Presumptuous?

[Seamus123]

.....

 

[buxxxom]

Congratulations on graduating. That's a huge accomplishment.

I don't know if I'd ask them specifically about freelance work, but I'd definitely thank them for the opportunity to gain experience, and let them know you're very interested in any opportunity that may arise. That way gets your name back in the foreground, perhaps putting you in the running for one of these job openings.

Just my .02.

 

[Seamus123]

Good advice, thanks. I emailed them to thank them not long after I got back from the work experience so I think emailing again after a couple of weeks would seem a bit creepy and clingy. I do like the idea about keeping my name in the frame for the job but really don't know how to do that besides checking for freelance work. The thing that confuses me is that on the computer I was using (it was a guy who was out of the office on a press trip that week) there was a document that listed the freelancers the magazine uses so obviously they pull names off of this if they need to source some work out.

So I'd like to email about freelance work, but I'm not sure that it's appropriate considering my circumstances of work experience and waiting for the job application to come open. I'm also uneasy about emailing because I don't want it to impact negatively on my prospective job application in a few weeks' time.

And thankyou for the congratulations! I got a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing & English. Super super happy.

 

[M's girl]

So I'd like to email about freelance work, but I'm not sure that it's appropriate considering my circumstances of work experience and waiting for the job application to come open. I'm also uneasy about emailing because I don't want it to impact negatively on my prospective job application in a few weeks' time.

I did not know exactly how to answer since the part that I quoted from you would be my main concern too. You have told them already how much you liked working there and that you would be interested in any kind of job (free lance or steady) they would offer you. I'm thinking it's time to wait this one out, indeed, not to come across as... too desperate? If the company advertises a job publically you could respond, referring to your time there and your running application. But otherwise....? It's only two weeks...

 

[Seamus123]

Yeah, good advice again, thanks. The editor said when I was at the offices (he took me aside on the friday to chat to me about the week, see if i had any questions, and he told me a lot about what the job coming open would involve, which i definitely took as a good sign!) and I almost asked about freelance then. he said that the work experience would be a brilliant asset when applying but i really don't want to seem desperate and clingy.

 

[liberatedslave]

There are websites for freelancers like www.freelancers-database.co.uk that magazines look through.

I think that, while you really want this permanent post in a few weeks time you have to prepare for the possibility that you might not get it. They know you're keen, you've spent your placement impressing them and the editor clearly thinks you'd make a good addition to the team.

Your energy would therefore be better directed at a plan B. Apply for other jobs at the same level and salary as the one you want at playstation. You're bound to get at least one interview as a graduate with some recent experience under his belt.

Offer your freelance services to playstation and also to other magazines with the same target readership. That way you won't look like you're desperate for the job, you'll look like you're keeping all your options open while putting your face about to see what happens. You'll look like a go-getter who wants to work in the gaming magazine sector whether playstation take you on or not rather than someone who'll take any job going. All of this will make you more attractive as a potential employee.

IMHO anyway