Aspiring writers of oppo, please do yourself a favor

"Jonathan Harper" (jbh)
09/20/2018 at 12:22 • Filed to: None

Do not include links to oppositelock on your resume and say you “wrote for Jalopnik”.

I’m looking to fill a copywriter position and came across one such resume. Needless to say, the candidtate was not brought in for an interview.

pic for attention :)

DISCUSSION (74)

MonkeePuzzle > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:40

sooo.... I won’t be hired? AND THIS IS HOW I FIND OUT!?!?!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:41

People are still trying to pull that off? I thought we determined that isn’t a thing years ago.

Ash78, voting early and often > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:42

What if your Oppo post was picked up and posted on the FP? Then technically you’re an unpaid intern, right? :P

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:42

How would this have been received?

“Composed and posted various well-received shitposts in exclusive automotive blog tangentially related to the media juggernaut of Jalopnik, never participated in Twingo Tuesday. Willing to work for sniffs of race fuel out of a paper bag”

random001 > MonkeePuzzle
09/20/2018 at 12:43

Yes. You’ll also be receiving a glitter bomb in the mail.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:44

Anybody who actually spends time writing on a professional level of quality on Oppo (even if they’re crazy to do so) should be willing to let the writing speak for itself.

I don’t think ttyymmnn would have a problem getting a minor such position if he ever wanted one, even if he’s not As Seen On Jalopnik (R).

random001 > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:44

What if Jalopnik took an Oppo post and put it on the FP?

DipodomysDeserti > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:44

To be fair, the most entertaining writers at Jalopnik are the commenters.

Funktheduck > Ash78, voting early and often
09/20/2018 at 12:45

I’ve been shared to the FP

promoted by the color red > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:45

Ah, I see.

(quickly edits resume)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:46

Isn’t this kind of why Oppositelock was cast off from Jalopnik? Opponaunts contacting car companies asking for press loaners because they “write for Jalopnik”?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:50

I would be more impressed if they said: Successfully posted several short articles about Oreo cookies on the Kinja platform. Kinja, and success being the key words.

fintail > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:51

You mean FP content is something to brag about? Strange

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > random001
09/20/2018 at 12:52

It would be okay to state that as a fact, but that person would still not be a paid staff writer tho.

Michael Ballaban > random001
09/20/2018 at 12:53

Yeah we’ve had issues with this before. We’ve had other publications and manufacturers call us up, asking if we can verify employment for someone who’s never worked here. It gets really bad when people are getting press cars under our name, and we have no idea who they are.

That said, i f your post was shared to the front page of Jalopnik in years past, you can say that your work was “published by Jalopnik,” and I think that’s fine. We don’t share Oppo posts to the FP anymore as a matter of company policy (it was mostly an issue of liability and whatnot, though there were a whole bunch of reasons ), so that should mitigate the issue a bit.

THAT SAID, feel more than free to pitch us! Even i f you wrote a version on Oppo, feel free to send it to us (tips@jalopnik should work just fine) if you think it’s good. If we publish it on Jalopnik proper, we’ll even pay you money for it. We’ve done it before, and we’re extremely happy to do it again for quality stuff.

Azrek > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:54

*Writes for Kinja*

Michael Ballaban > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/20/2018 at 12:54

That’s a part of it, but there were a ton of reasons. Legal liability, we had no editorial control over it which meant we couldn’t stand by it if it made someone mad, etc. etc.

My bird IS the word > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 12:56

So what you are saying is that all the whining I do about my life doesn’t count for anything?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 12:57

All very legitimate concerns.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:07

Lying is generally frowned upon.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 13:08

Thanks, Michael. This is good stuff - especially the invite to pitch articles to you.

Just Jeepin' > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 13:10

Ooooooh, interesting. Thanks for making an appearance here, I assumed Oppo was off-limits or something.

For Sweden > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:11

If I saw a resume that included Oppostielock as experience, I’d call the police.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 13:11

Completely understand the decision, but I think both Jalopnik and Opposite Lock have suffered for it. Jalopnik misses out on some incredible “diamonds in the rough” and there’s much less motivation for anyone here at OPPO to put in the time on quality work.

This still exists, by the way, if you’re ever looking for potential contract content: https://oppositeblog.kinja.com/ - the continuation of Best of OPPO

Jonathan Harper > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
09/20/2018 at 13:11

Much be tter than what I saw.

