Jobs you'll have as an editor.

The job title and role of "editor" often means much more than its literal definition.

A list of jobs you might have while you're editing a publication:

• Intern
• Writer
• Reporter
• Copy Editor
• Assignment Editor
• Photo Editor
• Special Projects Editor
• Researcher
• Administrative assistant
• Sales account executive
• Product manager
• UX designer
• Creative director
• Customer support specialist
• "Evangelist"
• Marketer
• Communications director
• Audience acquisition specialist
• Social media coordinator
• Event planner

Call it a different kind of journalism (perhaps publishing) education. But when you're responsible for keeping your ad pages (or pageviews, or unique users) up, you'll find yourself wearing more and more caps in an effort to meet your goals.

How Much Money Does An Editor Make? (2011 Edition)

Folio Magazine has released its 2011 salary report for editorial folk, from editorial directors to editors-in-chief to senior editors and managing editors.

It breaks down salary by position as well as geography.

Some highlights:

• Averages in New York City: EIC $109,000; Executive Ed $102,000; Managing Ed. $82,000.
  
• There's a huge gender disparity: $14K for managing, $8K for executive and a whopping $22K for EIC.
• If you're not in NYC, you're looking at more than $20,000 less for the above roles.
• You can work 25% more during the week, but it won't bring in much more at the lower levels. If you're EIC, it's all the difference.
• The bigger the company, the better the salary.
• A graduate degree (of any kind, not just journalism) nets you an additional $5-8K per year. It's unclear whether these people just ask for more (loan pressure!) in the first place, though.

Plus some qualitative feedback:

• EIC: Feelings of 'over-worked, under-appreciated' and under-compensated.
• Exec. Ed: Strain of fewer staffers, more work. Assignments going on uncompleted. Acting as their own HR departments.
• Managing Ed: Changing technology is screwing up copy flow. Small teams mean change is unavoidably disruptive. And, above all, pressure to publish "redundant" and "dumb" content.
  

Why You Didn't Get That Freelance Writing Gig.

This year, I've put up (and filled) several job postings looking for freelance writers.

Aside from drive-by applications -- you know, the kind that didn't even refer to the job at hand, and just basically throw their name into the ring without any justification -- the most frustrating responses I've received were those who in so many words said, "I can write whatever you want!"

This is not a reassuring statement.

On the other hand, that doesn't mean what you might think.

Coming up in the editorial ranks, I was told that a journalist should specialize. "You have a better chance at a job," my elders said.

This frustrated me, because I have the curiosity of a journalist -- meaning I don't see the world divided into "Things I won't write about" and "Things I will." Couture, computers or cloture, I'll write about it. Because I like learning. (This is probably why I ended up being an editor; I prefer to be a generalist.)

I suspect many journalists carry the same sentiment. But to get a specific gig, you need to show proof that you can write about a specific topic. Catch-22: so what's an intrepid writer to do?

First: recognize that showing specific proof doesn't preclude those who have no experience in that area. It's OK to be a generalist -- I repeat, it's OK to be a generalist --but you need to show me, the editor, that you can handle it.

Too many applicants over the years offered what amounted to "writing services" -- that is, whether its press releases or physics, they can handle it. And that may be the case, but it requires a tremendous leap of faith from the part of the editor, because there's no way for me to connect the dots.

Worse: inevitably, given a large enough volume of applicants, you'll get washed away by those who have better demonstrated that they're a good fit.

It's nothing personal. It's merely the quickest way to cut down the noise and get the slot filled.

It is surprising that so many professional storytellers fail to tell their own story adequately -- or for that matter, recognize that gap and attempt to bridge it.

Don't have any relevant clips to show? Write something up as an example. (This is why editors occasionally prompt applicants for example/test clips for the site in question; they don't want free work, they want reassurance.)

My worry as an editor is not that you can't put sentences together; I can figure that out pretty quick. It's that you can't approach a topic with enough rigor to do it justice. That's why showing me clips on a completely unrelated subject are only 50 percent useful: they help me determine competency, but they don't help me ascertain relevancy.

So if you're a generalist, don't fret. There's nothing wrong with it, and I'm firmly in the camp that you're better off in the long run because your potential client base is far wider.

