Ask Ed

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

Dear Ed,

Thanks to your whispers, I recently landed a paid internship in NYC. I don’t live there, but my cousin will let me crash at her place.

This internship may require that I attend events, and my mother thinks it’d be dangerous for me to stay out late in an unfamiliar city. How can I allay my mom’s fears about interning in New York City?

—Product of a Protective Parent
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Dear Product,

Oh, mother! Ed gets how hard it’d be to accept this opportunity without your mom’s blessing, so here’s your action plan:

Hi Ed,

At my internship last year, I was assigned a freelance piece. I turned it in as the editor specified, but months later, I haven’t seen a dime of the over $1,000 that I’m owed. At this point I’d even take the kill fee! I know things are busy and they don’t have a ton of time to send my evergreen article into revise, but as I’m now living on an assistant salary, any money would go a long way. Do I keep bugging them? Beg? Get angry?

Thanks,
A, New York City
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Dear A,

Dear Ed,

What should I do if I feel like my internship is abusing me? I’ve been working 15 hour days, have e-mails filling up my inbox on days I’m not even in the office, and garner more responsibility than any other intern I know. I’m a firm believer in hard work and paying one’s dues, but I need to be getting paid for this! It’s been 5 months and I’ve had the prospect of paid work offered, then retracted. I don’t want to burn any bridges but I’m on the verge of an epic breakdown! Is there a way to try to make this situation work out for me?

Thanks,
Emma*

*Name changed

Dear Ed,

-Julie, Plymouth, MN

Dear Ed,

I would really like to work on the layout of a fashion magazine as an art department assistant, a designer, and eventually, an art director. But I’m stuck on a few things: What should my major be?
Visual communication, graphic design, or something else? Also, what can I do now, while I’m in high school, to prepare? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

-Ashlie

Dear Ed,

I’m entirely new to the magazine business. I have spent the past few years gearing up my resume to be a lawyer, and after finishing my first year of law school, I know it is not for me. With that said, I have no previous experience or internships that would make me a marketable candidate to any magazine companies. Is there any advice you can give to me as far as starting off? I have no “clips” to speak of, but I was an English major, went to Cornell University, am tenacious and willing to get coffee for the coffee filter changer if it means I can eventually work in the industry.

Thanks,
Meri, New York, NY

Dear Ed,

A recent job posting asked for a resume, clips, and a short critique of a story that’s appeared in their pub recently. What are they looking for in the critique?

Thanks,
Sasha, Washington, D.C.

Dear Ed,

I know that I need to follow up after sending out my resumes, but how do I do that if the posting says, “No calls?” Does that only apply to people who haven’t sent in resumes or should I send a follow-up email, instead?

Lisa, Morgantown, WV

Q: "I'm an EA at a women's mag. I've been here for two years, with increasing responsibility and positive feedback, but still no promotion. How long should I stick it out before it will look pathetic to future employers?"

Dear Ed,

In a couple of months, I will be wrapping up my internship. I have been informationally interviewing like a madwoman and have established a good relationship with one of the magazine’s editors. However, since there is a hiring freeze, it’s not likely that I will be handed a job at the end of all this. How should I go about keeping in touch with the editors without being obnoxious? I’ve left resumes with everyone I’ve met; what else should I do/say to have them remember me when the hiring freeze melts?

Cory, Birmingham, AL

Dear Ed,

I know in social situations it’s tacky to mention that you are closely related to someone who works at a magazine. However, what about in an interview for a magazine job? Will a potential employer still think you are tacky and bragging? For example, they ask: “What makes you want to get into this industry” and you want to tell them the truth: “I grew up around the industry,” without sounding like a braggart. Possible? Will it even help for them to know that or should it just be left out?

Thanks,
Emma, New York, NY

Dear Ed,
I’ve encountered the dreaded unspecified job listing! Some huge
corporations that own a bunch of magazines will keep the exact glossy they’re hiring for under wraps. How do I create a cover letter without knowing which magazine they’re hiring for?
Love,
Chrissy, Chicago
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Dear Chrissy,

Dear Ed,

I recently graduated from college with a degree in magazine journalism and I have no problem freelancing until I find a job. I do have to admit, however, that during my 4+ years in school no one in my journalism department ever taught me how to pitch a story idea to a magazine!

Do you have any general guidelines or things to avoid when
submitting a query?

Thank you,
Shannon, Philadelphia