Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fauly copy editing

Article title on Autoblog.com:

"BMW issues stop sale on M5 and M6 models over fauly oil pump."

Sunday, September 23, 2012

The wording!


In an ad for an editorial manager:

"Candidates should be versatile in various disease states."

Monday, September 17, 2012

F**k you!

That's what I have to say to any prospective employer who does this:


"Resumes without specified salary requirements will not be considered."

Or this, along with a rejection:

"We would like to keep your information in our database for future consideration."

And especially this in the rejection:

"We have found another candidate whom we feel is the best fit for this position." 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Testing experienced editors


I hope editing is like riding a bike

You know, you never forget how. I haven't done any editing since 5/30, the last Demand Media article I did (of the six I did for them this year).

I can't believe that my Demand "Work Desk" online is even accessible, not that there's ever anything there. I never get any of the team emails, nor have I ever received one of those "come back to work for us" emails. Weird company.

I just checked the first and last Demand articles I did. There's a kind of poetry/symmetry/full circle about it:

5/13/09: How to Report an Employee Not Keeping Their Office Clean (yea, I let the title errors slide)

5/30/12: How to Can Meat Spaghetti Sauce (see above!)

Friday, September 7, 2012

My new cover letter


To Whom It May Concern:

I am very interested in the unpaid editorial intern position for which you are currently recruiting on every job board in the DC area.

I’d like to summarize my experience as a professional editor. I believe this will convince you that my skill set and background make me a perfect candidate for an internship — that is, to start all over again so to speak.

I have worked in the editorial field for 30 years and have held every position from proofreader to managing editor. I’ve worked in the public and private sectors, edited book manuscripts, and done online editing via a content management system.

My knowledge of editorial styles includes, AP, Chicago, GPO, and Harvard Law School’s Blue Book.

You might wonder why someone with my experience seeks an intern position. Allow me to answer that question.

As stated above, I entered the editing field three decades ago, at a time when editing was a valued profession that had very high standards. Since that time, the editing field has taken a 180-degree turn. The opportunity to work as an intern would afford me the opportunity to “retrain” myself to the current devalued role of the editor and specifically to the current, acceptably low level of editorial standards.

I should emphasize that I am more than willing to take as many screening tests as you’d like to administer and, if hired, there is no limit to how many hours I can work (including evenings and weekends). I am also willing to carry out any assigned task, no matter how menial.

I believe the attached resume, which contains a summary of my entire editing career, does not merit your review in light of the fact that you have so many applicants to screen.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Monday, September 3, 2012

Diminishing returns

When I entered the editing profession 30 years ago, I never imagined that it is one (the only one?) that actually devalues extensive experience. Have you ever seen a job ad that included "20-30 years of experience required"?

That plus being 68 years old means that my professional work life is effectively over.

I wish I lived in a country where seniors and experienced people are valued.