By Jamé Jackson
The role of an editorial or fashion assistant can sometimes be far from glamorous (we’re not all Andy Sachs, wearing Chanel and drinking wine in Paris). As someone who just recently became an editor (but not too long ago was an EA herself), I know what things help differentiate you from the crowd.
Go Above and Beyond What’s Expected of You
It can seem quite natural to relax once you get that coveted EA role at your dream publication. However, the best and most successful in these roles are the ones that take the initiative to go beyond what is asked of them. Whether it’s staying in the office an extra couple of hours some nights to make sure that presentation is perfect or asking your Editor if there are any other projects you can take off their hands, going that extra mile will always be fruitful in the long term. Here’s my cautionary tale though: Don’t ask your Editor or other teams for more work when the work you’ve already been tasked is 1) incomplete, 2) not the best it can be, and 3) not done correctly or on time. There is nothing more annoying than seeing someone working on another task, leaving all the crucial tasks left unattended. In order to stand out from others (which includes your fellow assistants as well as the interns!) you need to make yourself indispensable. The best (and most effective) way to do so is being “that person” everyone knows they can depend on to get a job done well.
Understand Your Role & Play It
Understanding your role as an Editorial Assistant is vital to making the ship run smoother and more effectively. Do not get into the habit of overstepping boundaries or assuming editorial calls that are not, for all purposes, in your “jurisdiction.” At a previous publishing company, an Editor once told me she caught her editorial assistant attending events claiming she was the editor! As an EA, it’s also not always your position to say what needs fixing in the magazine, what an editor can be doing better (unless they ask) or gunning for all of the attention in various ways. Play your part and your hard work will be rewarded.
Dress the Part
You don’t need to dump your existing wardrobe and stock it with Gucci, Prada and Fendi to be successful. I do believe you should look the part. No matter your style or your budget, there are small things one can do to look presentable and chic. Some of my favorite tips include dressing in all one color (all black will never do you wrong in New York) or sticking to a wardrobe primarily of nudes and neutrals. Also, never underestimate the power of ironing and hanging up your clothes. The chicest outfits will always look unkempt when you see huge grease stains or unironed finishes throughout. For footwear, do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, but understand the role of an EA is so spontaneous you may be doing a quick run throughout the city at any given moment of the day. So I’d opt to keep some ballet flats at your desk at all times.
Network, Network, Network!
What fun is work if you don’t get to meet new people? Attend events geared toward people in your industry (Ed2010 just had our EA roundtable!) and attend happy hours so you can meet other people. Who knows? Someone over at Publication X may know of another role happening within their magazine and can recommend it to you. Or perhaps your editor will need you to reach out to someone over at Agency Z and you already have a growing rolodex of people over there. Networking is the key to getting ahead and also great practice for the things you will want to do later in life.
Remember to Always Be Kind
Kindness is a virtue that I think is not praised enough.It takes so little energy to be kind to people, and yet sometimes it is put on the back burner once you’ve “made it.” Allow me to assure you that anyone you come into contact with has the potential to make or break your career. The receptionists, people in other divisions, heck even the janitor has something to deposit in your life. Practice kindness wherever you go. I remember a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) was once at a publishing company and saw an advertisement for a coveted role at her dream job. She applied and got to the interview, only to find that the person hiring was someone who had worked at the same publication as her, and someone who had started out lower than her. She confided in me that at the time, this other person was an intern while she was an EA, so she never saw her as “someone” until the woman got promoted and climbed through the ranks. Needless to say, the woman remembered how mean she was to her. As for my friend? It was a humbling experience that you are never mean to people. Take heed now, young Edsters. You have a whole career ahead of you.
Jamé Jackson is a freelance writer based in New York City. She loves all things fashion, beauty, and #GirlBoss related. She can be seen spreading her magic on Instagram @Theblondemisfit and her website, Theblondemisfit.com.
From Ed’s Guest Blogger: The Cover Letter Trick That Got Me Hired
»