Working with books seems like a dream job. In most cases, it really is as you get to be around books, meet new authors, as well as be aware of everything that is going on in the book market. Apart from that, book publishers get to attend book festivals which is a great way to keep in touch with everyone in the industry. There are lots of courses where you can study book publishing. What is more, colleges and universities offer degrees in book publishing as well. No matter how tired students can be during the course of studies, or how determined they are to find someone who can do my homework for money, they are still not going to give up their dream of having a career in this field. However, a lot of people who are just starting out in this field often have no idea how to get at least an entry-level job in a publishing house. Here are a few tips on how to get started in this field. Hopefully, this information will come in handy when you are looking for an entry-level job in the field of book publishing.
Be flexible about the department you’re going to start in
The first and most important thing for you at this stage is to get the job. Don’t worry if you can’t get a job in your preferred department. The goal is to become a member of the team. As you acquire more knowledge and experience, you will be able to go up the career ladder and even become the manager of the department you want to work in. What is more, getting an entry-level job is all about getting experience and familiarizing yourself with the craft. Therefore, do your best and try to work with as many people as possible as it will help you acquire an extensive expertise in this field which is exactly what you need. Apart from that, working in different departments is a great way to get the hang of everything. Perhaps, you will want to have your own publishing house one day. This knowledge will greatly help you as you won’t have to start from scratch.
Familiarize yourself with all current bestsellers
When you arrive for a job interview at the publishing house, you need to show that you know your craft even if you don’t have any experience yet. Apart from that, you will most likely be asked about the current bestsellers you are reading, so it is best to come prepared. In addition, you should know what’s happening within the book market in order to be able to help decide which new authors the publishing house should try to get. This way, you’ll manage to impress the person interviewing you. Besides, being passionate about books should be the primary reason why you are looking for an entry-level job in the field of book publishing. Reading a lot is a given as well.
Learn more about the publishing house
It’s quite obvious that you need to find out as much as possible about the publishing house you want to work at. There is no doubt that you will be asked why you have chosen to apply for a job to this particular company which is the reason why you should have a ready answer. Yet, knowing which books they have published and what authors this publishing company works with is of huge significance. First of all, it shows that you care about the job you might possibly get and are genuinely interested in the field. Secondly, it proves that you have spent quite some time preparing for the job interview. Finally, it is a testament that you are going to become an expert in the field of book publishing as you already have some knowledge and are willing to do more to acquire all vital experience.
If you have any favorites among the books published by the company you’re applying to, don’t be shy and mention it during the interview. This will further prove how serious you are about getting that entry-level job. Book publishing is a passion-driven industry. Demonstrate how passionate you are right away. It will increase your chances of getting the job.