Hi!
I've always read that a lot of the job market is
"hidden" and, therefore, it's a good idea to apply through means of
the "Cold Call." I've been preparing resumes and cover letters to
send to magazines, but I was wondering how you know who the appropriate person
is to send the information along to. If you're applying for a position in the
fashion department, do you send it to the fashion editor? Or what about if you're
applying for the art/photography department; do you send it to the photo editor?
Or are you supposed to send everything to the EIC? It's all so confusing!
Thank you so much!
Jillian
It's a great question and it's a good thing you asked
because so many people screw this part up and it's probaby the most important
in the beginning stages of getting a magazine job.
Here's Ed's three-part strategy for finding your first
job:
1) Cold Calls. Only cold-call about five magazines.
Anything else is a waste of your time because chances are you'll be mass mailing
resumes and cover letters that are not tailor-made to that magazine. And this
is the kiss of death. Just trust me on this one. Pick your five favorite magazines—the
ones you know inside and out and can easily write a cover letter about why you'd
be such a great fit there. In other words: Where you can be genuine in your
love for the magazine. Explain that you are looking for your first job (say
what position you are looking for, i.e., Editorial Assistant) and you can start
immediately (if you can't start immediately, then wait to send these letters
till when you can). In the letter, ask if they have time to have a 10-minute
informational interview with you; if not, that's fine. You just would appreciate
them keeping your resume on file if a job opens up.
Now, this is important—and the gist of your original
question—you need to send your letter to someone on staff who will actually
read it. Who is that? Let's start with who not to: Don't send to the EIC (unless
specifically stated to do so, but this is like never); Don't send to the publisher.
Don't send to the magazine in general. The best person to send to is someone
you know, whom you've worked with before, or who knows someone you know. Even
if that person is an editorial assistant herself or in an entirely different
department (say, fashion or art and you're interested in beauty) than the one
you want to work in. If you send your stuff to her, she's going to pass it on
to the person who is the best person at the magazine—either someone who
is hiring or who usually does a lot of hiring on the staff. If you don't know
anyone at the magazine, which is usually the case, then second best thing to
do is to CALL THE MAGAZINE (hello, 411!) and ask who is best to get resumes
for prospective applicants. I'd start by calling the editorial assistant who
works for the managing editor (the ME usually, but not always, is in charge
of hiring staff). Often this person is listed in the masthead; if not, call
any other editorial assistant on staff. The editorial assistants are more likely
to help you out and more likely to get your resume in the right hands. (Go to
mastheads.org
or, um, go check out the masthead on the newsstand.) Say, "Hi. I'm a recent
college graduate and I love your magazine. Are you hiring right now?" [no]
"In that case, who is the best person to send a resume to for an entry-level
positions that may come available?" Then ask how that person prefers to
receive information—email or snail mail—then send your stuff to
that person. Follow up in 10 days if you haven't heard.
2) Apply for Jobs. This is the most obvious.
When you hear about jobs on Ed's Whisper
Jobs page or somewhere else, apply for them. If there is no contact
name or email listed for the job, CALL THE MAGAZINE and ask who to send your
resume to for that particular job. (Remember: Don't say that you heard about
the job on Ed2010 unless we clearly state in the job ad that it's OK; you'll
likely just piss them off and you don't want that.) If you don't send it to
the editor who is hiring, you have about a .001 percent chance of your resume
making it to the right person. Word of mouth is strong enough in this industry
that when you call the magazine you can just say, "Hi. I heard that you
have an editorial assistant opening; who on staff is taking resumes for the
position? How does she prefer to get resumes? Email or snail mail?" Get
the info—then look up the spelling of her name in the masthead, triple
check it and then send it. Follow up in 10 days. Don't apply for any job that
you can't start at immediately.
3) Do Informationals. Call up all of the HR departments
at all the major magazine companies in your city. For NYC, we have a list of
them on our Jobs page. Tell them that
you're a recent grad and want to meet with someone in HR about getting an entry-level
job in editorial. Assuming they aren't snotty a-holes, it shouldn't be a problem
and you can set up a 15-minute informational interview with someone to discuss
what their company is looking for, what you're looking for, and generally to
see if they like you enough to put in their "when we have something open,
we'll call her" file. If you don't get an interview appointment the first
time you call, call back in a week or two. Maybe you'll get a different person
on the phone who is more agreeable or you can book with someone else in the
department who is willing to meet with newbies. Be persistent but not annoying.
I hope that answers your questions!
Love,
Ed
