No matter how competitive a field is, someone is going to fill an empty position and there is no reason why that person shouldn't be you. You can take steps to maximize your job search steps. Here are some ideas:
Network from your current position
The most successful people manage to get a lot of help along the way; this is no accident. They place themselves in the best positions to receive job offers, to get invitations to meet people who can help them, and to be one step ahead of everyone else. While most of us are likely to raise our eyebrows over high flyers that spend their days on the golf course, we'd probably be shocked to discover how much business gets done while these folks are having fun. You may not be in a position to trot off to the golf course, but perhaps you can socialize for an hour after work. Look for ways that work for you and fit in with your professional and family commitments. The occasional barbecue at home on the weekend can create friendships and encourage people to be on your side and help you into the job of your dreams.
Contact publishers directly
You're in the industry so you probably already have an idea of the publishers you'd like to work for. Why not contact them directly? Write a letter to introduce you, make a phone call, and visit their Web sites. There are a lot more publications than most people realize so there is also a good chance that you are limiting your possibilities by only contacting the ones you know of. Get a copy of a top-quality writer's market book that lists publications by type and genre. This way you can get an accurate idea of the opportunities that are really available to you. Once you have made your own list of potential employers you can begin to contact them.
Use a recruitment company
Specialist recruitment companies that work in the media industry often have publishing jobs to fill. Contact a number of these firms so you are not reliant on just one and make an appointment to see a consultant. You can discuss your experience, qualifications, and career goals and ask if they can help you. These professionals are able to make suggestions to improve your current resume and let you know if there are any gaps in your skills which could obstruct your job search. For example, you may be working in a firm that hasn't updated its software in a while and most publishing houses will expect you to be proficient in certain industry-specific computer programs. You may only need a short course to gain these skills, but it will make the difference between meeting the selection criteria and being passed over.
Read professional journals
The publishing industry has its own industry and professional journals in which specialist positions are advertised. It is therefore a good idea to read a few of these publications regularly so that you are aware of upcoming opportunities. They are also great sources of information that can help you in your career. Don't forget that these journals are themselves publications which may need a publications manager.
Online job sites
The Internet has made looking for jobs in publishing easier than ever before. By doing the right searches on appropriate job sites you can immediately find current publishing jobs that are available. Instead of spending hours a day trawling through newspaper advertisements or pounding the pavement door-knocking for jobs, you can discover available positions in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, you can apply for these jobs online, making it possible to dramatically increase the number of jobs you can apply for in a day. The large job sites which advertise across most job areas allow you to browse available jobs by category, location, and salary. They also permit you do search more specifically using job titles or keywords that narrow down the jobs to suit your criteria. Smaller specialist job sites which focus on an industry or profession can also be good sources of different types of jobs in publishing. In fact, some publishers will advertise on these sites and ignore the larger job sites.
Newspapers
Despite the convenience of cyberspace when it comes to job searching, many employers still prefer to advertise in the traditional print media. This means that you cannot afford to ignore your regional or city newspaper as a source of possible publishing jobs. Make sure you purchase a newspaper which has a comprehensive employment section on the day when it has the most job ads. Most papers tend to do this on a Saturday. Take the time to browse all the job ads so you don't miss a great opportunity. Your ideal job may not have the job title you expect so it pays to quickly look through all the advertisements.
Read the publications for whom you are interested in working
You may not be interested in reading women's magazines but if you want to work for one as a publications manager you'll need to change your mind. Not only do you need to understand a publication's style and audience if you want to work for it, you can miss job opportunities which are advertised in their own magazines. For example, it is not uncommon for available publishing jobs to be mentioned amongst other publication details at the beginning of a magazine.
By taking these steps you have an excellent chance of finding the publications manager job for your situation. You can be raising a glass with friends to toast your success.
