Freelance Writing: Simple Tips on Complicated TopicsStart Working With RWC: a Guide for “Rookies”

ResearchWritingCenter - a Guide for RookiesToday I’ll be guiding you through ResearchWritingCenter’s application procedure. You may have already been through the application process with other similar freelancing companies. However, this does not guarantee an effortless application for a position with us. This is not meant as a threat of any sort; this is just a gentle heads-up. You may simply be a bit baffled at the apparently peculiar stuff we ask of you before accepting your application. If you actually absorb the following, you may increase your chances of getting a job with us. It’s good for you, rather like spinach =)!

So, you may already have checked our website and know the steps needed to be accepted: fill out the registration form, complete a test task and pass a phone interview.

Let’s start with the first one.
The registration form requires posting your CV (résumé, if you wish) and sample(s) of your work. Any genre of document is acceptable. Just select a paper of which you are really proud, and which properly represents your writing skills. And as for the CV, a general rule is; the more info, the better. Just ensure its relevance to a possible freelance writing position. Note: “worked at an Apple Store for 2 months” is probably not relevant to freelance writing. Well, ok, maybe if you exploited that position to become a power user of word processing and other applications, but otherwise, not really=)

Ah, next, the test task. This part raises most questions from applicants. There is actually nothing scary or difficult about it. You do have more than a week to complete the writing assignment, which is only modestly long.

Make sure that the paper is original (we do check for plagiarism). Make sure it exemplifies writing perfection. Master the topic, use strong vocabulary, and correct grammar. If you can draw some logical and relevant inferences, so much the better.

The final task is the phone interview. If you have arrived this far, it means that you are practically “in”. This is almost a formality, to make sure that you did not consult anyone and that your language skills are good. Some folks from a variety of places represent themselves as native speakers with no basis at all.

If you are not a native speaker, better mention that up front. Otherwise the phone call will blow your cover. We all prefer not to be lied to! Being a non-native speaker does not preclude your writing magnificently: Vladimir Nabokov certainly has proved that! You might get some points off for fibbing, so don’t say you weren’t warned! You may be asked to discuss a question such as, “How would you avoid plagiarism?”

Well, I guess that covers it. Feel free to post questions or comments on this blog, and I will try to respond to all. I would appreciate less spamming! I could accomplish twice as much, were I not wasting so much time consigning inappropriate and repetitive comments to spam oblivion =).

But thanks for your attention anyway!

7 Comments

  • Thandiwe Muhonja
    August 21st, 2010 at 8:15 pm

    I am an under-graduate student who is interested in engaging in freelance writing, besides the expectations listed above in your blog what advice would you give to me in order to prepare me for the jobs that you offer.

    My area of study is in Environmental studies and Community Development.

    Thank you in advance

  • August 22nd, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    That was a great eye opener pal. keep it up.

  • August 25th, 2010 at 6:00 am

    Thank you for the feedback guys, we will try to update you more and more on the ins and outs of our working process!

  • Patrick
    September 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Excellent tips. I agree with you that honesty is a great virtue in the application process.

  • syed aijazuddin
    January 26th, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    The link sent to my mail to upload my test assignment is just not opening,I am pasting the same link for needful.
    https://researchwritingcenter.com/test-task/57626
    Regards,
    Dr.Syed Aijazuddin

    • January 27th, 2011 at 6:31 am

      Dear Syed,
      Our representative will be contacting your shortly! Thank you for your valuable feedback!

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