I often get asked, “How do I get a job in magazine publishing?”
This is hard to provide just one answer because everyone’s path is different and there are a lot of different factors that will affect your chances. Unfortunately. I can’t wave a wand and say, “resume reparo” then you have a job. However, I will go over the things that you can do to help increase your chances. Feel free to watch the video below or skim the post.
Apply
there are some jobs that you might think you’re under-qualified for, but you’d be surprised how the application process works. If you don’t apply, the answer is no, so give yes a chance!
The biggest mistake people make is that when they look for jobs, they’re not prepared to apply. If you fail to prepare, then you prepare to fail.
There’s only 2 things you need to apply, which is a portfolio and a resume!
Update your portfolio
This is much easier said than done. We ALL hate putting together the dreaded portfolio, but this is the single most important part of your application. Plain and simple, this is how you showcase your skills and you can’t really get a job without one, at least the job you want.
You should have an online portfolio. For me personally, an online portfolio at least shows that you’re current, even better if you took the time to design your personal site, but if not, utilize Dribbble, Behance, or a site like those.
If you’re more junior or entry level, you should have 8-10 projects. This sounds like a lot, but when I look at junior designer applications, I’m looking to see a breadth of where your skills are at, so I don’t mind seeing a lot of work. What I’m looking for is your potential. Do you have illustration experience? Animation graphics? Show what you’ve done.
If you’re mid-level, I would say that you should have 6-8 projects. They should ALL be strong projects that you’re proud of. One weak project can ruin your portfolio. You have to demonstrate that you create good design consistently. That single bad or maybe weaker project creates doubt of the rest of the portfolio. Was it a fluke or overly art-directed by someone else. If you’re presenting yourself as a strong, consistent designer, the level of design shouldn’t drop.
If you get called to an interview, I would go in with a few more projects outside of your online site and prepare yourself to talk about the work. I find it helpful to write down talking points for each product. To simplify, talk about what the design problem was and how you solved it.
Perhaps, you were limited to stock and sourced photography or a client had very specific asks, and then you solved for it by… fill in the blank.
Definitely mention the concept and how it influenced the project. If it’s a campaign, mention the different parts to it. Outside of the print or website, did it have social attached to it and which platforms was it on?
Don’t forget to insert things that you enjoy with the work, to show that you’re interested in the content you work with. Let’s say you’re applying to Equinox, which is a luxury gym chain. If you’re enthusiastic about fitness, you should probably mention that. If you’re not, that’s fine, maybe you love travel and enjoy luxury hospitality. Both situations align with the Equinox brand.
Don’t forget to insert things that you enjoy with the work, to show that you’re interested in the content you work with. Let’s say you’re applying to Equinox, which is a luxury gym chain. If you’re enthusiastic about fitness, you should probably mention that. If you’re not, that’s fine, maybe you love travel and enjoy luxury hospitality. Both situations align with the Equinox brand.
Spend a good amount of time really planning your portfolio and how to cater it to the companies or magazines you’re applying to.
Update your resume
I would keep your resume current every 3 months or so. Things about the resume. It should be in a PDF format. Give the design some love. Catch 22, you MUST list typography as a skill. Your resume is a clear representation of your typography skills. If it’s poorly designed, then typography isn’t one of your skills.
It’s fine if type isn’t your strongest, just don’t do any tricks. Keep it simple and straightforward and highlight the areas you’re stronger in.
If you’re struggling with the design of your resume, check out my post on How to Design Your Resume.
When you’re listing your experience, talk about what you’ve achieved instead of what your responsibilities are.
The last thing I want to mention for the resume is to keep it in black and white. There are two reasons for this. First, when someone gets your resume, they might print it out and it will often times be printed in black and white. Second, color is tricky and if you choose the wrong colors, it can project a bad first impression.
Network
They do say that it’s not what you know, but who you know. Building a stronger network opens up a lot of opportunities. You can do this by finding an organization in the space that you’re in and go meet people.
SPD is the society for publication designers. When I moved to New York, I attended every single event. I made sure to at least thank the speakers after, just to get some type of face time with them.
AIGA is the main graphic design organization. American Institute for Graphic Artists, but I feel like it’s more for design agencies? I’m not actually sure, but look into them.
If you don’t have anything available in your area, just tell people you know. Tell your family and friends. Anybody, tell your accountant or your Starbucks barista. It doesn’t matter, just tell people. You know someone that knows someone who can help you get that job.
Taking advantage of opportunity
You may find that there aren’t any job openings right now, which is often the case. Unfortunately, you have to play the waiting game here. There are only so many positions available at a magazine. You have to keep in mind that the designers in those positions went through the same thing you’re going through and will do everything they can to stay at their jobs. At some point, one of those designers will leave and job will open up.
I would be willing to bet that a lot of applicants that can’t find a job, probably aren’t finding one simply because they’re not ready to apply when the job actually opens up. If you don’t have your application ready, you will miss that opportunity, which doesn’t come around very often.
Look into jobs or freelance that is a step in the direction you want to go in. I worked at much smaller magazines before I worked at the larger publishing houses. Every opportunity should be a stepping stone for the next job.
Misc
These should be common sense, but apparently sense isn’t so common.
Be professional.
Respond to emails within a respectable amount of time. I would say at least within 24-hours is a respectable amount of time to respond to people. You want to communicate that you’re very much interested in the job.
Respond to emails within a respectable amount of time. I would say at least within 24-hours is a respectable amount of time to respond to people. You want to communicate that you’re very much interested in the job.
I move fast when going through applications. If a designer waits 2-3 days to respond, I’ve already scheduled with other applicant who has already responded sooner. You don’t want them to explore other applicants. You need to be the applicant they want.
Make sure you’re on time for scheduled interviews.
Of course, things happen, but just give them a heads up!
Of course, things happen, but just give them a heads up!
Send a thank you email.
A thank you note after an interview, projects that you’re interested in the job. I can’t tell you how many applicants I didn’t hire, simply because they didn’t send a thank you note. When I got my job at WIRED, the creative director there told me that he hired me because I was the only one that sent a thank you.
A thank you note after an interview, projects that you’re interested in the job. I can’t tell you how many applicants I didn’t hire, simply because they didn’t send a thank you note. When I got my job at WIRED, the creative director there told me that he hired me because I was the only one that sent a thank you.
Can you believe that?! The application pool isn’t actually that competitive when you consider that a majority of candidates make these mistakes.
In your thank you note, I would recap things that you discuss during your interview so that it feels specific to your correspondence with them.
Final Thoughts
If you do all of the things regularly, you will absolutely find that design job. I can’t promise when, but in the meantime work on your craft so that your application becomes stronger and stronger over time. Good luck. I believe in you!
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