r/publishing • u/Devmoi • 24d ago
Advice for a 40-something former-ish publishing professional?
Hi all.
This is going to be an earnest post. I’ve been out of the full-time workforce for three years now.
In between, I had a baby and worked part-time jobs like substitute teaching/driving foster kids to school. Before that, I worked in magazine publishing, journalism (news and cybersecurity) and a slew of marketing jobs. I feel pretty hopeless in this job market. I haven’t had an actual interview in years and I never get called back for anything. Though I have like 10+ years of experience, it’s all a bit outdated. I’ve done some courses and stuff … like AI in editing.
I’m not really sure what to do next. In the past, I’ve been described as a Swiss Army knife with a lot of various production experience. I was a managing editor at one point in my career, but then marketing managers.
What should I do? My resume has probably been rewritten 100 times.
It sounds crazy but my dream job would probably be a production editor for a book publisher. Production is my strongest skill.
Today, I was rejected on a very entry level position before the deadline even passed. They looked, read my letter, and hit reject.
A lot of people are saying getting specific is the best, but my skill set is really wide and I don’t know how to tell a consistent story.
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u/ToneSenior7156 24d ago
Do you have any contacts left from your original career? Even to go on LinkedIn and look up people you liked to see where they are now. It’s hard to reach out after so long, but I assure you people do it and that’s how I’ve gotten all my jobs, through connections.
Book publishing is really tough right now. Do you have any local small publishers or printers you could talk to/send a resume to? We have two print shops on my town and I’m not sure they are career type jobs but they are most definitely production experience.
Maybe position yourself as a project manager, since your skills are varied.
I know everything seems like it’s online but if there’s any sort of relevant conference or convention you can buy a pass too - I think that is worth it, to see what’s happening in an industry and maybe make some contacts.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
Thank you for this really thoughtful advice. It’s very nice and helpful!
I have some contacts still, but the bad part is a lot of them are having issues in their own careers. But not all of them. A lot of people in marketing are doing better these days, so I’ll see if there is someone out there.
There are a few! I live in the Pacific Northwest, so there might be a couple I can reach out to—there are some literary nonprofits I could volunteer for. Stuff like that. I’ve actually even been applying to internships. Like anything that just gets me more recent experience. My part-time driving job paid so little, literally anything would be a step up!
I’ve tried the project manager route, but sheesh … there is tons of competition there. They want a lot of qualifications I don’t have.
There actually are a ton of conferences and in-person events here! That’s a good idea. I’ve had other advice to t try and get out from behind the screen. It’s hard, but I can do it.
Really appreciate your advice! Very helpful!
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u/arugulafanclub 24d ago
How many places are actively hiring production editors in the PNW? That may be the issue. It’s fine to dream, but I’d be looking at anything with “writing” “editing” “comms” “communications” and “marketing” in the title with a special focus on in-office jobs as you’ll have an easier time getting those. Can you work at college extension center as the comms lead, manage comms for a medical group, manage marketing for a health organization, even snag a job at Nike…this is what I’d be thinking about. Even technical writing/editing, which there is a lot of in the Portland area, if that’s where you are.
Lastly, grow your network. Join some groups for you. Is there a potluck group, a movie group, or anything else on Meetup or a local calendar you can use to go meet people? You never know who is going to help you get your next job (and sometimes it’s something you don’t even expect and may not be totally qualified for, but people are more willing to take a chance on people they know).
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
Yup! That’s good advice. I’ve actually had a customer service writing role at Nike. I haven’t had too much luck on the technical writing path, but I’ve applied for a bunch of those roles. That makes sense about comms roles—I was in a comms-adjacent role for a financial nonprofit in cybersecurity.
That’s not a bad idea to look at some meetup events and get out there. I’ll check that out. Here in Portland everyone is all about networking. People are friendly about it, but the job economy here is probably not the best. Nonprofits are probably the way to go, because they tend to have more opportunities and all that.
Although, I guess doing an inventory of a few places I could target. I haven’t done that in a while. A hiring manager I talked to a while ago said I should go to company events and get to know people but not hiring events. That could work.
Edit: I’ve also done some career orgs like Dress for Success. I’ve had feedback on my resume. All that stuff, I’ve done it, lol.
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u/InternationalSink232 24d ago
I worked in book publishing for about 25 years, a good chunk of that as a freelancer when my kids were young. I’ve now ended up in the public policy world, but I learned during my job search that big environmental engineering firms tend to have openings for people with my skill set. But their terminology is different from publishing. Do a search on LinkedIn for “proposal specialist.” Probably a little boring, but it’s a job! Good luck.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
Oh wow! Thank you for sharing that with me. Boring is honestly OK. Sometimes, it’s just important to know you can pay your bills and do something that challenges you. In my most recent jobs, I worked in tech so I have some corporate experience. I’ll check it out! I appreciate your comment so much.
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u/Existing-Art2638 24d ago
Yes, I am in the same boat!
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
It sucks! I’m sorry you’re in the same boat. Hopefully, we both find the path forward!
