Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with writing and job

Some say I have a way with words.

the NATURAL — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:16:31 -0800

You are a paid writer/screenwriter/columnist/blogger. What can you tell me about how to best break into this profession? Now, obviously, talent matters, and whether or not I have any of that good stuff remains to be seen. But are there tips/secrets that you could offer to an aspiring writer as they look to break in to this realm?

For what it's worth, I'm 9 months removed from my B.A., and looking at going back next fall for my M.A. (probably in English, either Lit or Creative Writing) and looking to start freelancing for a local lifestyle magazine. I keep a blog, mostly for my own amusement (clipping entertaining passages from my reading).

What does it take to author and illustrate kids books?

filthy light thief — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:10:58 -0800

My wife and I are interested in writing and illustrating kids books and getting them published. I realize there are plenty of neat books great illustrations, so what's the best way to find out what we'd be getting into if we were to pursue this as a hobby, or even as a main source of income?

icanwritewhateveryouneed.blogspot.com

SinisterPurpose — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:03:29 -0800

Have you ever referenced your personal blog as a writing sample for a job? I've been trying, as of late, to find work actually related to my degree in English. I haven't done any work as a paid writer ever. At best, writing and editing have been small portions of previous employment. But I can't really send a copy of a customer contact letter (or other official document) I edited or wrote previously due to one circumstance or another. Most of the creative writing I have done has been on my various blogs. Content and my affinity for being generally offensive aside, can I reasonably use these blogs as writing samples? Have you ever utilized your personal blog in this way and what were the results? Have you ever hired anyone based on what you saw on their blog?

And obviously if you look at my sites and have design notes you want to give me feel free. I'm all about improvement and I really have no feelings. So go nuts.

What writing samples are appropriate to apply for this job?

NeoLeo — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:13:01 -0800

What kind of writing samples would be appropriate to submit with a resume for this job? I'm applying for a "web content manager" position at a museum. This museum is redesigning their website and needs someone (hopefully me) to help content authors go through the process of submitting their content into a new CMS (Content Management System). Other responsibilities include notifying content authors of deadlines and keeping the museum's web manager up to date with the status of submissions.

However, to apply for this position, I need to submit three writing samples. Which is fine. Though I have no idea what kind of writing samples would be appropriate for this kind of job. Help!

I'm only a few years removed from school, so I don't exactly have many writing samples aside from papers I wrote for school. If that isn't appropriate, what are some good topics I can write about that would be appropriate for submission?

How do I know how good a writer I am?

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:56:45 -0800

How do I know how good a writer I am? I'm currently attending a community college for financial reasons, and as a holding pattern because I'm in the "career confusion" stage of college life. I've always thought of myself as a fairly good writer, and I get extremely positive feedback from my professors on my papers (including one who dragged me by my collar to the honors office). It's also something I enjoy quite a lot; I don't take a huge interest in literature, but I'm a great enthusiast of factual and opinion writing both as a reader and a writer.

So naturally journalism, or something in that area, has caught my interest as a potential career direction. But it's one of many options, and it's not by any means a field which is guaranteed to put me somewhere fulfilling and interesting unless I reach a substantial level of skill and accomplishment. I'd be little happier reporting on town hall meetings for a small newspaper than as a janitor. So, then, what can I do other than listening to the feedback of my teachers and friends to get a feel for my potential in this field? Just to address one of the more obvious answers in advance, my college's paper is written at a high school level; I doubt I would find much in the way of valuable feedback from getting involved there.

I suspect that a lot of you will want to answer along the lines of, "you should decide on a career based on what stimulates and fulfills you the most, not based on your apparent skill," but I've been torn for years between several things which are just on the cusp of being career-worthy obsessions. Having a good understanding of where my talents lie is definitely an important element of this decision.

Thanks in advance for your inevitably awesome answers. (It's AskMe, after all.)

Ne'er-do-well needs a job. Bit terrified.

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:51:33 -0800

Never really worked before. Soon to be single mother. Need career. Told I can write well. What can I do? I'm in my 30s but I've never been in the working world. I'm in the process of leaving my severely alcoholic husband. We have a very young child. I don't need a job tomorrow, but relying on alimony for the rest of my life is not a great idea.

I have never wanted a career. I have no idea what to do.

I have maybe 35% of a BA, and I defaulted on my student loans so loans are not an option now. There is an outside chance that with a great deal of good luck with the alimony, generosity from my parents, etcetera, I might be able to go back to school part-time in the years between now and when my child starts school, but I've got no idea what I might study.

