I’m not an experienced freelancer, but I had recently run into the problem of “not getting a nibble” as well. Throughout January and February, I was shot out something like 15 applications (resumes, cover letters, etc) sometimes spending up to 4 hours on the cover letters (neurotic writer).

I didn’t get one email or phone follow-up for these jobs, and I felt I was qualified for many of them. The problem was actually very simple in my case–I sent my resume to some friends for advice, and they informed me that I had been sending out my stuff in .wps format (microsoft works instead of microsoft WORD), and this resulted in 1. hiring people not being open my resume and 2. when they could open it, the fonts were jumbled and funny and monstrously messy.

So I agree with the comments left so far about keeping your nose to the grindstone, but also make sure NOT to miss what may be under your nose. It may be a simple matter of unattractive formatting (there is no such thing as a perfect resume), typos, or something else that could actually be quite trivial once you discover it. Often times employers will not take the time to let you know what went wrong. If I were in your position, I would go over all my materials carefully, take a deep breath and keep trying.

Cheers!

That really made me laugh. I can totally see it happening, too.

The Tupperware line is a classic Deb – nice one!

I am in Denver too!!!

I hope this doesn’t sound too weird, coming from the Internet and all, but do you want to hook up for coffee sometime? Or at least exchange email addresses? I think it’s always good to know other local writers.

Tina in Denver

I can second what Katharine says about the competition, especially craigslist. I’ve posted for writers and gotten 500 responses in a few hours. And that’s posting in one city only, because I’m not one of those people who plasters my ad in every town. I can only imagine what happens to the ads that end up here and other blogs/sites like this one that post jobs. Those people probably get thousands of responses. I can tell you, the subject line is key. You’ve got to stand out. When people get that many email responses, if they’re short on time they get selective. What’s inside the email won’t matter if they never even open it.

On another note, re: the August 24 thread, I went back and read over it after it was closed. Hadn’t been keeping up with it before then, mostly because I was short of time. I don’t know what was said that got deleted, but I think closing down comments was a wise decision. Last night during a fit of insomnia, I spent several hours reading about it on other forums. All I can say is WOW.

My theory on freedom of speech is that it’s fine to say what you want when you’re on the streets, but when you’re in someone’s home you abide by their rules. This is Deb’s home.

You’ve had some good advice here.

Yes, you must practice and keep researching job postings, and as mentioned earlier potential company, educational sites, etc. Sites that may need you.

Some sites offer a career link that can often be found on a menu bar or on the bottom of the site’s home page.

If you can get some of your work published in appropriate papers, magazines, or newsletters; I’m sure this will provide more potential.

And, yes, some job postings have a huge response. I applied for a writing gig that had nearly 300 applicants. The business writing gig I landed several years ago had over 200 applicants and just 4 of us were invited to work under contract. I was put on a shortlist of about 15 and then it dwindled down to only a few of us.

I have also reviewed resumes in the past, and some people who apply for positions have a vast amount of skills and experience. So you’ve got to get out there and dazzle a potential client with your knowledge, skills and abilities. Also, relevant qualifications play a major part too.

Get your name out there and get some solid writing experience behind you.

I also write for the greeting card market and each time I have had to send samples in of my work. On occasions I have been invited to send more work in for a specific range of cards, and some companies even request a resume too.

It’s taken many years of hard work and dedication but I am very happy to have built up a lot of experience, which then leads on to more fulfilling work.

From what I’ve heard from clients who apply on Craigslist, every ad generates several hundred responses — minimum. I think you either have to stand out from the crowd on first glance (i.e. subject title on your email, first line of your cover letter, etc.) or be one of the first few dozen respondants to really get someone’s attention. I’m sure after reading 60 or 70 emails, employers’ eyes start to glaze over, so if your email has the original Craigslist title and starts with, “Hi, I saw your ad on Craigslist…” you probably aren’t making much of an impression.

Nice to see some other around here. I’m a former college professor who’s now freelancing too. It’s been slow (I left my full time job in May), but has been picking up… I’m writing a college-related guidebook for a major publisher. Jackie, hang in there… apply for lots of jobs and keep looking.

And Deb, thanks for your website… aside from getting some gigs from your site, it’s an inspiration to see a fellow WAHM who’s feelancing and doing well.

I also left teaching to freelance. I taught English, so I think that helped – it looked good on my cover letter and resume. Also, I may get blasted for this, but I did take some low paying jobs in the beginning. (Experienced writers, I hadn’t found this site yet! I didn’t know better!) Yes, I realize now that they were not a good idea, BUT, it did get me something to put on my resume. Now, I can get jobs off of this board, but when I first started I never got a nibble. I would also say, keep applying. You never know when someone will like what they see. I applied for one job and didn’t get offered it for two months. I think they hired someone else who didn’t work out and then went through their file and found me. But, brushing up your cover letter is crucial, and having some of those lower paying jobs may be what it takes to allow you to say “experienced.” Also, learn the terminology, such as SEO, because those words always scared me away, only to find out that SEO was what I was already doing! Don’t give up!

If it makes you feel any better, I don’t remember much of my Latin either and I took it only six years ago!

While it’s wonderful that she has decided to pursue writing in her free-time during summer break from school, it’s a little condescending to think that she only needs to pick up a pen (or rather, type a few paragraphs) and the money and jobs will start rolling in.

Writing is work! Just as teachers need training and experience, writers need practice and experience, too.

I’m sure if she sticks with it, she’ll eventually enjoy some success. But it’s unrealistic to expect paying gigs to beat a path to your door simply because you have some interest in writing. If becoming a published writer were that easy, everyone would do it.

Keep writing, Jackie. Eventually your hard work will pay off.

You’re making me feel my age. I took four years of Latin, but so long ago, I can’t translate what you said.

The person complaining is an idiot to put it nicely. I don’t pursue the blogging items, but someone could say the same of my business regarding magazine writing.

Deb wouldn’t get the work if not more qualified or a better fit (sometimes personalities mean as much as “qualifications.”

The complainer shows just by her comments she shouldn’t get the work.

Though I come here a lot, I’ve yet to find something this way — not a complaint, just that I check other sites and use the old fashioned telephone to seek out work as well.

I’ve been online for some time, but have only recently landed any work via any of these sites. But it took me several months out of college to land work, too, even though I had experience with the college newspaper, radio station, radio network and interned at a major radio and television outlet.

There’s competition everywhere. Rather than complaining, it’s better to try to make oneself a stronger candidate. Learn about an industry or profession. When I was still a sportswriter, I started taking accounting courses. That background has helped me land writing work with accounting associations and helped prepare me for financial services and business writing.

By the way, in addition to Tupperware, there’s Mary Kay, Avon (article in today’s paper about a male making $80,000 a year selling it), Amway/Quixtar, etc.

Too funny. I actually popped in specifically to see if you posted more letters and look; you did. Thanks, I need some amusement in my world. Too bad you get them but they do make me laugh because they’re so damn lame. (not the nice ones — those are sweet, not lame). I love how you have single handedly ruined everyone’s chances at obtaining writing work by stealing ALL the jobs. That’s a pretty big task Go you.

If you’re looking for experienced experts in their niches, it’s best to stick to writers’ forums such as:
Writers Weekly
Absolute Write forum
All Freelance Writing Forums

You will have to google for their links because I don’t want to spam Deb’s blog with them. Thay’re quite easy to find

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That hate mail makes me want to roll my eyes and not because I’m a regular here but because
it just reinforces my earlier statement about some people not taking care of their own issues. Quod erat demonstrandum.