Dear Ed,
Why can't I get a job? I graduated this past May and have been on the hunt
ever since. I've interned at CosmoGIRL! (10 months), Home (3 months)
and now am a part-time assistant to the managing editor at Home (since
July). I wrote for a school publication and have freelanced for CG! and
Time Out NY. I get along great with other people, I think my interviewing
skills are ok and I'm polite (always sending thank you notes). I've blindly
sent out resumes, jumped at every appropriate Ed posting and every five minutes.
What gives?
Desperately seeking guidance,
C.B.K.
Dear CBK,
What do you mean, why can't you get a job? Unless you're not getting paid for
your part-time assistant work, you technically have a job! And, girlfriend,
in this crazy competitive business, that's quite something to be proud of. Pat
yourself on the back right now! So many people I talk with don’t have
jobs at all—not even internships or part-time ones (who knew it’d
be so tough to get a gig waiting tables? I hear your pain!).
CBK, I know it’s hard to consider yourself lucky when you probably don’t
have health insurance right now and having cable TV is a distant dream, but
you are on the right track and from what you’re saying, it sounds like
you’re doing everything right. In fact, you couldn’t be in a better
position. You’ve had two consumer magazine internships. That's awesome!
No wonder you landed this part-time gig; I’d have hired you, too! Just
imagine how great you'll look to the next full-time employer you'll interview
with. Your experience will knock her socks off!
Also, I know that it feels like forever to you, but five months is nothing!
It often takes people 6 months to a year to get a full-time paying job in this
industry. One young woman I know spent a full year looking for a job in NYC.
Now she works at Allure and couldn’t be happier. Another recent
grad was looking for a job for six months and she just got an editorial assistant
spot at Jane. And you know what? They were all talented, creative people.
But more importantly they stuck with it. They didn’t give up. It’s
a competitive business. There are tons of people who want very few jobs. But
it’s just like anything else in life—the stuff that’s hard
to get is the most rewarding when you have it. And, I have to say everyone who
is talented or incredibly enthusiastic (because really, you only need one or
the other) will eventually land a job in this biz. So please, be patient. As
long as you are actively searching and interviewing, I promise, your time will
come.
Love, Ed
