Tuesday 28 February 2012

Top 5 Tips for Managing Your Online Presence

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It occurred to me that many of my readers would have their own individual online presence/image – hence this blog post on how to manage it. Unsurprisingly, prospective employers will check up on your online image/presence, and this will undoubtedly have an effect on your application. With much emphasis on digital media, having your own online presence will certainly boost your application. However, if you don’t manage your online image effectively, then expect the consequences.

1) LinkedIn

Consider LinkedIn your online CV. If you haven’t set up an account yet then set one up. If your still a student or recent graduate, make sure you include all the work experience you have, as well as any relevant involvement in extracurricular activities. Try to complete your online profile as much as possible – LinkedIn has a wizard to help you do this. To boost your profile, try to get a few recommendations from other people.

2) Other social media

Don’t forget about the other sources of social media. This obviously includes little social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Some recruiters are known for checking out your Facebook profile AND the friends you have on there - so be wary of the impressions that you are sending out. To avoid a faux pas, increase your privacy settings to make it harder for people to access your complete profile.

In addition, be cautious with what you’re tweeting on Twitter, if you wouldn’t like a potential employer to read it, then chances are it’s not worth tweeting. Like with Facebook though, there are privacy settings to avoid this issue.

3) Email

I’ve spoke about email signatures before, and I reiterate that they are important when sending out professional emails. Currently, my email signature incorporates a standard closure of ‘many thanks’ including my twitter handle and blog URL.

In addition, some email accounts set up email profiles e.g. Windows Live Mail. This profile is connected to your MSN Live Messenger (if you’ve ever used it), and features your most recent profile picture amongst other things. If you suspect you may have a Windows Live profile, then it is something to check up on as search engines will definitely pick it up.

4) Search Engines

It is healthy to check your name in search engines from time to time. This will ensure that your online presence is professional with no blunders.

5) Personal Websites

If you haven’t already, it may be a nice idea to set up your own blog and to use it as an online portfolio of work. For example, if you’re a creative writer then you can upload your work, and thus create an online portfolio. Everyone likes to browse at other people’s work, and even better if a potential employer spots you.

I hope some of you have the above useful. It is certainly important to maintain and improve your online image. If you have any questions about this post, please feel free to send me an email – I’d love to hear from you.

Saturday 25 February 2012

Are you looking for a publishing placement? (6)

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Intern Opportunities

This vacancy is for a paid internship as a Digital Media Assistant. Please see the link below to find out how to apply.

http://www.inspiringinterns.com/interns/internship-offers/Digital-Marketing-Media/Central-London/internship/Digital-Media-Assistant/1995/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Tweet&utm_campaign=Digital%2BMedia%2BAssistant%2B1995

Do you want a flexible internship?

cdclifestyle.com is looking for fashion/style and health/beauty bloggers.

To find out more information and apply visit: http://www.studentjob.co.uk/vacancy/6106/Fashion-Style-Health-Beauty-blogger

Are you looking for your first job?

The National Magazine Company is seeking a new PA for the publishing management team. This is a full time role and it will be an entry point into the publishing industry.

To find out more information and apply visit: http://www.hearst.co.uk/magazines/011-405-PA-Publishing-Director-Weeklies-Group.html

Please remember that all the vacancies above can be found on my Twitter profile page - @steff_lever

Keep yourself up to date with intern opportunities by following me on Twitter.

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Bag Essentials: Ever wondered what to take with you on placement?

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In the excitement that your placement has been secured, you can sometimes forget about the little things. It is all about preparation in the most basic form in order to make a good impression. Ever wondered what to take with you on placement? Just because you’ve made a good impression previously, doesn’t mean your efforts should stop there. Therefore, below, I have listed some bag essentials that you may like to take on placement.

1) Equipment

Don’t take everything for granted. Some companies are happy to supply you with stationary. However, if this is not the case then you’ll make a good impression by having your own notepad and pen. In smaller companies, it may be necessary to take a laptop with you to your placement, but they should tell you this beforehand.

