Everything is a job interview

This past week, an associate of mine posted on Facebook that a friend of hers was looking to get some work in the podcasting business, specifically as a show notes writer and writing transcriptions. Since I’m taking on some new clients this summer and might be in need of some help with such things, I told the gal to have her friend send me an email.

Within a few hours, the person had sent an email introducing herself, telling a bit about her background, how fast she can type, etc.

But interestingly, she didn’t include any information as to why she wanted to pursue this line of work. When I asked her, she basically said she has too much time on her hands and wants to do something to fill out her schedule.

That’s all fine – if you’re going to work at the local library or volunteer at the nearby homeless shelter. Not so much if you’re looking to get hired in the podcasting business.

Most people don’t understand how much thought goes into every element of a well-produced podcast. It is persuasive at every level. From the opening intro, to how the interview begins and ends, to the music used, to the closing copy. It’s all intended to persuade people to do something, from something as simple tapping a “subscribe” button, all the way to selling a $10,000 one on one coaching session.

This would be writer kind of shot herself in the foot from the get go. She gave a bit of biographical info, a bit about her technical skills, but nothing in the way of why she even wants to do that type of work, let alone why someone else would want to hire her to do it!

If she was smart, she would have treated that introductory email as though she was being interviewed for the job – because as it turns out, she was. Although I did tell her I might be able to offer an unpaid internship to learn the ropes of persuasive writing, it seems to me like it will be an uphill battle from the outset – unless she’s humble and willing to take some honest and constructive criticism to heart. But there’s no guarantee that will happen with everyone so dang sensitive these days ha ha.

I learned a long time ago to treat every email, text message, phone call while “on the job” and even while off it as though my livelihood depends on it. There are times when I’m tempted to cut some corners while editing my own podcast called This Is What We C.R.A.V.E. I’ll think, “Not many people are listening to it, what harm will it do?” But then I remember producing podcasts is what I do for a living. If my own show is subpar, why would a prospective client think I’ll do any better with their show? It’s why this past week I spent several hours updating and tweaking some of the details in the show, just because I want it to give off as professional an appearance as possible.

The show may not ever break any download records, but I’m sure having a great time doing it. I’ve been publishing some really good stuff lately if I do say so myself – and I do. If you’d like to check out what has been offered on the podcast as of late, you can check it out at this link: https://jamesdnewcomb.com/podcast