On the other hand, you need to work harder than a specialist during that crucial application period to show you've got the right stuff. To do so, you need to frame your talents in a way that can be digested for the job in question. (It's what a cover letter is supposed to do, but I don't know anyone who bothers with such formalities anymore.)

And if you're unclear on the job in question -- I've seen some pretty slapdash job postings in my day, let me tell you -- ask more questions.

It's not that you're not up to the gig. You're just not telling the right story.

If you're a journalist, job prospects are looking up

"Class of 2008 journalism school students graduated into the worst job market for new journalists in nearly a quarter-century -- and those who managed to find a job usually had few benefits to go with a stagnant salary, according to a survey released Wednesday."

You ought to read the whole article in Editor & Publisher. But ignore the other statistics -- it's all reflective of the effects of the economic downturn.

This much is clear: If you're a journalism student right now, it's looking up. If you want to be a journalism student, an even better scenario awaits.

And if you're like me, a class of '08 grad, it can't get any worse.

Here's to the future.

Update: Entry-Level Journalism Jobs and Me (And Lessons Learned)

Considerable time has passed since I wrote "Diary Of An Unemployed Young Journalist: An Open Letter To Entry-Level Journalism Jobs Everywhere," detailing my job hunt as a young journalist, fresh from graduate school, on the market for the first time.

As a result of that post, which appeared on Poynter.com's Romenesko, I was inundated with comments, equal parts scathing and helpful (You can still read all the comments -- they remain below that post -Ed.).

In response, I wrote "Responding To Romenesko: Thoughts On Your Comments" to clarify my situation, which brought forth another deluge of comments, this time a bit more helpful than the first batch (that post also was picked up by Romenesko).

It occurred to me recently that I, regretfully, have neglected to update the story since that post. That's not fair to you readers, who put energy into reading all those words (and writing those comments). So I'd like to give you an update.

My "Responding" post was written July 31, and I spent most of August interviewing in New York City, as I promised I would do, while working temporarily at a large magazine company (One that has since laid off hundreds of people, including at the title I was working at -Ed.). I had several applications in various states by mid-month, with several interviews under my belt that were still moving forward. I took several edit tests, interviewed all over the city and completely wore out my suit.

Then the economy began to collapse.

My luck changed in the final weeks of August, when a job that I had been working part-time at for several months (in addition to my full-time, but temporary, magazine gig) decided to extend me an offer.

I accepted.

Then I informed the other places at which I was still under consideration that I would be taking the offer. A bit of song and dance ensued with one job prospect that I had gone deep into the process with (A job at a company that several commenters said could and would never happen -Ed.), but when it became clear that they weren't able to produce an offer in time, the search was officially over.

So where does that leave me? I can't say where I work outright, since I decided when I began this blog that I would try to leave my work life out of the picture. What I can say is that I work in the online branch of a major, big-name mainstream media organization wearing three hats: editor, producer, blogger. I make a solid salary that makes it possible for me to live in New York and pay off my student loans, and I work in an environment that matches what I value in a workplace.

If you search Google, it's not hard to find me. I'll leave it at that.

But am I happy? You bet.

Here's what I learned from the whole process:

• Send in applications everywhere you think you've got a shot -- then prove it to each company in your application. It's worth the time to tailor your application, even if you never hear back.
  
  
• When you've sent out all that you can, send more. I can't stress this enough. The job search becomes exhausting, but you must persist.
  
  
• Contact friends and mentors and coworkers not for jobs, but for advice. Very few actually can and have jobs to offer you, but everyone has a wealth of experience on how they got where they are today.
  
  
• Tell everyone that you're looking. I had several friends, not all of them close, regularly send me jobs they came across. Some I had seen, some I hadn't, but those morning e-mails were a great pick-me-up when things felt grim.
  
  
• Take a break. The job search is nerve-wracking because it feels as though fate is closing in on you as your funds for living run out. Don't go a day without sending an application somewhere, but don't go a day without smiling. The whole job search is an internalized affair, like a tea kettle nearing boil. So make sure you get out of the house and see friends. Or go to the gym. Mental health is important at this time.
  
