The Girovago

Rejections ad nauseum

So I'm finally begining to overdose on the freelance lifestyle. Yeah, during the summer months its fun being king of your own hill and it sure does feel wonderfull falling asleep in the wee hours of Sunday knowing that you aren't obliged to be sitting in an office on Monday morning but after a while a steady job seems so nice and cushy.

But a good job, just like a good man, is hard to find. It is so draining selling yourself non-stop and having to try and maintain upbeat in the face of rejection. Today I decided to take a more proactive approach. Although I'd always dreamt of starting at a regional or national paper I thought I'd 'lower my sights' and cold-call editors of local papers ( the level where I started out ten years ago).

One response was particularly dejecting. It's from Mike Ferris, the charming man who edits East London's Hackney Gazette


From: Me
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 15:42 PM
To: michael.ferris
Subject: Reporter vacancy
File: ZLS CV.pdf

Dear Mike,
I've just spoken to one of your colleagues and would like to apple for the Junior reporter position at your paper.
I graduated in journalism from City University last year and have recently returned from Milan where I have been freelancing for various publications for the past year.
I spent three months at the Observer on their internship scheme and my work has also been published in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The Independent and The Herald.
I'm very keen to get into full time journalism so if you require any further information or cuttings, please do not hesitate to contact me.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1544113,00.html http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1307871,00.html

Best wishes,
Me


From: "Ferris, Mick" mick.ferris
To: 'Me'
Subject: RE: Reporter vacancy
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 15:47:34 +0100

You,
Thank you for your e-mail. However, you do not appear to have the NCTJ pre-entry qualification which is a pre-requisite for this vacancy. Consequently I am unable to proceed with your application.

Mick Ferris


From: Me
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 16:22 PM
To: Mick.Ferris
Subject: Qualifications

Hi Mick,
Thanks for getting back to me. Do you think it will be difficult to find a reporting job without this NCTJ qualification?
I've spent the past ten years doing work experience, three of which were spent doing a NCTJ recognised BA in journalism. I'm lost as to where to go next in terms of finding a job if it turns out I don't have enough experience or qualifications.
Any tips or advice you might have would be much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Me


To: You
From : Ferris, Mick

I certainly don't employ reporters without this qualification.
Mick Ferris


Ouch!
Turns out my 3 year degree is apparently worth less than a 1 year qualification. Ho hum

posted by Bella Figura @ 6:19 pm