It can be challenging to find a magazine position, particularly given the current condition of the publishing industry. However, though magazine publishing is in a state of flux, this does not mean that you can't land your dream job at a magazine publisher.

Some Realities to Consider

If you have little or no publishing experience, it is likely that you will have to start as either an intern or assistant. Internships are often unpaid or at minimum wage, which can be a financial dealbreaker to the would-be magazine professional. Be prepared -- there is no get-rich-quick formula for entering the magazine industry. You will have to start at the bottom, as is the case in many industries. Even if you are hired as an assistant, odds are that it will be a relatively low-paying, entry-level position. If entering the magazine industry constitutes a career change for you, be prepared to adjust your lifestyle.

Be prepared for a long search. With many magazines downsizing or folding as a result of the global economic downturn, there is a dearth of jobs available to the magazine professional. This does not mean that you cannot break into the industry. It simply means that you will have to be patient as the economy recovers and print publications figure out how to become profitable online.

In the meantime, sharpen your computer skills. Learn various design software and programming languages. Know what a blog is and how to create one. Familiarize yourself with social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), social bookmarking (Digg, Stumbleupon, Technorati, etc.), and online syndication (RSS feeds, Atom feeds, etc.). The more new media expertise you bring to the table, the more lucrative your resume will appear to a magazine publisher.

Job Hunter Websites

So where can you find these elusive magazine positions? First, research the websites of publications that interest you or are in your geographic area. Many magazines have pages for employment and internship opportunities with the pertinent contact information. If you can't find specific contact information on the website, call the magazine and ask to be connected to the human resources department.

Also, check websites like Careerbuilder, Monster, and Craigslist. You can filter your job search into categories, and all of these sites have publishing and/or journalism categories. Because these are such high-traffic sites, be sure to follow up if you apply to them. The more you make yourself known, the more likely your resume will be to pass into the interview stage. There are also job sites geared specifically toward publishing jobs. Check Journalism Jobs, Folio, and Media Bistro regularly. You can also visit our Editors Only classified page for magazine job listings, updated frequently.