Upskilling Tips for Publishing Job Searches
By Meghan Capper and Misha Manani
We have rounded up all the information you need to start your publishing job search. Our list of online resources will provide you with plenty of spaces to hunt for your perfect role and may even introduce you to a position you’ve never considered before. It’s easy to get bogged down by the mass of vacancies out there – just make sure to read the job specifications carefully, keep an open mind and never underestimate your skillset. Happy job hunting!
Job Search Websites
● Inspired Selection: This leading recruitment agency advertises for roles across academic, trade, professional and educational publishing. If you register as a candidate, they have a team of consultants who can help you find the right role and envision your long–term career path.
● Society of Young Publishers (SYP) Job Board: This job board is exclusively available for SYP members. It supports the Book Job Transparency campaign which assists aspiring publishers in their entry-level job search. Their policy requires employer listings to provide a salary range as well as fighting for all placements to be paid.
● Book Machine Jobs Board: Book Machine has a jobs board on their website which keeps you up-to-date with current publishing vacancies, including freelance, full-time, part-time and internship positions.
● The Publishing Post Jobs Articles: Here at The Publishing Post we have a jobs article where we round up the latest entry-level roles in publishing across the UK. Essential skills, location and salaries are fully-disclosed.
● The Bookseller: This online platform is a trade publication who has a jobs page. They have a jobs page advertising the latest new roles in publishing. You can filter by location, department and role.
● Nia’s Book Fort Work Experience Article: This publishing blogger has created a “master post” of work experience opportunities across London, England, Scotland and Wales.
Sign Up to Job Newsletters
● Jobs in Books: This provides you with the latest career opportunities in publishing, including entry-level, intermediate and senior positions. It also highlights weekly job openings outside of London.
● Creative Access: This is useful for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds interested in the creative industries. There are over twenty book publishing partners and several literary agents. The newsletter provides a round of publishing jobs with different employers such as schemes, internships and full-time permanent roles.
● IPG Working in Publishing: This newsletter focuses on independent publishers such as blogs and podcasts and includes a plethora of jobs in indie publishing from Bonnier Books UK to Sweet Cherry Publishing.
Social Media Accounts to Follow
● Publishers Career Accounts: @PRHCareersUK, @HachetteCareers and @JobsAtHarper
● Publishing Job Accounts: @CreativeAccess, @InspiredJobs and @JobsinBooks
● Advice and Support Accounts: @pubinterns, @thepubgals and @thatpubblogger
BONUS TIP: Follow people who work in publishing. They may tweet if there is a job available in their team or publisher. Follow across different departments and types of publishers (independent and conglomerate).
● Many publishing houses have their own company page set up on LinkedIn where they advertise any of their current job vacancies. You can reach out to recruiters or employees for more information on the role.
● Publishing Hopefuls Facebook Group: The group administrators post a weekly jobs thread. These include the deadline and the link to the job application. Members also share CVs, cover letters and interview tips – it’s a supportive space that will definitely make you feel less alone in your job search.
● For our American friends, there is a US counterpart called US Publishing Hopefuls. Join them today!
Top Tips
● Be open-minded: You might have an idea of which department you want to pursue, but you never know what you might find elsewhere. Many people we have talked to in publishing, started in a role they did not expect, but they couldn’t imagine themselves anywhere else. It will work out in the end.
● Tailor your CV and Cover Letters: Think carefully about why that role, department, imprint, division and publisher. Analyse the keywords in the job description and align your application material to stand out.
● Attend the Annual bookcareers Job Search Event: This covers all the aspects of searching for a job from recruitment, CVs, cover letters, building connections, interviews, places to find jobs and understanding your personal brand. This is paid, but if you would like assistance, buy the 15 February ticket. Follow bookcareers to avoid missing out on upcoming dates.
● Consider the location carefully: Publishing is London-centric, but the sector is making noticeable actions to widen the geographic options for work. For instance, Hachette has offices in Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol and HarperCollins has one in Glasgow. The Book Trade Charity and The Spare Room Project can also help you find housing in London.
Thank you for reading issue sixty-five! Join us again for issue sixty-six, where we will cover Upskilling Tips for Northern Publishing.