HOW TO PREPARE FOR OUR SIXTH HIRING SEASON
IN ONE WEEK HIRING FOR DREAMWORLDGIRL ZINE’S SIXTH ISSUE BEGINS! THIS IS SUPER EXCITING FOR US, AND WE KNOW IT’S EXCITING FOR YOU ALL TOO; HERE’S A GUIDE ON HOW TO BEST PREPARE FOR YOUR APPLICATION AND POTENTIAL INTERVIEW.
Image courtesy of @falsecolored_eyes
GENERAL RULES
Check all of the requirements and details for each position before you apply to the one(s) you want. These requirements will be available on the website on October 13th @ 12:00 AM EST! If you have questions beforehand, or during the hiring season, just ask!
Don’t forget to include your first name, last name, what role(s) you’re applying for, your resume and your cover letter in your email application. If a portfolio is required or encouraged, we recommend sending that over too! Failure to do so lessens your chances of getting an interview.
Speaking of resumes/portfolios, have an interesting one!!! Make sure it shows off all that you can do, or at least the most relevant things.
Survey our social media and website before you apply and/or before your interview. Get a feel for our zine’s vibe; during your interview we might ask questions related to Dreamworldgirl’s aesthetic, because we are looking for applicants who get what we do.
If you do get an interview, be present, be on time and be yourself.
Also keep in mind that we are a small, woman-owned publication that is very queer friendly and very SILLYYY. This is not your typical job interview, so don’t stress too much, even though it is still important that you are professional and eager.
P.S.: Please do not send in your application before October 13th, it will not be considered!
TIPS FOR EACH POSITION
STAFF (receive very small stipends @ end of season)
CONTENT CREATOR (LA or NYC preferred, REMOTE for the right candidate)
Our content creators play a crucial role in crafting compelling content for our zine. As a content creator, you will be responsible for developing engaging and informative content across various platforms, namely social media. You will collaborate closely with our other content creators and the rest of the marketing team to ensure that our content aligns with our publication’s voice, values and marketing objectives.
If you are chronically online and love being on camera, this is the perfect position for you!
Include any experience you have doing content creation/viral videos in your portfolio! Familiarity with keyword research tools is a need. Experience in the publishing industry is a plus.
Good writing, editing, and proofreading skills is important!
If you get an interview, make sure to share your passion for writing, politics, photography, art, fashion, music, etc.,! Whatever your niche is, we want to hear about it!
This go-around really looking for someone who’s comfortable making a wide range of content, from social commentary to vlog-style videos <3
PHOTO COORDINATOR (LA)
Our photo coordinators are basically our staff photographers, plus they help out with photo coordination and print selection! They’ll be required to shoot at least three photoshoots for the season, and will also help schedule shoots and develop the creative direction for them. 2+ years of photography experience is required, as is having your own camera and whatever other materials you need to shoot and edit.
You must be an on-site applicant: based in LA/able to commute into the city.
You must also be comfortable giving articulate feedback/critiquing photo submissions.
It’s not a requirement to have experience with editorial photoshoots, but it’s definitely a plus as that is a lot of what we do visually!
VIDEOGRAPHER (NYC)
Our staff videographers are our go-to creatives for all video shoots, plus they help out with coordination and print selection! They’ll be required to shoot at least three videos for the season, and will also help develop the creative direction for any editorials. This could be anything from filming a behind-the-scenes video at events, to filming a whole music video! 2+ years of videography experience is required, as is having your own camera and whatever other materials you need to shoot.
You must be an on-site applicant: based in NYC/able to commute into the city.
You must also be comfortable giving articulate feedback/critiquing video submissions.
It’s not a requirement to have experience with video editing (we can edit for you), but if you do have editing experience and examples to show, please include that in your portfolio!
LAYOUT DESIGNER (REMOTE)
Our layout designers are tasked with designing assigned pieces for the print/digital zine.
Experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.,) is necessary.
Cater your portfolio to show off design skills that align with our aesthetic or have a similar vibe.
You must be comfortable with critique, working in a team, and have an understanding of the magazine publishing process.
Know your favorite typography.
Familiarity with zines as a medium is a plus.
Design deadlines are always the most tight and most stressful! Procrastinators will struggle in this role guys, we’re sorry... :(
READER (REMOTE)
Our readers are tasked with reading all assigned prose and poetry submissions for the print zine. You must be able to read and give feedback quickly, while remaining unbiased.
Readers should be comfortable and familiar with poetry, fiction and nonfiction.
We love for our readers to come from diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Whether it’s in your cover letter or application, make sure to show us who you are and why you would be a beneficial addition to our team (aka, plug your BIPOC, queer, female, neurodivergent identity, etc., because we actually care).
STYLIST (NYC)
Our stylists assist in building the aesthetic of many of our Dreamworldgirl photoshoots, which can include everything from styling to creative direction and casting.
You must be an on-site applicant: based in NYC/able to commute to one of these cities.
Stylists must be comfortable outsourcing clothes that align with a shoot’s theme (either from their own closet or the thrift), and putting together cohesive looks often in 1-3 weeks’ time.
A strong understanding of fashion history and current trends is highly appreciated.
PACKAGING DESIGNER (LA)
Our packaging designer will lead the creation of product packaging for zines and merch (note: we pay for everything).
We are looking for someone with graphic design and packaging experience; if you’ve ever run your own clothing brand or small business before, you’ll certainly stand out in your application.
Experience with different materials and mockup-making is appreciated.
If you have any experience with shipping out items, note it.
You must be an on-site applicant: based in LA/able to commute to one of these cities.
INTERNSHIPS (unpaid, no stipend)
DESIGN INTERN (REMOTE)
Our design interns collaborate with our layout design team to publish the next print/digital issue, as well as doing the occasional graphic design for socials. You’ll be working on real projects, and will help build our design culture and practice!
Experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.,) is necessary.
Cater your portfolio to show off design skills that align with our aesthetic or have a similar vibe.
You must be comfortable with critique and have an understanding of the magazine publishing process.
Know your favorite typography.
Familiarity with zines as a medium is a plus.
BRAND PARTNERSHIPS INTERN (REMOTE)
Our brand partnerships intern will assist in building relationships with other brands for mutual benefit, as well as research, coordinate and track collaborations, campaigns and sponsorships (this includes grants and events).
We are looking for someone really outgoing and in-the-know, someone who already has connections with different brands and businesses that would make sense for a DWG collaboration. AKA if you don’t have an extensive network and/or bubbly personality, this role might not be for you.
A degree or experience in marketing, business or public relations is appreciated.
If you have any experience monitoring emails, and updating calendars, note it.
Talk about your favorite brands, as well as brands that you think would be great for DWG to work with!
OTHER NON-STAFF OR INTERN ROLES
MODELS (unpaid)
Our models are featured in DWG photo and video shoots! No modeling experience is required but when you do fill out the database form, make sure to include photos of yourself or link us to a public Instagram that gives us a sense of what you look like and what your style is.
The most important thing is to just be passionate about the opportunity and about our mission!
MERCH DESIGNERS (paid, make 50-60% of all their sales)
Our merch designers obviously design and produce merchandise for our publication! We are looking for all kinds of things (clothes, stickers, pins, etc.,) so don’t be afraid to throw your hat in the ring!
If you already have your own shop or mini business, that’s a plus, as it shows experience and dedication. If you don’t, make sure that when you fill out the application form you include some kind of extensive portfolio that gives us a sense of what you do and what you’d like to design for DWG.
This upcoming season, we are especially looking for designers who work in the Y2K tech nostalgia space and play with retro-futuristic themes.
