Comments on: Freelance Writing Jobs for Thursday, May 15, 2008

By: Amanda Nicole

Amanda Nicole — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:55:17 +0000

Well, in regards to Sit Means Sit, I emailed the woman again and very politely explained that I would require the information I’d requested earlier (project details, payment) before I underwent the interview process (re-writing the entire homepage which, by the way, is rife with errors). Never heard back. So, to me, that makes me glad not to have done the “sample,” since the woman apparently had no idea what the project entailed or what it would pay. Red flags for me, for sure.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:50:00 +0000

@ BooBoo: I was born in Ottawa and grew up about 20 miles west of there. Now I live in southwestern Ontario.

@ Jenny B: I just try to grow where I’m planted, but it would be nice to live closer to family rather than 8 hours away….

By: BooBoo

BooBoo — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:16:13 +0000

Melissa,

Hard to say. I know many people will NEVER do a sample, but I’ve gotten a lot of my best clients that way. Here’s what I look for. Are they clear about what the reward will be if the sample is up to standards? For example, how much will the gig pay, how steady will the work be, etc. Will they pay for the sample if it is satisfactory? In my experience, most people genuinely looking to hire someone will. Finally, are they upfront about who they are and where they are located, or do they dodge these questions? That’s a red flag for me.

By the way, I’ve also been screwed several times by providing free samples, so keep that in mind as well. You might do your sample and then never hear back. Just decide if the risk (you’ll do the work for nothing) is worth the potential reward.

By: Hazel

Hazel — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:54:27 +0000

A Melissa
Sometimes a job poster will ask for a small edit, but in this case, it appears that Sit Means Sit is looking for all the suggestions they can get from professional editors so that they can revamp their site without hiring anyone.
It can be hard to tell whether it’s legit. Look at their site and see how much copy they have — if they are asking you to do the most important part (i.e., home page) you might want to steer clear. But if they’ve given you a smaller slice and the whole site needs work, go ahead and do it.

By: Jenny B

Jenny B — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:33:08 +0000

@Boo Boo Great to know that other fellow Canadians visit this site. I know James is one as well.

@Jodee Sometimes it does take awhile for things to work out.

By: BooBoo

BooBoo — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:02:30 +0000

Jodee,

Where in Canada are you from? Nova Scotia here.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:27:45 +0000

Hi Jenny B: You are welcome. I really appreciate your taking the time to give me some positive feedback. It means a lot to me.

(And I’m still envious that you are living in Ottawa….we are hoping that we can move back at some point…it just hasn’t worked out for us yet….)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:33:29 +0000

Interesting. I applied for the Sit Means Sit position and got the same request. I am new at freelance editing and just launched my website a few weeks ago. I appreciate it when a prospective client gives me the opportunity to edit a sample as part of the application process. Because I am new, a sample shows my abilities better than my resume does at this point. Do I need to be wary of these “opportunities,” or are they a valid way for employers to test applicants? (The sample from their homepage was about 300 words.)

By: Jenny B

Jenny B — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:21:44 +0000

Hi Jodee
I want to add my thanks as well. Though I join late in scanning through FWJ daily, I really appreciate everything you do. I especially love the international postings that you list.

From your fellow Canadian in Ottawa.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:05:25 +0000

@ Jack and Gwynita: You are most welcome!:)