I want to work for a magazine...

[bexbex78]

I have just finished a degree, been published twice, and have worked for a magazine for 5 weeks. I am now trying to get a job as an editorial assistant...and failing miserably...not even any interviews. I can't afford to do more un-paid work experience what should I do?

[Lillabet]

OK. Firstly you might not be doing much wrong at all. It is really competitive. But you need to know why you aren't getting interviews. I would suggest phoning the places you've applied to and asking for feedback on the weaknesses in your application(s). Being so pro-active may in itself help make them remember you.

Then if there's a pattern - they all felt you were lacking X then work on getting X or demonstrating more clearly that you already have this competency.

In terms of the applications themselves it's amazing how often they are poorly completed. It can be easy if you're filling in lots of forms to cut corners and cut and paste from one form to another. It can show. You need to make each application specific to that job. 

I was going through a pile of applications recently and the opening line of one candidates 'relevant experience and skills' section was 'I am ideally suited to work within the NHS' which would have been fine if he hadn't been applying to work at a County Council!

Most application packs come with a person specification. They'll be assessing you on how well you meet this. My tactic - and it does work - is to take each competency mentioned in the person spec in turn, use these as the headings in the relevant skills / experience section  and write a couple of sentences / short para to say why I meet that competency. I then finish with something along the lines of  'Therefore it can be seen that I am capable of meeting all of the requirements in this role'

[Lillabet]

part 2

Also check you aren't making unfounded assertions. 'I am a good team player' means nothing unless you have an example to provide evidence of this.

Get a trusted colleague / friend to help you. It isn't always the most natural feeling blowing one's own trumpet - which applications really require. Go through the list of competencies with them they may have good input on your strengths - it is always easier to be positive about other people.

If you're in the uk and under 25 then you could contact connexions who provide help and advice including careers advice for young people.

Otherwise how about getting more writing experience voluntarily. You could take a temp job and look to use your writing / editing skills in your spare time. Contact local charities / youth centres / church groups / schools etc who are likely to produce newsletters and so on and ask if you could help in any way. They may be small publications but they are still publications and might give you useful stuff to put in your portfolio.

I hope this helps...