How to Become an Associate Editor at a Magazine

The title of an associate editor at a magazine is an entry-level position that is given to recent college graduates. The position usually requires minimal experience that students can obtain at their college newspaper or during short internship stints at a magazine. The duties of an associate editor include fact-checking articles, minimal copy editing, organizing photo shoots, coming up with article ideas, writing short articles or blurbs and acquiring high-resolution images.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Resume
• Writing samples or clips
• Work experience at a magazine or newspaper
• Perseverance

1. Start out by sending your resume and clip samples to as many local magazines as possible. If you're willing to relocate, you can also send your resume and clips to magazines located out of state. Mail, email and fax your material to the managing editor and the human resources department if the magazine has one. During this first step, you must be extremely aggressive in order to land a coveted interview with a magazine editor.

2. Follow up with a phone call if you haven't heard anything back after about a week, and ask to speak with the human resources department or managing editor. If one magazine is unresponsive, continue your efforts with another on your list.

3. Be prepared for the interview. Make sure you know as much as possible about the publication before you go in for the interview. Read past issues, familiarize yourself with the magazine's voice and typical content, and also familiarize yourself with the usual writers and photographers who contribute to the magazine. Moreover, take a hard copy of your resume and published clips with you. Being over-prepared is never a bad thing, and will give you an edge over other candidates.

4. If you're not hired as an associate editor right after graduation, take an internship at a magazine instead. For most aspiring journalists and editors, an internship is a way to get your foot in the door, and a great step in the right direction.

5. Do everything that is asked of you and more. You may be asked to run numerous errands such as picking up lunch or driving long distances to drop off magazines, etc. Even if you feel that these menial tasks are beneath you, agree to do them anyway. Your willingness to help out in any way possible will not go unnoticed.

6. Stay overtime and ask to come in on your days off. This will show the editors that you are committed to doing a great job and succeeding in the magazine industry. You may even become so invaluable to them that they won't want to let you go. Do everything you can to be an invaluable member of the team, even as an intern.

7. After about three months, ask for a promotion. For many young journalists, internships often have the potential to lead to an official staff position. However, don't always expect the editor to approach you with the intention of hiring you. Approach your editor at an opportune time and ask to be promoted to an associate editor (remember that this is an entry-level position that you are perfectly suited for). Remind them of your hard work in the past several months, and also let them know how much you want the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Never give up. Even if you are rejected several times, don't let that get in the way of fulfilling your dreams of working in the magazine industry.
• Continue working hard and you will ultimately be rewarded; in fact, many journalists admit to working as interns for years before landing that coveted paid position.
• Don't let yourself get taken advantage of by offering your services and hard work for free for more than three months as an intern. If you're not promoted to associate editor, move on to another magazine.

[meacham01]

on 1/17/2009 Great information for a starter in the field.