Beauty editors are the in-house experts about style at major magazines.
Everyone recognizes the glossy covers of magazines like "Glamour" or "Cosmopolitan." Can you look at the pictures and name the clothes by designer? Do you have an eye for what's in and what's out? If so, you may have what it takes to write and edit the centerpiece beauty articles that draw in millions of readers. It's a highly competitive field, and beauty editor positions aren't always posted to the journalism job boards because of their niche nature. Achieving the dream takes a good portfolio and good contacts.
Instructions
1. Start writing. Journalism is a hands-on field. No matter what type of position you're applying for, you're going to have to show you've earned your way. Keep a journal of your thoughts on the beauty and fashion industry. Think about how trends are reflected in your community, and pitch a few stories to the features editor of your local newspaper or community magazine. A good portfolio should contain at least 10 well-packaged pieces.
2. Market yourself. Start a beauty blog and write daily posts about your thoughts on the industry. Build an online profile with your portfolio. Clearly display an email address for people to get in touch with you.
3. Brush up your resume. Editors are typically not just pulled off the street. You're going to need to look for any type of copy editing work you can find just to get your foot in the industry's door. Try newspapers, trade journals or community publications to build the experience of operating flawlessly under deadline pressure. Also, think about your college experience. For a beauty editor job, you may be better off with a fashion degree than a degree in journalism.
4. Mingle. Go to fashion shows. Talk to designers, models, promoters and any other feature or fashion writers who may be in the crowd. Explain who you are and your desire to work as a beauty editor. Ask for ideas for stories that you could freelance to publications to keep building your portfolio.
5. Apply. Check job listings on websites like mediabistro.com and journalismJobs.com. However, you're better off finding the magazine you'd like to work for and periodically sending the current beauty editor and chief editor your published work and an updated resume for when a position is available. Introduce yourself either by phone or in person at the magazine's office. Beauty editors play a great role in setting a magazine's tone, so getting hired means putting yourself in a position of familiarity and trust over the hundreds and sometimes thousands of people responding to want ads.
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