Kim Jong - Healthy > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:12

as someone who recently got back into formal write (liberal arts AA degree before getting my BS in Hospitality), how does one write for oppo? I love the content and the amount of content itself, and would like to contribute.

Ash78, voting early and often > DipodomysDeserti
09/20/2018 at 13:14

I keep telling the staff “We’ve upped our game, so up yours!”

dogisbadob > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:14

you mean you wouldn’t hire an opponaut? :p

The Ghost of Oppo > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:27

I’ve been here for like 5 years and still don’t fully understand what Oppo is, but I could also say that about my real job.

bob and john > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 13:27

was wondering why. I remember a few of my old posts were up there back when you could reshare it.

Just Jeepin' > Kim Jong - Healthy
09/20/2018 at 13:36

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/step-right-up-and-get-your-authorship-here-1823584361

someassemblyrequired > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 13:38

This is probably a junior person looking for a break, and not only did they not get the job, they get an extra kick in the teeth the next time they’re on Oppo .

You could have handled this a lot better by privately contacting them and advising them that this is a no-no, and letting them know how to present their Oppo work. Or by writing the same post with some advice on how to present Oppo writing and/or articles shared to the FP.

interstate366, now In The Industry > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 13:38

Totally agree. It seems to be an unpopular opinion, which sucks.

Kim Jong - Healthy > Just Jeepin'
09/20/2018 at 13:52

thanks for the tip! I ’ve been ungrayed as of a few weeks ago, is authorship a completely separate add?

Just Jeepin' > Kim Jong - Healthy
09/20/2018 at 13:54

I don’t know off-hand. Easy way to test:

Compose a post (should be accessible as a menu link if you click/tap your avatar) and see whether you can change the target from your personal blog to Oppositelock.

If you can, you’re an oppo author.

Just Jeepin' > Kim Jong - Healthy
09/20/2018 at 13:55

Actually, I think being ungrayed just means someone from the staff is following you. Hm.

Jonathan Harper > someassemblyrequired
09/20/2018 at 13:55

Do you see a name anywhere here? Privately contacting them would have been a much bigger no-no in my book.

This wasn’t meant to drag anyone, which is why the person remains anonymous, it’s meant to be a PSA of what to avoid.

Kim Jong - Healthy > Just Jeepin'
09/20/2018 at 13:59

awesome thanks for the help! it appears I am not at this time, looks like i’ll just have to keep pestering in the comments!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 14:16

It’s really stupid that people do this.

someassemblyrequired > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 14:18

I’m comfortable with providing that feedback, and have done so several times in past in similar situations. But unquestionably the person will know who they are if they see the post.

I get that it was meant to be a PSA, but it reads as a “know your place” warning. I don’t think given your reply that this was your intention, but Oppo is a great sandbox for someone without the connections of a more senior writer. And I think for some of the longer-form writers here, their work is as good or better than some of the professionals.

CB > someassemblyrequired
09/20/2018 at 14:22

I wouldn’t call it a “ know your place” warning as much as a “don’t lie on your resume” warning.

random001 > Michael Ballaban
09/20/2018 at 14:37

Hah! I really wasn’t serious, because I know it’s not the same thing. But that was a very detailed answer, so thanks for that!

random001 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/20/2018 at 14:37

Unless they were paid in stars!

someassemblyrequired > CB
09/20/2018 at 14:37

I agree 100% that the person cannot be hired with that on there. My beef is that there’s no “be proud of your Oppo work ” in the original post. While Oppo is like 99.999% shitposts, there is some quality stuff here that if I saw on someone’s resume, I’d be impressed, even if it wasn’t on Jalopnik .

jimz > Ash78, voting early and often
09/20/2018 at 14:42

thank you Pat Paulsen.

I still wish he’d have run for president in 2016. Yes, I know he’s been dead for 20 years but I don’t see why that should be a disqualification.

jimz > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 14:46

what was it? “d0Od I totaly wrote for Jelopnic once!”

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 15:01

Also true. I certainly stopped putting much effort into big, long, elaborate posts. Oh well, not exactly their problem.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 15:32

I’ve had shit posts shared to Jellopicnick before.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 15:47

It depends on your profession! :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/20/2018 at 15:49

Yeah, it’s been a very long time since I’ve spent more than 10 minutes on an OPPO post, sadly. I enjoy writing, and taking photos, but if all I’m going to get for a couple hours of work is 5 “saves” and 2 comments, it’s nowhere near worth the time.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > haveacarortwoorthree2
09/20/2018 at 15:55

Good point.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 16:04

^^^^this^^^^

That’s why I end up finding “ subtle” ways to reshare my end-of-the-year spot photodump.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 16:05

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I find myself “subtly” re-sharing my end of the year spotting photo-dump for this reason. Put too much work into it for it to get two comments then be swept off in the mass of posts.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/20/2018 at 16:09

I actually shared your last one to my local car spotting Fb group, telling them to “up their game”. =)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Kim Jong - Healthy
09/20/2018 at 16:31

Yes

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 16:32

Thank you for this post. Mostly because the comments have been gold. Glad to see your career path is working for you!

