Persistence Pays Off

As some of you know, I've been looking for a paid writing job for quite some time and not been having much luck. Until the last couple of days. The story is below:

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As of late, I have been without money (by which I mean £35 overdrawn, no income and living off of dry pasta and tap water - ah, student life) and have therefore been required to browse Gumtree looking for writing jobs which put some money in my pocket.

Although I enjoy doing freelance writing for nothing (which I’m doing with this article right now) I also have to feed myself, even if it’s with pocket money. However, to succeed in this I have spent hours at a time on the aforementioned website replying to ads which I feel I’d be able to write about and earn enough money to buy a tin of beans and some bread. This is where persistence comes in.

I spent my evenings replying to ads with a lengthy email which would include descriptions of my capabilities, what I’m willing to do or write about (which was just about anything) with an added link to my blogs at the bottom for some samples of my writing.

A few times this worked and I’d get the odd job here and there but recently I was having an extremely dry run. Until the evening of the 11th of March, that is. There I was, sat on a forum and Facebook, daydreaming of having a walk around London when ’Sunshine of Your Love’ suddenly started playing out of my mobile beside me. When I checked who it was, it was just a UK number which I didn’t recognise. I answered anyway.

After a 20 minute conversation/interview which involved questions about what I’d be writing about, am I interested in journalism and about possibly becoming a teacher I was told I’d receive a call in approximately two weeks confirming whether I’d got the position or not. Hanging up, I felt extremely optimistic as the interview seemed to go well, emails had been positive and I felt that I’d answered the questions well and with a verbal sign of confidence. This had to go on Facebook!

Do I think I’ve certainly got the job or do I keep an open mind and apply for the odd one here and there just to keep me on my toes? I’ll go for the latter myself but remain optimistic about the former.

It’s taken three months of blood, sweat and tears (Note to self: Stop exaggerating) but I‘m there (almost).

Moral of the story? Should you be turned down for one job, don’t think that’s the end, just keep applying and you’ll get there in the end.

And remember these three words: Persistence pays off.

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More freelance stuff and the return to uni

So, as the title suggests, I've scored myself a little bit more freelance work - writing 3 pieces about medical schools/universities. Done one piece and waiting for feedback but I was happy with it so hopefully that's another tenner in my pocket. As the weekend is over I should be getting three more pieces from Pension Calculator (he did mention having plenty of needing to be done) and by placing some ads here and there online I'll hopefully be gaining some interest - persistence and cockiness can sometimes pay off, ya know?

I might stick up a post with links to every piece I've written just in case anyone is slightly interested in childs' savings news or pension advice. Or maybe you want to know about Bristol Med School or the city itself?

Part 2 of this blog is one of the better halves. Why? Semester B begins tomorrow which means more assignments and a weekly update of this blog (unless they give us something rediculously stupid). I'll also be able to use profanities in the work - being a big boy and all that crap (see what I did there) - and complain about the lecturers and time-tables (only one 9am start this time though).

Right, I'm just babbling now.

To finish off I'd just like to say R.I.P to Gary Moore - legendary guitary, I mean guitarist, of Skid Row (the Irish version before it was sold to the 80s metallers) and one of the classic line-ups of Thin Lizzy. Anyone who has heard his works will know what I mean. If not, here is the great Parisian Walkways with the also passed away Phil Lynott:

Hello, new freelance work!

So, have I mentioned a few times previously I was having a bit of trouble with my previous freelance work and was dropped from it without a full mention. However, with an exchange of emails between myself and the owner of MY Egg Nest, Mr. Owner contacted another colleague who runs a different site and is now sending me some work to do.

Two pieces are completed. One is confirmed as fine and dandy, just waiting for the next one to be confirmed.

This means a number of things: no confusion, a job/something to do in my free time (other than the usual stuff) a bit of monies so we can attack Camden again and play lemonball and I can finally eat some expensive junk food. Oh, and my portfolio can continue to grow.

So, despite my legs feeling dead after a trek from Beckton to Tower of London and back, today/night has been a good one.

Both links are now online. This is what I'm now writing about for monies:

Average age for retirement on the rise

Pension time bomb