How to Apply for a Writer's Job
By Marion Marking

Marion Marking is editor in chief at ChinaBusiness-Philippines magazine, which publishes monthly in English and Chinese and is available at National Bookstore, Powerbooks, Fully Booked, leading newsstands nationwide, and online via http://ChinaBusinessPhilippines.com. She can be reached at m.marking@fairnewsmedia.com.

If you're looking to start a career as a writer, reporter, or editorial assistant, here are a few things you need to know.

1. Always write a cover letter. You have no business working as a writer if you can't even write a simple cover letter. I think sites like JobsDB, which have built in form letters, yield better-quality applicants simply because employers can short list all those who write their own letters! Sending out an original cover letter immediately lets a prospective employer know that you're a serious applicant and a competent writer.

2. Never misspell ANYTHING. Proofread ALL your application documents: from cover letter to sample work to the last page of your résumé. Proper spelling is a basic requirement that shouldn't even be a point of discussion. I've seen applicants misspell everything from their course to their own name! Appalling! Especially for a writer.

3. Be well-mannered in your e-mail. Some good writers are arrogant. They know they're good and they make sure everyone knows they're a cut above the rest. Whether you're applying for an entry level position or a supervisory post (even editor), be careful how you phrase your e-mail. You never know how high up your message will go. Oh and never address yourself as “Mr” or “Ms”—it's poor form and turns off many people.

4. Avoid rescheduling. The publishing industry is fast-paced and editors generally have unpredictable schedules. If you want to change interview appointments simply because you already agreed to meet your boyfriend at the mall, then don't expect the editor to still agree to see you. The only exceptions are really outstanding applicants. But since the publishing industry is so multifaceted that you can't pinpoint what any publication is looking for exactly, you better not gamble that you're in the top 1%.

5. Be the total package. As our company has experienced while using JobsDB, there are peak seasons when around 40% of the applicants are acceptable. Many are cum laude graduates from top universities (Note: It's easier to come by cum laude grads from Bachelor of Arts courses like Journalism compared to the Science courses). If you aren't one of them, make sure you get your edge from showing that you're competent anyway and are pleasant to work with. Be polite to whoever schedules your interview, show an appropriate amount of enthusiasm, make eye contact and greet everyone, and write a thank you e-mail to your interviewer.

If you're thinking of writing us to apply for a full-time editorial post, please don't. We already filled all our editorial requirements. But we always have room in our freelance pool for good writers. Let us hear from you!