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 Emma,
It sounds like you already know the difference between subtle name-dropping and tacky boasting. As you suspected, if you’re asked, “Why are you interested in magazines?” responding that you grew up around the industry, and explaining who you know, is perfectly acceptable (but don’t go on and on).
And in magazines, as in life, who you know can be just as important as what you know, so make the most of your contact. Have him or her tell his or her friends what kind of job you’re looking for so they can let you know when something up your alley opens up. Set up informational interviews with your relative’s contacts so you stay on their radar. If you get called for an interview, and your relative knows the person with whom you’re interviewing, it’s totally okay for him or her to call that person on your behalf to sing your praises before or after your meeting. But if your relative doesn’t know your interviewer, and there is no logical way to bring him or her up in an interview, then don’t. And you probably shouldn’t bother mentioning it in your cover letters, either. Instead, focus on YOUR experience and qualifications.
Love,
Ed
