and get a blanket release form for photographs you upload to your site. If it takes off, you may find yourself in the Publishing business with a monthly local magazine you own yourself.

Final word. Writers write. You have to write about everything possible. Regardless of your personal beliefs, values, political leanings, you need to write for the mass audience. The people you may despise in real life, and you may even look at your reflection in the mirror like a teenage girl that just got talked into giving her first BJ. (See the movie Heathers if you don't know the look). Regardless, you want to do this for a living, being willing to sell out and know to what extent.