BBC Jobs and Interview tips
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From Katie B…
Ah September, the month before spooky season. I’m feeling really happy at the moment as I’m getting to do a job I love for work and in my spare time, it truly is the dream. I love interviewing people and getting to find out new things, edit the piece and structure it all together. It’s like creating your own story but in audio form.
We’ve got a new episode for you next week!! We’ve recorded the intros and just need to write the description before we press publish. This series feels really special so we want it to be just perfect. Keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram for all the latest news about new episodes.
From Katie W…
You know the saying if you find a job you love - you’ll never work a day? Well, I got that feeling this week. Earlier this week I interviewed a woman who had quit drinking booze for over a year - and you all know how much us Scots love a pint? It was a piece I was so keen to write and I knew I wanted to take the time to write it. So one night, I stayed up to give it my all. I’ll set the scene for you. I had soft jazz playing, a cinnamon candle burning and I was typing away in absolute bliss. I spent way longer than I normally would - but this was a story that I wanted to tell. And it’s times like this I remember why I wanted to be a journalist. I felt so happy and content writing up this woman’s story, it didn’t matter what time I was working on it, as long as it was ready for the morning. And this was the result.
Empoword Journalism Young Journalists Panel - we’re both on the Young Journalists Panel next Friday at 5.30pm - book now for your free place!
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat…how to answer the ‘have you got any questions for us?’ at an interview.
Ah the age old question that we all dread at the end of a job interview, so “have you got any questions for us?”.
I’d say prepare at least 2-3 questions that are ‘forward thinking’ and leave a lasting impression. Some good examples would be:
Can you describe the culture of the company?
Where do you see the company in 5 years?
Can you tell me more about the day to day responsibilities of this job?
Are there opportunities for training/progression within the company?
Always end on a polite and positive note. Smile, thank everyone for their time and email them after the interview to show your appreciation. Little touches like this show your etiquette and passion for the job and will make a difference at interview.
Katie B x
Who to follow
Katie Lawrence - editor at DK children
Aarthee Pari - Opinion Editor @Empowordjournos
Phoebe Davis - journalist at Tortoise newsroom
Northern Writers Studio - brings Northern writers together through workshops, groups and networking
NN reacts
Katie W: I LOVE a reality tv show and I just got into Netflix’s My Unorthodox life and I cannot get enough. I could write a whole paragraph about it, but Julia Haart is so inspirational for me.
Katie B: ABBA VOYAGE. 10-TRACK ALBUM. NOVEMBER 5TH 😍💃
Song of the week
Katie W: MY QUEEN’S REMIX IS HERE!!!!!!
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Ours to Save is looking for pitches on global climate solutions. Whether it’s new ways of protecting wild spaces, changing minds, removing carbon or creating materials, send your pitch to florence@ourstosave.com. £50 per 500-word piece.
FREELANCE: Catapult story are doing a call for pitches. Send personal essay pitches on the intersection of beauty & class to arriel.vinson@catapult.co - $200 for most pieces.
FREELANCE: Platinum Magazine are looking to commission ‘strong real life stories about women aged 50+’. Opinion, first-person and case study led are all welcome. Email pitches to awebster@dcthomson.co.uk
FREELANCE: Meridian Magazine are recruiting editors. No previous journalistic experience is required - they’re looking for people who can demonstrate their passion for the region they wish to edit and show their enthusiasm for writing and editing. Unpaid position as website is entirely volunteer-run. Applications close on 14th September at 1pm.
FREELANCE: Catriona Innes from Cosmopolitan is looking for pitches for Black History Month. Email catriona.innes@hearst.co.uk with your pitch, deadline is end of next week.
FREELANCE: Catriona Innes is looking for pitches for Black History Month for @CosmopolitanUK. Email catriona.innes@hearst.co.uk.
