Editorial Assistant
What is the work like?
Editorial assistants provide support at all stages of the publication process. They work on many different products, including books, journals, magazines, websites and web-based newsletters (sometimes known as e-bulletins). Becoming an editorial assistant is a common starting point for an editorial career.
In print publishing, your work as an editorial assistant would include:
- liaising with creative, editorial, production and marketing staff
- acting as a point of contact for freelance writers
- keeping databases, spreadsheets and other records up to date
- proofing and sometimes copy-editing documents
- dealing with rights and permissions
- acting as personal assistant to commissioning editors
- setting up interviews
- scanning and manipulating images using image editing software such as Photoshop
- using page layout software such as QuarkXpress
- supporting editing decisions, for example reviewing manuscripts and recommending whether they should be published
- carrying out general office duties like photocopying.
In online publishing your duties would also include:
- proofing and editing online text
- compiling newsletters using software packages such as Dreamweaver
- sending out newsletters using distribution software
- uploading text and images to a website using a content management system (CMS).
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Many editorial assistants have a degree in English, journalism or media studies. However, employers may consider you without qualifications if you can prove you have relevant skills and experience, and you will normally be asked to do a written test at interview.
For work on journals, books or magazines covering a specialist subject like medicine or science, employers will usually expect you to have a background in that subject.
Basic IT skills are essential for all types of publishing. If you do not already have these, you could do courses in MS Office and design software such as Dreamweaver, QuarkXpress and Photoshop at a local college.
Before looking for work it is a good idea to build up your experience of publishing. You can do this by:
- doing unpaid work experience or job shadowing – see the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) for advice on finding a placement
- creating your own website to showcase samples of your work
- doing temporary administrative work in a publishing company
- reading specialist publications, such as The Bookseller and Publishing News Online.
You can also develop your general skills by doing courses in basic proofreading and editing. See the Publishing Training Centre and the Society of Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) websites for details.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as an editorial assistant a lot of your learning will be done on the job.
You can also develop your skills and knowledge by doing short and distance learning courses through organisations like the Publishing Training Centre and the SfEP. These include subjects like proofreading, electronic publishing, and rights and contracts.
Joining organisations such as the Society of Young Publishers, the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and Women in Publishing will give you opportunities for professional support and networking.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
28 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6JR
Tel: 020 7404 4166
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
93–99 Upper Richmond Road
Putney
London SW15 2TG
Tel: 020 8785 5617
Wandsworth
London
SW18 2QZ
Tel: 020 8874 2718
London
WC1B 5BW
Tel: 020 7691 9191
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Editorial assistants can earn between £14,000 and around £23,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours would usually be from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but you may need to be flexible, and work extra hours to meet publication deadlines.
You would be office-based.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a good standard of written and spoken English
- a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
- strong time management skills
- teamworking skills
- IT and administration skills
- effective communication and 'people' skills
- determination and resilience.
What opportunities are there?
The number of opportunities for editorial assistants vary depending on the type of publication. Vacancies in book publishing and magazine publishing are not always advertised, so networking, job shadowing and speculative applications are often the best approach.
Vacancies with other organisations, like marketing agencies and online publishers, are more likely to be advertised.
After gaining experience as an editorial assistant you could progress to more senior editorial jobs.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
The Guardian
Publishing News Online
The Bookseller
Skillset – recruitment links page
ppajobs.co.uk
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
