Publishing career advice from SYP Oxford

Posted on April 29, 2020 in Oxford

SYP Oxford recently ran a Q&A on Twitter, answering your questions about working the publishing industry! Here are some of our best bits of careers advice, distilled into a single blog post. Check out our hashtag #AskSYPOxford for all of our individual answers, and look out for another Q&A soon!

What advice would you give to someone looking for their first job in publishing?

It’s well known that publishing is a competitive industry to enter, so it’s important to be adaptable and flexible when looking for your first job. There are lots of different departments and areas in this industry, many of which you don’t automatically think of, so be sure to apply as widely as possible and focus on gaining skills, rather than angling for a specific job title. Also, different job titles (and salaries!) can vary widely between companies, so read the job descriptions thoroughly to make sure you’re applying for a job that’s appropriate for your skill set and level of experience.

One of the most valuable things I wish I had known when I first started out was how to write a good CV and cover letter. There are lots of articles and blog posts online – I would definitely recommend That Publishing Blog, particularly this article for advice about cover letters. When I was applying for jobs last summer, I realised that many adverts specified excellent admin skills, time management and organisational abilities, so definitely spend some time emphasising these on your CV!

Finally, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to starting a career in publishing – all experience can be relevant, from data science to marketing knowledge to graphic design. There’s space for all types of experience and backgrounds, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! You also don’t need a job or work experience to get involved in the publishing industry. For example, you can join webinars and local groups to start getting to know the industry.

What are your tips for climbing the career ladder?

Firstly, it can be useful to think strategically about what you want to achieve: identify your next step and work out what skills and experience you need to gather to get there. Having something to work towards can make you feel less stuck!

Secondly, seize opportunities! Don’t expect to get promoted without taking on extra responsibilities, so it’s important to figure out how you can expand your existing job role. Keep asking what more you can do to help, or even better – show initiative by suggesting how a process could be improved, unprompted. Also, don’t be afraid to take on experience that isn’t directly related to your dream job, as you never know how that experience will help you to grow and get you where you want to be.

However, it’s important to remember that everyone moves at their own pace, and you don’t need to be moving forward all the time. Don’t overthink career progression – if your role keeps you happy, that’s the most important consideration!

Any tips on networking or interacting with the industry on Twitter/social media?

First things first, networking is hard! It can feel awkward, obsequious and unnatural, but honestly, everyone feels the same way. Ultimately, don’t be afraid to reach out, as most people are happy to help!

It can be helpful to view these meetings as an opportunity to find out more information about the industry, rather than trying to get a job from someone. With this in mind, know the questions you want to ask before you network – it gives you a goal to achieve and might waylay some anxieties. And if you run out of things to say, ask the person what they’re reading! In an industry filled with bookish people, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter. However, even if you don’t manage to speak to anyone, simply going to industry events is a great way of showing interest; the knowledge you gain is really valuable and it’s a great thing to add to your CV.

It’s also important to keep abreast of industry trends, which you can do online by reading The Bookseller, checking out the Toolkit on the SYP website (members only) and following publishing companies and professionals on Twitter. The latter is a brilliant way of learning what everyone’s talking about, even if you never post anything!

Conclusion

Overall, these answers can be boiled down into three key points:

• Be adaptable when looking for jobs
• Seize opportunities, even if they don’t seem relevant at first!
• There are lots of ways to engage with the industry, both in-person and online – all are valid and valuable!

If you found this helpful, we’re hoping to keep running Q&A sessions during the lockdown, so follow us on Twitter (@SYP_Oxford) to find out when the next session is!

Compiled by Eleanor Smith, International Rights Assistant at Princeton University Press and 2020 Events Officer for SYP Oxford