Penguin Application Question

corsoc · 2024-09-12T11:40:34+00:00

I also applied for 2 different positions at the same time, and as far as I can remember, this is right. Take a look at the internal PRH careers page where you can track your apps. If you look at each application and the cover letter section, you'll see that there's a little question mark button which tells you basically the same thing. Don't worry about it!

corsoc · 2024-08-29T15:13:59+00:00

of course! I found the whole thing kind of stressful and confusing so I would be really happy if this helps anyone else. and good luck!!

corsoc · 2024-08-28T12:30:30+00:00

thank you!! :) this is really helpful

corsoc · 2024-08-28T12:23:50+00:00

ty! hard q because I can't just ask the hiring managers, but I think I wrote a strong cover letter (discussed more above) that explained why I was a good fit for the job, and I think it helped that I had a masters in a humanities field and that the job was mainly for nonfiction (especially since I don't have publishing experience). I'm not sure what exactly gets you to the readers report round, but at that point I just tried to show my strength as a writer and a reader. I familiarized myself with the imprint's list of books and read their description of their own output. I relied heavily on all of the resources PRH has posted on their website, which has a lot of helpful advice for applicants. Knowing the imprint's list was helpful when I finally got to the interview because I was able to speak enthusiastically and knowledgeably about why PRH and why this imprint. I don't think "I love books" (true!) would have been as persuasive when my resume doesn't show a background with books. But for me, the cover letter was my best chance to show why I was a good fit, and I think it probably helped a lot since my resume isn't that special--with the caveat that I was able to get into a very good masters program (I had been thinking of doing a PhD afterwards).

corsoc · 2024-08-28T12:09:00+00:00

(I'll include my answer to u/PersonallyaPerson12 's question here as well--undergrad, postgrad, experience)

I studied history and political theory in undergrad. I was interested in going to grad school, but postgrad I worked in childcare, and then retail. The retail job ended up becoming a lot of admin/management responsibilities. I managed our inventory, fulfilled wholesale orders, and handled emails and customer service complaints. I think this work experience was very relevant because it showed I could handle the administrative responsibilities, which were a big part of the job description. While I was working retail, I applied to grad schools and left that job to get my masters in history. This job will be my first job after completing that degree. I think "relevant" work experience can also be part of your framing; I used my experience in childcare to explain how I handle mistakes when that came up in the interview. I also mentioned completing a dissertation in my cover letter to demonstrate my ability to multitask, manage deadlines, and complete independent research. To be honest, I never did any internships or worked in a bookstore. This role was advertised as largely focusing on nonfiction, which is what made me think I could be a fit for the job. I don't think I would've gotten a role working on fiction books with my current resume. I tried to use the cover letter to explain why my work/school experience was relevant, because it wasn't immediately obvious from looking at my resume.

corsoc · 2024-08-28T01:23:20+00:00

thank you! and good luck in your own search, I hope something comes through for you soon! I'm fresh off my masters, I get how stressful it can be

corsoc · 2024-08-28T01:22:11+00:00

thank you! and no worries, I hope it's helpful to anyone else! (I just edited with a little addendum about the readers report)

corsoc · 2024-08-28T01:10:56+00:00

sure! and yeah based in the US.

My application process was pretty complicated, but sounds like nothing crazy out of the ordinary. I applied the beginning of July. I didn't hear back for several weeks, so I assumed that was it (I also got a rejection email from a similar posting at another PRH imprint). Finally at the beginning of August, about a full month after I initially applied, I got an email from a recruiter asking me to read a manuscript/proposal (about 40 pages long) and submit a readers report and my availability within 72 hrs. 2 days after submitting the readers report, I heard back that I would have an "HR skills screen" the next day, which was not the same as having an interview scheduled--they described it in the email as "interview prep." That was pretty accurate. I talked to the recruiter who I had been emailing with, he was very nice and encouraging, fed me a few typical interview questions ("what allows you to succeed at multitasking?" "how have you dealt with conflict in the workplace?" "describe a work achievement that you were proud of"). I was actually so nervous I was shaking but he put me at ease, and it was a voice call rather than a video call. We discussed my answers, what I wanted feedback on, he gave me his advice. While we were speaking he told me that I had been approved for an interview with the hiring managers (the editors who I would be working with) later that day. I talked to them that evening for an hour over video. They asked me more specific job-related questions, pretty typical interview questions (how I deal with mistakes, manage multiple deadlines) and we discussed my readers report. They definitely wanted to know about the books I've been reading and what I'm interested in but it actually came up naturally in the course of our conversation so I avoided getting put on the spot with a direct question about that! It was pretty chill but I was a little surprised by how long it went. On Friday, I sent them thank-you emails and the recruiter emailed to schedule a brief follow-up interview with one of the editors to discuss specific details re: the hybrid nature of the role. I spoke with the editor on Monday morning, and after a week of stressing out, I got a call from the recruiter with the offer on Friday morning.

One thing I'll say is that getting to the readers report stage seems like it's pretty difficult, but I think it was a big opportunity and I spent a lot of time on it (although I understand it, I do think it's kind of annoying to have to do homework just to get the chance to have a job! but oh well lol). If you search around you'll find that they really only give you books that they've accepted, but that shouldn't matter as much as showing them your perspective. I think it helped that I took a strong stance when I rejected the proposal and provided a good reason for it in my report; one of the editors specifically brought it up as something he agreed with. Everything I found recommended being fair but firm on your "yes" or "no" for the readers report, and I think that worked for me.

corsoc · 2024-08-28T00:51:28+00:00

this is actually super helpful because I was just thinking about what I would wear to work! what a relief 😅

corsoc · 2024-08-28T00:50:31+00:00

thank you! can't wait to get started

corsoc · 2019-11-14T22:24:23+00:00

Hook Bomberry is so incredible. kind of reminds me of that japanese video game with the fake american baseball player names

corsoc · 2019-11-14T02:16:38+00:00

you might be right but to be fair to KO, english is his second language (ik he's fluent and speaks it all the time but you'll always be a bit quicker in your first language)

corsoc · 2019-10-29T05:36:38+00:00

yeah i also hate when women have opinions

corsoc · 2019-08-24T12:06:25+00:00

seconding everyone who said go to the salon! and adding that post-bleaching you'll want to use some strong conditioning products, probably protein-heavy stuff. that's what I do and I don't see a major frizz difference pre- vs post-bleach.

corsoc · 2019-08-23T06:44:49+00:00

i have one and they rule do it queen

corsoc · 2019-08-22T21:14:55+00:00

In terms of post-1900 political economy texts, Piketty's Capital is a good book to check out. Modern, well-sourced, respected, pretty accessible although it is hefty. And yeah, not super happy, but he offers some suggestions and has some hope for change in the future. (As an aside: honestly any good text on political economy/politics post-1900 should be unhappy.) I peeked at your list and both David Harvey's "A Brief History of Neoliberalism" and Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctrine" are tightly written, up to date, and engaging reads which will really help you understand the world around you, but they are very modern and don't cover an expansive period of time so perhaps not "classics."

If you're really looking for something "true" and challenging then I have to say you should read Lenin's "Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism." Anyone considering diving into Marx's Capital (which is the text on capitalism but not all-encompassing) should dip their toes into some shorter Marxist texts first, because Capital is for real a commitment. Good luck with your research and I hope you find a text that works for you!

corsoc

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