Get Found: Your Publishing Job Search Essentials
January is traditionally a time of renewal, and in the publishing industry, it's one of the busiest periods for recruitment. Whether you're an editorial assistant looking to take your next step, a senior commissioning editor seeking a new challenge, or a rights professional exploring opportunities, the start of the year is the perfect moment to refresh your job search strategy.
After placing hundreds of publishing professionals across trade, academic, educational and specialist publishing houses, our team at Redwood Publishing Recruitment has seen what works—and what doesn't. In this first of our two-part guide, we focus on the essentials: getting your CV and LinkedIn profile in shape so the right opportunities find you.
Review and Refresh Your CV
Your CV is often the first impression you make, and in publishing, attention to detail matters enormously.
Tailor it to publishing roles. Generic CVs simply don't cut through. Highlight your specific publishing experience: titles you've commissioned, manuscripts you've edited, campaigns you've managed, or sales figures you've achieved. If you're moving from print to digital or vice versa, emphasise transferable skills whilst acknowledging the shift.
Quantify your achievements. Rather than "managed a successful book launch," try "coordinated the launch of 15 titles, achieving 120% of sales targets in the first quarter." Publishers want evidence of impact, whether that's P&L management, list growth, or metadata accuracy.
Keep it concise. Two pages maximum. Publishing professionals read for a living—they'll spot padding immediately. Focus on the last 10-15 years unless earlier experience is particularly relevant.
Proofread relentlessly. A typo on a publishing CV is particularly damaging. Ask someone else to review it with fresh eyes. Check formatting consistency, especially if you're applying for editorial or production roles where precision is paramount.
Include relevant skills. Be specific about the systems you know: Biblio, Klopotek, Nielsen, InDesign, or whatever's relevant to your specialism. If you're in digital publishing, mention your experience with ePub, SEO, or analytics tools.
Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn has become the primary networking tool for publishing professionals, and recruiters like our team use it daily to source candidates.
Make your headline work harder. Don't just list your job title. Try "Senior Commissioning Editor | Literary Fiction & Narrative Non-fiction | Building Award-Winning Lists" or "Rights Manager | Translation & Film/TV Rights | Specialising in Commercial Fiction."
Tell your story in the About section. This is your chance to show personality and passion. What drew you to publishing? What kind of books or content excites you? What are you looking for next? Keep it professional but authentic.
Complete your experience section thoroughly. Include brief descriptions of each role, highlighting key achievements and the types of books or content you worked on. This helps recruiters understand if you're right for specific opportunities.
Showcase your publishing presence. Add links to books you've worked on, articles you've written, or industry panels you've participated in. If you're active on BookTok or run a blog about publishing trends, include it.
Engage with publishing content. Share industry news, comment on posts from publishers or authors, and contribute to discussions. This raises your profile and demonstrates your engagement with the sector. You never know who's watching.
Turn on "Open to Work." You can set this to be visible only to recruiters if you're currently employed. It significantly increases your chances of being contacted about relevant opportunities.
Update Your Application Materials
Beyond your CV, you'll need other materials ready to go.
Prepare a strong covering letter template. This should be easily customisable for specific roles but have a solid core that expresses your passion for publishing and highlights your key strengths. Show you've researched the publisher and explain why you're interested in that particular role.
Compile your portfolio. Depending on your specialism, this might include: book covers you've designed, marketing campaigns you've led, sales data for titles you've managed, or writing samples if you're moving into editorial. Keep this organised and easy to share.
Gather references. Contact former managers or colleagues to confirm they're happy to provide references. Brief them on the types of roles you're pursuing so their reference is relevant.
Prepare for assessments. Many publishing roles, especially editorial and marketing positions, involve practical assessments. Practice reading proposals, writing jacket copy, or creating marketing plans so you're not rusty.
Set Up Job Alerts and Work with a Recruiter
Don't rely solely on reactive applications. Create a system that brings opportunities to you.
Set up job alerts. Use sites like BookCareers, the Guardian Jobs, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Set specific alerts for your job title, specialism, and target publishers. Check these daily in January when new roles are posted frequently.
Register with specialist recruiters. This is where working with a publishing-focused agency like Redwood Publishing Recruitment makes a real difference. Our team has built strong relationships with publishers across the UK over many years, and we often hear about opportunities before they're advertised publicly. We can also advise on salary expectations based on current market rates and prepare you thoroughly for interviews. Registering takes minutes and there's no cost to candidates.
Be specific about what you want. The more clearly you can articulate your ideal next role—the type of books, the level, the company culture, the location or flexibility requirements—the better we can match you with suitable opportunities. Don't just say "anything in editorial"; tell us if you're passionate about children's non-fiction, or eager to move from trade to academic publishing.
For Different Career Stages
Entry-level candidates: Focus on demonstrating passion, relevant work experience or internships (paid or otherwise), transferable skills from other industries, and knowledge of the publishing landscape. Be prepared to start with temporary or contract roles to get your foot in the door. Competition is fierce, so persistence and resilience are essential.
Mid-level professionals: Emphasise your track record of success, your specialist knowledge, and your ability to work autonomously. This is the stage where you can afford to be more selective, but you also need to demonstrate clear progression and the potential to step up to senior roles.
Senior leaders: At this level, it's about strategic vision, commercial acumen, leadership capability, and industry reputation. Your applications should focus on the transformation you've driven and the teams you've built. Many senior roles are filled through networks and executive search, making those professional relationships absolutely crucial.
Take Action Today
The publishing industry in January is buzzing with possibility. New budgets are approved, new strategies are launched, and new headcount is released. It's genuinely one of the best times to find your next opportunity.
Don't let January slip away. Set aside time this week—ideally a few focused hours—to work through this checklist. Update your CV, refresh your LinkedIn, prepare your application materials, and register with a specialist recruiter.
In part two of our January job refresh guide, we'll explore networking strategies, career development opportunities, and how to research the publishing market effectively. Stay tuned!
Ready to refresh your publishing career? Get in touch with Redwood Publishing Recruitment today. Visit the vacancies page on our website or connect with us on LinkedIn to discover your next opportunity in publishing.