In the previous post, Applying for Blogging Jobs – Do You Need A Resume? I noted that there are two times I’ll blow off directions when applying for a blogging job… One time is when I’m asked to submit newly written original clips. The second time is when I’m asked to quote a rate, but the ad is too vague regarding required tasks and hours.

This is my own personal preference. If you want to follow all the rules a client sets fourth in an ad, you surely can. In these two cases I just don’t think following the rules is a great idea.

Rule to break – sending new original clips:

If a client, in a job ad, asks for new original blog post samples, in order to see how I write, I send links to some of my previous work instead. Why? Well, one, I don’t work for free. I’m not going to sit around writing pretend blog posts when I’ve got hundreds of already published blog posts to my name. That’s an insane waste of my time. Two, in most cases, I apply for blog gigs that I know I’m a good fit for. That said, there’s a good chance I’ve written a previous clip that matches what the client is looking for.

If I wanted to break into say, fashion blogging, and saw a killer ad for a fashion blog job that asked for three new clips, I might take the time to write one new post, because I don’t have any fashion blogs to my name. I still wouldn’t write three original posts though. I’d send one nice new one, and two other well written clips.

Can you break this rule and still get a job: I have, plenty of times. Don’t work for free to get a basic blogging job. It’s unnecessary.

Rule to break – quoting rates:

I will quote a rate, if a potential client lists all the job requirements in the ad. If they write, “Looking for three blog posts per week, 250 words each, images included, and no networking required” I can give them a quote easily. However, in my experience, it’s rare for a client to explain the job perfectly in an ad. Most of the time, it’s something like this, “I need a blogger for a green blog. 10 posts a week minimum. Please send a rate quote.”

Um, ok. What I do in this case is I apply as I normally would, but instead of giving a set rate quote, I’ll say something like, “My typical rate for one blog post of 250 words with an image included is ______, if you require longer posts, networking or blog maintenance, let me know so I can offer you a more accurate quote.”

Can you break this rule and still get a job: I have twice, but I’m not the best example. Frankly, I don’t tend to apply for blogging gigs that fail to name a wage. In my experience, a client who doesn’t know what they want to pay, right up front, can be more trouble than they’re worth; not ALWAYS, but often. If the ad notes that pay is negotiable that’s fine with me, so long as negotiations don’t go on forever.

I know what I’ll accept as decent pay per post or per hour, and I honestly feel that a potential client should have some idea about what they’re willing to pay as well. Our ideas about pay may not be in sync, but I’d rather a potential client say straight up, “I’m not paying that much” then mess around and waste my time.

Again, you don’t have to break these rules at all. You can follow a blog job ad to the letter if you so choose. This is simply my own personal take.

Are there any rules you break when applying for blogging jobs?