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Topic: Job Posting, Assistant to Food Editor, Vogue Magazine
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| Author | Message |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/26/2004 2:40:39 PM | show profile http://mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=17969&page=1 Is anyone else bothered by the condescending tone of this posting? Here's my cover letter: Dear Vogue, I'd rather slide down a mountain of razor blades and land in a pool of rubbing alcohol than work for your vile, elitist magazine. I'd rather have diarrhea for 3 days straight than fetch coffee for a food editor with a spatula up his ass, whose outfit costs more than my annual rent. My idea of career satisfaction does not involve living below the poverty line nor being forced into a 2-year contract of servitude. Attached is my ass, which I'd rather shave than be within 50 feet of Vogue offices. Thank you for your time and consideration. Signed, I'll keep my soul, thanks. |
| writerbabe | Posted – 7/26/2004 2:44:26 PM | show profile that is hilarious. first time i smiled all day. |
| syzygy | Posted – 7/26/2004 3:39:50 PM | show profile i didn't find it condescending I thought it was charmingly eccentric, myself. |
| boredw/birthday | Posted – 7/26/2004 3:52:29 PM | show profile Vogue has a food editor? surprising, as food is banned in the offices. |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/26/2004 4:08:30 PM | show profile no food allowed Ha! Good point! |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/26/2004 4:08:50 PM | show profile no food allowed Ha! Good point! |
| zeebo | Posted – 7/26/2004 4:50:39 PM | show profile wow, such hostility toward Vogue!!! I actually freelanced there a couple of times. It is an absolutely rancid publication (although they did do some pretty good arts coverage), and it was a rather unhappy place. Lots of turnover and low morale, but not more than I've seen industry-wide (or perhaps I was just projecting). I actually thought that job listing was rather helpful, though. Much more specific than the usual general job duties listed by a clueless human resources department. And I think it gives you a sense of exactly what you'd be in for if you worked there. Also, it seems to have been written by the guy you'd be assisting, so you already get a sense of his personality and he seems to be screening the applicants himself as the resumes are going to him at home it looks like and not just to human resources. Not that I'd recommend working there, although the name recognition on a resume might do you good afterward, I was just surprised by the depth of your anger. |
| Bex | Posted – 7/26/2004 4:59:22 PM | show profile Steingarten I thought the posting was funny and reflects the sense of humor of Mr. Steingarten himself. Frankly I wish more job postings were written with such candor. Bravo for saying what you're actually looking for in a candidate and not smoke-screening the employment situation (no benefits, hourly.) I'm actually reading his most recent book right now and it's remarkable how many times he mentions his current assistant (Katherine?) and always in a favorable light. I'd imagine it's one of those hard as hell jobs that you gut out for two years but if food writing is your true passion in life, it's tough to think of a better guy to begin your career with. |
| observer | Posted – 7/26/2004 7:03:04 PM | show profile Jeffrey .. he sounds like one of those guys who walk around in loafers with a small dog poking out of a leather bag |
| SleeplessinSeatle | Posted – 7/26/2004 8:13:10 PM | show profile Hmmm... Jeffrey sounds like fun, actually. But it is a bit of a drag that the position is two years long with no benefits (heaven help you if you need to go to the doctor or your aunt Ethel dies) but then again, you’d have a lot to write about after the experience ... might just be worth it. What’s with the foreign language requirement though? Will his assistant be required to sing in French while sautéing mushrooms? |
| sthrn | Posted – 7/26/2004 8:20:18 PM | show profile paying dues We all know that's the name of the game in this business. A smart young writer could parlay this job into a successful lifelong career in a highly specialized and desirable field. (Plus, despite the setting, I'd bet the annoying fashionista quotient would be pleasantly low.) The tone of the letter is not condescending at all--it's refreshingly straightforward. Good luck to whoever gets this gig. |
| dirtiemonkies | Posted – 7/27/2004 12:29:50 AM | show profile I've worked with JS before and frankly, I'd rather shove shards of glass in my eyelids than be in the same room with him. He's overbearing, arrogant, and a general jackass. Most people at Vogue and Conde avoid him like the plague. And you should see the poor fact-checkers who have to deal with him every issue. Seriously, if you're actually considering this job, keep in mind that for Jeffrey, the job posting was charming. |
