Tuesday 27 August 2013

Intern Opportunities: 27 August 2013

Paid internships

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Saturday 24 August 2013

Guest Blog Post: An Interview with a Publisher by Yasmin Jaunbocus

An interview with a Publisher

Whilst an interview with a vampire may seem like the scarier option, when a career in publishing is your life ambition, it’s a scary thought that your life is in the hands of your interviewer.

A garland of garlic and a wooden crucifix isn’t going to get you far, but doing your research is! Hit the books. Hard. This was one of the best pieces of advice I gained from the Diary of a Publishing Professional blog. Your interviewers will be impressed by your knowledge and it shows you’ve come prepared – it will make you as a candidate stand out amongst the rest. Make sure you get to grips with company facts, history and figures. Then look at current news. For example, e-books have raised Amazon books sales by 66% this year, so what can you add to the market in terms of digital publishing? Don’t just chuck some random facts, link your research/facts to what you can do for the department.

Don’t forget to take a deep breath. When asked a question, pause and think about what you’re really being asked.  Speak slowly, relate your answer back to the question, and use the keywords used by your interviewer. Don’t just reel off buzzwords; they are arbitrary alone. Instead, use real life examples or STAR answers that prove your abilities.

Smile! Unlike vampires, they won’t bite! There is no use saying you’re a confident, bubbly personality bursting with ideas when you’re paler than a sheet and your teeth are chattering. Try to keep the nerves and mind at ease. After all, you already are through to the interview stage, which means they see potential. The interviewers aren’t there to trip you up. Smile and they will smile back.

Last but certainly not least, you need to be passionate. Don’t just be black and white about it. You’re one graduate amongst a sea of others. What makes you stand out? Think of yourself like a book. Your interview is your blurb. Would you read what you have to say? If not, a publisher isn’t either. 

By Yasmin Jaunbocus
@yasminjay53 

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Intern Opportunities: 20 August 2013


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Tuesday 13 August 2013

Intern Opportunities: 13 August 2013

Graduate opportunities

Opportunity of the week...
Oldcastle Books is offering a three month paid internship in publishing. The placement will begin mid-late September and will finish before Christmas. Working hours are 10am till 4pm Tuesday to Friday, and you will be paid £150 per week. If you’re interested please apply via the website with your CV and cover letter. 
Deadline for applications is Tuesday 13th August.

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Saturday 10 August 2013

Covey's 7 Habits

Some of you may have already viewed my newest blog page ‘books’. In the past six months I’ve dedicated much of my spare time to reading business books. Therefore, the page is dedicated to listing the books that I would recommend to improve management and leadership, personal and PA skills. One of the books first on my list is Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Effective People.

What drew me to Covey’s book was the fact that it’s all about enhancing personal effectiveness, which in order to be successful is broken down into seven habits
  1. Be Proactive
  2.  Begin with the end in mind
  3. Put first things first
  4. Think win-win
  5. First understand and then be understood
  6. Synergize  
  7.  ‘Sharpen the saw’

Within these seven habits Covey discusses the transition from dependence, independence to interdependence. In order to achieve the first habit you need to break away from dependence by taking responsibility for your own actions without blaming circumstances or conditions. You need to start being proactive by visualising what you want to achieve and the goals you want to accomplish in future. That way you can begin with the end in mind. To know where you want to go in life, according to your values, beliefs and principles.

Next, in order to put first things first Covey suggests ways of taking control of the important things in life that aren’t necessarily the most urgent. He talks about the following:-
  • Planning
  • Building relationships
  •  Personal mission statement
  • Work outs

It’s all about using your time effectively to focus on your important goals in life. Covey describes this as the time that you then reach independence and that’s when you can improve your effectiveness with others.
In order to do so think win-win around others and make them feel like winners. You need to be able to think of solutions to problems that allow all parties involved to benefit (including you). You must believe that there’s plenty for everyone. Remember one person’s success does not mean another person’s failure. Covey states that you need to understand first, then try to be understood. If you start to actively listen to those around you and take the time to do so, then you could actually learn something from them. Diagnose before you prescribe, says Covey.

Finally synergize, be open to fresh and creative ideas. Value the differences between yourself and others and build upon them. Understand and adapt to different working styles to find creative ways out of a conflict situation. Once you achieve the effectiveness with yourself and others, you have then reached interdependence. You are effective and admired. Your relentless thirst for learning and exploring means that you continuously try to improve yourself, as Covey sums up ‘you sharpen the saw’.


The book focuses on the central issue of what drives people to do things and how they can be happy at doing them. The breakdown of habits in sequential order really gives you the tools to be effective in your work and personal life - beginning with yourself and then moving onto others. The 7 Habits of Effective People is detailed book that I would highly recommend for anyone striving for effectiveness and interdependence.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Intern Opportunities: 06 August 2013


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