Hello, Is It Me You’re Looking For?

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When I was doing my TV work, I got an interesting and uplifting perspective on the whole interview process from a big casting director. I had expressed my chagrin at the odds against me (or any of the other actors) securing the part, given the sheer number of us being seen by the casting team – usually the casting director, director and/or producer. I was desperate and said so.

The casting director told me so was the casting team – desperate. They SO wanted the right person to walk in the door and solve all their problems so they didn’t have to look any more and could relax knowing the part was in safe and appropriate hands.

I’d never thought of it that way before. I’d always assumed the whole casting process was an enjoyable few days for the casting team; even that they revelled in their power over the hopeful hordes massing outside their door. It had never occurred to me that they could be as desperate as me for a successful outcome.

It changed the way I approached interviews. I found I became more philosophical about the whole thing. I didn’t exactly cease being desperate, but I understood the world wasn’t against me. The casting team wasn’t looking for reasons to reject; they were clinging to reasons why they might hire. If I wasn’t hired for the part I just wasn’t right, and I certainly wasn’t the only disappointed party.

I think it’s the same in freelance writing. If your skills are up to scratch, there is no good reason why you shouldn’t get work. All those people out there currently hiring crap writers are only doing so because they haven’t met you yet. Of course money enters the equation. Some people don’t want to pay very much, so you can’t afford to work for those people. But there are others who are desperately searching for a skilled freelance writer and just haven’t managed to find one.

You’ll know this is true when you hook up with one of them. They won’t want to let you go. A freelance writer who delivers quality goods, every time on time, is a gem in a pile of rubble.

Now, all you have to do is catch the sunlight and glint so they know you’re there.