Publishing : Entry and progression

How do I find a job?

• Book publishing vacancies are advertised in: The Bookseller, BookCareers Campaign.
• Newspaper, magazine and journal vacancies can be found in Press Gazette, Hold the Front Page, Journalism.co.uk, MediaGuardian on Monday.
• Some larger publishing companies run graduate training schemes but places are limited and competition is high. Speculative applications can be successful as most entry-level jobs aren’t advertised. It is advisable to use contacts and work experience to get into a company.
• Jobs may be advertised throughout the year.
• Get to know the market place. 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. You can sometimes find a way into publishing by working for another company but in a transferable area, for example in sales or marketing.

What skills do I need?

Employers look for a number of skills and attributes. These can be developed through work experience and will often include:

• accuracy and attention to detail;
• self-motivation and initiative;
• time management and organisation skills;
• ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• numerical dexterity;
• strong literacy skills;
• diplomacy and the ability to deal with all kinds of people;
• communication skills;
• creativity;
• adaptability;
• tenacity and passion for what you do.

Employers may expect candidates to have a good first degree, an interest in the written word and a positive attitude.

Graduates looking for work within design or production need experience of desktop publishing software packages such as Quark, Photoshop and In-Design.

Skills can also be gained through work experience, relevant voluntary work and training courses.

Where can I find work experience?

Work experience can be the key to finding paid work in this industry. Many employers prefer candidates to have at least some practical experience of working within the industry, therefore working on your university newspaper or magazine can be valuable. Experience with a smaller publisher can be particularly useful for finding out about all aspects of the business.

Work experience opportunities are rarely advertised, so contact companies directly to find out if they are available. Research an organisation and find out the name of the head of the department in which you would like to work. Then ask if work experience is on offer.

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 The Society of Young Publishers (SYP).

Keep a portfolio of any work you do whilst on work experience.

Is postgraduate study useful?

Although postgraduate study is not essential, further training can be useful and is 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, desk top publishing, proofreading and graphic design.

In general the industry will support further training once you are working, but this is not always the case. Relevant training enhances your chances of working in publishing considerably.

Training providers include:

• Periodicals Training Council (PTC) 
• National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) 
• The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) 

How can my career develop?

There are many opportunities for career development. The publishing industry has a hierarchy of job roles, but it takes determination and hard work to progress. 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. Often there is no typical career path.

The top advertising roles in magazine and business-to-business publishing are also very well paid.

Career progression does not depend on professional or further qualifications, although these can be useful.

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.