Pester Them to Death

                         A True Story, by Deborah Owen

(cont'd. from pg. 1)

Somewhere on the path of life, I had heard, "Never take 'no'

for an answer," so I called him the next day and again asked

for a job. He said, "As I told you yesterday, I have no positions

available. Thank you for calling." *dial tone* No one ever told

me what to do when, "Never take no for an answer," didn't work.

I laid in bed all that night, devising a plan whereby he would

have to hire me. By morning, I was ready with my new approach.

After rehearsing the words aloud a few times and making written

notes, I called him yet a third time and headed him off at the pass:

"This is Deborah Owen again. I understand you don't have any

openings, but I am calling with a win-win proposition that you are

sure to be interested in. It's too complex to talk about over the

phone. I would like to take you out for lunch one day this week

and we can talk about it then. What day is good for you?" I have

to admit, my heart was in my mouth.

He tried to talk me into telling him over the phone, but I would

only reply, "As I said, it's too complex to talk about on the phone,

but it is a deal that is sure to interest you."

Finally, he consented to having lunch with me. We met at his work and

we walked to the restaurant. Even as we walked, he tried to finagle

the plan out of me, but for once in my life, I knew when to be quiet.

(You may ask why I wouldn't tell him. The plan was to make him feel

a connection with me, and that took time. I didn't want him to build

his defences up.)

At lunch, I evaded his questions by asking my own. "How did you

get into the publishing business, Mr. Greenwald?" "Where did you

work before?" "How long have you worked at The American Legion?"

(People love to talk about themselves.)

By the time I told a little about myself, we had developed a loose

relationship. Finally, it was time to spring the trap. I measured every word.

"I know you're wondering about my proposal," I began. "I understand

that you don't have any openings. You are undoubtedly strapped to

a budget, but I know the 75th edition is a huge undertaking and I'm

sure you can use all the help you can get. I, on the other hand, live

nearby and I am eager to learn all I can about the intra-structure of

publishing. I see this as a great opportunity for both of us. I'm a hard

working, reliable perfectionist with writing and office experience. I'm

excellent at research and I'm a touch-typist, as well. You can undoubtedly

use my help. I will work for you free of charge in exchange for the

opportunity to learn about publishing. Now that's a win-win proposition

if I ever saw one."

I stared at him and waited for his answer.

After a short pause, he said, "I'll see you Monday morning at 8 am.

And, Mrs. Owen - never offer your services free of charge. It makes

your employer think you aren't worth much - and everyone is worth

something. You will work directly with me and I will pay you a salary.

Then as an afterthought, he siad, "Do you know why I came to meet

you today, Deborah? Because of your persistence. That's a good quality."

When I opened my wallet to pay for the bill, my heart sank. I had

forgotten to put money in my purse! I was increasingly aware of Mr.

Greenwald's steady stare as I fished for loose dollar bills and all the

change I could find. I left the restaurant with a red face and twenty-

four cents in my purse.

I reported to work on Monday and my desk was the first one outside

his door. He instructed his staff to help me in whatever way I needed,

and he put me in charge of researching and writing all the profiled

articles - 37 of them. I made over $400. Not bad for a novice.

But unfortunately, I learned about political behavior the hard way.

Six weeks later I interviewed a woman who outright lied to me and

I called her on it [in front of her employee]. She was politically involved

with The American Legion and she held a powerful position. Although

she said nothing to me when I embarrassed her publicly, she called Mr.

Greenwald and insisted that he fire me. He said he had no choice and

that he regretted it deeply. (Not all stories end 'and they lived happily

ever after'.) There are some lessons to be learned here:

     1. Believe in yourself

     2. Go after what you want

     3. Know when to shut your mouth

Writers, when doors don't open easily, take a crowbar with you. Be

prepared with what you are going to say. Practice saying it out loud,

and learn not to take 'no' for an answer.

Find the place you want to work. Fill out an application, and call back

every week to ask about a job. If you call every week for eight weeks,

guess who they will think of when they have an opening! You.