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job vacancies in publishing, media and performing arts How do I find a job?Entry-level jobs are rarely advertised so use contacts and work experience to get into a company. Your first job might be basic, but use it as an opportunity to find out as much as you can about the industry. Some larger publishing companies run graduate training schemes but places are limited and competition high. Ads by Google Vacancies are advertised in: Tips- Get to know the market place and be prepared to talk about your own tastes.
- Visit bookshops, websites and newsstands regularly and follow stories about books and magazines in the press.
- Watch how books, newspapers and magazines are publicised.
- Find out about company trading figures in The Bookseller and see what’s on the bestseller lists.
- Join The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) or Women in Publishing as a student member to take advantage of networking and training opportunities.
- You can also find a way into publishing by working for another company but in a transferable area, for example in sales or marketing.
Find out more about applications, CVs and interviews. What skills do I need?Employers look for a combination of skills and attributes, including: - attention to detail;
- time management and organisation;
- ability to work under pressure;
- numerical dexterity;
- diplomacy;
- communication skills;
- adaptability;
- passion for what you do.
Employers expect candidates to have a good first degree and an interest in the written word. Graduates looking for work within design or production need experience of desktop publishing software packages such as Quark, Photoshop and In-Design. Where can I find work experience?Work experience is the key to finding paid work in publishing. Experience with a smaller publisher can be particularly useful for finding out about all aspects of the business. Working on your university newspaper or magazine is also valuable. Opportunities are rarely advertised, so contact companies direct. Find out about the organisation and the name of the head of the department in which you would like to work. If a work placement is part of your course, your tutors may provide a list of contacts. Some publishers offer formal placement schemes. These are usually advertised on their websites or through organisations such as your university careers service, BookCareers or the Society of Young Publishers. Keep a portfolio of any work you do whilst on work experience. Is postgraduate study useful?Postgraduate study is not essential, although further training is useful and often supported in junior roles. Publishing degrees and diplomas are recognised, but they are not the only way into the industry. Training courses are available in a range of publishing-related areas. Subjects include editing, rights and contracts, copywriting, DTP, proofreading and graphic design. Training providers include: How can my career develop?The publishing industry has a hierarchy of job roles, but it takes determination to work your way up. Responsibility and creative input increase with seniority and experience. Within book publishing, the role of editor is often seen as the top job. In magazines and newspapers, there is usually an executive publisher who is senior to the editorial director. The top advertising roles in magazine and business-to-business publishing are also very well paid. Networking is crucial to career development and you need to seek out internal opportunities for progression and take up offers of training. Financial awareness is a vital attribute for a publishing manager, and graduates with a financial or accounting background may succeed in top executive roles. | 