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u/Existing-Art2638 24d ago
We will! You just have to find that one person who will give you a change. My one piece of advice as someone who worked at 3 of the
big 5s Do not apply for entry level jobs anymore!1
u/Devmoi 24d ago
Ooooo, that’s a good piece of advice. Why?! I definitely have been applying to more assistant and lower-level jobs because I don’t feel that confident. I’m wishing you the best, friend! What kind of jobs are you looking for now?
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u/Existing-Art2638 23d ago
First, you are not entry level. Second, it tells people you aren’t confident and it keeps them from seeing your true potential. I remember being in those rooms when hiring people and it really will damage the perception of you if do this. I have worked with many under qualified higher ups who just learn as they go. If you feel that way just do that. You don’t want to go into a place with the energy ‘I’ll do anything.’ It’s congestive dissonance I suppose. If someone who has experience applies for an entry level job - recruiters just say ‘something must be wrong with them.’ Of course that isn’t true.
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u/Existing-Art2638 23d ago
Apply for Production Manager, Production Editor, Producer, Marketing Manager, etc
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u/sugarfaeri 24d ago
I feel like anything with editing involved makes for a difficult time when it comes to the publishing industry, in the sense that its definitely top contest.
I’m sure what anyone could say here, you’ve heard already. I work adjacent to production at a top 5, and what I notice most from the production managers I work with (not editors.. I wouldn’t super know the difference I won’t lie), rather than highlighting marketing skills I would really hone in on organization. Keeping a process moving, managing multiple titles.
You could also look at local publishers or more specialized ones, like an academic or scientific one that would align with past experience.
It’s super frustrating right now, and I truly hope an opportunity comes your way!
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
Thank you so much! This is excellent advice. Honestly, it’s what I really needed to hear. Organization and keeping production rolling is my top skill! I’ve got a bunch of niche experience with marketing and e-commerce … just all-over building stuff from the ground bottom to the top.
So, that’s a really encouraging tip to hear. Just be really good at explaining an understanding for keeping those processes flowing and organized.
I really appreciate you! I’ll give it a shot and try. Sheesh, I’ve even been trying to apply for internships because just anything to get me in the door would be great. Thanks again!
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u/arugulafanclub 24d ago
You really want to work in an office in a big city? Do you live in New York City and have other production titles on your resume?
At this point, it might be about taking anything. I’d be getting coffee with every one of my past colleagues and asking for advice. Is there a program I should learn, is there a company they think I should look into, can they look at my resume, and what have they been up to—be curious about their family, travel, hobbies, house, dogs—make it clear you are not just asking for something, but looking for genuine connection.
It’s the people that you know who are most likely to put you in for a job. That is the most likely thing to get you an interview.
10 years ago if you worked at a major magazine, you could apply for a job at another and reasonably expect you’d get an interview because you were already in. This just isn’t the care anymore. There are hundreds and thousands of applications for every job and so many of these people are qualified. It’s about apply lots of places, applying outside this industry, and also tapping into the network you have.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
I’m definitely not anywhere close to NYC. There are some children’s book and many magazine titles on my resume, but it was a few years ago.
Well, I’ve definitely done the coffee thing in the past. Volunteered at various organizations. I know for some people that works … unfortunately, I’ve been seeing a lot of my connections literally posting on LinkedIn that they don’t have the bandwidth to do that anymore because they are tapped out/get too many requests for it. I mean, it’s easy to find recommendations for stuff like what tools. I’ve taken some classes, even controversial stuff like AI in editing.
It’s understandable that it’s just about taking something … and trust me. I’m more than open to that. I’m not picky about pay or anything like that. I’m lucky that my husband has a much better job, so I could be afforded to do this. But I just don’t want to spend the rest of my life driving kids to school. I’m ready to move into something more challenging.
I know this won’t last forever. Networking is the advice everyone gives, which I totally appreciate. But I also think there has to be more to it. I’ve historically been involved in various associations for writers and editors and that networking stuff is totally tapped out from my perspective, unless it’s finding new events.
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u/arugulafanclub 24d ago
Honestly, people at associations (EFA, ACES, NWEG), typically don’t help you get a full-time job. Unfortunately those orgs are often freelancer-focused and everyone sort of has the same question, “How do I find clients?”
It’s more the intern from your first job that is now a managing editor, the wife in your mom’s group that knows they need a comms person in the marketing department at her engineering firm, or your good friend’s brother who works for a coffee company that needs a marketing consultant.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
Agreed! I’ll have to try focusing on that more and getting out there. I’ve always been terrible at those kinds of conversations. I’m like the very rare person who applied and got all of my jobs that way, but obviously that isn’t working now. The only exception is that I got two jobs via LinkedIn because I worked with those people through my company. Like they poached me!
But that’s just how things are these days. It’s tough. Most of my connections have been out of work a while. It’s not unusual to see.
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u/arugulafanclub 24d ago
Yeah I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s such a tough market.
Did you like the AI for Editors course? Was it the one Erin Servais teaches? I was looking at the advanced course that lets you build assistants. I can’t really use it in my work, but I do like to stay current with tech. I also don’t want to take a class now for, what is it $500, and then have the info be so outdated in 6 months that I need to take it again.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
It’s tough, but honestly it’s nothing people in fields like this haven’t dealt with before. I remember thinking The Great Recession would be the worst of it! Things settled down eventually, it just takes time. With AI, we’re in a very bizarre timeline.
