| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Beginner Issues > Topic: Why can't I find my dream job? |
Topic: Why can't I find my dream job?
| Author | Message |
| dreamjoborbust | Posted – 5/14/2008 6:00:21 PM | show profile Here's my story. I'm trying to figure out where the missing link is and why I can't get one call for an interview. I graduated in 2005 with a print journalism degree. I had internships at six national consumer magazines or newspapers. I graduated with 50 strong clips. I moved from DC to take a publishing job at a small company back home. I've been an assistant editor there for 2 years. I've spent the past year applying for jobs at consumer magazines in NYC where I have related writing experience. My resume has my NYC address. I have probably applied for over 50 jobs and can't get one phone call back. Am I missing something? |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 5/14/2008 6:50:22 PM | show profile Hmm, you have a degree in print journalism, two years experience, and no one's calling you back. I think if you really can't figure out the posible reasons why, that might be part of the problem. |
| salsera | Posted – 5/14/2008 6:55:05 PM | show profile Dreamjob... what type of positions are you applying for? NYC is a tough market, and an editor in D.C. (where I used to work) told me that I'd probably have to work as an editorial assistant when I was starting out. I avoided this by working in the content department of a smaller online organization. |
| bookmap | Posted – 5/14/2008 7:10:53 PM | show profile salsera has a point; are you applying to entry level positions in NYC, or are you aiming for assistant editor positions? My guess is maybe you're crediting yourself with too much experience, and you may have to start lower than you thought. |
| wander lust | Posted – 5/14/2008 7:54:21 PM | show profile I'm so tired of people being so downright negative on this message board. She's clearly looking for help or advice-- would it kill you to give some pointers instead of backhanded comments? Geeze-- no wonder this industry is so cut throat. dreamjoborbust: I sympathize with you because I've been through a similar situation. I've been with a trade pub for almost three years now and though I've been fortunate enough to move up the ranks fairly quickly, the problem is I actually do have too much experience not to mention a higher than your average editorial assistant salary at a consumer mag to take the title AND pay cut to start from square one at a consumer mag. It's quite the dilemma on top of the fact that none of these dream titles I'd love to work for are calling me back for an interview. That said, I've also been warned against staying too long in trade publishing if I ever hope to make the switch into consumer press. So, yeah, I'm on a similar boat. I wonder if it might be easier to start getting your foot in the door by attempting to freelance for these mags where you hope to someday work? It wouldn't hurt to try. |
| weiss | Posted – 5/14/2008 7:55:55 PM | show profile Stay Positive! I'm sure you've heard it before, but your job will come. It may not be your dream job, but one will come that will lead to it. I was recently in your position, had just graduated and searched for a position for nearly 6 months before landing my current position doing PR. People always told me that it would come, but still started to lose hope. Keep your head up and continue applying! |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 5/14/2008 8:19:12 PM | show profile Yeah I knew I'd get blasted for that but c'mon. There are two possible reasons why she's not hearing: 1) She's unqualified including possibly lousy clips 2) She's not following up Now, these seem like two no-brainers to me. And a journalist should be able to ask the right questions to get to those answers. The fact that she doesn't demonstrates a startling and -- if I were a hiring manager -- worrying lack of initiative. Why doesn't she know to get a second opinion on her CV and cover letters? And why is she not more proactive? |
| ferdinand | Posted – 5/14/2008 8:33:17 PM | show profile Down boy! How do you know she hasn't gotten a second opinion on her resume and that she isn't following up? I mean, I don't know that she is, but there's nothing in the original post to suggest that she isn't doing the basic things which, as you say, are key to getting a job. Just sayin'. |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 5/14/2008 8:56:36 PM | show profile But if that's the case Ferdinand, some rather crucial info. was left out. And that's not a good habit for a journo either. Just saying too and now I'm going away OK, maybe I'm just too mean tonight and I'd better bow out, get down, and be totally aspirational. |
| dreamjoborbust | Posted – 5/14/2008 9:06:29 PM | show profile I have tried applying for both EA jobs and assistant editor jobs. I haven't heard back from either end. I've talked to some of my old professors who said going backwards (and applying for an EA job) looks strange on a resume. I have no problem going back and starting off lower, but I'm not getting calls for those positions either. And a huge part of it is taking a paycut if I do. The publishing company I work for produces trade magazines, so I have moved up fairly quickly, like wander lust (Thanks for the encouragement!)...it doesn't make sense to me to take a huge pay cut and start off at the bottom of the ladder at a consumer mag. And InsomniacNOT...thanks for being so judgmental. You know nothing about me, my clips or my cover letters. I'm not the one sounding miserable. What information did I leave out that is so crucial to you? I followed up to every single application and had my CV triple checked. Happy? I didn't ask for anyone's aspirations. I asked for advice and reaction. |
| InsomniacNOT | Posted – 5/14/2008 10:32:17 PM | show profile Well, what do they tell you when you follow up? |
