Hiring Question

[ProwlingTiger]

About a year or two ago when MacRumors was hiring writers, I applied. I have over five years of experience in professional journalism spanning newspapers, websites, and magazines. I submitted my application and samples yet never heard back, not even a "No thank you," (I expect this from large companies, but MacRumors, really?).

I harbor no harsh feelings over the above when taken alone. However when I read an article like this and see obvious defects (lack of information as detailed in this post) that not even a rookie student journalist would make, I question what exactly comprises the hiring process at MacRumors. This question obviously leads to: And is there an editor, let alone an editorial board?

I mean no offense to the writers and staff of MacRumors. Truly I enjoy many of the stories, however I yearn for decent writing, and I have a feeling that I am not alone.

Finally, although I have inflicted harsh critique of your website, I would love to be a part of making it better. Are you by chance hiring?

Respectfully,

Dan, longtime reader


*waits for editorial critique on this post*

 

[arn]

Hi Dan

Sorry you never got a reply. We aren't always the best about returning email. I don't think we are looking right now but will pass along to Eric.

arn

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Quickest way to not get a job: insult the company you hope to work for. "Typical crappy writing from MacRumors."

 

[WildCowboy]

Hi Dan,

We're not currently looking for help, but I also do not see a record of any application from you. If you can send more information such as the email address you sent it from or even a forward of the original email, I can look into it more.

To address your issue with the story you linked, the original German language report did not name the specific carriers per the request of the sources who provided the information.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

Hi Dan

Sorry you never got a reply. We aren't always the best about returning email. I don't think we are looking right now but will pass along to Eric.

arn

Thank you!

Quickest way to not get a job: insult the company you hope to work for. "Typical crappy writing from MacRumors."

Yeah, I was only being 30% serious although I would truly love the chance to write for MacRumors.

Hi Dan,

We're not currently looking for help, but I also do not see a record of any application from you. If you can send more information such as the email address you sent it from or even a forward of the original email, I can look into it more.

To address your issue with the story you linked, the original German language report did not name the specific carriers per the request of the sources who provided the information.

Sure thing, I will do so! Thank you!

 

[ProjectManager101]

Dan

I would never write a public note of that sort asking for a position and no one ever would get into my company and I do not know any company who would hire something with that lack of social skills. You should have send an email and keep insisting, telling your skills, how you could collaborate and what you can do for the site. Probably mentioning examples on where you can improve and how. Mr. Arn was very polite in his answer, I am noticing that is his nature but what you wrote is not kind at all, actually it is inappropriate.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

Dan

I would never write a public note of that sort asking for a position and no one ever would get into my company and I do not know any company who would hire something with that lack of social skills. You should have send an email and keep insisting, telling your skills, how you could collaborate and what you can do for the site. Probably mentioning examples on where you can improve and how. Mr. Arn was very polite in his answer, I am noticing that is his nature but what you wrote is not kind at all, actually it is inappropriate.

What I wrote was blunt and honest and what you too propose is blunt and honest. The fact is that I hold several jobs currently and I was mostly writing all of this in jest. I know I offended MacRumors staff and Arn, but when a qualified writer with an experienced background DOES do what you suggest I should have done (you assume I did not) and continues to read stories that clearly lack editorial ambition, it leaves one with a bad taste in his mouth.

I thoroughly enjoy this website; it's one of my oldest active internet memberships. I would be happy serving as an editor for free, just emailing spelling corrections, grammatical mistakes, etc, to say, a particular email account. If only to make MacRumors a better website because honestly, when a certain employee was hired a few years ago, there was an abundance of harsh critique leveraged at him for his writing deficiencies. And I felt bad because I was there at one point, a rookie, and the comments were hurtful.

Ironically now I am the one who has made the hurtful comments and I apologize profusely.

But in conclusion, I did as you suggested and honestly I had the feeling that I was being shunned or that MacRumors did not want to pay for my experience. I served as a volunteer global moderator on InheritanceForums.com for a couple years back in its heyday. I did so for free and loved it, putting in so many free hours was no problem.

Finally, out of interest in not fueling fire to this anymore, I ask that this thread be locked (if I can do it after posting, I will do so). I am not asking for the last word, obviously Arn and MacRumors mods can still post. I am simply acknowledging that my comment was disrespectful and I regret it.

Respectfully yours,
Dan

P.S. I have tremendous respect for Arn, the guy seems to live on here. His account seems almost like a sentient bot whom I shall now associate with Skynet

 

[maflynn]

Locked by request