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Advice for someone new to the industry?

Wed, 03/26/2008 - 5:08pm — ericakristen

Hi everyone!!
My name is Erica and I am fairly new to NYC :) Does anyone have any advice how someone with a Marketing background 5 years into another career could transition into the magazine industry? My *dream* job is to work at a magazine like In Style, Marie Claire, Vogue or Bazaar and now I am finally able to try! I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who works for one of these mags re:how (or if!) someone like me could start, or from someone who is in a simmilar spot. I’ve applied to a few internships but have not heard back.
Thanks everyone and I’m glad to be part of the Ed-Community now :)

‹ Here's a thought on interview etiquette.... Salary requirements and cover letter? ›
Fri, 05/02/2008 - 10:34pm — poppy

The Answer

Hi Erica,

It sounds like you’re ambitious and have great experience, so you’re already on your way.

Analyze your resume and highlight the points that you can use from the marketing field into publishing. Do you have excellent communication skills? Did you use some sort of software that applies to publishing? Other examples: write for a company newsletter, proofreading of any kind, etc. If you need outside help, go to a career center or ask the HR manager at your current/former company (that’s what I did and it helped BIG TIME).

Do yourself a BIG favor and start answering ads which pay little or nothing for clips. A great online beauty/fashion magazine to write for is Beauty Addict. beautyaddictmag.com I wrote for them, and the publisher/EIC is great. I wrote for them a few years ago and I believe they paid $50 per 3 clips.

Approach these magazines you’d like to work for and ask for an informational interview with HR. Explain your situation and ask them what you need to get in the door. In your letter, be brief, professional and ONLY ask for 20 minutes of their time (not 1/2 hour).

Another good resource is a temp agency in NYC that is solely for publishing. They are out there. What they’ll do is interview you and then hook you up with temp positions in these publishing companies. Many people have gotten their start this way. It’s a great way to make contacts.

Keep us posted on the job search. All the best.

Poppy : )