Beaten down

If Old Whathisname gets another job in front of me, I'll strangle him.

Good editors anticipate people leaving so they have people in mind already.

However, I have seen more than once when I would have bet that some schmoe who sent in a resume -- for a big beat -- would not have a shot, but all it takes is a couple guys to turn down the job or ask for too much or drag their feet, and pretty soon the guy you don't know with the good clips starts looking attractive.

 

I got my first big metro gig by posting my resume on the Knight-Ridder job site. Manager called me, not the other way around.

I once got the same thing after someone saw my stuff at a contest. Didn't get the job, but you get the drift.

All of the advice I've heard here is great. But I'd add another couple of things:

Be great. Good isn't good enough.

Be different. Most writers in this business are pretty good at turning a phrase. You've got to have something that is YOU, that makes you stand out. Find it, cultivate it, be IT. hununununnun, nananananan, bababababababa.

Be able to explain your creative process clearly. Write it down. What turns you on about sitting in front of a keyboard, turning off the porn website and sorting through all your information to write a kickass story?

 

I think clips and confidence are very useful.

Networking is the No. 1 thing, but big clips and subtle confidence can land some gigs.

 

Wow. That about sums it up.

 

I'll be damned, pallister, we have something in common.

 

I love this post.

 

If you're truly great, you can churn out the amazing phrases that lead to the kickass story while the porn Web site is still kicking.

 

So, you're saying you're good at typing with one hand?

 

I'm saying I'm good at multitasking. We'll leave it at that.

 

I also think this links back to the "Don't be a dickhead to your competitors" thread.

Sometimes, your "competitor" is your next job, or it might be a link to your next job. I know I have recommended people who have been at "competing" papers.

Someone else me

PS: Iono, not only good advice, but "Heywood Jablowme" is just such a classic name. I haven't heard that one in a while.

Thanks for the chuckle.