Ask Ed

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 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?

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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?

Ed head

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

How do land my first job?

Dear Ed,
I desperately want to get a job in magazines, but I'm so overwhelmed I don't know where to start. Can you help?

—Lucy
Syracuse, New York

Lucy,
Yes, it can be overwhelming. Try not to let it get to you. Here are my basic tips for landing your first magazine job.

How many clips do I need to write for big-name magazines?

Ed head

Hello Ed,

I have four clips under my belt, written for local/ethnic magazines. I would love to graduate to writing for better known magazines, but when I send in my query letters, this amount of experience seems inadequate. Do editors frequently look for writing credits among the bigger names, or is it OK to mention my small-town credits?

Thanks,
Priya, Washington D.C.