Over the years I have complained to counsellors, to a widely published advice columnist, to a friend who works full-time as a writer, to all manner of people, about being unemployable. The answer has always been a scoffing one: but that's ridiculous; you write so well. Anybody who can write as well as you isn't unemployable.

Work-averse as I am, I'm up to doing what's necessary to get myself ready to generate a respectable, stable income for my daughter. But I have no idea where to start. I have to stress here that I have absolutely nothing to put on a resume. No formal volunteer work, nothing. Over the years I've dabbled in all sorts of dilettantish unpaid stuff, but nothing has stuck. I have no experience, no qualifications.

I have no idea what to do with the endless "But you can write; of course you can work" "answer" to this. Even my father threw that at me, which gave me pause. Writing skills and 95c will get me a bus ticket, so far as I can see it. The comments are based on things like letters and internet postings, not a salable or formal body of work. I have thought lately about putting a portfolio together, but I'm struggling with it, and have no idea what I might do with a finished portfolio.

Perhaps there are a few college courses I can take that would qualify me to be a particular type of hack?

The writing aside, what sorts of things involve a relatively short and cheap training period resulting in relatively well-paid and stable employment? I don't expect to like work a lot, so won't be disappointed if it's not terribly pleasant. 'Respectability' is important for reasons I can't quite explain. And I want to give my daughter a nice home, but I have no great lust for money; an ideal job would be one I don't have to work full-time at to get by.

I suspect it's obvious that I need somewhat dumbed-down help, here. If I did need a job tomorrow I would be in a terrible spot; I have no idea how I'd even get a job at a restaurant at this point. I'm also starting to wonder if I'm wise to find volunteer work asap just to have one line to type on a resume.

Throwaway is mefithrowaway@live.com.

What is a good job for a teenager that is good with computers?

ptsampras14 — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:26:13 -0800

I'm a highschool kid, good with computers, looking for an online job regarding computers? Hi,
I am a junior in high school, let me describe my computer talents.
- Thorough with Windows, Microsoft Office
- Good with the Internet
- Can learn any program fast (GUI)
- Extremely good writing and how-to skills.
- Tech savvy with apps and electronics
- NOT A PROGRAMMER OF ANY SORT, which somewhat contradicts the one above this :)

I am looking for a job, perhaps in writing that would help me to utilize these skills. I'm not looking for a job that you do for a couple of cents (I know Amazon has something like that). I've hear about becoming a ChaCha guide, but what else. I know I'm a dime a dozen but any ideas are excepted.. Also, age is not a problem, I can always use my parents as"a pen name"..Also, I am not intrested in becoming a local tech support guy too.
Please help thanks!

Has anyone made their hobby their job and NOT been happy with the decision?

Ringo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:08:20 -0800

Has anyone made their hobby their job and NOT been happy with the decision? I'm specifically thinking about television writing but other fields would apply... I have the opportunity to write for television. Creative writing is something I enjoy and do as a hobby, but the thought of the pressure that comes with producing creative things consistently under deadlines stresses me out. It's an extremely unstable field (perhaps the most unstable), and I would have to quit my stable and better-paying (but more boring) job to do it. The future of this career-path is totally uncertain. The only thing that seems certain is that it will be temporary. I don't see it as something I'd like to do long-term. It seems far too grueling.

I could just keep doing little projects on the side, books, screenplays etc. but I feel a huge pressure to take this opportunity. I feel like everyone will think I'm crazy if I don't since I clearly am good at creative writing. If the thought stresses me out this much should I bother? Or do you think I'll regret turning down the opportunity?

How to Become an Editor without University...or experience.

nikksioux — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:01:00 -0800

I'm very interested in becoming an editor, please help...yes, I've read the previous posts. I have an innate ability to edit (other people's) writing. Grammar, spelling mistakes, run-on-sentences, nonsensical phrases, (what I've been told is) constructive critique, I encompass all the skills.

Here is the caveat: I don't have a degree (though I do have some college, and am extremely well-read and self-educated) or "official" experience. I would prefer not to have to finish the drudgery of college, since I feel that I already possess the necessary skills, and that a degree (in a lot of cases, not all) is simply an unnecessary requirement of the modern world. I have read previous AskMefi questions regarding this subject, and also had a question regarding the "samples of previous work". How does one showcase them, exactly? Does one have a portfolio of "before" and "after" editing? How does one offer editing services to, say, non-profits for sample-work-building, while making them feel confidence that the job will be well-done, even though one may be inexperienced? Thank you, hive mind, in advance.

What should I do with my life?

