NO JOKE – AD FOR ‘INTERN RECEPTIONIST’ IS SPOTTED
Are you a loaded employer who wants more staff – but is too tight-fisted to pay their wages?
Never fear! In 2010 you CAN get something for nothing!
Simply follow Graduate Fog’s 10-step guide to screwing over your intern:
1. Advertise your unpaid internship as a real job. Post the ad for your vacancy exactly as normal — just remember to write the word ‘Intern’ in front of the job title. That way, hundreds of eager young workers will volunteer to do it for free! If you don’t have the stomach to do this yourself, ask an agency to do your dirty work for you. Don’t lose any sleep, there’s no legal comeback – HMRC aren’t interested and the Department of Business have said there’s no money to prosecute employers who do this.
2. Big up the cool factor. If your company does anything even vaguely ‘creative’ (however tenuous) or political, you’ve hit the jackpot. Just stress in your ad that you’ll ‘provide excellent training’ and that this is a ‘fantastic opportunity to gain experience and contacts in a competitive industry’ and watch the applications roll in. Big websites like Gorkana, Journalism.co.uk, w4mp and MusicJobs will be happy to post your ad. You could also try the university careers services, many of whom are happy to promote these placements, despite pledges from AGCAS that uni careers staff would help to stamp out unpaid internships, not add to the problem. Many of them have secretly switched sides, whilst still insisting to students that they’re working in their best interests.
3. Savour that ‘Simon Cowell’ feeling. As the applications flood in, remember to shout ‘MWAH-ha-ha!’ and rub your hands in glee at the vast number of desperate graduates fighting to get a toe-hold on the first rung of their career in your sought-after industry – and thank your lucky stars that you got in when you did. As you do this, reach down and pull the ladder up a little further.
4. Save your crappiest jobs for your intern. No role is too mundane to qualify as ‘experience’ for this ‘lucky’ young person – in fact, junior admin jobs involving taxi-booking, tea-making, Excel spreadsheets and data entry are the norm. Don’t worry that your intern might not be getting anything out of their time with you – they’ll be grateful just to be in your presence, ‘soaking up’ this golden opportunity.
5. Consider hiring a ‘super-intern’. Want someone experienced for a job that’s actually quite pivotal within your company? That’s no problem either. Just specify your wish list of skills. Don’t worry, you won’t have to pay any more for an experienced worker. Gone are the days when ‘responsibility’ was something that meant you paid a BIGGER salary. In 2010, the more responsibility involved in a role, the LESS you have to pay that person. (NB This ONLY applies to junior staff members – never fear, your pay packet is safe). Remember, you are GIVING your intern experience and responsibility. Why on earth should you pay THEM? If anything, they should be paying YOU.
6. String them along. Don’t let on that there’s no chance you’ll ever take them on full-time (why would you – when others will do it for nothing?) Just let your intern continue to think that a permanent, paid role with you is just around the corner just as soon as you have more ‘budget’. During their time with you, make your intern feel included and part of the team – so they won’t slag you off later on RateMyPlacement or InternsAnonymous. Include them in trips to the pub, but don’t worry about buying them a drink. In fact, they’ll probably buy you one, in the hope that it might persuade you to offer them a job. Happy days.
7. Trick them into thinking you’re a decent human being. Strange but true – if you’re ‘nice’ to your intern for long enough, they’ll eventually forget that you’re not paying them. It’s magic. With any luck, they’ll get so confused that they’ll even start attacking those pesky interns’ rights campaigners, like Graduate Fog, InternAware and Internocracy who are trying to insist that you put your hand in your pocket and pay your young staff properly. This ensures that the collective voice of unpaid interns remains confused and conflicted, so the issue is unlikely to be taken seriously any time soon – and there will always be a steady supply of interns for you to exploit in the future.
8. Plan for their replacement. Bored of your intern now? Simply dispose of them and select a replacement from the hundreds of other hopefuls. But remember – you don’t want to get stuck wasting YOUR precious time training the newbie for the job they’re going to do for you, unpaid. Instead, make sure your existing intern spends some of THEIR unpaid time teaching the new one everything they’ve learnt, before they head off to their next slave labour placement – sorry – ‘Interning opportunity’.
