Editorial position

[miwashi]

Can someone enlighten me on the supposed seniority level of the titles in the editorial industry?

Like the title 'editor'. Is it supposed to be the most senior or most junior in the field that deals with publications production?

This is because I have gone for a spectrum of job interviews relating to this title, and some interviewers commented that I cannot be an editor as I'm too junior, and they would rather place me as a writer. Others have told me that their 'editor' position is the most junior and reports to managing editors, editorial managers, and all other manner of permutations of the title.

I know that titles mean nothing these days (ie. I'm a 'manager' who does menial general work myself and no planning of any sort at all) but I'm interested in knowing if there's a perceived progression for this field.

[miwashi]

so does anyone know what is the analogue for an "editor" position in other fields? Is it the same as 'manager', as in a real manager, or is it more junior executive level?

Originally Posted by miwashi

so does anyone know what is the analogue for an "editor" position in other fields? Is it the same as 'manager', as in a real manager, or is it more junior executive level?

i know of people who hire "editors" to write for their blogging business.

Originally Posted by miwashi

so does anyone know what is the analogue for an "editor" position in other fields? Is it the same as 'manager', as in a real manager, or is it more junior executive level?

Editor should typically refer to a manager-level post or In-Charge. For example, you can have Features Editor or News Editor who are responsible for the Features section or News section of the publication.

You can view the 'rank' of an editor from the following:

Editor-in-Chief > Managing Editor > Senior Editor > Section Editor > Sub-Editor > Journalist/Reporter > Editorial Asst > Editorial Intern

Hope it helps

[miwashi]

This is very helpful, thank you!

[excalibur324]

Hi Miwashi, u are the probably the most candid forummer here willing to share your woes and sorrows in your career. And I have read most of the threads and posts you have posted here... not to stalk you but it is just so depressing to see how reality is and how society, jobs can be so cock up.

I am not sure if you are still in your grasscutting job or you have move on to greener pastures. You should be getting your Msc soon i guess. To be frank, you have good writing style, I do enjoy some of the thoughts and feelings you have written here and probably that's the reasons why I kept reading threads after threads you have started.

I was thinking if you might want to consider writing as a profession. Not easy I guess but you can write about your situation in your career, your feelings, how cold and real this society has evolved to after so many unreplied applications and remarks that are uncalled for during interviews. I just think it will be a great seller since it will strike a chord with some individuals who are in the same situations, it will probably make the public service take notice of u. If it is really the top seller, be prepared for moviemakers to turn it into film.

Confessions of a grasscutter. I will certainly purchase it off the bookshelf if I see it 1-2 years down the road.

[miwashi]

Hmm...
Is Dr Cai's book selling well? I could consider it.

Anyway what actually happened is something went wrong along the way. I told my miniboss my expertise was in content development and editorial work and I could do more of that for the organization. I think that is something many organizations can benefit from.

Unfortunately, being the rather inept person he is, I think something was lost in translation going through him. I don't know what he told the biggerbosses, but the biggerbosses seem to think I want to be a journalist. There's a world of difference between editorial and journalism work. They think I'm a dreamer. That I want to do 'playing around' work. Someone with no writing qualifications thinking of becoming a writer.

My track record is in editorial work. Unfortunately during my 6 years in my current workplace ( I still haven't found a way out) I did nothing of that sort, and interviewers are saying that I have been more and more out of touch with it.

I'm an editor, not a writer!

Unfortunately for many science positions they only want phd holders and above to be editors.

Originally Posted by miwashi

Hmm...
Is Dr Cai's book selling well? I could consider it.

Anyway what actually happened is something went wrong along the way. I told my miniboss my expertise was in content development and editorial work and I could do more of that for the organization. I think that is something many organizations can benefit from.

Unfortunately, being the rather inept person he is, I think something was lost in translation going through him. I don't know what he told the biggerbosses, but the biggerbosses seem to think I want to be a journalist. There's a world of difference between editorial and journalism work. They think I'm a dreamer. That I want to do 'playing around' work. Someone with no writing qualifications thinking of becoming a writer.

My track record is in editorial work. Unfortunately during my 6 years in my current workplace ( I still haven't found a way out) I did nothing of that sort, and interviewers are saying that I have been more and more out of touch with it.

I'm an editor, not a writer!

Unfortunately for many science positions they only want phd holders and above to be editors.

what's the difference between an editor and a writer?

[miwashi]

to put it very simply, the editor is responsible for content curation. He decides what information should be discovered, and has his sources gather, and then he arranges and delivers. He steers the article and gives direction, and also sets the tone and opinion to be delivered. Editors are usually subject matter experts too who can smell irregularities a mile away, that's why the editorial board of scientific publications are usually all professors.

The writer gathers information and writes the piece from beginning to end. They're something like executives, who execute.

I don't think either is of a higher level than the other, they're just different and both can be experts in their own fields.

I'm sure people working in the field can give better examples.