2) Water

They say it is good for the brain, and at the very least, it will keep you hydrated. I always take a bottle of water with me on placement, that way; I can easily fill it up at the water fountain – it is good to leave the desk once in a while.

3) Health Essentials

There is nothing worse than having a headache on placement. Make sure you’re carrying some paracetamol in case this happens, don’t rely on other people to have them. Additionally, carry some plasters for when your feet get sore. The publishing industry is a fast-paced environment and you need to keep up, so take care of yourself.

4) Required Documentation

As with equipment, the placement organiser should let you know whether they require any documentation such as, copy of your passport, confidentiality agreements etc. If you do need to fill out any documentation then make sure, you don’t forget to take it with you on your first day. I went on a placement once where I had to sign documentation and take it with me on my first day. It was a requirement, and if I forgot it then I wouldn’t have been able to start.

The above pointers do depend on the company and your own personal preferences. Nevertheless, these bag essentials are something to consider if you have a placement coming up. It is important to be prepared and to give an overall good impression.

Saturday 18 February 2012

Are you looking for a publishing placement? (5)

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Intern Opportunities

Not Just a Label is seeking contributing Editors. The internship is paid and the hours are flexible.

To find out how to apply visit: http://www.notjustalabel.com/community/jobs/50005

The Shirt Company is seeking an enthusiastic intern, who is interested in fashion, web and the media.

To apply, send your CV and cover letter to rose@theshirtcompany.com

Do you want a flexible internship?

Glamazon Diaries are looking to build their editorial team, and would like dedicated writers for a fashion and lifestyle magazine.

To find out more and apply email: editor@glamazondiaries.com

Are you looking for fashion-based internships?

I came across this website yesterday. It regularly lists editorial/PR and other placements within the fashion world. So, if you are interested in fashion, check this out: http://www.dailyfashionjobs.com.

Please remember that many the vacancies above can be found on my Twitter profile page - @steff_lever

Keep yourself up to date with intern opportunities by subscribing to this blog.

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Top 5 Tips for Affording Unpaid Publishing Placements

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Since my new page ‘Paid Internships’, I’ve been thinking a lot about how individuals can afford placements when they’re not paid. At present, it seems as though the industry offers very little in terms of paid work, but I’ve established a few top tips below, which are ways to ensure that you can afford an unpaid placement.

1) Choose Your Placement Wisely

It’s true that a lot of publishing placements are unpaid. However, don’t forget that companies do offer contributions towards travel expenses, and sometimes lunch. If you are lucky, some internships will pay for both travel and lunch (within reasonable limits). Fewer placements offer no reimbursements towards travel or lunch whatsoever. These placements I would be tempted to avoid as it will probably end up costing you a lot of money.

2) Flexible Placements

There is always that catch 22 of placements that ask for experience and you don’t have any experience. To get around this, if you’re writer, start working for your local University newspaper or a smaller establishment where you have the flexibility to work from home. This is beneficial as you’ll have flexible hours and you’ll gain the work experience you need, and it shouldn’t cost you anything.

3) Create Savings and Budget

If you’re still a student, put some money aside each week from your student loan, you’ll need the savings. Although companies will pay towards your travel and sometimes lunch, you will still need to pay for this all in advance and provide the company with receipts later. Therefore, it’s good to budget early on. Many publishing placements are within the London area, so find out how much a travel card will cost you per day and how much you’ll spend on lunch. Do your calculations and find out how much money you’ll need in your savings for a two week placement.

4) Part Time Work

If the above is proving difficult, there is always the option of getting a part time job at the weekend. This will work whether you’re a student or a recent graduate, and hopefully this income will help you to afford an unpaid placement.

5) Temporary Administration Pool – Conde Nast

Conde Nast offers work in their ‘Temporary Administration Pool’ so if you’re a recent graduate out of work, you can gain admin work with them. You never know, it could open up other opportunities for you. To find out more go to: http://digital.condenastinternational.com/uk/pub-page.contact.htm. Currently, I don’t know any other publishing firms that offer the equivalent.