| wander lust | Posted – 5/14/2008 11:36:49 PM | show profile Did it ever occur to you, InsomniacNOT, that maybe there are tons of people applying to these much coveted jobs and that perhaps it isn't something that she is necessarily doing wrong, but rather that the demand is so low and the volume of applicants is overflowing? Anyway, the last thing I want to do is sit here and argue with anyone on a thread, but really it's just so discouraging what some people respond. Granted, you're entitled to your own opinion-- I just don't see what dreamjoborbust wrote that would make you assume all these judgments... but, I digress. Best of luck to you. And if you ever figure out how to break through the velvet ropes, please let me in on the secret. After a while it's easy to become jaded and believe that really it's all about who you know and whether or not you have the right last name. That last part comes from someone who is a minority--something you rarely see on mastheads, if ever. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/15/2008 4:02:03 AM | show profile The problem may simply be supply and demand -- my guess is for any opening there are probably a lot of applicants with experience that is comparable to yours. Your best bet is to keep plugging away, keep up with and expand your network, and try to get good, fresh consumer clips, because a lot of consumer editors look down on trades. |
| beenthere | Posted – 5/15/2008 8:50:31 AM | show profile Red Flag I would guess one of the reasons is a NYC address, yet currently employed in D.C. That tells employers you are lying about where you live and also would not likely be able to start within a short timeframe. As other posters relentless repeat: If you want to work in NYC you have to live in NYC. We just had a situation where an applicant lied about his residence. He actually lived 1,200 miles away. Not good. |
| DQ102 | Posted – 5/15/2008 9:35:32 AM | show profile I know it is frustrating but don't give up. You sound like you were in a better position than I was when I moved to New York and started looking for editorial assistant jobs at consumer magazines. I came to New York with some experience and clips, although none from consumer magazines, and I couldn't even get an interview for an editorial assistant position at a consumer magazine. So much of the consumer magazine game is who you know, or in the case of someone starting out, who your daddy knows. You must have some contacts from your internships, which gives you an edge. Have you mined those as much as you could have? Maybe those people could give you some better advice and job leads. If you have already spoken with them, what kind of feedback are you getting? As for me, I worked non-magazine temp jobs until I finally broke in with an editorial assistant job at a trade. I moved to consumer from there. Whatever you do, keep plugging away. Don't give up if this is really what you want to do and NYC is really where you want to be. |
| dreamjoborbust | Posted – 5/15/2008 10:28:49 AM | show profile I don't live in DC anymore...I moved from there. Most of the time, I don't even get a response when I follow up. A few times it's "there are more qualified applicants with more experience." As far as contacts go, I've exhausted most of them. I used my DC contacts to get work there, but I moved from the city and have no contacts here. Plus, I find something objectionable about using "who you know" to get ahead...but regardless, I don't know anyone. DQ102: How were you able to switch from trades to consumer magazines? |
| DQ102 | Posted – 5/15/2008 10:40:50 AM | show profile I got a job at a trade that covered the television production business. I wanted to write about entertainment, so the job at the trade naturally led to a job at a consumer magazine that covered entertainment. I did have to take a step backward in making the move. I went from editorial assistant to reporter at the trade, then had to take an assistant to the editor job to break into the consumer magazine. But it was worth it. I was promoted twice in less than three years. Is there a particular type of consumer magazine you want to get into? If you want to work at say a big fashion magazine, you might do well to start at a fashion trade first. I know people say there is a bias against the trades, but there are a lot of great trade magazines out there, and people do make the switch. Now I am a full-time freelancer, and I write for trades and consumer magazines. Maybe it would also help you to attend some Mediabistro.com events (lectures, parties, etc.) to try to make some new contacts. And have you tried freelancing for some of the consumer magazines you are interested in working for? Maybe you could try pitching some stories. You have clips, so why not? |
| Grateful Deadline | Posted – 5/15/2008 11:10:25 AM | show profile dreamjob, if you're getting the "there are more qualified applicants" reply to applications for your dream job, try building a path to your dream job rather than knocking directly on the door. |
| mae | Posted – 5/15/2008 1:43:46 PM | show profile I also got my start in trades. I went from an ME at a health trade to an assistant at a health consumer. And I took a 20% pay cut. It was absolutely the best move I ever made. It eventually led to my dream job and it took 6 years. Don't set out looking for that "dream job." Plan ahead. Developing a niche sets you apart from other candidates. Say, your dream job is TV Guide. Working at a screenwriting magazine will be beneficial in developing new contacts and sources. A few years down the road, who knows? Also, focus your search. Don't randomly send out 50 resumes and cover letters. Understand who you're sending to and craft a cover letter that would appeal to JUST them. I typically send out four to five resumes and end up with at least three interviews. More doesn't mean better. Good luck. |