Jonathan Harper > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/20/2018 at 18:42

I stopped putting effort into oppo posts a long time ago . I started putting more effort into the same types of posts I used to post publicly on oppo but started sending them to the editors for consideration, to buy, instead . If you’ve seen any of my recent content on the FP, this is why.

Jonathan Harper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 18:44

Pitch your stuff man!!

Jonathan Harper > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/20/2018 at 18:45

Photo dumps overall will not be very engaging posts, unless there is some very polarizing images in there.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/20/2018 at 21:10

Haha that’s awesome! Thanks!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jonathan Harper
09/20/2018 at 21:11

Is that something you’ve found to be worthwhile? I feel like I’d just start to annoy them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
09/21/2018 at 09:04

Generally true, but his year in review of spots is pretty legit.. . (just needs to invest in a better camera) https://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-100-coolest-cars-i-spotted-in-2017-ranked-1821541282

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
09/21/2018 at 09:17

Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe one day... With a day job and three young kids, it’s not like I’ve got a ton of extra time to commit to writing and photo editing. I did get a couple articles posted to Right Foot Down a while back, and I’m proud of several posts I’ve written here on OPPO in the past - I could see it being a second career for me, a way I fill my time when I’ve saved enough to put my day job behind me.

Hope you’re doing well and business is good. I was at MSR-Cresson on the full 3.1 in the spring, and we’ve got our fall backroadtrip scheduled a month from how. My M3 is still running strong - just hit 120k miles.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Jonathan Harper
09/21/2018 at 11:43

You had a fellow Opponaut apply for a position and you didn’t give them the job? That’s not very cash money of you.

But that was a bone-headed move on their part.

Jonathan Harper > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/21/2018 at 19:55

If they buy it, yes. If they don’t, then someone else will. It’s always worthwhile.

Jonathan Harper > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
09/21/2018 at 20:01

My only allegiance is to quality content.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
09/22/2018 at 11:05

It doesn’t help that FCA’s press site still has Jalopnik and Oppo tied together as one.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
09/27/2018 at 09:09

Have you filled the position? Is it a full-time gig, or contract that would allow for working remotely? Asking for a friend... =)

duurtlang > Michael Ballaban
09/29/2018 at 09:23

Jalopnik’s decision to stop sharing Oppo posts makes sense, but I believe both Jalopnik and Oppositelock both profited from the interaction. It created extra diversity and unexpected interesting content on Jalopnik and better content and an influx of new people to Oppo. We even organized week-long meets with 6-7 nationalities (including US) attending. I feel like it’s slowly dying out though.

Is there no way to share content with a clear disclaimer in place that Jalopnik is not responsible for the content in any way? I’m no lawyer, but I could imagine it resolves the liability and misrepresentation issues .

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
10/23/2018 at 09:30

Just saw the FF layoff news... You good? Hope so. Either way, it’s a shitty thing to go through - been there a couple times, and on both sides of the coin . Fortunately, I’ve always ended up with a better job afterward. If you were one of the ones cut, hopefully you can say the same before long.

Jonathan Harper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/29/2018 at 16:37

Yo! Sorry I don’t log in here very often just seeing this. I was furloughed, but I’ll be fine. Actually really looking forward to what 2019 will bring. Thanks for thinking of me!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
11/29/2018 at 16:49

Hey, JBH! Glad to hear you’re doing well. I enjoyed your recent photo shoots, and am eager to see what your next stop with be. Sometimes, in retrospect, losing a job is one of the best things that can happen for your career (has been that way for me, anyway). Think of the connections you were able to make in your time there , and how far and wide those people will scatter throughout the industry - a strong & broad personal network is something you can’t buy.

Jonathan Harper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/29/2018 at 16:50

Totally. I have no bitter feelings towards what happened.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper
11/29/2018 at 17:06

That’s good - every job, no matter how short-lived (or crappy) , is experience that will eventually get you to where you’re heading.