Hi there! I've been reading your posts about working in publishing, and I was wondering if you had any tips about the actual process of applying to entry-level jobs? Is there a way you've found that makes a resume or cover letter stand out? I've spent a lot of my time doing internships for publishers, but it feels like I'm just sending a resume into the void. I'm preparing to graduate in December, so I feel rushed, haha. If you can get to this, thanks for your time!
[Obviously I’m answering this a little late, but still …]
I always get a lot of questions about breaking into publishing. This post is a great gateway to many of my earlier posts about publishing, breaking in, etc.
I love this question about resumes, because I’m sure it’s something everyone struggles with (I have!). As someone who does hire and who reviews resumes on the regular basis, here are a few thoughts. These are personal to me, obviously. All managers and HR departments have different spins on what they want. (Related, it’s important to note that for most entry-level jobs I don’t see a resume unless it successfully makes it through my HR department first. I can’t speak entirely to how an HR manager reviews a resume; I’m sure they have their own benchmarks … and they often customize these based on what the person hiring is asking for.)
Assume these comments generally apply to entry level/editorial assistant jobs (someone with little or no publishing experience and probably right out of school). Also assume these are my personal opinions; every person hiring has different quirks.
- No typos, misspellings, mistakes. If you are applying for an editorial job (and, frankly, any job) an obvious error is an automatic no.
- No salary requirements. Sometimes you are asked for these in a cover letter. Don’t put them on your resume unless asked (for some reason). Most entry-level jobs come with a pretty firmly fixed salary. You’ll just get yourself in trouble.
- No need for cute. Personally, I don’t care all that much if you love dogs and walks on the beach. Maybe others do?
- Clean and well organized. Please no colors, funky fonts, etc.
- Focused. College (and grad school, if applicable) history, key jobs and internships. Piles of years-old or non-or-semi-relevant information doesn’t appeal or help me and usually tells me the resume needs the filler and/or the applicant doesn’t understand what’s interesting or relevant to the job. Don’t write an essay about every single task at each job, etc.
Every job you’ve ever had since middle school, every club you’ve ever been a member of … don’t need it. HOWEVER, if there are unique things you have done that demonstrate leadership, organizational skills, passion, etc. please do note them.
- Experience/choices that illustrate your interest in the field. This used to be a much bigger problem in publishing/children’s books: people who wanted ANY job in publishing, but didn’t particularly care if it was children’s/YA publishing. These days so many more people truly want kids’ books, but try to craft your resume to show your interest in that particular job and industry. If it doesn’t seem clear, figure out how to address it in your cover letter.
- BUT, be varied and interesting. It can be awesome if you studied something other than English/writing/publishing. It can be awesome if your work experience isn’t exactly only about books or publishing. I’m looking for interesting, smart, focused, and organized applicants. Craft your experience so I can see how that varied experience will help you in a publishing job.
- BUT, try not to be a fan. I’m hiring you for a job that requires discretion and professionalism (as all jobs do). I love when people love books and authors, but think about the ways you express those passions in a resume and cover letter.
- Endless internships. This is a very personal red flag for me, but the last time I hired a new assistant I was constantly asking HR why some resumes had SO MANY internships (and no jobs) on them. (Though obviously even worse if you’ve jumped from job to job to job.)
Have you had internship after internship (after internship)? Internships (especially in publishing) can be hugely important. Sometimes that reflects an investment in the business … sometimes that reflects that you have a ton of contacts who still don’t want to hire you. Think about what those summer choices mean. Did you go from place to place? Did you return consistently to one opportunity? Have you had six internships but never had a job? Everyone has a different reason for their history. Just think about what all of those experiences—added together—say about you to a potential employer. Think about the narrative of your choices on paper and if you advance to an interview.
- Publishing courses/degrees. PERSONALLY, these don’t matter very much to me when I hire. It really varies from manager to manager. Don’t freak out if you don’t have a publishing degree.
- Social media. This has nothing to do with a resume, but it’s relevant to a job search. One of the first things I do with every semi-interesting resume/applicant is Google, check Facebook, etc. It’s well advised to think about your (publicly visible) social media profile when you’re in a job hunt (and, frankly, forever after). Lots of drunken selfies? Lots of questionable tweets? Lots of mean Goodreads reviews of books I published? Shut them down.
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