James Sandifer writes for various newspaper publications as a syndicated columnist and national correspondent. We met in Arizona a few years ago, and he sends me his column each week. This week's was entitled "
In job market, age is obstacle or attribute."
The topic was about retirees returning to the workforce due to the economy, eroding retirement funds and previous employers going belly up, thus demolishing 401Ks and smooth-sailing retirement plans of relaxation through the Golden Years.
I couldn't help reading his comments without thinking "just like a writer."
Writers are seeking gigs and contracts in greater numbers, and more are unemployed than ever before. Reliable publications that provided the steady assignments have gone under. Publishing houses are enduring chaos of their own laying off staff and consolidating imprints . . . and accepting fewer contracts. Competition is fierce, and we wonder how to struggle to the top of the teeming mass of writhing, writing bodies to get a gulp of air - and some type of writing income.
Many experienced writers are now in the fray - just like retirees needing to return to work. What they had identified as a regular way of life became shredded and dismantled thanks to economic turmoil. It's hard to step back and become a wannabe after you've already been down that road before. It's degrading, it's desperation, it's an uncomfortable feeling of needing a hand you thought you'd never need again.
But we suck up and jump back in the mix.
From the article, James says, "Those fortunate enough to be in the job force have an advantage when it comes to using another valuable tool — networking. Online resources are necessary, but having direct interaction with others in a field of expertise is most effective. Conversely, retirees that haven't worked for a year or longer typically lose meaningful contacts. That's when job fairs and employer-hosted events become invaluable. Attending these functions with a well-written resume may land an on-the-spot opportunity to sell yourself."
Can we spell writing conference, boys and girls? Add to that blogs, even Twitter where agents and publishers are regular players. Sign up for anything an agent or publisher has to offer in terms of newsletters and blog updates. Acclimate, orient yourself, educate yourself to improve your position in the race.
"A fundamental problem is overcoming the fear factor associated with the thought of whether or not you can compete. Those most successful are the ones who are able to shift their perspective to that of excitement about having the opportunity for beginning a new and rewarding career." Attitude is everything, especially when competition elbows you at every turn. Those with their heads on straight, who aren't afraid of rejection, keep pushing and take rejection on the chin as a part of the deal. And those who have to compete for gigs they never thought they'd have to again, need to understand these times are unprecedented, and work is food on the table.
James goes on to talk about resumes and the cover letter that should accompany it. Once upon a time, the resume was all an applicant needed. It said "These are my qualifications. Hire me." Now a cover letter is etiquettely and professionally a must. James explained a cover letter.
"Primarily, a cover letter is a genderless, age-neutral summary that focuses on critical elements being sought by a prospective employer. It's now commonplace for a cover letter rather than a resume to result in a job interview. Considerations: 1) customize your cover letter to each job for which you're applying, 2) forego a chronology of specialized job experience; instead, offer recent accomplishments and interests that demonstrate how your skills align with those in the position description, 3) check your grammar and spelling, and 4) submit electronic documents."
If a cover letter isn't a query letter, I'll eat my thesaurus. So many writers throw together a query letter without giving it the attention it needs. Think of the query and the networking as if you had no income, unemployment was about to run out, and bills were backing up. Maybe you were a seasoned writer who surprisingly found herself seeking work. Maybe you're new at this, but need income from the best skill you have - your words. Either way, finding writing work should be as serious to you as any type work is to the ten percent of the unemployed nation who are scrambling to feed their families. Treating the pursuit of your work in such a manner will likely land you better gigs, more gigs and enough gigs to keep you afloat until good times decide to visit us once again.
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