Maybe nothing will come out of it, but I need to let off some steam. I'm getting very frustrated in my job search, especially since it's been a year since I graduated from journalism school.

What I'm looking for: an entry level position in the media, public relations or publishing industry. I'm leaning more toward copy editing than writing, but my ideal job would include aspects of both. I'm also interested in research jobs. At this point I'm pretty much stuck in Toronto and I don't have a car.

Where I've been applying: the obvious big media companies, smaller publications, public relations companies (and big companies with pr departments), websites, non-profits/charities, NGOs and pretty much any place that advertises jobs in the papers, Internet and the journalism department from which I graduated. I'm willing to be corporate whore as long as they don't want me to lie through my teeth. I'm too honest.

I was supposed to have a summer job in the communications department of the CAW a few years ago, but their support staff went on strike and my job was cancelled (but not until after I already quit my other full-time job and trained my replacement). The next summer they didn't have the student summer job program.

What I've been doing in the meantime: doing temp jobs to pay the bills, writing articles for free for a music magazine, contacting some of my old university instructors, fellow graduates, different journalist organizations and anyone else I can think of.

From what you have posted, I would think that, perhaps, you might want to consult a Job Counselling service such as, The Toronto Action Centre. Here's their website.

In my opinion, you might be doing something wrong during the interview. Your councillor will be able to put a finger on it and advise you on how to better approach a prospective employer.

You should be able to land a journalism job in Toronto. You won't be able to start where you want, but make sure you get GREAT references out of the "pay the bill jobs" and that you have shining copies of everything you do. Some of the big places will take on volunteers, that way you get experience, make contacts, and get references. Plus, when there is a new position available, they'll hire the guy who's worked for free for a month rather than some resume off the street.

Have you been to this website?

http://www.jeffgaulin.com/

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Have you been to this website?

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Most of the big places only accept volunteers who are doing internships for school. And my unpredictable office temp schedule doesn't allow me to commit to a long-term volunteer position unless I know for sure it will lead to a job.

I had a part-time editorial assistant job at a small website/newsletter for two months, which was almost like a volunteer position because the hours were few, the pay was low and the schedule was so unpredictable that I had to quit my other part-time job. On top of that it was a very unprofessional environment that included regular verbal abuse, so I quit that too. It was the first time in my life I ever quit a job without having another job lined up (or having to go away for school).

One of the reasons I've been doing office temp work instead of just finding a steady full-time job in a warehouse or something is that it gives me more time to look for other jobs, and there's a bit more flexibility, so I can go for job interviews during office hours. That's been fine so far, but I haven't been getting much work lately and I can't live off my savings forever.

[ May 02, 2002: Message edited by: Andy Social ]

I wish you all the luck Andy, I'm sorry I have no advice for you except please do not give up.

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Are you interested in writing freelance?

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Freelance isn't really for me, although if the opportunity arises I'll jump on it. I've made it clear on many job applications that I'm willing to work freelance.

I was supposed to write a short profile for a small magazine, but I guess they couldn't get ahold of the person it was supposed to be about, or else he didn't want to be interviewed. I might still write something for that magazine, but they don't publish very often, and they depend on funding that isn't guaranteed.

After one of my job interviews last week, the person said that even though they offered the job to someone else (because he knows how to use flash) they really liked my writing and they might get me to do some freelance work for them this summer. They also said if they grow enough to hire another person, they'll surely keep me in mind.

There are a few problems with freelance for me:

1) Many places won't even consider you unless you already have a reputation.

Either that or they pay so little it's not worth my time. I don't mind writing for free (or next to nothing) if it's something I enjoy writing --or if it takes little effort -- but if I have to bust my ass doing loads of research and tracking down a million people for a topic I have no interest in, I better get paid at least minimum wage. I just interviewed a band tonight for an article I'm not getting paid for.

2)I'm better at straight-to-the-point short articles instead of long, literary feature articles, which is what the freelance market is mosly based on.

3)I'm not very good at dreaming up story ideas to pitch (unless it's about a band, or if it's a straight news story about something that's going on that day or week). I'm good at doing stories that someone assigns to me, even if they only point me into a certain direction and leave the rest up to me.

4)I'm not good at negotiating my own pay rate; I'm not pushy enough when it comes to money issues.

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You might also try selling ad space on commission for local radio stations.

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Selling stuff isn't one of my strengths. I can communicate and "sell" messages but -- as I just mentioned -- I'm not good at money stuff and sealing deals.

Re: the interview workshop suggestion,
I have been to interview and resume workshops. I know one weakness is that I'm a bit shy and not overly skilled in the fine art of BS. That's been with me my entire life, and something that I'm working on. I'm much better than I used to be.

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Don't just apply to places that have advertisements.

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I've been sending resumes and writing samples to any place I can think of. Some places I've applied to more than once.

[ May 03, 2002: Message edited by: Andy Social ]

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I have been to interview and resume workshops. I know one weakness is that I'm a bit shy and not overly skilled in the fine art of BS

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I was wondering Rebecca how do you go about approaching newspapers or magazines with your freelance work and what is the best way to negotiate the fee ?

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The most important thing to remember though, is that job hunting leads to nothing, nothing nothing, and one day, leads to everything. I mean that it is not a gradual process in which partial success exists. For a long time, you have no job, and then, one bright day, it is there.