  
• Take people's advice with a grain of salt, but listen. As a journalist, this goes without saying. I received a ton of contradictory comments in the two posts I wrote, but what I gained most from the whole affair is that people are listening (I even received a freelance offer). Use that momentum as inspiration to keep applying places.
  
  
• Keep your online presence up-to-date. I received lots of comment when I changed my LinkedIn status message to "Looking for a job."
  
  
• If you get rejected, politely ask why. I was rejected for a position that I thought I had a particularly good shot at; turns out that with so many job layoffs, the publication was overwhelmed with overqualified applicants. So I replied and asked what I could have done better as an applicant. The editor was kind enough to answer in specifics why I didn't make the cut, and encouraged me that I was a solid applicant who was just blown away by the circumstances. She also offered to take my pitches for stories, which would have been important had I not taken my current position. Remember -- editors know what it's like, and more often than not, they'll relate!
  

And finally, when it comes to the actual job: negotiate that salary.

Once you're settled in, don't forget to repay the favor to your friends by helping them find jobs or listings. With this recession as it is, I can't tell you how many friends ended up on the job hunt after I finally finished mine.

Are Gawker Bloggers Real Journalists? (updated)

Sharon Waxman on the latest Gawker Media layoffs:

"So, now Nick Denton is laying people off, just like those dinosaurs in mainstream media.

The difference is, mainstream newspapers fired real journalists.

What the Gawker empire represents is as transitory as the people he employs. Denton has indisputably proved that you can create a lucrative business model out of highly targeted blogs, fed by tightly managed staffs of journalists who've numbed themselves to nagging doubts that what they do every day is journalism."

Her analysis is sobering. Does working for Gawker Media make you less of a commodity in the journalistic marketplace? More of one?

Or does it even matter, since Gawker Media employees embody the Web-based change that's staking MSM and the printed word? (Are they redefining the journalistic workforce marketplace altogether?)

UPDATE: Jobs: The Gawker Guide to a Journalism Career.

Responding To Romenesko: Thoughts On Your Comments

My post on entry-level jobs, featured on Romenesko yesterday, resulted in more than 1,600 unique hits and more than 50 comments here and on Poynter. Almost 20 people signed up for my RSS feed.

For a blog that has a steady readership of 50 a day with 93 on the feed, that's pretty astounding.

So I'm flattered that so many people had something to say about finding an entry-level journalism job, and some of your suggestions were great.

I thought I'd clarify and address some of the concerns that you, readers, wrote about. (And I'd like to thank Chase Squires for the little push to do so.)

First, I'd like to say that the purpose of my post was not to reiterate my resume and scream into the Web abyss. I wrote it because I felt that it was a telling lesson of our industry's health when a person can get the appropriate schooling, write the appropriate clips, put in the time at relevant internships, and still have a hard time getting anyone to pay him/her anything to continue doing so.

I'm not complaining about my own situation. I'm working hard, rolling up my sleeves, and making phone calls, sending e-mails, and checking job listings. I just think that my difficulty might be an indication of something greater.

I don't usually write about myself on this blog, but I wanted to use my experience in New York to act as an example -- after all, what about all the young journalists who aren't lucky enough to go to school in New York, and have such big-ticket internships? If I'm having trouble finding any paying journalism-related job, what about them?

Yesterday, Simon Owens of Bloggasm interviewed me about this subject as part of a greater piece about the tough job prospects in this industry. And I've seen several people come back from UNITY in Chicago this year with, well, less than hopeful looks on their faces.

That's really what this was intended to address.

After reading yesterday's comments, it occurred to me that much of the comments pertained to the newspaper industry. While that's surely indicative of Romenesko's readership, it didn't address the strategies for breaking into magazines, broadcast and online, which are different and equally as difficult.

I'd prefer to be in magazines. So while Wyoming may seem logical for an entry-level newspaper job, it would seem to be an ill fit as a place to start a magazine career. The magazine industry is largely in New York; going anywhere else would only leave regional magazines as options, which are no easier to break into.

The same goes for broadcast and online/new media. New York is the tech capital, don't forget.

There's another caveat, and that is the practicality of leaving New York. I can't leave this city. I'm not at liberty to say why -- it's personal -- but I can say that it's absolutely not an option for the next two years. Period.

