Work in Publishing Week is a time to celebrate the many paths into publishing and we break minimise barriers to entry, encouraging diverse audiences to consider a career in this exciting sector. At Creative Access, we’re committed to providing resources that empower the next generation of publishing professionals. Below, we’ve curated a selection of expert advice from recent resources, ideal for your prep stage when applying for an opportunity all the way through to taking part in an impressive interview in the publishing world.

If you’re heading into a publishing interview, understanding the tools that underpin the industry is crucial. A key takeaway from our webinar with Penguin Random House is the importance of tech proficiency, especially tools like Biblio, which streamline workflows and manage content efficiently. Demonstrating an understanding of publishing software and how it enhances the publishing process can set you apart in an interview. Watch the full webinar here.

Publishing rights play a pivotal role in protecting and distributing intellectual property. For interviewees, knowing the ins and outs of these rights—such as the difference between territorial rights and subsidiary rights—can show you have a strong grasp of industry fundamentals. As Penguin Random House UK experts point out, a solid understanding of how publishing rights impact book sales and international deals will make you a standout candidate. Read more on publishing rights here.

Thinking about a career switch? If you’re coming from another field, focus on the transferable skills you bring to publishing. Key advice from industry professionals shows that whether you’re coming from marketing, sales, or another creative industry, skills like project management, communication, and adaptability are highly valued. Be ready to articulate how these skills can be leveraged in publishing. Learn more about pivoting into publishing here.

Landing your first job in publishing requires preparation, and knowing what to expect is key. A helpful tip from our webinar with Penguin Random House is to highlight your passion for books, but also demonstrate awareness of the practical aspects of the industry. Understanding the various roles—whether editorial, marketing, or rights—will showcase your broad interest and enthusiasm for the field. Watch the webinar for more insights here.

Publishing isn’t just about writing books—it’s about telling stories in many formats. If you’re interviewing for a role outside of traditional editorial, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to storytelling through marketing, design, or digital platforms. An essential piece of advice is to showcase your creativity in how you communicate narratives, whether in print or online. This can be a great way to stand out for roles in marketing, sales, or even digital content creation. Explore storytelling careers here.

If you’re interviewing for a sales role, understanding the intersection between sales, marketing, and editorial departments is crucial. The key takeaway from this “Career in Focus” article is to show an understanding of how sales drive the success of a book. Be ready to discuss how you can effectively pitch books, build relationships with booksellers, and manage accounts to boost sales. These insights demonstrate that you understand the business side of publishing as well as the creative side. Get tips on publishing sales here.

With these insights and resources, you’ll be better equipped to ace any interview in publishing. Whether you’re transitioning from another industry or diving into publishing for the first time, these pearls of wisdom will help you confidently navigate the interview process. Explore these resources and more to continue developing your understanding of the industry and strengthen your career trajectory.

Head to our opportunities board to see live publishing roles, internships and opportunities!

In The Financial Times Working It newsletter, Isabel Berwick features world views on the UK’s new legislation on employers to put preventative measures in place. Creative Access’ CEO weighs in to warns of the risk of tick-box compliance over real cultural change

This supports Creative Access’ expert-led training on preventing workplace harassment called: ‘Fostering Respect: Tackling Sexual Harassment in the Workplace’. You can find more information about all our inclusive DE&I training here.

See the full story here: Managers’ new duty to prevent sexual harassment at work

Creative Access’ executive chair & co-founder Josie Dobrin OBE talks to The Bookseller’s Matilda Battersby about the prevailing use of the term ‘BAME’ in publishing, despite UK government research by the Race Disparity Unit finding it ‘unhelpful’. Josie discusses Creative Access’ decision to ditch the term years ago.

Creative Access partnered with world-renowned brand strategists Ogilvy UK to devise and deliver the first cohort of its Borderless Mentoring Programme, aimed at boosting retention and progression of Ogilvy UK staff from under-represented backgrounds within the company in order to impact retention, confidence and progression.