9. Don’t bother writing a reference — or reimbursing expenses. This will only take up more of your precious time. Instead, suggest that they write themselves a reference and email it to you to sign. Fingers crossed, they’ll find the task so cringe-inducing they won’t get round to it – so you won’t even need to lift your pen. Likewise, if you’ve offered to reimburse expenses from their time with you, ‘forget’ to tell them how to do this before they leave. With luck, they’ll be too intimidated to ask. If they do, simply ignore their invoice, in the hope they’ll be too embarrassed to chase payment. Given the choice of money vs ‘goodwill from an employer’ you’d be amazed how many will sacrifice the cash you owe them. This leaves you extra funds to spend on your next boozy board meeting at Gordon Ramsay.
10. Be inspired by pioneers in this field. Take notes from this ad for an ‘Intern receptionist’, which ran on MusicJobs last week:
Receptionist
Company: **subscribing individuals only**
Location: Brixton, London
Duration: 6 monthsJob posted on: 27/11/10
Salary: Expenses
About The Job
We are an established, innovative, award winning music and multimedia London-based studio looking for an intern receptionist to join our fun and creative team.
You will be required to be flexible and work any 7 days of the week, 9.30am to 2.30pm or 2pm to 7.30pm for 6 months.
You will need to be computer literate, have excellent organisational and communication skills and maintain a professional manner, over the phone and face to face.
A passion for music and basic knowledge of studio equipment and music software is preferred. As our studio is based on a high street, you would need to be highly presentable to reflect the creative work place and be prepared to positively represent the studio to clients and industry known associates.
As well as the opportunity to put such a prestigious establishment on your CV, you will have the chance to develop your own artistic skills within a unique environment.
In fact, why stop there? Why not replace ALL your paid staff with unpaid workers?
With so much to gain, it’s incredible no-one’s thought of this brilliant plan before – isn’t it?
(PS. What’s that? The National Minimum Wage Act? No, never heard of it…)
This is hilarious. And worrying. My ‘boss’ treats me exactly like this – as one of the team – and they give me stuff to do when I ask. They did tell me that they will most likely hire me at the end of my time with them, but who knows? Oh hello again Self-Doubt, I thought you’d gone!
And that ‘intern receptionist’ ad is such a joke. Seriously, when did the 00s become the ‘shafting the next generation’ decade?
“Why on earth should you pay THEM? If anything, they should be paying YOU.”
Only a matter of time…
@Clare You ever hear of the internship at Conde Nast that was auctioned off for charity? Yep.
Tanya, was just browsing MusicJobs, I think my favourite was ‘work experience website developer’.
@RedHeadFashionista
Do you mean this one?
http://uk.music-jobs.com/forum/web-developer-internship-578451
They say “We can compensate you for your time” – but don’t say how much. Want to drop them a line and find out? (A quick Google of my name might raise the alarm!)
I actually meant this one….http://uk.music-jobs.com/forum/work-experience-website-developer-579258
@RedHeadFashionista
Good grief, what is going on here???
Want to drop them a line for us, to find out if it’s paid?
UPDATE RE ‘INTERN RECEPTIONIST’ ROLE
The ad for the ‘Intern Receptionist’ has now been removed, a spokesperson for MusicJobs tells me. He explained that its publication was a ‘clerical error’ by (you’ll love this) his own intern:
Unfortunately, he wouldn’t tell me the name of the company “owing to data protection” (??)
When asked whether he would be reviewing Music Jobs’ policy regarding advertising for unpaid internships, he said:
Would anybody like to tell him how he could “contribute to the improvement of working practices within the music industry”? I’ll let him know we’re having this conversation – he does say he “welcomes the debates going on”…
They allow their interns near something that important? They should DEFINITELY be paying them?
In fairness, the Music Job guy insisted he DOES pay his interns:
“When we employ interns they are all paid above the minimum wage. Our latest intern now has a full time position
within the company.”
But as discussed previously on this site:
Should ads for unpaid internships be banned?