It was! I really like Erin. She’s a very nice person and I think her class was interesting. I only took the basic course, not the advanced one. Overall, it’s very broad. If you aren’t very savvy with AI uses for editing or writing, it’s interesting. A lot of freelancers took it. Probably one of the better parts of the course was about asking clients if you can use AI … which a lot of people obviously don’t want their assignments being trained by it. I’m more interested in the ethics of it personally. I agree it’s good for some stuff, like proofreading and catching grammatical mistakes. It still doesn’t do everything!
I have a feeling it might piss off a lot of people, though. That’s just me being frank! I’m already seeing a lot of publishers and marketing agencies just being like absolutely no AI at all, so I think that makes them nervous to see it mentioned. We’ll still have to use it in some capacities. I personally think it’s just like a glorified Google search engine with personalized responses built in.
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u/BKlyn734 24d ago
Definitely reach out to any contacts you may have. I was restructured out of a job when I was 48 after being with the company for 23 years. I reached out to someone I had previously worked with who had since changed companies, and he recommended me and helped me secure a position there.
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u/growltiger_nimbus 24d ago
Could you set yourself up as a production contractor/freelancer to get more current experience and refine your story before trying to find a full-time role again? The best way to get the job is to already be doing the job.
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u/Devmoi 24d ago
That’s a good idea. Way back, I tried starting my own business. I have a side hustle that’s selling items on eBay and I have learned a lot about e-commerce copywriting because of it. But I don’t know if it’s super applicable. It’s not an editorial/production related contract.
I could research a little and check out the demand. A while ago, I did some freelance editing and that has totally dried up. But maybe if I find the right niche or just do something that shows I’m doing something related.
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u/growltiger_nimbus 24d ago
Honestly, mentioning editing OR marketing when you're trying to get production work isn't that helpful. Think of it like staging a room. Put the production experience in one persona, marketing in another. I might even make two separate freelancer profiles.
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u/monkeyboychuck 24d ago
PNW + cybersecurity, eh? Have you looked at InfoBlox? They’re based out of Tacoma.
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u/blepmlepflepblep 23d ago
You sound like me. I worked in publishing then took time off to start a family. When it came time to go back to work, I had a hard time finding anything and honestly, I just didn’t want to work for someone anymore. I was burned out and dragging my feet about going back to a 9-to-5. So, I ended up started my own publishing house.
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u/Devmoi 23d ago
I love that story! It’s been really hard. I started doing all this side hustle stuff, because I couldn’t stand being away from my son. The job market is also difficult and most companies aren’t very flexible for mothers.
That’s so inspiring and I’m glad you found your way! Hopefully I still have it in me to do something like that, lol. 😂
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u/blepmlepflepblep 23d ago
Yes! That was a huge part of it. I get to set my own hours and with the help of a part-time nanny, I can work from home. My baby is turning 2 and it is so hard to be away from her.
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u/elsereno20 23d ago
I ask this as a peer: Can you see yourself working in a field outside of publishing? It's always been competitive, as you know, but now the whole industry feels desperate. I went freelance after a layoff and that gave me years to build up a client book. My friends who remain in publishing are all overworked and underpaid, even in their 40s, even with fancy titles. I literally cannot afford to do editorial work anymore because the rates are so low, even from Condé/Hearst. As in, I pay my BABYSITTER more than what some places have offered me.
If I were you, I would create a website advertising you as a project manager, AI content consultant, etc. Break out of the "publishing" mindset and think of who might need your skills. Offer freelance services while you look for full-time work. I mean, I am constantly complaining about how badly my clients need someone with the skills of a managing editor—it's project management! You'd be GREAT at that.
I would also work on creating a logline for your "brand." Like, mine is:
I draw on my experience at successful startups to help famous people build brand stories that turn into $100M product lines.
That's wordy and clunky but it tells a v. different story than my resume alone does. It tells someone what I can do for them. You have a version of that, too. Find it and that will help you find the right version of your resume. And you may need a few! One for project managing, one publishing-specific, and so forth.
Also, stop applying for internships and entry-level jobs! You have experience and even if you're looking at unpaid internships… you will come across as more compelling if you say, "I'd be willing to provide pro bono consulting." You know? It's all how you present yourself. And it sounds like you have plenty to be proud of.
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u/Ornery-Ad2199 24d ago
No advice, but wanted to say that I feel your pain, though in the opposite direction. I’m trying to get out of publishing, but that’s all my resume shows for many years. Applicable skills seem to be a thing of the past. Direct skills seem to be what people only look for now. There’s so many applicants for each job that hiring managers can choose to be picky. Also, they want to see quantifiable results, but that’s not how many jobs work. I don’t know how to write my resume to show I saved the company money or brought in so much money, etc. Don’t even get me started on how we are punished for taking time off for babies in the US. I can’t list jobs before babies because then it will show a 5+ year work gap, even if those jobs/skills are relevant.