FREELANCE: The Flock are commissioning! There aren’t any specifics but they look for stories than lift women up. You can read some of their recent stuff here. Pitch to Hello@flockmag.com
FREELANCE: Sliced is a new foodie magazine and are commissioning asap, and aiming for first drafts to be done by September 24. CD$0.15 per word for around 1200 words. They want to produce serious, timeless writing that interrogates food and agriculture. They’re interested in everything from its history and culture to innovation, production, agriculture and novel uses for foodstuffs. Email editor@fedfedfed.com with samples, pitch ideas and bio if you're interested.
MENTORING SCHEME: Applications for the 2022 John Schofield Trust mentoring scheme is now open. The deadline is 30th September and more details can be found here.
SHETLAND: BBC Radio Shetland are looking for a journalist. They’re looking for a candidate who has recent journalistic experience, can present a variety of live radio news and other programmes and has the ability to record and edit audio material as well as the ability to get on well with a small team. Knowledge of how to capture and edit video material of a quality suitable for publication or broadcast is desirable.
ABERDEEN: DC Thomson are hiring a crime and courts reporter for the Press and Journal and Evening Express. As well as investigative, analytical and human interest stories, the successful candidate will be a confident journalist who is also able to write accurate court reports, so 100wpm shorthand is essential. To apply for this role, please follow their online application process and submit a CV and cover letter. Apply here.
ABERDEEN: If you love writing about it, talking about it, Instagramming it and are obsessed by the stories behind the food and drink that graces your table then this food and drink’s writer gig is the one for you. This is another DC Thomson role.
GLASGOW: BBC Studios Science Unit are hiring a trainee production management assistant. During this 12-month traineeship, you will work in a fast-paced environment, supporting television projects from pre-production all the way through to channel delivery. You’ll get the chance to work closely with the production management team and get an overview of the entire production process for both British and international audiences. £17,810 per annum. Closing date is 9th September at 5pm.
GLASGOW: Greater Govanhill magazine are hiring Communications and Admin Assistant to support the Editor-in-Chief in a wide variety of communications, admin and editorial tasks. This is through the kickstarter scheme which means applicants must be on Universal Credit, aged 16-24, currently unemployed and based in the UK. To see if you are eligible to apply, please contact your Job Centre work coach, and provide them with the reference postcode: G42 8DN. It is for 25 hours per week, for six months, paid at the Living Wage. Closing date is 13th September at 5pm.
GLASGOW: The Nine are looking for an Assistant News Editor. They want a bold and creative-thinking assistant editor to join their team for a year to cover a maternity leave. You’ll be excited by original journalism, imaginative story-telling and lively analysis and debate.
SUNDERLAND: ReViBe are hiring a social media executive, £20-24k salary (full time/permanent). You will be responsible for content creation, including photography, videography, artwork using apps, canva or design software and strategic planning, campaign management and digital advertising. Working days are Tuesday - Saturday, weekend or evening work will be required.
DURHAM: Discovery Design are looking for a digital marketing executive to join their team. You’ll have a keen eye for detail and be passionate about your work whilst working alongside other developers, designers & marketing specialists, embracing challenges for successful clients.
GATESHEAD: Love classical music and passionate about marketing? Sage Gateshead are hiring a classical marketing and communications coordinator. £22,234 -£25,173 per year. Closing date is 13th September.
CRAMLINGTON: Horizon Works are hiring a digital marketing executive. 18k internship, full-time. Closing date is 8th September.
SALFORD: BBC Audio North are looking for a producer. They are looking for a creative, highly motivated producer with a proven track record of developing and selling offers to Radio’s 3 and 4 to join the BBC North Culture, Arts and Music production group.
CHORLEY: JPI Media have a great opportunity for a trainee reporter to join their teams at The Lancashire Post and the Chorley Guardian. Have you passed, or very nearly completed, all your NCTJ preliminary examinations, including 100wpm shorthand? Then get applying!
NEWCASTLE: Love copywriting, SEO and blogging? Inspired Agency are hiring a content marketing executive.
MANCHESTER: Local TV are looking for a content editor/multi media video journalist. Remote job, full time, permanent.
NORTH EAST/REMOTE: Interested in reporting and producing? Tortoise Local are looking for someone who has a passion for local journalism to join their team for a year. Apply by 17th September.
Good luck if you are applying!