Say what you will about professional connections, but most people who commented ignored the harsh financial realities of moving: I still must honor the rest of my lease, which does not expire for some time. It costs several, several hundreds of dollars to pack up and move. And most of all, anyone who works and lives in Manhattan would know that, in all the places that were suggested I move, I would need a car -- which I do not have, like most people who live in New York.

That's a big, big potential expense.

I'd also like to address the master's degree issue, which was a heated debate among you readers. I agree that a master's can be overkill in some markets. In New York, however, the bar is high. As I told Simon Owens, master's degrees are a dime a dozen in this highly educated city, and to think that it would hurt me in any way during the hiring process is just plain wrong.

Let me be clear: I went to j-school for myself -- not to expect a job in a year, and certainly not for the joy of $65,000 bounty on my head. So to think that so many people would jump to the conclusion that I was resting on my laurels really saddened me.

Furthermore, many of you readers who were previous HR employees expressed disdain for hiring someone with a master's and "no experience" and having to pay them what their degree commanded. I can say with confidence that anytime I've been requested a salary, I've put a figure that doesn't account for my master's, and accounts for the job that I'm applying to. So it's not as if I'm getting as far as an interview and then simply choosing to not take such low pay and walking out, elite nose tilted upward.

Nor am I only shooting high -- as an example, The New York Times Company owns far more than just its namesake paper: About.com, ConsumerSearch, etc. Conde Nast owns Vanity Fair, but also owns Footwear News. The bottom line? As I mentioned in yesterday's post: Having no job is an income of $0, no matter how you cut it. I'm not holding out for the Times.

This post isn't meant to be a rebuke -- rather, I just think life's a little more complicated than many commenters allowed it to be. I'll be a little honest -- I'm a little disappointed that among such a professional, qualified group of readers, people could leave such searing, personal, anonymous attacks. But it's not unexpected, given the format. And I'm glad that so many people had something to say, whatever it was.

In the spirit of transparency, I'm still looking and applying. I got a couple of "the job was filled internally" responses this week, but that's it. The hunt's still on.

With regard to the feedback to the post, a few people e-mailed me directly -- one even with a freelance offer ("no jobs," sadly). It was so kind, and above and beyond in my book. But, perversely, it was one more indication that perhaps it's just as hard for a young journalist to stay in the business as it is for the 30-year veteran -- just in different ways.

Food for thought. Thanks for reading, and I hope you continue to.

-The Ed.

6 Tips For Landing Your Dream J-Job

One of my favorite non j-blogs is Get Rich Slowly, a blog about personal finance. Today, Water Cooler Wisdom author Alexandra Levit guest-posted her tips to landing a dream job -- which I think would be helpful to you readers who have contacted me over the years asking how to break into journalism.

Here are Levit's tips for success:

1. Learn about yourself. Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work, and what you’d be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests. Hit the Internet, set up informational interviews, take relevant coursework, and arrange to go onsite at a company in your chosen field.
   
   
2. Don’t be deterred by a lack of experience. In developing a resume and other promotional materials for the field you want to pursue, think about how your current skills and talents apply to the responsibilities you’ll hold in the new job. For example, knowledge of project management, client relations, information technology, and sales will take you far in most types of careers.
   
   
3. Ease into a new career one foot at a time. Perhaps this means earning a paycheck at your current job while doing a part-time internship in your new field or taking an adult education class or workshop on the weekend. The only way to find out if you’re passionate about something is to try it – ideally with as little risk as you can manage.
   
   
4. Remember that any progress is good progress. Even confident people stay in unsatisfying jobs because they feel safe, and because they’re afraid of making a bad decision. But in the quest to uncover a source of meaningful work, though, your worst enemy is inertia. Make an effort to do one thing, like e-mailing a networking contact or attending an event – that moves you a bit closer to your big picture goal.
   
   
5. Start early. Twenty and thirty-somethings have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you’re unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven’t yet reached a level in a career where it’s tougher to turn back. That said, it’s never too late to pursue your passion. More and more baby boomers are leaving the world of traditional employment for alternative career paths that will fulfill them well into retirement age.
   
