Tips for Getting the Job at Magazine University

This summer, Hearst signed the other publishing interns and I up for a class called Magazine University, which was an amazing opportunity to network and learn more about the magazine world. Each Wednesday morning for five weeks, we listened to speakers from magazines ranging from Reader's Digest to Essence talk about nearly every topic related to magazines. For those who were on the Cafme NYC trip in the spring, Wendy Naugle (Executive Editor at Glamour) also spoke one of the weeks about where magazines are going and transitioning to the iPad. But with me being a recent graduate aspiring for my dream magazine job, I most enjoyed listening to HR directors at some of the top magazine corporations talk about what they look for in potential employees. Here are a few tips I gathered from them:

Resumes and Cover Letters:

• Cater them to the job you're applying for. This can also function as another form of your "Objective" on your resume. For example, if you have experience in a variety of areas but are interested in pursuing graphic design, have separate sections for "Design Experience" and "Other Experience." For your cover letter, don't just have a fill-in-the blank template. Do your research on each magazine, and make sure it comes across in your cover letter that you are interested in them specifically (details are key!).
• Keep it to a page especially if you are entry level. There is no reason why your resume needs to be over a page for a recent graduate.
• Don't hesitate to talk about administrative work. For many entry level jobs, employers like to see that you know your way around a mail room or can run last minute errands without complaining. So if you have experience with this, don't be embarrassed to put it on your resume. It could actually help you.
• Include your interests if you find you have some space to fill on your resume. One of the HR directors said she was once told to find a self-described "foodie," and sent over a few resumes where people had actually listed a specific interest in food without knowing about the job opening beforehand. So you never know - if your future employer is a karate enthusiast you might just be the black belt that they were looking for.

Nailing the job at the interview:

• Google your interviewer. It always helps to know a little about the person and what they have done or who they have worked for in the past. Who knows, you may have a common interest that you can connect with at the interview. If you like a piece they wrote, they will always be flattered if you ask them about it or let them know how much you enjoyed it.
• Be nice to the receptionist and cooperative with security. Many times if employers are close with these people, they will ask them about you after your interview.
• Perfect your elevator pitch. Imagine that you just got into the elevator with a potential employer at the magazine of your dreams. And you have about a minute to sell them on you. Make sure you can talk about what you've done, what you'd like to do and why you want to work for them without rambling.
• Ask intelligent questions. After googling them, you should be able to think of some thought-provoking questions that let them know you're interested and have done your research. If you're having trouble thinking of questions, ask friends and family what they would ask them if they were in your position. Some good examples: Who would you put on the cover this week and why (for editorial)? Who is the client you want but haven't gotten, and why do you think you haven't gotten them (for publishing)?
• Never underestimate the power of LinkedIn. It's a great networking tool for figuring out who you know at a company you want to work for. One HR director said she got on LinkedIn and looked up everyone she was connected to at the company where she had applied, and asked if they would be able to get her resume in front of the right person. She got the interview because her interviewer told her she would be embarrassed not to give her an interview after she had received her resume from four different people. So don't hesitate to contact people that you don't know that well on LinkedIn; most of them want to rack up the karma points.
• ALWAYS follow up with a thank you acknowledging their time. It helps to send something hand-written, and it helps even more to get creative with it. Our publisher at Seventeen always tells the story about how she went in for an interview and noticed that the interviewer's desk had a photo of his wife and a photo that was about ten times larger of his cat. After the interview, she sent him a thank you card with a cat on it, and it made a great impression that she had noticed that detail. I don't remember if she got the job, but it definitely made her stand out, which is key in this business.

I hope these tips help, and good luck with your future job/internship searches! If anyone happens to be in New York next summer, I would highly recommend telling your supervisors about Magazine University and getting involved with it. Happy end of summer, and I hope all of your internships have been great!