Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by James Brosher

Magazine editor Julia Kagan advised students on ways to land magazine jobs during her visit Monday and Tuesday.

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Julia Kagan, the health director for Ladies’ Home Journal, came to the School of Journalism Monday and Tuesday to talk about the current job market, how to succeed in an interview and her passion for making a difference through journalism.

During her visit, Kagan told students in Monday’s J342 Magazine Reporting class that finding a job or internship is a matter of skill, luck and timing. She told of her own success landing a job during an economic recession by answering an ad in the New York Times.

“There are openings, you just have to find them,” she said, reassuring graduating seniors who are worried about the job market.

During her talks to three classes and during an informal session in the Ernie Pyle Lounge, Kagan drew on her own 30-plus years in magazine publishing. She is former vice president and editorial director of Consumers Union and editor of Consumer Reports. She also was editor at Psychology Today, was psychology/health director at Fitness magazine, and has held senior editorial posts at Working Woman, Child, McCall’s, Zagat Publications and Back Stage.

Kagan said every large corporation has a Web site that lists jobs and careers. She advised students to check such sites every day and to always have a resume, cover letter and writing samples on hand in case an opportunity arises.

“The day we post a job on Media Bistro, I will get 50 responses before lunch,” she said of the tough competition.

In addition to career Web sites, Kagan stressed the importance of taking advantage of IU alumni in the field by contacting them and networking with them.

Though Kagan strongly recommends an internship in the field, she says any accomplishments one can list on resumes are useful. Some jobs, such as working the cafeteria’s night shift, will be noticed and show a willingness to work.

In interviews, Kagan looks for body language, energy, grammar and attention to detail. She said many Ladies’ Home Journal applicants don’t know there is an apostrophe after Ladies’, which may result in rejection.

“You are applying to people who look for mistakes for a living,” she said.

She said she looks for resourceful, hardworking, energetic and good-humored people. And, she’s looking for people who are prepared for the long haul. Once hired, people have a tendency to be too concerned with moving up in the organization, an attitude that Kagan said can cause employers to lose trust.

Photo by James Brosher

In 30-plus years in magazines, Kagan has worked for Consumer Reports, Psychology Today, Fitness, Working Woman, Child, McCall’s, Zagat Publications and Back Stage.

In addition to landing and surviving interviews, having solid skills to take to the workplace is critical, Kagan said. Thirty years ago, her writing was a dead giveaway that she was a history major at Bryn Mawr College, she said. She learned to be more conversational and to write in different voices.

“It is good to have more than one instrument in your orchestra. Sometimes you want to be excited and sometimes you want to be calm,” she said, referring to the various voices she has learned to use.

Through the years of magazine experience, Kagan said she has developed a strong passion for helping and informing her readers. She is frustrated with critics who view women’s magazines as fluff and fail to see the good they do.

“I love that I help people and feel we are preaching to the people who are the healthcare gatekeepers for their families and communities,” Kagan said.

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