| worldofnatasha | Posted – 5/15/2008 3:22:09 PM | show profile >>Plus, I find something objectionable about using "who you know" to get ahead... the best thing you can do is stop thinking this way. it is all about who you know. Yes, you have to have good samples and be talented, but that's not enough -- the world is about building good relationships and meeting people and making contacts and following up and remembering the little personal details they tell you about yourself and showing people that you would be a good person to have around, someone they'd want to spend day after day in an office with. if your work isn't good enough, all the contacts in the world won't help you, but since you seem to have all the other elements (internships/clips/etc.) in place, what you're missing, it seems to me, is the personal connection -- someone who is in a position of power, or knows someone in a position of power, who can put in a good word for you. and it's not hard to meet people. I'd just advise you not to come on too strong -- even if you go to a networking function and meet an editor whom you hit it off with, don't bombard her right away with your resume and job requests -- get to know her as friends -- ask her out for coffee -- and not to "pick her brain", which is a thinly-veiled way of asking for a job. just say, "I had a great time talking to you -- love to go grab coffee and chat some more" -- and then actually do talk about your dog and the new Indiana Jones movie and the great new restaurant you went to, etc. Just make friends, and when a job opening comes up, she'll think of you. |
| BruisePristine | Posted – 5/15/2008 8:24:56 PM | show profile I have been shot down for entry-level openings myself. After you have 2-3 years of experience, you are considered to be more than entry level. I would simply shoot a bit higher, for openings such as "assistant online editor," etc. If you have already been doing that, then the *very best* thing you can do is tailor your resume to each magazine. It might not seem like a big deal, but it does make a difference. Are your clips online, or what? Consider building a personal Web site. You needn't know much about code; you can use a CMS like Joomla or Dreamweaver. You'll look extra awesome because of your layout skills. Finally, make sure you send your stuff to the managing editor, not HR. If you can't get around HR, you probably can, anyway. Make a few phone calls and ask who the managing editor is, then send copies of your apps to both. HR is the bane of a creative person's existence; these folks are always thinking "Who can I eliminate?" rather than "Who will add the most value to this organization. Finally, consider creating a position for yourself. If you know the magazine backwards and forwards, you can always suggest that you can fill a valuable role that does not yet exist. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 5/15/2008 8:36:29 PM | show profile You pretty much have to BE in New York to be considered seriously in New York, and if your resume says you work elsewhere, that's an inconsistency that will land your resume in the circular file. Plus, don't take the lack of response personally. Two years of experience isn't much, sorry to say, and plenty of people already here who have far more experience are applying for those jobs. It's not unusual to get hundreds of resumes for certain positions, depending on where you are applying. Personally, I think your best bet is to network with the people you worked for on your internships and see if they can hook you up with their counterparts in New York. At your level--or anyone's really--answering ads and posting your resume on a publisher's web site is a shot in the dark at best. If you lived in DC, you should know the value of knowing the right people. |
| katemc | Posted – 5/15/2008 9:38:10 PM | show profile i agree with natasha contacts are invaluable!! meet people. join linked in. send random emails to editors and introduce yourself. many will not respond, but a couple will and it will be a step in the right direction. i also think it's super true that people want to hire people who are fun to work with, nice, calm and chill. maybe you need to work on your tone in your cover letters- not be too formal. don't use slang or anything super familiar, but sound excited and fun rather than "i did this and this and this and this..." that's boring and we've heard it all before. tell us why you love the magazine and why you would be a great fit. customize! the same goes for interviewing (even though i know you haven't gotten there yet). it is SUPER important to be casual and fun and excited, but not overly confident or pretentious. i know you have accomplished a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, you are just a beginner and it's ok to acknowledge that. be modest and sweet. |
| BruisePristine | Posted – 5/16/2008 10:51:20 AM | show profile wo years of experience isn't much, sorry to say, and plenty of people already here who have far more experience are applying for those jobs. D'oh. I always forget that this is NY, not where I come from, where HR is impressed that you even went to college (extreme rust belt). WordyBird, would you also think that the competition is rough because it's the season of layoffs, so senior staffers are applying for fairly beginner positions? All in all though, it's true that blindly applying to openings nets the lowest success rate. I know one dude who got a job because he kept commenting on the company's blog. Is this possible? It's a cool way to build up a relationship with a would-be employer, and fairly simple. |
| mumbo jumbo | Posted – 5/16/2008 2:17:30 PM | show profile Be careful what you wish for. After over 25 years in as an editor I landed a dream job on a consumer pub. I spent the bulk of my career in trade in a succession of higher-level jobs. But none sucked the life out of me like this one is doing. I have a job many would kill for but the amount of work and time required and minutia and administrative matters, and so on and so on, keeps me running constantly with no down time and little support. Maybe I'm just too old for this but all the financial articles I read tell me I'm in my peak earning years, so this is about right. Or maybe I'm just burnt out. This is a tough business to stay in for an entire career. |
