This is one reason that many of today's job applicants are turning to online job posting boards like Publishing Crossing. You can find top openings in different areas of publishing listed in one central location. Finding the perfect job for your skills and talents can be as simple as a point and click with your mouse. There is even a simple download for your resumes. You will be able to scour the country for all of the best jobs that are currently being offered in the publishing industry.
One of the problems many people run into is simply struggling to finding out the best way to get a job as a writer or editor. It is best if you have made the decision about this choice of career early, as you will have time to take courses in English that will help you be able to tackle many of the duties involved in these jobs. Some people nourish the idea of becoming an editor, or writer even while they dutifully complete requirements in some other career field. The good thing about many publishing positions is that there is often a way to use skills from many other areas to your advantage if you are trying to become a writer or a proofreader.
In this article, you will find some advice that will be useful to anyone who is trying to find work in the publishing industry. There are a number of jobs available besides writing and these include publishing assistant jobs, editing jobs and proofreading. If you have an interest in this career field, there are some things you can do to make sure that you have an advantage over many other applicants for one of the publishing positions.
If you want a job in the publishing industry, then chances are you have some reason to believe that you can succeed in a very competitive field; but it takes more than just believing you can do it. Having the proper qualifications and the right experience are essential for any applicant. There are many different types of jobs in publishing companies and they will all have different duties and requirements.
If your choice of jobs is in the editing field, then you will need to be very familiar with language, grammar and how to best compose sentences and paragraphs. This means that you must have a solid background in English, and have a track record that will impress a potential employer. Editors are responsible for working with clients and writers, overseeing revisions of manuscripts, and managing work under strict publishing deadlines.
Daily writing during your high school and college years will help you discover a feel for words and sentences. Reading books of all types is also a very helpful way of finding out about different types of writing styles and composition. Expand your horizons by branching out into different types of literature and read constantly. Sign up for school based newspapers and volunteer to work on any kind of publishing that is being done at your school. For most people opportunities like this will be one of the best ways to get introduced to publishing and editing.
You can even sign up for internships with editing and publishing companies while you complete your degree, and this will give you some experience. And there are always summer courses at top-level universities available that will give you some hands on work in actually bringing some written projects to published life.
A good resume will be tailored specifically for the job or industry you are applying for. If you are applying for a job as an editor, don't stress your creative writing ability; rather, make sure to list any proofreading or editing work, as well as any relevant degrees or certifications. When it comes to working in publishing or applying for a job as an editor, your creativity and intellect are going to serve you well. Some of the sharpest people in the world can be found in some realm of publishing.
Once you have your resume ready, you can put together a portfolio, which is a sample of some of the work that has been your responsibility. Again, make sure you provide samples specific to the job you are applying for! Ensure that your sample work meets any requirements and expectations of the employer. Remember that your goal is to outshine all of the other applicants. An impressive resume and well-made portfolio are a great way to get started.
Now that you have created and updated both your resume and portfolio, you can begin looking for potential employers. There are generally two ways to go about this: you can try freelancing, or apply for an entry-level job and work your way up. If you have no previous experience writing, editing, or proofreading, you can't expect to get the job of your dreams right away. This means that you need to get a job within the industry first and worry about moving into a higher level position when you get the experience that you need.
Starting in an entry-level job will give you valuable and needed experience, as well as a chance for promotion. Even though you may feel that you are overqualified for this type of work, if it is in your field of expertise or can lead to advancement, you should take it and apply yourself to the best of your abilities.
One of the top ways to try to get into publishing is by actively pursuing publishing assistant jobs. These people are going to be given a great deal of work and responsibility, but they are also going to be set to advance if they learn the ropes and perform well. Networking and contacts will get you into publishing faster than any other avenue, so try to find someone who knows someone within the publishing industry.
Remember that you are not planning to stay in an entry-level job for the remainder of your career. This simply gets you in the door of a publishing company and the experience and contacts that you have will make it worth your time and effort. Even entry-level positions in some of the major publishing companies are very prized job assignments.
Jobs with publishing companies may require you to start out in a very basic and low paying position, but this is actually the best time to let your knowledge and abilities shine. Accept extra responsibility, volunteer for duties that will give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge base. This type of effort and enthusiasm will not go unrewarded.
