Get a Writing Job on the Net

by Dyane Genovese

You never know when that story you love (and have posted on your web page even though it hasn't been appreciated by editors and publishers when delivered via snail mail) might be discovered by an online editor surfing the Net.

Essentially everyone with Internet access knows the value and ease of using the Web for research, but it can also be used to find writing and editing jobs. There are two basic approaches to seeking online jobs: posting a classified ad and/or reviewing job opportunities posted on the Web by companies.

There are several sites where you can post your résumé and/or place a classified ad. Most of these sites rotate their ads, meaning when you first post your ad it is placed on top, but as new people post their ads yours is pushed down until it is finally deleted. However, these sites do not restrict the number of times you place an ad, so all you need to do is continually repost your ad. Websites specializing in writing/editing/publishing positions include: www.copyeditor.com (generally restricted to journalist editing), www.writerswrite.com/jobs/job.htm, www.freelanceonline.com (provides free ad postings for the first six months), epclassifieds.com/cgi-bin/nclassyEPMx/epmBHM06 (for editing and publishing classifieds), www.authorlink.com/jobs.html and www.2020tech.com/ww4f/index.html. This last site is limited to telecommuting positions; meaning these positions can be fulfilled online and you won't be expected to travel to the business site to do your writing or editing. (For some bizarre reason, many companies post job openings on the World Wide Web but expect them to be filled by people within their geographic area.)

Another option is to post your résumé on more general job boards. One of the better known of these is the Monster Board, which recently changed its name to Monster. If you want your résumé to be available worldwide, place it on www.monster.com; but if you want to restrict job opportunities to Canada, for example, go to www.monster.ca. Other general job search engines include www.careerpath.com, ajr.newslink.org/joblink.html and www.headhunter.net. In addition to posting your résumé, you can search these sites for positions. You enter keywords for the search and a list of possibilities is generated. For example, you could enter writing, Calgary, part time, freelance, field of interest, or minimum fee and see what possibilities result. Another useful site for job-finding is www.careerclick.com. This site differs from the other sites in emailing a list of potential jobs fitting your keyword descriptions to you on a weekly basis.

Looking directly for jobs via the Internet can be accomplished one of two ways. First, you can go to the homepage of the major search engines, type your keywords and just wait to see what turns up. These include: www.yahoo.com (searches by category), www.infoseek.com (uses phrases for its search), www.excite.com, www.altavista.com (a popular academic based site) and www.miningco.com which searches databases. Some, like Yahoo!, even provide information on standard rates. For a search engine specializing in writing and editing, try www.zoomsearch.com. Alternately, you can subscribe to receive a mailing list tailored to your interests. To get a mailing list on a specific topic try liszt.com/. Or you can subscribe to a writing/editing mailing list by sending an email to listserv@listserv.indiana.edu. Leave the subject blank and in the body type subscribe copyediting-1 your name. (Be prepared to receive numerous puns as these literary pundits can't resist a good turn of phrase.)

To research general information on writing and editing jobs try www.tiac.net/users/freelance/fees.html, which will connect you with the Freelance Editors' Association, www.sunoasis.com for an online tutorial on how writers and editors should look for jobs on the Web, and www.thequill.com. A new resource for writers, editors and publishers can be found at www.writers.net and at www.writing-world.com, which is trying to fill the void left by Inkspot's recent departure. And if you have already written your book, you can get a list of links to the larger publishing houses at publishing.miningco.com/msub17.htm?pid=2840&cob=home.

In addition, developing a "web presence" is essential. If you are connected to the virtual world, your Internet Service Provider most likely offers free homepage space. There are numerous free web page editors you can download to help you create this page. The page should feature a writing sample and your credits (where you have been published), education, any other relevant information and your email address so that interested people can contact you. (As with anything on the Web, providing personal information such as where you live is not recommended). Increase your homepage visibility by including its address in your résumé, on business cards and in online ads. You never know when that story you love (and have posted on your web page even though it hasn't been appreciated by editors and publishers when delivered via snail mail) might be discovered by an online editor surfing the Net.

While the Internet can provide a wealth of opportunity, you need to use your common sense to prevent getting ripped off. If the offer of a job is serious, expect a test of your writing and/or editing abilities. These "tests" are usually emailed or faxed and must be returned in a timely fashion. Remember: these employers have not met you and "out of sight can be out of mind" if your response is slow. Also, a slow response may cause them to discard your application as they worry about your ability to meet deadlines.

To ensure that you get paid, insist on a contract and check that the employer's (real) address is valid by confirming it in the phone book (out-of-area companies can be checked using phone books at the library). Also ask for half your fee up front or refuse to send the completed work until you have received at least half of the fee.

And remember, as in any job search; check the above sites on a regular basis. New positions are posted daily so, minimally, redo your searches monthly.

-- DG
© 2001 Dyane Genovese 

Dyane Genovese started her writing career as a journalist in Pennsylvania and progressed to becoming the editor of a weekly newspaper. Since relocating to Canada, she has focussed on freelance writing and editing and is an active member of several writing organizations.