making tea for the first year,” says one candid
recruitment consultant. “But there are
genuine opportunities to move onwards and
upwards rapidly, with salaries and responsibilities
soon gaining weight in line with
experience.”
As a rule of thumb, entry-level salaries
tend to be in the region of around £17,000
to £18,000 but within a few years, assuming
a rise in the ranks to, for example, a managing
editor or sales and licensing executive,
salaries of £35,000 and above can be
expected.
So how do you stand out from the crowd?
Ideally you’ll have a good degree—most
commonly in English, History, Modern Languages
or Publishing—and perhaps a Masters
in Publishing. Those with science, maths,
law, education or medicine degrees are at a
premium today for publishers in those areas.
When applying you should also have
relevant work experience under your belt.
“Even for the most junior posts, applicants
must have evidence of seeing publishing
first-hand, because it shows real commitment
and a desire to gain basic skills and
insights into how the industry works,” says
Kim Kidd, account manager at recruitment
agency Career Moves.
Clients routinely insist on six months of
work experience, says Emma Djonokusumo,
senior consultant at JFL Search & Selection.
“Most publishers are open to providing
this, giving students the opportunity
to work through holidays, or do temporary
paid work when they first graduate or are
thinking about making a career switch,” she
says. Many recruitment agencies offer help
with setting up work experience, as do colleges
running publishing degrees. If you’re
approaching them yourself, check publishers’
websites for information on what they
offer.
Kidd recommends flexibility when first
starting out. “Don’t limit yourself to editorial
as the opportunities are slim,” she says.
“Taking a junior job in sales, rights or marketing
can be a fantastic way to learn—from
here you’ll be liasing with other departments
and communicating with external partners,
such as booksellers and suppliers.”
Bigger not always better
While publishing giants such as Hachette
Livre, Random House and Penguin are prestigious
and can offer great benefits and
career support, it might also be worth considering
smaller publishing houses where
you’re likely to gain a more rounded understanding
of the industry.
Claire McAlonan, HR manager at children’s
book publisher Egmont Books, says
smaller companies are tightly focused on
their specialism, and look to recruit people
who share a common enthusiasm and
passion for the types of books published.
“People working at Egmont soon acquire a
real breadth of knowledge,” she says. “Our
departments work closely and collaboratively
with each other, so there’s constant
dialogue and sharing of ideas. I think that
working for a smaller publisher you’re less
likely to feel isolated or pigeon-holed than
you might in a large organisation.”
Publishing jobs are detailed on publishers’
own websites, recruitment agency
websites (see list right) and through organisations
such as The Association of Learned
& Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP).
Industry magazines (and their websites) also
provide extensive jobs listings, as does the
Media section of the Guardian on Mondays.
Christian Kelly, associate director of
recruitment agency Meridian, advises taking
the direct, personal approach if you’re
serious about getting in and going far. “Job
ads are an obvious route, but you’re only
getting the tip of the iceberg about what’s
really happening on the job market,” she
says. “The most effective way is to draw up
your own wish list of publishers you’d love
to work for and send letters out to them. Tell
them you admire what they do and promote
your strengths and skills. It’s a great way of
making direct contact, and showing genuine
initiative.”
www.thebookseller.com The Bookseller Your Career in Publishing | April 2008 5
“Draw up
your own
wish list of
publishers
you’d love
to work for
and send
letters out
to them.
Tell them
you admire
what they
do and
promote
your
strengths
and skills”
Christian
Kelly, associate
director,
Meridian
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
Inspired Selection:
020 7440 1500 (London)
01865 260 270 (Oxford)
www.inspiredselection.co.uk
Judy Fisher Associates:
0207 437 2277
www.judyfisher.co.uk
JFL Search & Selection:
020 7009 3500
www.jflrecruit.com
Intelligent Resources:
0207 375 0085
www.intelligentresources.com
KP Publishing:
0845 389 2289
www.kppublishing.com
Meridian Search & Selection:
0207 402 6633
www.meridian-recruit.com
Sue Hill Recruitment:
0207 3787068
www.suehill.com
Effective Personnel Solutions:
01235 536666
www.effectivepersonnelsolutions.com
Career Moves:
0207 908 7900
www.careermovesgroup.co.uk
Useful Web Addresses:
The Publishers Association:
www.publishers.org.uk
The ALPSP:
www.alpsp.org
The Publishing Training Centre:
www.train4publishing.co.uk
The Bookseller:
www.thebookseller.com
Book People:
www.book-people.net
Getting a job
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