Finding a Job in Book Publishing
Your next publishing job starts here
Whether you’re looking for your first job in book publishing, ready for your next move or finding that your job search simply isn’t working, we can help you understand what employers are looking for and give you the support you need to succeed.
How we can help
Wherever you are in your job search, choose the support that will help you move forward.
Explore career guidance
Explore your career aims, ambitions and options alongside the realities of book publishing and the current job market
Make stronger applications
Get expert help with your CV, covering letters and applications, tailored to the publishing job you’re applying for
Prepare for interviews
Get expert help preparing for your interview, anticipating what you may be asked and tackling any tests you may be given
Develop your career
Take a wider look at where your career is going, explore all your options, create a structured plan and decide on your next move
How we work with you
Qualified, impartial careers support grounded in book publishing
01
Start with you and your situation
You may be applying for the same jobs as other people, but no two people have exactly the same experience, skills or career history. What worked for someone else may not be right for you. We start with you — what you bring, what you’re looking for and what you need help with
02
Understand your options
We look at the opportunities available to you in book publishing and, if necessary, beyond, and what employers are looking for, then help you identify the approach that makes sense for your experience, skills and ambitions
03
Decide what to do next
We help you turn everything we’ve discussed into clear, practical next steps, so you know what to focus on, what to do next and how to move your job search forward. Where you need more support, we can continue working with you as your job search progresses
Choose the support you need
From focused help with an application or interview to a deeper look at your career direction, choose the level of support that fits what you need right now
Career Guidance Interview
Sometimes what you need is some good old-fashioned career guidance. Take 90 minutes to explore your career aims, ambitions and options alongside the realities of book publishing and the current job market
Employability Consultation
Get individual help with your CV, covering letter and application, tailored to the particular publishing job you’re applying for. We help you present your existing skills and experience in a way that demonstrates their relevance and value to the recruiting publisher
Interview Coaching
Prepare for your interview with individual coaching focused on the role you’re applying for. We’ll anticipate the questions you may be asked, prepare for tests or presentations and, where possible, share relevant insights into the publisher who is interviewing you. More in-depth preparation is available for senior and board-level interviews
Career Development Consultation
Take a comprehensive look at your career, where your future might lie and the jobs you should be targeting. Together we look at your whole job search, including your CV and interview approach, create an Action Plan and continue working with you through two follow-up calls
Looking for more career information and resources?
Events and initiatives
bookcareers.com takes part in events and initiatives across book publishing, as well as running our own activities.
We also create and support campaigns that help make careers in the industry work better for everyone.
Find out more →
Not yet ready for individual support?
You can still get bookcareers expertise and work through your job search yourself.
"This book is an essential guide for every aspiring (or even aspired) publisher.”
Richard Charkin OBE
How to Job Search in Book Publishing:
The Ultimate Insider's Guide
The book that was written with every publishing job seeker in mind
No matter what stage you are at in your job hunting process, this book will coach you and teach you line by line, how to tailor your CV, write the best covering letters, ace any job interview and adapt your experience to any application process and beyond.
I wrote this book to be like having me in your pocket. Every step of the way through your job search, when you find yourself thinking “What would Suzanne do?”, you can look it up.
We regularly get emails from people who have got a job just by using the advice in this book.
We invented the bookcareer®
bookcareers.com has been helping people find jobs and build careers in book publishing for decades.
We've seen publishing recruitment from just about every angle — what employers look for, why good applications get overlooked, what makes someone stand out at interview and how people successfully move between roles, departments and sectors.
We know that finding a job isn't simply about having a good CV. We're constantly talking to publishing recruiters about their recruitment systems, how they select candidates and why they chose one person over another. We notice the subtle shifts in trends — in CVs, covering letters, applications and interview answers — and make sure our clients are up to date with what works.
We've helped people secure their first role in publishing, make their second or third move, return after a career break, change direction, move into management and compete for senior and board-level positions.
And sometimes our work doesn't stop when someone gets the job. For clients who need it, we continue working with them to help them hold on to it, settle into the role and succeed — including checking in during those crucial first weeks.
Because we've worked in publishing ourselves, across almost every department, and often continue working with people after they've got the job, we understand the demands of the roles they're applying for too — from Editorial Assistant and Sales Assistant to Commissioning Editor, Rights Manager, Publishing Director and CEO.
When we help you with an application or interview, we're not looking at it as generic careers advisers. We're thinking about the role, the publisher and the person making the hiring decision.
People we've helped early in their careers have returned to us years later as managers, directors and leaders — sometimes asking us to help them recruit and develop other people.
We understand publishing careers because we've spent decades being part of them.
What that looks like in practice
I had the interview today and I think it went really well! They definitely liked my answers and examples. Thank you once again for giving me such great advice. Our chat really helped and put me at ease during the interview.
Anonymous, Interview Coaching
They got the job
Not sure what kind of job hunting support you need?
You don't need to work that out before you contact us. Tell us where you are in your job search, what's happening and where you're getting stuck. We'll help you work out what kind of support would be most useful.
Looking for more career information and resources?
Events and initiatives
bookcareers.com takes part in events and initiatives across book publishing, as well as running our own activities.
We also create and support campaigns that help make careers in the industry work better for everyone.
Find out more →
Resources to help you with your job search
Practical advice, support and insights to help you find your next role in book publishing
Job Club
Join our free monthly community for publishing hopefuls and career changers
Podcast
Over 250 episodes featuring publishing professionals, careers advice and industry insights
Video Library
Short, practical career advice you can watch whenever it suits you.
Newsletter
Careers advice, industry news and events delivered straight to your inbox