Ask Ed

How can I convey how much I want a job in a cover letter?

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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

How can I convince my mom to let me intern in New York?

New York Skyline

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:

How can I get around credit-only internships?

Dear Ed,
 

At my college, we cannot receive credit for internships, and this has frustrated many students here who feel limited when applying for unpaid intern positions. If a posting says that interns must receive college credit, and you know that isn't a possibility, is it worth applying anyway or explaining the situation in your cover letter? Also, why do certain publications require interns to receive credit?

Thank you,
JL

How can I get my editor to pay me for my freelance article?

Ed head

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,

How can I stop my bosses from taking advantage of me?

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

How creative can my cover letter get?/What does the features department do?

Ed head

Dear Ed,

For the cover letter, is there a limit to how creative I can get? Would it be appropriate to paste my cover letter on a collage that I made?

And also, what exactly are the responsibilities of the features department of a magazine?

-Julie, Plymouth, MN

How do I ace an interview?

Ed head

Interviewing sucks …
… but you gotta do it to get a paycheck. Ed reveals how to impress the socks off even the snootiest HR executive.

Interviewing is one part of life that never becomes completely effortless-even if you've been on a ton of them. But whether you're going for your first job as an EA or your tenth as a deputy editor, nailing that first impression can be a piece of cake, if you follow a few guidelines.*

How do I become an art director?

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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

How do I break in with no experience?

Ed head

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

How do I counteract my complaining?

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Dear Ed,
I have a question about interns and office politics. I’ve tried to be careful about what I say to the other interns, but sometimes things will slip out when I’m stressed or busy—just about how theres a lot of work. I’m scared people will talk. Is there any damage control I can do?
Thanks,
Fashion Intern, New York City

Dear Fashion Intern,

How do I do an article critique?

Ed head

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.

How do I follow up if it says no phone calls?

Ed head

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

How do I get promoted?

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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?"

How do I keep in touch with editors?

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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

How do I make the move to New York?

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Dear Ed,

I am graduating from college this year and I desperately want to get a magazine job in New York City. The problem is I live in the Midwest and I don't have enough money to get an apartment ('cause, well, I don't have a job yet!). Plus I have no idea how to find a place. What is a girl with no trust fund but plenty of ambition to do? Help!

Greta*, Bloomington, Indiana

How do I successfully name drop?

Ed head

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

How do I write a cover letter when I don't know what job I'm applying for?

Ed head

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,

How do I write a pitch letter?

girlwritingbig.jpg

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