Writer Friendly

Interviewing for that new writing job is scary…what if you don’t get? How should you dress? When should you follow-up? Instead of letting these thoughts control you, plan ahead so you don’t sweat the small stuff.

First of all, although it’s a down economy, there is always another writing job around the corner. I’ve noticed so many more sites dedicated to providing writing jobs. Even though some might not be your dream job, it might be time to broaden your searches.

Second, always dress professionally for every interview. You should have a neutral, fitted suit along with a crisp, collared shirt, which can add a touch of color or personality to the look. Although some offices may dress casually, you want to look your best and show that you’re put together.

Third, follow-up with the employer within two weeks from your interview. Also, it doesn’t hurt to send them a short email after your interview to let them know you enjoyed meeting them and are looking forward to hearing back from them. If you don’t hear from them within 6 weeks, contact them one last time to find out if the position is still available…if it’s available, ask them where you stand.

Lastly, show how prepared you are by bringing along a couple copies of your resume, references and writing samples. Half the battle is controlling your nerves, but when you have yourself organized and prepared, you can focus on your delivery.

I think everyone could use a few more hours in his/her day, especially during the wintertime when it’s darker earlier. Managing your time is no easy task, but it has been getting easier with technology.

Are you one of those people who need to be reminded about every little thing like loading the dryer or starting dinner? A PDA or other electronic organizer might be the perfect gadget for you. By setting alarms and adding events to the calendar, your personal organizer can prevent you from missing writing seminars and forgetting to pick your children up from after school activities. For more ways to take advantage of technology you already own check out the following article: How to Manage Your Time with Technology.

Especially if you have just graduated from college, it’s important for you to contact your local competitors. This can give you an idea of what it will take for you to succeed in your field. Once you tell them that you are a recent graduate, they will most likely be happy to help you. Let them know that you are looking for work but don’t ask them if they have a position available. You might want to find out if they belong to a community of writers, because this might help break the ice. Although it might be an uncomfortable phone call, it might provide you with an opportunity.

During the holidays, you should check out the job listings and apply to some writing or editing positions. Yes, it’s the holidays but the employer might be in desperate need of someone, and you might have more of a chance since many people are too busy with holiday planning. I recently saw a career counselor and was told that from now until around May, there will be a shortage of job openings. Employers don’t usually look for people during this time; however, if you keep your eyes open you might find something worth applying for. Job hunting is challenging, but you have to keep your spirits high and think positive so you don’t give up.

I surf the job boards on a daily basis, and some of the jobs leave a lot to the imagination. It’s important to protect yourself as a writer so that you don’t end up doing the work for nothing. When you see those vague job ads, send an email requesting more information. However, if your gut is telling you that it’s not a good idea, you should probably listen…better safe than sorry. When you are looking to work for someone new, you also have the right to be the interviewer. Yes, the potential employer will interview you, but you need to gather your information too. If you think the job is right for you, but you are still not sure about the employer, politely request references. If the employer thinks that you are the best fit, they will take a moment to make you feel secure. It also helps if there is a contract to sign, because then you have evidence of what the job is and how much you are paid. 

Since it’s the holiday, there are more opportunities to work extra jobs. Even if you live in an economically depressed area, there is still hope that you can find something. The great part about these jobs is that they are temporary, so you can save up some cash to get you through the next couple months while you write. If you want a freelance writing career, you have to learn how to accommodate this lifestyle and prepare for the worst. Sometimes you have a steady job, sometimes you don’t. With the economy, it has become a gamble, because you never know how long that steady job will last. So look into working for bookstores, libraries, printing shops, etc. While you might not be writing at these jobs, they are at least related to the publishing world.

One thing I have realized is that if you write a lot, your back probably hurts. Sitting down all day at a desk can cause back problems, which is why it’s important to get up and walk around a few times during the day. Unfortunately, I don’t like sitting at my desk, so I find myself on the couch or in the reclining chair. I know it’s not good for my back, because I end up having pain after sitting for hour. If you know some yoga moves or back stretches, it’s beneficial to do them before and after your work day. 

From my experience as a freelance writer, it has been apparent that if I want to work at home it’s not going to be easy. Although I have several jobs that have sustained me for quite some time, I’m always on the look out for higher paying ones. If your wish is to work at home and be a writer, you either need a supportive spouse or to find yourself a decent paying part-time job outside the home. I still have hope that I will one day find that dream job, but until then it’s important that I find alternative ways to sustain my lifestyle. I suggest you do the same before you find yourself in financial trouble.

Surprisingly, I have found that I usually feel more burned out from writing than from editing. When you are editing different pieces of writing, it helps give you a variety. However, when you are constantly writing on the same topic, it can extinguish those flames of passion that you once had for the subject.

If you suspect that you are going to experience some burnout, prepare for it by mixing up your work week. Try to get your assignments done in the morning and treat yourself to a lunch. It also helps when you are able to work on a variety of projects, because you can put one down for a couple hours and work on a different one. On your days off, stay away from your computer and anything that reminds you of work so that when you come back to your assignment you’ll have a fresh perspective.

As the old saying goes, you have to invest money in order to make money. When it comes to advertising your business, it can become expensive. However, there are inexpensive options available so you don’t end up in debt before you even get started.

First, print at least 250 business cards to get you started. Keep ten to twenty of them with you at all times. Introduce yourself and give your card to a printing shop or other businesses that might be able to use your skills or refer people to you. Ask the manager if you can setup an exchange where you both advertise each other’s business.

Second, utilize any public places like coffee shops and colleges where you can promote your business. Post flyers as well as your business card on corkboards or set a couple flyers on tables in the study rooms.

Third, invest in a professional advertisement in a magazine. Some writing journals and magazines don’t charge an arm and a leg, so create a simple advertisement (use your editing and writing skills to make an impact with a short word count). Or you can buy a sticker for your car, so you can promote your business wherever you drive.

These are just a few ideas…I’m sure you creative writers out there can think of even more.