Anonymous — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:12:06 -0800

20-something INTP, bored to death in his corporate gig, asks: What should I do with my life? I'm in my mid-20's. I studied philosophy at a very good school. I'm now working in a corporate job that would probably be a great job if I didn't completely hate it. It's well-paying, humane, and I'm surrounded by smart people. I think the problem is just me. I find I'm unable to work hard on stuff that I don't find intrinsically interesting. I get bored quickly, and I'm not motivated enough by money or approval to overcome it. Some people are able to profitably rent out their minds; I'm not.

I spend most of my time reading papers on the Internet, dwelling on philosophical, social, and scientific problems, and writing lengthy emails to friends and acquaintances about Big Ideas. I don't purport to claim any of this is productive or valuable. But what's clear is I'm not a good fit for my employers, my employer isn't a good fit for me, and I'm just wasting everyone's time and money. It's been this way in my last two or three jobs as well. The stuff I'm good at -- deep thinking, complicated problem solving, coming up with new ideas and working out their implications -- just doesn't seem to overlap much with the job requirements of most jobs.

The question is what to do instead. I've applied to law school for the fall and have gotten into some great programs. I think I'd be good at law. I'm an analytical thinker and I actually take pleasure in working through dense thickets of language. But I'm afraid if I wind up in law, I'll run into the same problems I face in my current job, only worse: I'll be stuck in an office all day (and all night), working on problems I don't find interesting, wishing I could just write and think and work on interesting problems instead. I don't know though -- if I totally hate the practice of law (I'm pretty sure I'll like law school), I could always practice for a few years, pay off my loans, then get out, with a lot more "options" available to me than I have now.

Alternatively, writing/journalism and academia both seem like decent choices. At least with those, I could write, think, and have a lot more control over my work day and the projects I pursue. But they both have their drawbacks: while I'm not out to get rich, I don't look forward to a life of instability, unease, and relative penury that seem to await many people in those fields. I do value security and comfort.

As you can see, I also tend to talk myself out of things. I'm a thinker and an over-thinker. In the process of trying to figure everything out, I just wind up taking the path of least resistance. Hence my current situation. So, before I plunge $180k into debt, please advise me: what should I do with my life?

Where can I apply for online writing jobs?

lgyre — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:51:25 -0800

I know there are paying content writing jobs on the internet because I've done some commissioned articles for eHow.com and I've applied to about.com. I'd love to find more sites like these to apply to, but it's tough, because searching for "online writing jobs" generally yields a bunch of spammy pyramid schemes and so on. I would prefer part-time jobs, then freelance, then full time, but really I would consider any paid writing jobs, especially if they're not too incredibly competitive -- I'm a competent content writer and I have a few published clips, but that's about it.

I'll check out anything, but I'm most interested in anything that anyone can recommend from firsthand experience.

How can I acquire newswriting skills?

Wolfster — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:33:10 -0800

How can I acquire newswriting skills? Currently I am working as a 'Scientific Associate', and I occasionally write reports for physicians and specialists.

I would really like to learn to write well. More specifically, write like a journalist and write short news pieces that can engage the average person on the street.

My work schedule is unpredictable so I cannot commit to a class (set in a physical classroom at a preset time). I also frequently work more than 40 hours a week so will not have time to write for a newspaper (although on my own, I will try to acquire 'clips').

So, hive mind, can anyone recommend an online
introductory news writing class? One that frequently provides individual feedback? Or a really good textbook for the journalism basics? Any outside the box suggestions?

Thanks

Help me concoct the essay portion of this test

Mister_A — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:10:01 -0800

I want to give a job applicant a writing test. I'm looking for someone who can write promotional copy for a professional audience. It's fairly technical subject matter (healthcare), but what I really want to find out is "can this person write?" The person is unproven, with only a few unpublished samples, but a good background for the subject matter he or she would be writing about.

I want to get a few different things from the applicant - a few headlines, a 0:30 script, and copy for a product home page. How much time should I allow the applicant? I think the person should be allowed to take the "test" home, but maybe not. I was thinking of allowing 2 days. Sound OK? Should I use an existing product or make one up? Is there some huge obvious thing I have to do that I am forgetting?

Any other advice is welcome.

Can I get a job as a writer without a degree?

saileyn — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:18:59 -0800

I'm 23 and working as a sales assistant/helpdesk support/office admin/web designer/receptionist in my hometown. How do I go about getting a paying job as a writer, without formal qualifications? I've been working in this role for over 3 years and getting frustrated. My daily tasks are mundane and repetitive and, as our staff consists of five people (including my boss and myself), there's not a whole lot of room for growth. The low paying conditions of my town are terrible; a similar job in Melbourne (forty minutes by train) pays double my current salary. I’m planning on finding another position very soon, hopefully as a writer, or at least as something that will take me a step in the right direction to becoming one.

