The Value of Everyone’s Time

I have been applying for freelance writer positions for quite awhile. Finally, I got an interview at one the newspapers/newsletters I had been applying for almost a year! Needless to say, I was overjoyed. I talked with the administrative assistant and we set a date. I couldn’t contain my happiness. I got my portfolio together and I went over potential answers for questions. The day before my interview I got a call canceling my interview. I wasn’t given a reason as to why my interview was canceled. I was so upset and disappointed.

For weeks I waited for the administrative assistant to contact me with a new interview date.  After almost waiting for a month; I got an email and the date was set. I made sure my portfolio was up to date and I went over potential questions again.  The day of my interview, I dressed to impress.  I walked in there with confidence.

Afterwards, I knew I nailed my interview. I felt that my only setback was that I never worked for a newsletter or newspaper before and I didn’t have a lot of published word. However, I was honest and upfront at the beginning of my interview. I thought that telling him that in the beginning would be a good start. Why, I’m not really sure.

Although I lacked those two things, the editor-n-chief seemed impressed with my portfolio, my work ethic, and my background. I knew I had interviewed well. I left my portfolio and some of my best work for the editor to read. He asked for me to do an assignment for him afterwards. Which, of course I did.  I did a follow-up with him and for weeks I was given the run-around or no response at all.

Finally, I got fed up and emailed the administrative assistant of the company and asked if I could come by and pick up my portfolio. I said to her please tell the editor if he doesn’t want to hire me just tell me; it will not be the first time I heard the word NO.

The editor assistant immediately called and asked me to send over additional right work that I had published so he can make a decision.  I emailed him back and I also called him and said all of that is in my portfolio that I left weeks again in addition to some of my work that I left during my interview. But I sent over some more my work anyway.

After waiting for over a month since my interview (which is now 6 weeks because I waited 2 more weeks since I emailed him more of my work), I get an email from the assistant editor-in-chief, telling me they will not move forward with hiring me. Apparently because I didn’t have enough published work. Something they knew from day one!  This is what they tell me is the reason they will not hire after 6 weeks! I don’t have enough published work. I was more than upset. If he told me my writing wasn’t up to par or not up to their standards. I would have been okay with that. But not I don’t have enough published work. Am I wrong for thinking that?

What I learned from this is I will never allow someone to waste my time!  Nor will I wait around for over 6 weeks for a job when I can use my own platform for people to hear my VOICE!!! The fact they were so unprofessional, they did me a favor! I know there is something bigger and better out there for me!