   
6. Have realistic expectations. Even if you’re lucky enough to hold your dream job, there’s no such thing as the perfect work situation. Every job has its ups and downs, and aspects we love and aspects we don’t love. And dream job doesn’t mean “cushy” job. As your mom always told you, anything worth having in this world requires some effort. There will be some days you feel like shutting the alarm off and going back to sleep, but many more where you feel more energized by the prospect of work than you ever thought possible!

Levit's new book, How’d You Score That Gig? A Guide to the Coolest Careers — and How To Get Them, has just been published. (Thanks, J.D.!)

Is It Unethical To Interview A Job Candidate When They Have No Chance?

I was reading the website of the Chronicle of Higher Education today and I noticed a story in the careers section: "On Hiring: To Interview or Not to Interview," which asked if it was ethical to go through the motions of a job interview if you already know as a candidate that you won't accept the job.

But with journalism jobs less and less numerous with each passing day, this article prompts this question for the media world: is it really ethical for big-J recruiters to interview people if they don't have any positions to offer?

Or: Is towing the company line at a job fair by telling hungry journalists that "we accept freelance!" truly ethical?

I recently attended a job fair in a major media center and many of the recruiters I spoke with relied heavily on the prospects of freelancing. "Sure, we can take freelance," many would say. "Feel free to pitch stories."

But many of the people at the job fair weren't looking for freelance opportunities. They were looking to be hired.

Now, there's nothing wrong with freelancing -- I do it all the time. The problem, of course, is that all the background work to craft a worthy pitch is not paid for unless the pitch is accepted. And there might not even be space for an outside freelancer if the publication has a steady stable of writers.

Of course, returning to the original problem: as an attendee of the job fair, you are clearly looking for that elusive job. Apparently, to no avail.

No one's actually advertising any "freelance fairs," are they?

So here we are, at another ethical crossroads, and I'm not sure where to place the blame (corporate? HR? Surely it can't be whoever showed up to the thing). It seems to be a recruiter's duty to be fairly transparent about such a situation, and not lead a potential (but not really) hire on. But it still happens -- and general journalist morale about these types of situations isn't getting any better.

Journalism A Hot Commodity In Higher Education

So I'm sitting at home watching some post-dinner television when I see a commercial trumpeting "digital journalism" on my screen.

"Learn digital journalism at the New York Film Academy," it told me. "Versatility. Curiosity. Is this you?"

Hot on the heels of the newly-created City University of New York's Journalism School, the New York Film Academy has linked up with NBC to offer this program within their filmmaking section, and it was quite an interesting approach.

Indeed, here is a specialty arts school taking on the craft of journalism to teach, rather than a specialty journalism school taking on the craft of filmmaking (or audio manipulation, or web design, and so forth). And I hadn't heard about it until just now.

The program details are listed here if you scroll down, or download this PDF. And it makes me wonder -- what were the challenges in designing such a program in a non-j-school setting?

Either way, this program's existence leads me to think that all the journalism programs in New York should get together for one big industry pow-wow and screen their students' work. Wouldn't that be an interesting night?

The "next generation journalist" now has Columbia, NYU, CUNY and NYFA to choose from. A lucrative profession? Maybe, maybe not. But a lucrative academic program? Seems so.

Using Your Journalism Degree To Name The School You Got It From

Man, is it just me or is this flap over Medill's name stupid?

(If you've missed it, Medill School of Journalism -- the first in the nation -- is exploring a name change, "to better represent the school and what it offers." Romenesko's comments lit up with the possibilities.)

I try to keep the topics on this blog to be more serious in nature, but the more I read about this, the more I think -- man, this is stupid, stupid stuff. There are 101 things wrong in the journalism world, and here we are worrying about a name. It's kind of like George Bush forming a committee to rename the White House while we're in the middle of the war in Iraq.

Talk about priorities.

My undergraduate alma mater, New York University, did the same thing to its school of education. The former "Steinhardt School of Education" -- which housed classes in classical music, education, communications, and more -- into the "Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development," which is not only a mouthful, but shows the poor organization of a university that already has a College of Arts and Science and shows the poor initiative in naming a school after what basic skills all universities should offer: culture, education, and (hopefully), human development.

So, I ask this, the future "Medill School of Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communication": Do you really want to be the next Steinhardt?

