Name: Zoe Collins
Position: Beauty Editor
How did your score your job at DOLLY?
I hopped, skipped and jumped up to Sydney from Melbourne four years ago after doing some work experience, completing my journalism degree, bashing my head against some other careers that I was definitely not born for and handcuffing my boyfriend to my luggage. I was always one of those girls with magazine in bag and a wealth of important knowledge regarding who designed what/who was wearing what and whether or not she should really be wearing that.
My first magazine job was at CLEO where my beloved editor at the time chose me to be her PA and resident Coordinator! Little did she know, it meant she would put up with a year of broken photocopiers and wild outfits! In that time though, I was able to do heaps of writing which I really loved and then got myself into a possie away from front desk as Picture Editor/ Features Assistant (within CLEO). I did this for a good six months while beefing up my folio and then when rumour had it that a job at DOLLY in the beauty department was open, I went at it like a Dallas diva to a sample sale! And kapow - my wildest beauty dreams of constant nail polish spillages and lipstick stains came true!
What does your job at DOLLY involve?
Being Beauty Writer at DOLLY means I dream up D for dynamic beauty ideas/ write our B for balistically-vonderful beauty section/ search for popping (with capital P, naturally) pictures/ style shoots/ attend fun product launches and most importantly – get to entertain/know/enjoy readers like you.
What's the best part of your job?
For me, being able to be creative and play around with words and colour and ideas is the highlight. Everyday is different so it means you have to be prepared for a flavour/outfit/party hat you haven’t tried before! It was never in the stars for me to wear black suits to work every day and file paper. This job suits my complexion much better. I’m sure you will agree.
What's the hardest part?
Sometimes it can feel I have an attention disorder outside of hours because I’ve been so frantic keeping up with all the latest stuff while trying to meet my deadlines. It can mean my boyfriend has to do more grand gestures to get my attention , which when I think about it, is no bad thing.
Advice for readers?
Everybody in magazines says it, but it's true- getting a gig at some work experience really is your step-in. From there you just have to master efficiency and pleasantry and then mix it with just the right amount of right/time/right/place. Plus read, read and read some more! Oh and it never hurts to have some sorta calling card to make yourself stand out. Good luck!
