Getting a job

Written by

Marcelo Somers:

Get out of the box. Stop thinking there is a magical process to getting a job if you follow the rules. Hone in on 3-5 companies that you’re passionate about and get creative. Meet people, find employees of the company a year before you are graduating and send informational emails through LinkedIn. Go to industry events. Heck, send them a 20 foot tall painting in the mail((Credit to Merlin Mann on Back to Work for this idea.))! Do all of this with the intention of learning more, not necessarily getting a job, because if you wait until you need a job, it’s too late.

I agree with the two main points here. There is no magical solution and if you need it, it’s already too late.

I will add this because I’ve seen it so many times in the last 17 years as a technology journalist: Don’t burn your bridges on the way up. It’s a long way down if there’s nobody to help you when you fall.


  • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

    “Don’t burn your bridges…” NOW you tell me…. :(

    • http://www.loopinsight.com Jim Dalrymple

      You’re a lost cause :)

      • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

        You may be surprised to hear that you’re not the first person who has said that to me….

  • Anonymous

    Forget the flowery speech in the cover letter. What I am looking for is a person who besides having a good portfolio

    1) Can take responsiblity and get the job done.
    2) Can think outside the box and be able to problem solve.
    3) Is willing to learn and try something new.
    4) Does not need me to hold their hand.
    5) Knows the product and what we look for in images.
    6) Knows how to communicate to fellow workers and editors
    7) Wants to work and finds joy in the task.

    For the last one, with todays economy, In my line of work, you do this because you love to do this kind of work. You are not going to be a millionaire in this economy and be a front line  photojournalist doing hyper local community journalism.

    I love my job and what I do, just don’t ask what I get paid. You could die laughing if you did.

    Unfortunately, I and other editors are not hiring right now, though that doesn’t mean you don’t send portfolios to your local editor. You never can tell and those that want the job usually get it. It happened to me 30 years ago.

    Just a thought