…I do think the people who help promote these internships should be accountable for their actions. Of course they’re not single-handedly responsible for the exploitation of young workers within their industry – but I do think they are 1) helping to promote a dodgy practice and 2) giving the impression that this practice is ‘above board’ when it is in fact pretty dubious, both ethically and legally…
“We never post internship/work experience roles unless they are 3 months or less and clearly state that expenses are covered”.
What a load of crap.
The representative from Music Jobs clearly has a very poor short term memory if he can’t recall the posting he accepted just 2 weeks ago and which is still on his site:
http://uk.music-jobs.com/current/internship-in-central-marketing-event-team-job-24719779
Internship in Central Marketing Event Team
Company:
**subscribing individuals only**
Location:
London
Duration:
6 months
Job posted on:
23/11/10
Salary:
Travel and food expenses paid
Website:
n/a
About The Job
We are seeking an enthusiastic intern for our markering/event department. There is no pay for the role the first 6 months, however, this a fantastic position to make a difference, gain experience and improve your future chance of employment. There is a chance of payment after the internship.
Internship details:
Department: Marketing and Event
Reports to: Marketing and Event Coordination Manager
Location: London
Hours: 40 per week
Time: 9am-5pm
Start date: asap
Job purpose summary
To provide support and assist the Marketing and Event Coordination Manager in all areas of marketing and event coordination
Job functions
Coordination
– Help coordinating activities for and between the teams in the Marketing and Event acquisition department
– Help with day to day duties of the department: preparation of presentations, preparation of reports
Communication
– Monitoring processes for the information flow within the acquisition team and between the departments: reports, information, and announcements
Organization
– Help with organizing internal events, external industry conferences and seminars
Qualifications and experience:
– Studying Marketing/Communication/Event
We are looking for people that study or have studied at Imperial Uni , London Metropol Uni , UCL Uni , University of Art, University of Westminister
Skills/competencies required:
– Experience in Marketing and Event is a must
– Fluent in English
– Advanced knowledge of MS office applications
– Strong team player
– A high sense of responsibility
– Attention to detail is essential.
Interviews start from the 25th of November 2010 and end on the 30th of November. Candidates must be London based and availaible to commence work immediately.
Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter to Jasmine.
And dearie me, aybe this one slipped his mind as well:
http://uk.music-jobs.com/current/marketing-pr-internship-opportunity-job-24716870
Marketing & PR Internship Opportunity
Company:
**subscribing individuals only**
Location:
London
Duration:
6 months
Job posted on:
17/11/10
Salary:
n/a
Website:
n/a
Share:
Loading…
About The Job
We have a 6 month media internship opportunity in our company for three successful candidates who are:
*Highly motivated
*Success driven
*Creative
*Dedicated and
*Self drivern
Interns, will be gaining unpaid work experience for 6 months in our media, marketing and entertainment events company.
Work eperience will cover:
*Advertising
*PR
*Journalism
*Marketing
*Artist Management
Interviews start from the 17th of November 2010 and end on the 22nd of November. Candidates must be London based and availaible to commence work immediately and dedicate a minimum of 3 days or maximum of 5 days to this opportunity.
If you think you have what it takes; E-mail us with your CV and cover e-mail as to why you would like to be considered for this role asap. (Please, include all relevant contact details)
Or indeed this one:
http://uk.music-jobs.com/current/internship-job-24671350
But maybe you’ve got the point now. (About time Music Jobs did I think.)
Internship
Company:
**subscribing individuals only**
Location:
London
Duration:
6 months
Job posted on:
01/09/10
Salary:
Expenses
Website:
n/a
Share:
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About The Job
We are offering a 6 month Performing Arts Internship starting early December 2010 on a part time basis, with variable hours (evenings, weekends included) and some travel for UK touring.
During this period our programme includes; many commercial recording projects; development of new performance projects for the company; touring with the Sond Ar’te Ensemble, Lisbon; recordings of premiere works; children’s concerts; the development of new children’s choral repertoire in Berkshire; a workshop programme for Pegasus Opera; a number of conference and workshop events and the development of new Website and Internet sites.
