Getting the interview is only half the job. What makes the difference is how you perform in the room (or on the call) and can mean the difference between a job offer or a rejection.
• Research beyond the job description. Look at the publisher's recent list, imprint focus, or platform launches. Referencing something specific, for instance a title they've published, a strategic shift they've made, signals genuine interest, not a copy-paste application.
• Prepare examples, not adjectives. Anyone can say they're “organised” or “detail-oriented.” Come with two or three concrete examples that demonstrate it: a schedule you rescued, a project you delivered under a tight deadline, a workflow you improved.
• Expect competency-based questions. Publishing interviews increasingly use structured formats: “Tell me about a time you managed conflicting priorities.” Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers tight and outcome-focused.
• If it's a portfolio-based role, curate it. Don't send everything you've ever worked on. Choose 3–5 pieces that show range and are directly relevant to the role you're applying for, and be ready to talk through your specific contribution to each.
• Ask questions that show strategic thinking. “What does success look like in this role after six months?” or “How is the list/portfolio changing over the next year?” lands better than questions you could have answered from the job ad.
• Follow up within 24 hours. A short, specific thank-you note referencing something from the conversation keeps you front of mind.
Preparation is what separates a good interview from a great one, and it's almost always within your control. The team at Redwood will guide your preparation and give you key points to ask that are relevant to the publishing role being applied for.