Ask Ed

Dear Ed,

I pitched an idea to a magazine and the editor wrote back immediately saying the idea had a lot of potential, but he asked to see a manuscript first. So I sent one. After a week and a half with no word, I wrote a follow-up. No response. Two weeks after that I wrote once more. Nada. Did I do something wrong? Is it possible they’re going to print it without telling me? What should my next move be?

Strung Along, New York City

Dear Ed,

I’m graduating from a New York City college this May, and I’m looking for my first editorial assistant job. I’d like to work at a national magazine, but I’d like to do it in my hometown of Los Angeles. Are there editorial assistant spots in major magazines’ West Coast offices?

Thanks,
Antoinette, New York, NY

Dear Ed,

I’m considering getting a small tattoo on the top of my foot. Since it may be visible in interview outfits (such as when I wear a skirt with heels), could it hurt my chance of getting a job in magazines?
Thank you!
-Brittany, Morgantown, West Virgina
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Dear Brittany,

Dear Ed,

I discovered that an assistant editor rewrote a 300-word article
that I’d researched and written for the alumni magazine I intern for. Nothing is directly taken from my article besides factual information. She basically trimmed it down and rearranged the order. And, of course, she put her name at the end.

Does this happen to a lot to interns? I feel as though she could have asked me to rewrite it since we had plenty of time. I’m kind of peeved, since that assignment is one of the few I get to do, and I enjoyed working on it.

-Alum Intern
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Dear Ed,

I’m graduating in May with a magazine journalism degree, and I want a career in trade magazines. I keep seeing ads online that demand “at least two years’ professional experience.” I have a lot of writing experience at my school: editorial positions with the campus magazine, features reporter for the campus newspaper, and, by graduation, two semesters worth of writing press releases.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t all count as “professional” experience, which I assume is what the hiring editors posting these ads seek.

How can I find an entry-level writing position that doesn’t require two years of post-college experience without having to do “Devil Wears Prada”-type work?

Eric, Muncie, Indiana

Dear Ed,

I’ve seen a couple of job postings that I feel like I’d be perfect for, but I’m only a college junior and I’m looking for a summer internship and not a real job. Can I apply for those jobs and try to convince them that it would be perfect for an intern instead, or would that just be a waste of my time?

-Jessica, Evanston, Illinois
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Dear Jessica,

Dear Ed,

I’m just starting out. Is it appropriate or tacky to bring copies of my resume to an Ed Happy Hour?
-Jennifer, New York City
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Dear Jennifer,

Dear Ed,

I interviewed for an internship, and the editor seemed to like me. As soon as I made it back home, I e-mailed her to thank her for the interview, but I never got a response. So now that I haven’t heard anything in two weeks, would it be okay to call her? She gave me her business card with her number on it, but does that give me
the right to call her direct line?

Thanks,
Dara, New York City
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Dear Dara,

Dear Ed,

At my school, we’re only allowed two internships, so I want to make sure that I’m aiming high. I really want more than anything in the world to work in NYC, and I know that getting a big-name internship there would help me greatly. I recently accepted an internship at a local magazine in my town-no big name at all. I registered for it at my school and am set to start in the fall. I decided that I wanted to apply for some NYC ones just in case to keep my options open. If I were to receive a better offer, is it okay to decline the first one?
Thanks,
Lauren, Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Ed,

I just met the publisher and fashion editor from a VERY IMPORTANT fashion magazine at a fashion show. They were both sitting next to me as I was there on behalf of the fashion editor I currently work
for. I’ve always wanted to work for their magazine and they were actually really nice to me when we chatted. They didn’t give me their contact info, but I can easily track it down—is it okay to send them an e-mail? Or should I send a hand-written note? Would it be appropriate to send my resume with my note?

Thanks,
Jay, New York, NY

Dear Ed,

Last month I had a great interview with a company I’d love to
work for. The interview went so well that I was called the next day about another position. Unfortunately, I was called back and that the company was now in a hiring freeze. I told the interviewer I would check with her in a few weeks to see if and when the freeze would be lifted. Should I get in touch, or wait until I see job postings? What should I say in my e-mail?

Thank you,
Janet

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Dear Janet,

Dear Ed,

I graduated with a B.A. in journalism. For the past year and a half, I have been applying for entry-level jobs in magazines. I landed a handful of interviews and made great contacts, but I didn’t get any offers. So I recently accepted a newspaper reporting position. Did I just cut off all cords to women’s mags forever? Or could this job be the “1 - 2 yrs. experience” that most EA positions require?

Thank you so much,
Jen, New York, NY

Hi Jen,

Dear Ed,

What’s the difference between an editorial assistant and an assistant editor? And could a recent college graduate apply for an assistant editor position? Thanks!

Jessica, New York City

Hey Ed,

What level of education is necessary to break into and work up in the magazine industry? I am working on my associate’s degree in journalism, and have gotten articles published in school publications, but should I go on to get a bachelors degree? I want to make sure that I don’t run into a glass ceiling solely because of my education level. I look forward to hearing your expert opinion! Thanks a ton!

Susie, New York City

Dear Ed,

I’m interning at a magazine where the editors get to choose three Fridays before Labor Day to take the day off. How do I know if I get the same vacation days?
-Edit Intern, New York City
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Dear Edit Intern,

Dear Ed,

At my internship, sometimes I feel like I’m doing something important and doing a great job. Other times, especially “down time,” I feel like I’m just…here. I’m a little on the shy side, but I want to leave a lasting impression on my supervisor and co-workers. What can I do to show that I really am interested even though my sometimes standoffish and shy demeanor may say otherwise?

Thanks,
C, New York City

Dear Ed,

I’m about to graduate college and I have a lot of internship experience under my belt. I recently saw a listing for what would be my dream six-month internship. I can’t decide what to put in the cover letter that would convey how much I want this job and would be perfect for it. I don’t want to come off as cheesy/unprofessional/annoying, but I also don’t want to write the typical business cover letter. I have written dozens of drafts for it so far, but don’t know what direction to go in. Is there any advice you could give me?

Thanks,
Michele, Atlanta