Re: Entry-level prepress position
I would suggest starting in a basic prepress role. Here you will learn valuable information pertaining to how different aspects of file design can cause issues throughout the printing process, be it digital or offset. If there is anyway you can get with an electronic prepress veteran (those of us who have been in this since the late 80's) you can learn a tremendous amount about file preparation for printing and usually how to get around different challanges that you will face.
From my perspective (being on the hiring end) printing is hard to get into without experiance, but be persistent, take what is available even if it is not exactly what you are looking for, just to get your foot in the door. Make sure the perspective printing company you are looking at understands how eager you are to work for them. A willingness to go above and beyond will serve you very well when starting out.
This will give you experiance and should help you go after the dream job you are looking for (assuming that exists in prepress... just kidding).
To be successful in this business you need to rise to the top. Work hard, learn everything you can about the software/systems you use, and try to be the best there is at electronic prepress. When everyone else tells you something cannot be done, figure out how to do it. Nothing is impossible, there are just some things we haven't achieved yet.
You learn new things everyday in this business, be open to new ideas and suggestions and embrace new technology as may be able to help you.
Most of all don't give up. Be willing to work off shifts and keep trying to get in the door. Follow up resumes with phone calls to HR asking if they recieved your information. Follow that up in a week or so asking if they have made any decisions on hiring yet. If no, call back again keeping your name at the top of the stack. Explain that your the person they are looking for.
Best of luck and welcome to printing.
Allen