didn't get the job i wanted! (me whinging about things again)

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Bah! I knew I wouldn't get it but I was so up for doing this freelancing job (it would've been my first one). I got selected out of 500 applicants for an interview and the dudes put me down in a very nice way and said I was a good writer and that but still, I'm disappointed.

So while I'm at it, I may as well do something constructive with this thread by asking anyone who's had experience in freelancing what is the best way to go about it? Any help at all would be appreciated.

― dog latin (dog latin), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh no what a shame! I can't offer you advice, only luck!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:07 (twenty-two years ago)

best way to go about it? with tenacity and thick skin. that's the only general advice I have.

― My Huckleberry Friend (Horace Mann), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:07 (twenty-two years ago)

So maybe you've already done this, but: the best thing to do is to start by writing for places that pay little or nothing, and that are not well known--e.g. small-scale literary magazines or local book reviews. These places are usually pretty open to assigning pieces to people off the street. You can parlay a portfolio of clippings from a place like that into work at a slightly better place (e.g. your city's alternative weekly newspaper, if you live in the U.S.)--if they like what you do you can get more/bigger pieces there, and then you've got a portfolio that you can use to open doors at yet bigger places, etc. The main advice is to start small and to make sure the first thing you write for any given place is really, really good.

― J. Ellenberg, Friday, 20 February 2004 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Been there. Many times now. Get over it by sending someone a pig's head in the mail. Fun!

― C-Man (C-Man), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Friends, friends of friends, sisters of dealers of bosses of friends - contacts is unfortunately where 70% of jobs come from. Network, schmooze and milk. Or be born into a family of whatever it is you want to do (ahem).

― Markelby (Mark C), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, that's the big shitstorm that is capitalism.

― C-Man (C-Man), Friday, 20 February 2004 15:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Get over it by sending someone a pig's head in the mail. Fun!

ha! C-M*n and Lisa - separated at birth?

― Orbit (Orbit), Saturday, 21 February 2004 00:23 (twenty-two years ago)

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