I have always planned to become a full-time writer. I worked hard to get excellent scores at high school (even taking on an extra subject) and got an awesome place at university in a professional writing course. Unfortunately due to financial difficulties I had to leave after first semester and have been in full-time employment ever since... As much as I'd love to, my partner and I have done our sums and there's no way finance-wise I can go back to university full or even part time.

Is there a way to get a position as a writer somewhere without a bachelor degree? Everywhere I look it says: 3 year bachelor degree essential. Could I apply for a position and hope my folio knocks a prospective employer off their feet and they don’t even notice/care I’m not “qualified”? Or will that just annoy them, and waste their time?

I've seen a lot of references to getting internships here on MF, but as far as I can tell, in Australia you have to be enrolled in some form of university course to be eligible. Cadetships at newspapers etc. are also aimed at school-leavers or graduates and have had their intake for next year anyway.

For those working as writers: What path did you take? Did you start in a company in a different position and work your way in? Or have you done the degree in order to secure a graduate position?

Any suggestions on how I may be able to get myself on the right track would be absolutely wonderful. Thanks in advance to all of you, MetaFilter is an amazing and supportive community.

Help me be a better law clerk!

Anonymous — Tue, 09 May 2006 14:58:05 -0800

Help me be a better law clerk! I got my dream law clerk job at a well-known and respected smallish firm doing the type of work I want to do when I graduate. It’s everything I could have wanted - lots of interesting research and writing.

Here’s my problem - I’m not very good at it. This is tough for me because I’ve never NOT been good at a job before. My law school grades are great so I know I’m not stupid, but I just can’t seem to perform the assigned research and writing tasks to the standard of the firm. I’m not worried about getting fired, but I want to do well for personal reasons (see unfamiliarity with not being good at things) and because I’d like a stellar recommendation from the firm when I graduate and move on (they don’t hire their law clerks).

My biggest problems are turnaround time and research skills (Westlaw). They go hand in hand - I am slow because I’m afraid I am not finding what I need to find. Then I zip through the memo-writing and make a lot of mistakes in my attempt to complete tasks on time. The end result is that I don’t find what I need to find and turn in crappy memos that poorly detail my research failures.

How can I do better? Tips, tricks, tutorials, anecdotes, sympathy, criticism, all are welcome. Thanks!

Ink-Stained Wretch-to-be

Miko — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 08:07:16 -0800

Career change advice sought! Help me make the switch to editing/publishing. The background: I'm presently employed as Director of Ed. in a mid-size history museum, and have spent the bulk of my career in museum program administration. After recent soul-searching, I've decided that I'd rather manage content more and people less. I'd like to work more with words, I enjoy finite projects with deadlines, and I also would prefer to work more independently - perhaps with a small team, but with greater direct control over project outcomes than I presently have.

My inclinations seem to lead me in the direction of publishing, media, editing, etc.

My skill set: I have some background in the world of print media, but it's mostly from some time ago. Through college, I worked for a large daily paper in various roles --reporter, feature writer, proofer. I come from a family of journalists, and edited my college paper as well. It's been more than ten years, though, since I was employed in that field. I have done some freelance writing since them, and will be doing more this year, so I should be building a fresher clip file. However, I know almost nothing about book/textbook publishing and other related fields. I'd be interested in learning about the types of jobs that exist.

Through my career, I've built up strong knowledge of American history and literature, cultural history, arts, music, foodways, and traditions. I've done quite a bit of writing within the museum field -- promotional literature, research summaries, grant narratives, and curricula.

So at this point, my questions are extremely general. What varieties of jobs are available in editing and publishing? Should I be looking at educational publishers (given my background)? At what level might I be employable? What are the important web sites and job boards for people in publishing? Should I be considering web content developers? How can I show transferable skills? If you do work in publishing, what do you like/not like about it? What cautionary words do you have for me? All feedback encouraged. I'm at sqaure one with this idea, so assume I have not yet done any major research.

Also, I live 1 hour from Boston. I'm willing to commute up to an hour or so, but would rather not relocate. It seems as though there should be a fair number of opportunities in this region, but I'm aware. It might mean thinking outside the obvious sources of employment.

Great Cover Letters

cmonkey — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 11:15:06 -0800

How does one go about writing a really good cover letter without sounding like an utter wanker? I've been looking for a steady job for a while, and I don't seem to get even to the interview stage very often. I suspect it's my lack of a cover letter. So what makes a good cover letter?

What does a technical writer do, exactly? How much does it pay?

Tlogmer — Sun, 30 May 2004 23:28:48 -0800

What does a technical writer do, exactly? How much does it pay? Good field to go into?