Moving from an assistant role to your first management position can feel daunting. Your responsibilities will increase – but hopefully so will your reward. In this blog, we will discuss how you can become eligible for this role and progress your career.
Getting your first management job in publishing may be possible through these steps:
- Taking on larger projects
- Supporting your supervisor
- Looking for external mentorship/leadership opportunities
- Networking within the wider industry
- Gaining financial experience
- Additional education
Taking on larger projects:
Volunteering to lead or contribute to a project outside the scope of your role can show strong initiative and indicate you are ready for more responsibility. You could upskill within your position by overseeing a team, meeting specific targets and engaging in large-scale problem-solving. Working on bigger projects also shows your alignment with the long-term goals of a company and your eligibility for a management job in publishing.
Supporting your supervisor:
Offering assistance to senior leadership suggests your commitment to learning the ropes of a management job in publishing. This could include helping with smaller tasks such as administrative assistance or recruitment. It could also mean collaborating on idea generation and problem-solving, showing your flexibility in adapting to different managerial tasks. Displaying a genuine interest in the day-to-day duties of a senior colleague is a great way to highlight your eagerness for leadership roles.
Looking for external mentorship/leadership opportunities
Having the ability to manage people is a huge asset in senior roles. Within the publishing industry, there are plenty of opportunities to lead and mentor others. For example, through the Society of Young Publishers, Creative Access and internal schemes provided by your company. Here, you can offer advice, actively listen to queries and be a consistent voice of assurance. This experience enables you to build essential communication, conflict resolution and leadership skills. It also looks great on your CV when applying to management jobs in publishing.
Networking within the wider industry
Networking is an excellent sign of a confident and interpersonal communicator. You may be able to leverage your connections to help secure job roles, as well as other important business opportunities. Publishing is a small industry, so building professional relationships is key. Similarly, lots of rights deals happen during networking events, so it is a bonus for employers if you already have book-trade connections.
Gaining financial experience
Working with money is essential in a management job in publishing, and you can gain this experience in a range of ways. This could be through managing budgets, negotiating contracts, or tracking sales targets. A background in strategic thinking, analysis and accountability is imperative for preparing for a senior role. This can be built through independent initiatives, such as volunteering at a charity or hosting an event or pursuing it through your current company.
Additional education
While you may not wish to seek further education, this training can be completed alongside a full-time role. There are plenty of courses designed for aspiring managers, which your company may sponsor, including at the Chartered Management Institute. Getting a professional certification is an impressive feat and can help you learn about different styles of management that suit you. Especially if you are looking for your first management job in publishing, this is a sure way of getting sound experience in an official capacity.
Are you looking for a management job in publishing?
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