This is a guest post by Marian Schembari, who just got her first publishing job, working at Jane Wesman Public Relations as an associate publicist. She graduated from Davidson College this year with a degree in Sociology of Gender. She has started a blog for other recent grads who want to get into publishing–check it out here, and follow her on Twitter here.
I really wanted to get into publishing. Like, a lot. Never mind that the industry is slowly dying, the economy sucks, I had zero experience and the pay is (and always will be) crap. No, I’m a book lover, and in my naïve—but enthusiastic—mindset, I thought that was all I needed.
So I spent the three months after my May graduation carefully editing my resume, crafting the perfect cover letter, and applying for every single job at every single publisher in New York. I stalked mediabistro and bookjobs, made a ton of contacts and . . . well, that was pretty much it. I had one interview in 3 months.
I got bored of that real fast. Even though I was working all day every day, I just felt like I was waiting . . . So I took out a ton of books (of course) from the local library on finding a job, marketing yourself, and personal branding. I designed a website with my resume, references, and writing samples. Then, with Facebook‘s enormously helpful ad targeting options, I was able to post an ad on the profiles of people at companies like HarperCollins, Random House, Penguin, Rodale, Macmillan, etc.And I got responses! At least one person from every publisher I focused on e-mailed to say that he or she had passed on my resume, or wanted to meet, or just liked my idea. The encouragement was fantastic, and within a week I had four interviews and a freelance gig.
Of course, advertising yourself to get a job is a little weird, I have to admit. It’s one of those stories you hear about people wearing their resume on a T-shirt or taking cookies to an interview. No one wants to be that person.
Except I was that person. And Debbie Stier‘s post about my search on the HarperStudio blog resulted in a lot of lovely and encouraging comments (many of which said they weren’t hiring. Figures). Only two people were cynical, not much liking my use of wording, but the ad generated much more positive feedback than negative, so I’m over it.
After the novelty of the ads wore off, though, I knew I needed something different to get people’s attention. So I started a blog, chronicling my search and talking a little about publishing and where it’s headed. Then I (reluctantly) signed up for Twitter, which landed me a sweet interview at Penguin within a week.
One month later and I’m employed. Long story short, a woman at Rodale saw my ad, e-mailed me and thought I should consider book publicity. She passed my resume on to an old employer who ran a book PR firm. One thing led to another and I’m now in my third week as an associate publicist at Jane Wesman Public Relations.
I couldn’t be happier now that I’m officially “in” publishing. I also know I’m enormously lucky. The thing is, I don’t actually know one person who’s gotten a job the old fashioned way. Sorry, HR, but it’s true. Plus, it makes for an interesting story. My campaign made me consider a career I had never thought about before, and now I’m loving it. All in all, a pretty successful endeavor.
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What a great success story. The nature of the effort reveals the character of the person. The job search you describe demonstrates creativity and tenaciousness, qualities a smart employer would be thrilled to have. Clearly, Jane Wesman understands that. Well done, Marian.
This made me depressed. Here’s why: I, too, have been trying to get “into” publishing… well, technically I’m already in publishing, but it’s a medical journal and not my glorified book publishing dream. The thing is, I’m not very savvy when it comes to new technology. I tried Facebook, hated it, and deactiviated my account. It’s a social network and just another way to get rejected by my peers. Twitter? I’ve heard of it (how can one not) but I’m resistant thanks to Ashton Kucher. While the idea of a blog or Web site is fantastic, I’d be afraid it would come off as gimmicky.
Clearly I am wrong. The more I peruse MediaBistro, BookJobs, and Publishers Marketplace, the more I realize that I am behind the times. It’s very apparent why I am not getting the interviews I want: This is a young world and in my middle-aged, old-school mind I have become set in my ways. I tend to think, “Dylan Thomas didn’t need Twitter and neither did James Joyce.” (Although it would be funny to see some drunk postings from Thomas). But that was then and the world is a far more competitive place now.
I thank you, Marian, for posting this because it’s opened my eyes to (more of) the values of the internet. I need to stop being such a traditionalist. It really is all about marketing yourself, being creative, and having the goods to back it up. Congratulations, and I wish you lots of success in your career!