Individuals from Ogilvy UK’s enterprise resource planning groups (ERGs) were invited to apply for the mentoring programme, with individuals approached and nominated from across the business to participate in the programme. A cohort of 20 staff from historically marginalised backgrounds were nominated by leadership at Ogilvy and matched with senior level mentors from outside their sector. Partnerships began in October 2023 and ran for 6 months of virtual mentoring until April 2024. The joint aim was to use mentoring as a tool to improve mentee confidence, knowledge, optimism for career progression as well as expanding contacts & networks. 

Campaign measurement indicates 100% of surveyed mentee respondents agreed the mentoring programme had boosted their confidence, with 75% agreeing it had made them more optimistic about opportunities for career progression open to them. 72% of respondents also agreed the mentoring programme improved their knowledge and skills they need to progress their career in the creative economy. The programme wrapped with a celebration event – hosted at Ogilvy UK HQ – that brought mentees and mentors together in person to celebrate the success of the programme and provide a platform to highlight individual achievements. 

Creative Access ‘The Class Ceiling in the Creative Industries’ report findings mentioned in opinion piece, ‘Crossing the class divide: are the creative industries a closed shop for the working class?’. Read the article by Tom West at Marketing Beat.

Creative Access data from their report: The Class Ceiling in the Creative Industrues reveals that over half of Public Relations professionals (PRs) say working class is underrepresented in the industry. 70% of PRs agree working class representation is worse at senior level – research from Creative Access and FleishmanHillard. Article by Elizabeth Wiredu at PR Week

Arts Professional covers Creative Access report stating: Class barriers persist in the creative industries. The publication reports 74% of employees in the creative industries, including those in the Creative Access community state it’s harder for working-class people to land a role in the creative industries. Click the link to read the article by Arts Professional

Industry title Broadcast reports on the perceptions of social mobility and class representation which vary dramatically in the world of TV and film. Click the link to read the full write up by Heather Fallon at Broadcast

Since 2022, Creative Access’ partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing Plc has strengthened. This is down to a combination of Creative Access’ involvement in senior level recruitment in the form of Bloomsbury Publishing’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, via the Creative Access opportunities board, as well as Bloomsbury Publishing’s commitment to elevating and developing under-represented staff. Our joint aim is to empower under-represented staff, facilitating career advancement and professional development opportunities.

Creative Access’ partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing is all about practical steps and smart resource use. Thanks to our opportunities board, Bloomsbury was able to bring in fantastic diverse talent, including a new Diversity & Inclusion Manager. This has really paid off, with 10 times more staff joining initiatives like the Springboard entry-level career support program, enabling these historically under-represented individuals to build skills and networks. The involvement of key team members shows how effective our collaboration is in driving positive change.

Since 2022, Creative Access’ partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing has driven significant Diversity Equity & Inclusion progress. Bloomsbury has leveraged Creative Access’ opportunities board to recruit diverse talent and has actively engaged staff in Creative Access’ career support programs for entry and mid-level under-represented talent. Key achievements include the recruitment of a Diversity and Inclusion Manager in 2022 via Creative Access, as well as enrolling ten staff members in Creative Access career development programmes in 2023 and planning further participation in Thrive the mid-level career development programme in 2024. This collaboration has effectively promoted diversity and professional development within Bloomsbury, supporting the career advancement of under-represented staff.

During the 2022-23 academic year, Creative Access and Loughborough University collaborated to support Black and Asian students in career guidance and support. Through a series of initiatives, including showcase events, employability sessions, industry insights days and a mentoring programme, we aimed to enhance students’ understanding of, as we as raise awareness of opportunities within the creative industries.

Our showcase event featured a panel of successful alumni who shared insights and tips for success with 28 students. The bespoke employability session focused on portfolio development, networking, and personal branding, engaging 20 students. The industry insights day at ITV Studios provided 23 students with valuable behind-the-scenes experiences and networking opportunities. Additionally, our mentoring programme paired 20 students with industry professionals for six months, offering tailored support and guidance.

Feedback from participants highlighted the positive impact of our initiatives. Across events, respondents expressed increased confidence, inspiration, and optimism about pursuing careers in the creative industries. Specifically, the employability session helped develop crucial skills and knowledge for 84% of participants, while the mentoring programme beneficiaries spoke of: boosted confidence, industry understanding, CV and cover letter skills as well as an increased professional network they wouldn’t have otherwise had access to.