The Further Adventures of Journalism's Most Self-Important Man
When Eric Alterman needed a new assistant, he sent around the following e-mail:
"Seconds ago, I received two weeks’ notice from my senior research assistant [RB:
Does this mean that Alterman also has a junior research assistant? Or is he just being pretentious?] who works somewhere between half and full time for me, doing mostly historical research for my books, but also a bit of clerical work and helps me a bit with planning my teaching, writing and speaking schedules. I’d really like to have someone in place by the time he’s gone. If you are interested, please apply ASAP to [[email protected]], but do not send me your resume as an attachment. I won’t open it. Sorry I can only reply to those emails I want to pursue. If you don’t hear from me, it’s a “no.” Please apply only if:
a) You have at least a master’s degree in American history or a closely related field like American studies, or, you have at least two years experience as historical researcher or editor or as a particularly impressive intellectually-oriented journalist on say, a Matt Yglesias or SARAH WILDMAN level (which means I should already be acquainted with your work).
b) You already live, or will be living, in or around New York City two weeks from today.
c) You can make a commitment to work 20-40 hours a week at least until Labor Day
d) You are independent, efficient, grown-up, well-organized, and discrete [sic]."
What a great job! So good, you don't even have to mention pay. Hard to believe the other guy quit....
