Lost in LA

Although it is completely crazy to think that additional education would actually deter you from landing your dream job in magazines it is reality.

I recently just moved/graduated from LA from a completely unknown university with a regular communications degree. As many people know being successful in this industry rests on you “playing the game”. Although this may indeed suck, what can you do about it? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING until you MAKE IT. When it comes down to it (at least for now) in order to secure a job in magazines all you need to do is attain “that piece of paper” aka your BA. Additional education is sadly a waste of time and money (unless, connections are involved). Internships with “reputable” magazines is your ticket into this industry.

While in school I literally spend more time outside of the classroom interning (getting writing samples) and networking and grades wise just focused on keeping my GPA up so that I could continue to keep my scholarship. HR does not care if you got an A or a C in class as long as you get a degree.

Having one clip from a reputable known magazine is worth gold and carries a lot more weight than several from an unknown magazine ( as an example).

So when it comes to it, all you need is a BA that somehow relates to the magazine industry be that in journalism, comm, etc (Although some prefer something other than a journalism degree b/c you either can write or not and a writing test (and writing samples) will prove this, and if you major in something else you can actually bring something different to the table)

And then of course writing samples from a REPUTABLE magazine and of course connections.

4 months before I graduated I emailed at one time 50 ppl at once at all the major magazines at Conde and Hearst hoping to get an informational interview and maybe 1 would reply, but if they agreed to meet with me I tried to schedule all my informationals all in one/or a couple days and flew to NY to meet. This pays off greatly because you NEEED to get your name circulated before you graduate and move to the city. If you absolutely cannot contact at least 3 people in HRs and they know who you are, you do not have any reason to make this big move.

Also don’t even waste your time submitting resumes without some sort of NJ or NY address, they won’t even consider you. Also, one thing to think about is…by the time a job posting actually gets on conde/hearst website the position has most likely been filled, just for your fyi. And don’t spend too much time talking about YOURSELF they really don’t care, they care about talking about themselves (but who doesn’t) so ask them (who you’re interviewing with) questions and find out a way to find out what you two have in common, you have to make them want to take you “under their wing”. They know you’re new, you just have to make them like you.

What about the big move to where the big boy/ girls play? You save up money for a sublet in NYC (check out craigslist) and for 3 months or so you can just continue to go to interview after interview, worst case scenario you don’t get a job ( right now it is very difficult to even find an opening so never ever give up an interview/informational), but hey who said that great things don’t come along without hard work and sacrifice?

So where did all of this advice take me?

I landed my dream job at one of the top national magazines in the country after about a month here. Persistence pays off and you better be able to answer the questions, why magazines? and why this job? and be careful with the question..tell me what you think your weakness is…And LOOK the part, come on guys/gals wear clothes that fit you as if they were made for you.

Finding out how to break into the business is out there, you just have to be willing to do all the HARD work and learning the in and out’s, and who better to ask how to do it than the people who actually WORK for the magazines you want to work for. That is key.

Good luck, and remember always pay it forward!