This is a unique opportunity to participate in and understand the workings of a small arts company in all areas of the work including:
– performance management and promotion
– project management
– planning and budgeting
– Data Base management and maintenance.
– Marketing
– technical (sound and light) engineering work on live and recorded music;
– stage & company management
To apply for this position you must have:
1. a high level of score reading ability
2. good IT skills
3. be confident on the phone
4. Good organisational and presentation skills.
5. enthusiasm and energy
6. an interest in music and the performing arts
It is also helpful, but not essential, if you have already worked with Sibelius 5 and if you speak any foreign languages.
Please mention any other related skills you may have — eg any arts, technical or life skills.
The position is unpaid however we will provide food and travel expenses.
To apply:
Please send a concise CV with a covering letter saying why you would like to work with us.
Closing date: 6th December 2010
Interviews: Informal interview to follow Tuesday 7th December 2010. Interns should live within zone 1-2
As over-dramatic as this sounds, this makes me weep inside. I left an unpaid internship after advice/begging from my friends and family. I used to rationalise with them and myself by saying ‘the team is so nice’, ‘I can’t leave just like that, how would they cope without me? ‘-(which only indicts the amount of work I was doing). Reading these points just hammers home that behind the laughs, kind words and smiles, I was being exploited. I won’t name the company but it was for the UK’s first French film channel…
Keep up the good work Tanya! Your blog should be mandatory reading for undergrads and school leavers! Our generation has been fed too many sugar coated lies and been given false expectations. Even if the economy picks up again and jobs are found, who knows if this unfair internship/cheap labour mentality will die? xxx
@Louise, I’ve just alerted my man at Music Jobs to our discussion, so hopefully he’ll check in this afternoon…
I am clinging to the hope that since my team treats me like part of their team now, one day I will become part of it for real.
Though apparently, it is against the law for them to pay me….please shed light on this for me.
And that ad with ‘a chance of payment after the internship’ is so cruel. That chance will probably have miraculously evaporated by the time it finishes.
Oh wow, I didn’t notice in the last one that you are required to live within Zones 1 and 2. So they’re discriminating based on living arrangements? Presumably only the rich live that close to the centre. Plus, presumably this means they’ll only reimburse your travel if it costs less than a couple of quid a day.
@RedHeadFashionista
“I am clinging to the hope that since my team treats me like part of their team now, one day I will become part of it for real.” This is really common- and makes me sad / angry. How can they even look you in the eye when they’re treating you like this? I just wouldn’t have the stomach for it! I’d love to have an unpaid intern working with me on GF – but I wouldn’t be able to SLEEP AT NIGHT. Am i the only person with a little thing called a conscience??
@defeated
I don’t think you’re ‘defeated’ at all – I think you should think of your move away from an exploitative and malicious industry as a VICTORY for your own SANITY. I see so many graduates doing internship after internship before finally realising, 3 years on??, that the price is simply too high.. that they may get some paid work in the future, but it will never be a decent living and it will always be a struggle and that their ‘dream job’ was only ever that – a dream. It’s not a dream job if you’re not being paid. It’s just a con, and it’s exploitation… It sounds to me like you’ve made a good call here!
PS If you want to, free to name the film company if you like – Graduate Fog is all about the name and shame ; ) These companies just think they can get away with it, and you guys will just keep their dirty little secrets for them… Ugh, honestly it makes me sick… Likewise, do slag them off on RateMyPlacement – they really hate that ; )
Speaking of music, I saw this while browsing Lastfm.com. Intern in the title? – Check. Bigging up the cool factor (Lastfm) – Check. I’m quite amused about the job requirement someone who ‘gets’ Excel. I’d be quite interested to know if there was a permanent vacancy at the end of this – probably not. It’s disappointing to see this though. Is there any such thing as an entry level job now?
Commercial Advertising Team Intern
Last.fm is looking for an Intern to join our Commercial Advertising team. This position is a full-time internship for three months, based in our London office. We’re looking for a person with a high level of creativity and skill when it comes to presentation and sales collateral design — so exceptional attention to detail as well great PowerPoint and Photoshop skills are essential.
Secondary to design and presentation support, we’re looking for someone who ‘gets’ Excel and who will be able to help our Operations team with reporting and campaign analysis.