Reactions have already been posted by students on the Daily Northwestern and faculty in conspicuous places, and it's not good. Reading them got me thinking: OK, so Medill wants to change what journalism means in the 21st century. Got it -- and we can debate whether marketing should enter journalism in another discussion. But does all that require a name-change, too?

Can't we just redefine what journalism is? Isn't it already being redefined as we speak?

It appears to me that Medill is losing focus -- and apparently, judging by Nancy Schwerzler's comments linked above, losing graduates to law school, too.

There's always been the push-pull of being in the journalism industry, but it's starting to seem as if Medill's moves are pushing the focused journalists out and in the process, making the degree irrelevant.

Journalists are already jacks-of-all-trades. That's largely what "journalism" is defined by. Do we really need a $40,000 piece of paper that expresses that, too?

Mitchel Stevens’ Guide to Employment and the Interview

Editor's Note: The following column is part of an anonymous weekly humor column chronicling the struggle of a new, young journalist out in the working world. You may find the author's previous posts in the archives. --The Ed.

I was checking my Gmail for the fifteenth time in 20 minutes when it occurred to me that I should be taking more time with my interviews. Perhaps I should prepare with a list, or some similar device where all my questions and fears will be answered.

Wait, oh no, I just totally forgot the AP rules on numbers! AHHHHH!!!!

Moving on, The Editorialiste was kind enough to pass along to me an email from his alma mater about tips for networking and—wait, meeting every single editor from the New York area? Huh?

“Come meet, mingle and munch with editors, producers and others. Chat about how to pitch freelance articles, get production work (or other opportunities) at places like Metro, Time Out New York, Essence magazine, Dan Rather Reports, Brooklyn Rail, NY1 News, Manhattan Media properties, Black Enterprise, Budget Travel.com, LifetimeTV.com, Details magazine, Village Voice, Chelsea Now, Moose Productions and more.”

Oh my stars and garters, AND there’s no RSVP needed? AND I need to be a student there?

Well, a pox on that. Especially when it seems like that silly J-Dept can’t even keep up with their original class load.

Well, let me see. What are the suggestions to make an impact?

• Make One Great Contact -- Don't feel compelled to "work the room." Instead, set a goal of making one great contact -- someone new who you commit to communicating with after the event. Remember to ask for a business card.

Oh, I can do this one! I once got someone’s business card after I spent the night playing dice with them and doing a shot of Goldschläger.

• Reach Out -- Approach an individual who is standing alone. They may appreciate your reaching out to them. Also, it's hard to break into a group unless you're invited.

Okay, be nice to the freak. Got it. So this means AM NY, Metro and The L Magazine, or Dan Rather’s company?

• Use a Neutral Ice-Breaker -- Begin each conversation with a smile, eye contact and an outstretched hand. Break the ice by asking a neutral open-ended question such as "Why did you decide to come to this event?"

“Do you like liquor? I have a flask.”

This is the true way into any journalist’s heart. Don’t ever forget it.

• Give First -- Focus your conversation on learning about the person you are meeting -- who they are, where they work, what their responsibilities include -- and how you can help them (not how they can help you).

…well, this is a bold-faced lie. And in bold in the original e-mail. Fitting.

• Follow-up -- Use the 48-hour rule. Within 48 hours of a networking event, follow-up with anyone you met who you'd like to stay in touch with. Send an email letting the other person know you enjoyed meeting them and hope you will meet again. In the same email, share any other information you think may be of help to them (for example your resume and clips or more details about a story idea you mentioned.)

Wow, how true! If only journalists weren’t so awful about following up to young urchins that will knife them in the back at the first chance they get in order to steal their job, get a book deal and then sleep with Nick Denton*.

Yes, thanks to these new rules, I will be rolling in more jobs than an analogy about a large number. I’ll be wearing feather boas and strutting around 30 Rock in no time. Why…oh, crap, I got to turn in by deadline. Till next time.

-MS

*Note: I mean, listen, how else do you think you work at Gawker? It’s like Mr. Show says: the world revolves around blowjobs. And mainly giving them to Nick Denton. Or Jason Calcanis. And yes, David Hauslaib, but that doesn’t mean anything. More likely, it just means you’ve met David Hauslaib.