| candychick | Posted – 7/27/2004 8:07:19 AM | show profile What an ass I met this pompous ass at a press conference once. Clearly he thinks he is witty, but in fact is rude, condescending, bumbling and not at all likeable. God help the poor person who has to kiss his ass every morning, all for the ''privelege'' of getting food writing experience. |
| copyed715 | Posted – 7/27/2004 9:15:35 AM | show profile >And you should see the poor fact-checkers who have to deal with him every issue. Let me guess: Too good to be fact-checked, right? I've dealt with more than a few defensive, egomaniacal foodies in my time, too: ''*I* am the source!'' |
| dirtiemonkies | Posted – 7/27/2004 8:46:44 PM | show profile copyed The weird thing wasn't that JS felt he was too good to be fact checked, but rather the phone book sized pile of insignificant shit he'd give them to check. He's nuts. Vogue always had to designate a specific person to work with him. Again, anyone desperate enough to apply, be forewarned--it's pretty much the 7th circle of hell. |
| WritingSoul | Posted – 7/28/2004 1:09:35 AM | show profile Well... If the money is right. |
| eatme | Posted – 7/28/2004 10:27:22 AM | show profile speaking of facts Ha ha ha, there are some amusing inconsistencies in your diatribe, not that I disagree with the sentiment: 1. JS doesn't work within 50 feet of the Vogue offices either. He works out of his home kitchen, as his post suggests. 2. His outdated duds, often besmirched with flour or shnoogies or I don't know what, probably cost less than yours. 3. I hear that freelancers at CN make $25 an hour, with overtime after 40 hours, so if true that would be well above the poverty line. Maybe you should apply after all? |
| bobbyjfromtheuk | Posted – 7/28/2004 10:49:22 AM | show profile | email poster Sour Grapes from the Unemployed While I agree that Jeffrey seems about as likable as a pile of steaming excrement, I have to point out that the author of this note is obviously unemployed (or else why surf the job listings), and has a chip on his shoulder the size of Jeffrey's fat ass. I'm assuming it's a he, because a woman who has hair on her ass that's in need of shaving would have more serious problems than finding a job. Basically though, it's definitely a serious case of insecurity and sour grapes. Having said that please include me in the line to see Jeffrey with a spatula up his ass. |
| writerbabe | Posted – 7/28/2004 12:04:51 PM | show profile mollybgolly, check out gawker.com They apparently liked your post. |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/28/2004 3:50:47 PM | show profile From gawker.com Jeffrey Steingarten, the Vogue food critic (oh, the irony -- it's like having a fashion critic for Nudist Monthly), is searching for a new assistant. And the ad, well -- it sounds a little high maintenance over there. If you want the job, clearly all you need to do is wrap your hair up in some cinnamon buns and put on your skimpy chain-mail Princess Leia outfit. You'll get used to the golden manacles, and watching him toss whole roast chickens in his maw isn't as gross as it sounds. |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/28/2004 3:56:25 PM | show profile Gawker.com The Jeffrey Steingarten 'Vogue' Assistant Applications Are In! Vogue food critic Jeffrey Steingarten has been looking for an assistant -- and we've found a great applicant over on Mediabistro! |
| mollybgolly | Posted – 7/28/2004 3:56:38 PM | show profile Gawker.com The Jeffrey Steingarten 'Vogue' Assistant Applications Are In! Vogue food critic Jeffrey Steingarten has been looking for an assistant -- and we've found a great applicant over on Mediabistro! |
| dirtiemonkies | Posted – 7/28/2004 11:37:54 PM | show profile actually, having once shaved a woman's ass on stage (call it performance art, whatev) i can vouch that chicks have a bit of hair. And while some freelancers at vogue do make a lovely $20 an hour, this rate does not include the hell JS puts his assistants through. Trust me, I worked with a few of them. He makes me shudder. |
| TCT | Posted – 7/30/2004 11:00:19 PM | show profile I actually had the misfortune of fact-checking JS when I freelanced at Vogue years ago (I believe the rate was $25). It was every bit as hellish as one would expect. And I had the added pleasure of talking to him on the phone while he was drunk at a wine event. Thank God those days are over. And by the way, as I am one not given to kissing ass very easily (I responded to his obnoxiousness several times with subtle but hostile remarks), he and I left on rather icy terms. I requested that I never be assigned to him again, and I'm sure the feeling was mutual. No negative fallout ensued, as it was quite known throughout the office what an absolute jackass he was. No one blamed me, although I'm sure a few wondered how I had the guts to go up against him. |
| Fair-to-Middling Cool | Posted – 7/30/2004 11:15:43 PM | show profile .. he sounds like one of those guys who walk around in loafers with a small dog poking out of his ass. |
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