What you’ll be doing:
– Assisting with the preparation of sales collateral and visual design mock-ups for proposals
– Assisting with the creation of templates for end of campaign reporting and client case studies
– Supporting the client service manager with advertising and marketing projects and administration
– Data entry to assist with the analysis of how advertising campaign perform
– Helping the ad operations with campaign management and finance reporting
– General admin support for the team
– Going to the odd music gig!
Requirements:
– Demonstration of work — such as an online portfolio or to two examples of the work you’re most proud of
– Experienced user of Last.fm with a very good knowledge of our products.
– Excellent writing and communication skills.
– Excellent PowerPoint and presentation design skills
– Strong Photoshop skills (primarily image manipulation vs creation)
– Strong Excel skills (Pivot tables a bonus)
– A positive attitude and willingness to learn
– The ability to use own initiative and work with minimal supervision.
– Ohh, and loving music is a must 🙂
This position runs for three months and is unpaid. However travel and lunch expenses are covered. London based.
Gone are the days of entry-level jobs — or at least that’s what it feels like. And, the number of ‘internships’ are ever increasing– these should be to get experience right?…so why do companies require so much experience for unpaid positions?! I’ve done a couple of internships, none leading to full-time work and I am so fed up of it!
Fancy hearing an interesting story? I was rejected from one internship I applied for. Regardless of the fact I was told I was one of the final two… and one of the strongest candidates… they went on to add that the candidate who got given the role literally took a step down for this position – oh really? For an unpaid internship? My only thought is that this candidate was previously made redundant, they have a bundle of…oh heck, probably years of experience from paid work, but because of the poor state of finances today they are resorting to unpaid work in hopes that it’ll lead to something paid. So not only are we competing with other graduates, but people who have been made redundant??? For what exactly? To work for free?
One of the places I interned at pretty much used me as a dogs body, another said they would only pay their interns travel from zones 1-2 (and I wasn’t the only intern!)…that’s all we got, no other expenses for lunch or anything. So there were the other employees going out to lunch, and buying take-out and there was I, the intern, bringing my packed lunch, and not feeling part of the team tbh…I learnt alot, but the environment left me feeling very much separate from the team — I was sitting separate from my team as well. Towards the end of the 3-months I became pretty resentful, and tired both physically and emotionally….trying work a part-time job around this, just wasn’t enough. Working for free full-time meant I wasn’t able to actually financially support myself – the credit card became my life-line. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I hate talking to some people who encourage me to do yet another internship — I mean how on earth are we meant to survive?! Are we as interns just meant to keep digging ourselves deeper and deeper into debt?
The amount of work interns do should be worth at least the national minimum wage – it is only fair…especially because they are making money form our hard work. If they feel that we are not worth being paid, or our work isn’t good enough, then why bother hiring us? Obviously we know the answer is they love all this money-saving free labour. And, if their intensions are to ‘test the water’ and see whether we are worth taking on, then the point that they actually decide we’re not ‘apparently’ worth the wage packet, should be the moment they give us the option to look elsewhere and not lead us on.
I have applied for so many paid jobs, but nothing yet. The entry-level jobs don’t seem to really be entry level… do we stand much chance in getting such jobs with them when they require years of experience for entry-level? Or am I wrong in think this? They’re more executive positions to be honest…I mean they pay low, but expect you to do more than the role should really involve. I know people who are literally doing various roles, in one position, and the companies are the only ones wreaking the benefits it seems.
Ah, apologies for my rant,… rant over. I love reading what other people think. It reminds me that I am not alone in this, and that I haven’t had the some of the pretty bad experiences that some other interns have…just have remind myself that.
Hopefully the government will do something about this, or anyone for that matter. Because I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this – but, if I had known this would be the situation before I decided to go to uni, I would have just used the time to get actual experience and not get into such huge debt at uni, and whilst having to do unpaid internships. But now the young minds of today are most likely going to have to contemplate the possibility that they will have to pay up to 9k a year for tuition fees alone, with no actual guarantee of a job…or spend that vital time getting experience.
Are degrees worth anything these days?