[Ipg-smz] New Job Question: Trial Period to Full Time Staffer

[Liam Kelly]

I totally agree with both you and Ellen. I think they expect me to bear all
the risk, which is a little unfair considering how difficult it already is
for journalists/writers these days. On the other hand, I understand how it
can be risky for a publication to bring on writers who could be perceived
as *shill*s or biased or something along those lines.

I could technically make up the lost freelance work, but I'd be
churning out a lot of articles with a "make-more-money" objective in mind
rather than an "investigate-take-your-time-be-a-good-journalist" objective.

It's a financial risk (on my part) vs. reputational risk (on their part).
In the end, I can comfortably say no and move along, but it would be a
shame. It's not every day that a full-time writing position in journalism
falls in your lap...

On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 3:19 PM Mitch Wagner <mitch at mitchwagner.com> wrote:

> Seems like they want it both ways -- they want the benefit of having you
> full-time without offering you full-time benefits.
>
> Sounds like this full-time gig might be a bad place to work. They're
> making unreasonable conditions from the start.
>
> Can you afford to say nope, you'll continue writing for your other
> freelance contacts until you come on full time, knowing that the full-time
> gig might vanish because of it?
>
> Alternately, do they pay enough freelance that you can afford to let your
> other freelance gigs fall away?
>
> I have freelanced twice and both times this experience concluded when I
> was hired full-time by one of my freelance gigs. In both cases, there was a
> transition period after we agreed I'd come on full-time, but before I was
> actually hired. In both cases, I continued with all my freelance
> assignments  until I actually came on staff.
>
>
> --
>
> Mitch Wagner <http://mitchwagner.com/about/>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 7:13 AM Liam Kelly via Ipg-smz <
> ipg-smz at netpress.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I've been speaking with a crypto/blockchain publication this week about
>> coming on board to help with their coverage. I will be paid on a per
>> article basis during a one month "trial period," after which, if all goes
>> well, I'll be offered a full-time position.
>>
>> Now, I also write copy for some crypto/blockchain companies at current.
>> One company is a startup in the space, whereas the other is a PR firm that
>> represents other crypto companies (among other subjects).
>>
>> The editor has stated that I need to stop writing for these companies
>> before beginning the trial period. I understand his reasoning (i.e.
>> conflict of interest), but it seems risky.
>>
>> What happens if I cut ties with a chunk of high paying work only to see
>> the full-time staff position get passed on to someone else? I should add
>> that the staff position will likely make up for the loss of marketing work
>> financially, and I have no problem dropping the latter once I've signed a
>> contract to work full-time for this publication.
>>
>> It is indeed tricky, and I thought members of the group would have some
>> good ideas/counter-proposals. What's a win-win for all parties in this
>> situation?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> Liam
>>
>> --
>> Ipg-smz mailing list
>> Ipg-smz at netpress.org
>> http://netpress.org/mailman/listinfo/ipg-smz_netpress.org
>>
>
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