Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: TOC • InDesign • Press-ready

DPS

Term from Magazine Publishing industry explained for recruiters

DPS stands for "Desktop Publishing Software" and is commonly used in the magazine and publishing industry. It refers to professional software programs like Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or similar tools that help create magazines, brochures, and other printed materials. When someone mentions DPS experience on their resume, they're indicating they know how to lay out pages, arrange text and images, and prepare documents for printing. Think of it as the essential toolset that designers and publishers use to create professional-looking publications.

Examples in Resumes

Created monthly magazine layouts using DPS tools, primarily Adobe InDesign

Managed production of 100+ page catalogs with Desktop Publishing Software

Led team transition from manual layouts to DPS workflow, improving efficiency by 40%

Typical job title: "Desktop Publishers"

Also try searching for:

Layout Designer Publication Designer Digital Publishing Specialist Print Production Designer Magazine Designer Publishing Coordinator Print Designer

Where to Find Desktop Publishers

Professional Networks

Industry Organizations

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you manage a complete magazine redesign project?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership in coordinating with editorial teams, managing deadlines, creating style guides, and training staff on new layout systems while maintaining production schedules.

Q: How do you ensure consistency across multiple publications or issues?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating and maintaining style guides, template systems, and quality control processes, plus experience managing teams and workflows.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you handle last-minute editorial changes in a magazine layout?

Expected Answer: Should explain practical solutions for quick updates, understanding of layout software tools, and ability to maintain design quality under pressure.

Q: What's your process for preparing files for both print and digital publishing?

Expected Answer: Should describe understanding of different format requirements, color management, and how to adapt layouts for various platforms.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What desktop publishing software are you familiar with?

Expected Answer: Should mention experience with common tools like Adobe InDesign, possibly QuarkXPress, and basic understanding of how to create simple layouts.

Q: How do you organize your files and assets for a publication project?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of file management, naming conventions, and working with images and text in publishing software.