Saturday 11 February 2012

Keeping you updated...

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It has been a while since I have posted a ‘Keeping you updated...’ blog post. This is due to my launch of the ‘Career Search Diary (1)’, which actually says a lot about what I have been doing anyway, and not to mention, I have been focussing most of my energy on my studies.

For those unaware, yesterday my second Guardian article went live and is entitled ‘Top tips for finding publishing placements’ (http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/how-to-find-publishing-placements?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) It took some time to publish but I think it paid off. Essentially, the article goes into more detail about how to research for a publishing placement – especially if like me, you started with no experience.

Furthermore, I’m still writing fortnightly for my column on CocoKouture.com. The website has had a bit of a refurbish recently causing a reorganisation so, instead of being part of ‘Luxe Life’ I’m now part of ‘Style’ instead. Overall, I’m still very happy with my internship there, especially as it’s so flexible.

Additionally, I have written a small money saving tip for The Evening Standard, which should be published very soon. I got this opportunity through Twitter (of course), and I hope to continue a relationship with them.

For those lucky ones that have read up to this point. I have found another paid placement at Conde Nast, PA to Editor/Editorial Intern (http://digital.condenastinternational.com/uk/pub-page.current-jobs.htm). I’m hoping that some of you are way ahead of me and have already found this opportunity. Don’t forget that the links you can regularly check for paid work are on the ‘Paid Internships’ page.

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Paid Internships/Placements in Publishing

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After analysing my website statistics and traffic sources, I’ve seen that many of my readers have been referred via search engines, searching for the term ‘paid publishing placements/internships’ in publishing. Therefore, I’ve decided to write a blog post as a guide to the limit paid placements in the industry.

Many of you that have already done research on paid placements have probably realised that really there isn’t many out there. I’ve been doing my own research in preparation for this blog –covering magazines, newspapers and book publishing. I have to warn you, I haven’t found a great deal.

Below, I have listed the companies that have advertised paid placements:

Penguin – Penguin have introduced their new ‘Paid Summer 2012 internships’, which I believe they recruit for annually. I did a blog post on this a while ago - 'Penguin Paid Internships Summer 2012'.

For more information visit: http://gs12.globalsuccessor.com/fe/tpl_penguin01.asp

Pearson – The Pearson diversity internship and the journalism placement at the FT.

For more information visit: http://summerinternships.pearson.com/how-to-apply.htm

Hachette – Occasionally, they do have paid internship openings. I met the paid digital intern when I was doing work experience there, and I know that she had been there for a least a few months.

Keep checking this page for paid internship opportunities: http://www.hachette.co.uk/WorkForUs/Careers

The National Magazine Company - Occasionally, they do have paid internship openings.

Keep checking this page for paid internship opportunities: http://www.hearst.co.uk/magazines/8-Opportunities.htm

Conde Nast Easy Living are currently looking for a Picture Desk Intern, who will be paid for 3 months at national minimum wage.

To apply send your CV and cover letter to: lucy.teasdale@condenast.co.uk

For more information on this vacancy or to find other paid internship opportunities visit: http://digital.condenastinternational.com/uk/pub-page.current-jobs.htm

Please note: Some of the companies that I have listed above aren’t advertising paid placements at the moment. Thus, the links I have provided may not currently show the paid placements, but it is important to check these links regularly for the limited vacancies.

Please be aware that there may be other paid placement opportunities advertised with the companies above, which I have not stated. Unfortunately, it seems that other companies just aren’t offering many paid internships. It is a bit of a bleak outlook for my blog post this week. However, I will add the few placements listed above into a new page entitled Paid Internships.

Please feel free to leave comments/responses below. Don’t forget that I’m still looking for contributors to share positive intern experiences.


Are you still feeling unenthused or at a loss? Next week I plan to write a blog post entitled ‘How do I afford work experience?’