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Topic: contacts/connections?? anyone??
| Author | Message |
| mizzpub | Posted – 1/7/2008 12:37:23 AM | show profile | email poster Im so frustrated that I can't get any interviews and I feel that its based on the fact that I dont know anyone in the industry. I am applying for entry-level positions at Random House. Is there anyone out there that can share a direct contact with me in HR at RH? I am a legit human being that is well educated! Im just trying to get my foot in the door! |
| WritingEd | Posted – 1/7/2008 12:45:14 AM | show profile First job searches are tough, Katy, especially in this industry. You're not limiting your search to Random House, or even major publishing houses, are you? Also just because you start out not knowing anyone in the industry means you have to keep it that way. Network network network! |
| mizzpub | Posted – 1/7/2008 1:27:01 AM | show profile | email poster Nope Im not limiting myself to just Random House but its just a dream of mine that I wont let die till something happens! I have put in some time at smaller places, mainly internships. It amazes me how some people starting out can go straight to the top and others it just takes longer if ever. |
| rainydaygirl | Posted – 1/7/2008 9:58:30 AM | show profile have you tried going through your alumni network? that was how i secured a meeting with someone working in RH and even got an interview through it. |
| WritingEd | Posted – 1/7/2008 10:52:45 AM | show profile Are you reading industry publications? Say you saw a profile of or Q&A with an editor at Random House and you realized you had something in common (background wise, outlook on editing, etc.). You could get in touch with that editor and ask to come in to discuss the industry and how someone with your experience in internships could better position herself for a job at the publishing house. In general it's not the HR contacts you want...it's the editorial ones (assuming you want to work in edit, that is). Hiring managers have a lot more clout than the gatekeepers in HR, who want to weed out more than find the gems. |
| spring2007 | Posted – 1/7/2008 1:21:17 PM | show profile OK, nobody laugh... One of my friends just got a position at a mag through a contact that she made while working in the mailroom at another publishing company. She would deliver mail personally to everyone instead of to their mailbox (I would've thought that would be highly annoying to editors) and as a result knew virtually every single person who worked there. She let them know her status, that she was freelancing, and started getting leads. Two months later, poof...job. I was surprised. Not that I'm suggesting such an unconventional approach, but thinking outside of the box can really get you somewhere, I guess. |
| Jen480 | Posted – 1/7/2008 7:48:37 PM | show profile Most people's first jobs are not at their "dream company." I'm sure one day you'll work at RH, but until then, I'd recommend giving smaller publishing houses a try, too. |
| movinonup | Posted – 1/11/2008 7:32:29 PM | show profile a little research is all it takes http://www.mediabistro.com/articles/cache/a3013.asp I'll leave it up to you to figure out her email address. |
| SeeKatyWrite | Posted – 1/14/2008 2:31:00 PM | show profile | email poster Mizzpub, I'd like to send a recommendation your way. To help with your general networking credentials, have you considered an Ed2010 happy hour? I'm assuming you're in NYC, and from what I've heard, they have quite an active chapter. I just started a chapter in Kansas City, and after only a month, I can humbly state the results have exceeded my expectations. I've also gotten freelance work (and my new full-time job) through people I know through school and through friends of friends. Do you know anyone in either of those groups who might be able to give you some contacts, or at least a good starting point? Best of luck!! ~Katy |
| missmedia | Posted – 1/16/2008 2:11:38 AM | show profile | email poster Contacts/Connections I am in the same prediciment, so I sympathize with you. I am looking to get into film and or anywhere in media. I have been applying to the administrative assistant ads, but short of that, I am not quite sure what else to do. I go to all the film and media sites I know of. Maybe there are networking parties...that is the only other thing I can think of. Good luck, and keep trying. That is what I am doing. :) |
