Online journalism can be one of the most rewarding industries on the planet.
The freedom to write about what you are passionate about is an absolute privilege of a role, so make sure when submitting your CV, you absolutely nail it.
But even after uncovering the secrets to getting a job in journalism, and securing your role, you may be met with one part of the job which makes you feel a little sick to the stomach.
A requirement that pretty much eradicates every aspect of your social life.
Stupid bosses make staff work stupid hours
Some online publishers simply make their staff work long, strenuous hours, with no more than a day break in between – and it’s doing them no favours.
Online journalism can be a tough and pressured gig – but bosses need to be sensible. There’s no point burning staff out by making them work silly hours – up to midnight one day and then in at 6 am the next (even if this only happens rarely).
Aside from not being sensitive to an individual’s personal life (and their mental well-being), it’s just not good for business. Who wants their people coming into work and not performing at the top of their game – and probably resenting the people they work for, wanting to move on?
Sure, there will be times when the business needs flexibility from its workforce – but bosses need to be reasonable.
Quickly give people back any time they have had to work extra hours and recognise and reward their efforts.
And make sure that work rotas are fair – every full-time worker is entitled to a two-day break each week, and those two days need to be together; people need time to de-stress and relax – those two days off together will enable them to come back in after their break fully energized and ready to go.
Setting people up to fail will only result in a failing business – and that’s that.