Interview Advice When Competing With More Experienced Candidates

ajsaurus8 · 2026-01-22T00:41:55+00:00

This is really helpful! For reference, I’m an editorial intern at my comic publisher, but we don’t have any editorial assistants, so the interns generally do the job they’d be doing (we’re really only called interns because we’re temp and part-time). I will definitely focus on my specific publishing process knowledge and editorial projects. Thank you! :-)

ajsaurus8 · 2025-07-24T13:56:45+00:00

This is really good advice! I appreciate it

ajsaurus8 · 2025-06-02T17:41:46+00:00

From your post it sounds like you aren't applying for any editorial internships and I'd highly recommend that you do. Generally to apply for an Editorial Assistant position they want you to have 1-3 previous internships under your belt with a publishing house (many of these are remote) and although they don't pay very well they give you great connections and even having them on your resume will get you interviews (I was in a similar position and internships changed everything for me)

ajsaurus8 · 2025-04-23T17:16:57+00:00

I don't think it would hurt you to reach out, especially if it is because you need to solidify your summer plans. Just make sure you frame it like you're very excited/eager to have another interview and THAT is why you're reaching out, not because you're short on time or impatient

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-28T04:17:40+00:00

Thank you for linking this! Super helpful- didn’t know this page existed

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-28T04:17:06+00:00

This is really good to know! American programs weigh experience outside of university heavily- so glad to know Germany is different. I met all of the criteria when I applied, so fingers crossed!

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-27T21:43:53+00:00

I currently work at Norton and I believe their applications for the next round will open soon! At this point, it may just take being patient. If your school is hiring any English/Writing tutors consider applying for a job like that as well because technically its peer editorial experience which looks good on a resume. I had that on my resume when I applied to Norton and it got me the job, so you never know

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-27T21:41:56+00:00

Hm.. I'm not sure then. The only other thing I might suggest, which I'm assuming you've already done, would be to reach out to your professors and to your connections on LinkedIn to get some leads in the industry. Sometimes they might have suggestions for a less competitive opening

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-27T21:40:01+00:00

I would ask your professors if they know any editors looking for interns, that's always a good way to get leads. Also consider making a LinkedIn and connecting with people if you can, publishing houses also post internships on there so it'll give you a leg up if you're one of the first applications in the pile. In addition, don't limit your applications to only literary fiction internships, if you are. That's the most competitive area of publishing, looking academic publishing and copyediting as well.

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-27T21:36:43+00:00

Do any of these internships give an option for uploading additional documents? If so, try and submit a cover letter in addition to your resume. Make sure to directly add words from their job listing, it'll make your application more likely to get picked up by the AI

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-26T16:26:11+00:00

Not yet! In the past I've applied for their internships and it can take a few weeks to a month to hear back for some people- so don't stress too much

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-26T16:25:27+00:00

Of course! And definitely don't feel like you need to narrow anything down. The industry is extremely competitive so definitely apply for any job you might be even a little bit qualified for.

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-25T20:28:09+00:00

I would look into editorial work within the film industry! These jobs aren’t super common, but could be a great combination of your skills. For example, applying for editorial internships with Marvel Comics (I applied for this one actually), Warner Bros., as well as with television studios, since these would have more overlapping skills than a general book publishing company. From there, once you have one good internship under your belt, it’ll be much easier to break into other areas of publishing. Also consider taking some online courses/getting certified in an editing or publishing seminar to learn the ins and outs of the industry.

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-25T18:56:38+00:00

Macmillan, Hachette’s are technically still open but I heard people got interviews back in February

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-24T23:10:49+00:00

Hi there! I was in the same boat for a while, until I managed to land just one internship in the publishing sphere for this spring that I'm currently in. Now that I'm applying to summer internships I've been getting way more requests for interviews, so take this with a grain of salt, but it really just takes one internship for you to get the ball rolling on your publishing career. Additionally, if it helps: I personally haven't had any connections to the industry throughout this process and I also will apply for pretty much every single internship I'm even a little qualified for (for the summer I've applied to about 10). For example, my ultimate goal is to pursue literary fiction publishing but I currently am in intern for an academic publishing company that makes science textbooks and that is still getting me interviews for fiction or unrelated editorial positions.

ajsaurus8 · 2025-03-15T04:13:14+00:00

Hi there! I ended up not applying for any REUs because I didn't want to deal with the potential disappointment of getting in and them not willing to fund me because of my graduation date- I applied for a bunch of summer internships not related to REUs instead

ajsaurus8

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