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Need advice on a very frustrating employer

truly86
Posts: 48 Forumite
Hi,
I began working at a magazine in Birmingham mid-March as an intern on the editorial team. When I had the interview with the editor, he said that if I worked hard I would get a job as an editorial assistant. My placement was supposed to last for a month, but it exceeded over two weeks, due to other interns working on the same team and working towards the editorial assistant role and then not returning after a week because of the editor's bad attitude. I felt obliged to stay to help out with the magazine and to gain more experience.
Things finally came to a head a couple of weeks ago when the editor shouted at me in front of the whole office and said I was just an intern, I wasn't getting the job and I wouldn't be getting paid for the internship. I felt upset and angry all day as I felt I worked for nothing and I put too much time into working really hard. We sorted it out last Tuesday and he offered me the job, which I was really happy about because I love working for the magazine and I have made a lot of new friends. It is the first job I have had since leaving university (4 years ago) where I have felt settled and wanted to learn more.
Yesterday was a difficult day for me as the editor chose to acknowledge another intern for her efforts towards working on the next issue (although I have done most of the work, she has been there for two weeks), and also he has advertised the editorial assistant role in the May issue. The advert has specifications relevant to the kind of person I am; passionate about music (I have a music degree), PR experience (which I have) and enthusiastic (which I am!!). Since seeing that advert I have felt so disheartened.
Another person I work with told me yesterday that he is still isn't sure he wants to employ me on a full time basis, and he is waiting for me to show him what I'm made of. I am not the kind of person to impress anyone. When I'm asked to do something, I always do it and never complain. I'm also finding it difficult also with my family. They keep on asking when he is going to draw up a contract. But to be honest, I'm too afraid to ask in case he turns round and says I'm still an intern.
At this present moment, I'm doing work for the company website (he has not been updated since last year), going to write a document on a student night he wants me to organise in October and thinking of ideas to include in the next issue. I really want to have a permanent job at this magazine and want to improve it in so many ways, but I feel that I'm going to be used.
Please can someone give me advice on what to do.
Many thanks x
I began working at a magazine in Birmingham mid-March as an intern on the editorial team. When I had the interview with the editor, he said that if I worked hard I would get a job as an editorial assistant. My placement was supposed to last for a month, but it exceeded over two weeks, due to other interns working on the same team and working towards the editorial assistant role and then not returning after a week because of the editor's bad attitude. I felt obliged to stay to help out with the magazine and to gain more experience.
Things finally came to a head a couple of weeks ago when the editor shouted at me in front of the whole office and said I was just an intern, I wasn't getting the job and I wouldn't be getting paid for the internship. I felt upset and angry all day as I felt I worked for nothing and I put too much time into working really hard. We sorted it out last Tuesday and he offered me the job, which I was really happy about because I love working for the magazine and I have made a lot of new friends. It is the first job I have had since leaving university (4 years ago) where I have felt settled and wanted to learn more.
Yesterday was a difficult day for me as the editor chose to acknowledge another intern for her efforts towards working on the next issue (although I have done most of the work, she has been there for two weeks), and also he has advertised the editorial assistant role in the May issue. The advert has specifications relevant to the kind of person I am; passionate about music (I have a music degree), PR experience (which I have) and enthusiastic (which I am!!). Since seeing that advert I have felt so disheartened.
Another person I work with told me yesterday that he is still isn't sure he wants to employ me on a full time basis, and he is waiting for me to show him what I'm made of. I am not the kind of person to impress anyone. When I'm asked to do something, I always do it and never complain. I'm also finding it difficult also with my family. They keep on asking when he is going to draw up a contract. But to be honest, I'm too afraid to ask in case he turns round and says I'm still an intern.
At this present moment, I'm doing work for the company website (he has not been updated since last year), going to write a document on a student night he wants me to organise in October and thinking of ideas to include in the next issue. I really want to have a permanent job at this magazine and want to improve it in so many ways, but I feel that I'm going to be used.
Please can someone give me advice on what to do.
Many thanks x
0
Comments
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I am not the kind of person to impress anyone.
I think you have answered your own question. Media is not the industry for someone that is quiet and keeps themselves to themselves, you need to be proactive and show them what you can do. If you don't feel this is you, I would seriously question if this is the right area for you?0 -
Believe me, I am not a quiet person!! I have been very proactive since day one and shown a lot of enthusiasm. A few people in the office have backed me up and told the editor that he would regret it if I left, since I have been the first intern in a long time that has personality, gets on well with everyone and wants to learn.
What I am unsure about is doing all this work over the weekend, showing it to him on Monday and being turned away.
Media industry - I have always taken an interest in this industry. I come from a musical background but there aren't that many music jobs in Birmingham. I did move to London last year to get PR experience but it didn't work out. I have to stay in Birmingham because of my other job as a violin teacher and family commitments. I've looked into PR jobs here but I don't have enough experience. I'm enjoying working at the magazine because there is a lot of areas that I have been working on that I never took an interest in before.
Since last week, I have interviewed new contributors and assigned them roles to the magazine and website. The editor was supposed to interview them! Also we are working towards a festival guide and I found 40 more music festivals to include this year. And the editor has moaned about it!0 -
So are you the kind of person to impress or not? You are contradicting yourself ...0
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Of course I want the job. But he thinks that because I don't have an English degree I'm stupid and can't do anything. He can't see that I'm a positive person and really want the job.
All I'm asking is for advice on what to do. I feel slightly helpless and running out of ideas.0 -
get another job any job and then you can give him the ultimatum infront of everyone.
"Are you going to give me this F**** job or do I have to leave"0 -
I do want to be more ballsy and have a go at him, he is a nightmare. But at the same time I must be professional0
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Media is all about ego
you need one.0 -
getmore4less wrote: »Media is all about ego
you need one.
you reckon i should turn into a right !!!!! in the office???? it could workthanks for the tip!
0 -
If you are a "none confrontational" person - and many of us are and don't like shouting our ego from the rooftops, use written media.
Email him a list of your strengths, what you have acheived so far, what you can offer in the future, your goals etc then ask when the job discussed previously will be interviewed for.0
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