To Jenn: Don’t give up! It is never too late to learn, and it’s fun to learn once you start. We have lots of stuff on the PT site about getting started–it’s not all from a job-hunting point of view, but I hope it’ll be helpful as an intro. Check out:
A Guide to Author Websites: http://www.publishingtrends.com/2008/12/if-you-build-it-they-wont-come-a-guide-to-author-websites/
Twitter Isn’t Stupid: http://www.publishingtrends.com/2009/03/twitter-isnt-stupid-but-publishers-need-to-be-smart-about-using-it-heres-how/
Good luck!
Laura
Hey, Jenn, even middle-aged people can find good things via the Internet. I’m a 50-year-old a successful freelance copyeditor of books and journals, and I maintain a business web site, a blog, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. I use all of them regularly and get clients through them, though many more clients come my way by word of mouth. The great thing about social-media platforms is that you don’t have to be an extrovert to use them. I’m an introvert, yet Twitter and Facebook don’t intimidate me. If I ever were to decide to go back to being an employee, you bet I’d be using social media as tools in my job search.
This is inspiring and helpful advice. I have absolutely no experience in publishing but I really want to break into the industry. I was laid off about a month ago from my sales assistant job and have been applying to a numerous amount of jobs in many different industries (especially publishing) and so far nothing. I will have to try the website and the blogging, hopefully it works for me!
You know part of me is really excited for you and to know that there are such great avenues open for reaching out to employers. At the same time I hear the frustration Jenn expressed. I dropped everything and moved here, sunk my whole future in graduate school and have been working full time at non-paying internships ever since. Every internship loves me, and I love, love, love the work at any and all of them.
The best thing I have going right now is the immense amount of research I’ve been putting into my thesis project. I feel like I know so much more about the industry than the typical entry-level applicant. **Now if I could just get a call back**
This is a very inspiring post, and a real example of how a little ingenuity and willingness to think beyond the obvious can go a long way. Am delighted that Marian’s efforts paid off! Having said that, it’s also an example of the kind of thing that can only be done once; if rafts of Eng Lit grad students start posting ads on HarperCollins editors’ facebook pages, the impact is soon going to wear off. We all have to keep working hard to find new ways of exploiting all avenues available to us, both on- and offline. But huge congrats again to Marian!
It also works in other sectors to help get publicity through connecting with people through social network tools. For example, one aspect of Twitter that people need to understand is how to be a good listener. By using a tool like Tweetdeck, you can set it up to pick out tweets covering the subject you are interested in.
For instance, I decided that I wanted to get to know who was tweeting in my county. I searched people’s profiles for those who live in Lincolnshire, UK and then I followed those that looked interesting to me. I happened see a tweet from a local radio show presenter who was after content for his show. I replied and, to cut a long story sort, I now contribute to his show once a month and he mentions my business. I record the show and put it into my blog so that people can listen when they want to.
Simple, as long as you learn to listen!
That’s great! I agree that no one finds jobs the traditional way any more. I don’t know anyone who has. As a recent grad, I totally get the whole struggle. i applied to over 300 jobs within 2 months of graduating. I had 3 interviews total…
Have a job now, but it’s not in my originally chosen field. It happens.
I know how difficult it is
i had the chance to meet alot of great contact because of facebook.
but i want to take it to the net level, as fashion photographer i want to meet inspiring people that can help me publish my work
your story trully inspired me
x
Hi there. I got a job publishing the “old fashioned way.” I applied for tons of jobs that I found on mediabistro, publishers’ websites, etc. Only a few contacted me, but I got several interviews. I landed a job at a really small independent publishing company, which provided me with both great experience and a foot in the door! Then, a couple of years later, I went through the same process and I eventually got a job at one of the big publishing houses, doing exactly what I wanted. I’m still there, and I love it.
I know it’s easy to be discouraged, because the industry is so hard to break into. But it can be done,! My advice for anyone looking would be not to be too selective; there is always room to move around once you have a job, and any and all experience improves your chances of getting an interview. If you do have contacts at a company, have them submit your resume and cover letter in for you. Most importantly, constantly search the job boards for new positions that open up throughout the day, because getting your resume near the top of the pile is important. And don’t give up!
dear sirs,
just writing to find out more about ways into publishing/ gaining some experience in this area, sounds great, am a recent english graduate, have worked in some nice areas, eg ham house, hampton court, have done a lot of writing as part of my degree,
regards,
tstrhan2002@yahoo.co.uk