Finding jobs that you love & self belief
journo tips, advice and jobs
From Katie B…
I feel like I’ve really found my voice this week - job interviews sure do give you a chance to do that! This week I’ve been writing, editing and planning podcast episodes. I’m managing to hit 10,000 steps each day (thanks to my trusty Fitbit!) which is a massive achievement in itself. I can’t believe it’s the end of March nearly. This month has flown over. With the lockdown restrictions easing, it’ll be nice to meet outside social distanced. It’ll feel like we’re back to some sort of normality again :)
From Katie W…
I’m meant to be going back to my pub job next month. After being off for 4 months (and constantly on and off prior to that) I have become used to my freelance routine. Katie and I organise podcasts and content for the week, I edit my client’s podcasts and up till now, I’ve been working on articles and pitches. I don’t want to have to give it up for pulling taps and bickering with the chef. So I made the decision to go back part-time so I can pursue my journalism and podcast career. It is a massive step, but it means I can’t take my foot off the gas, just because I’ve had one good month’s income means I need to keep hustling, but the extra time I’ll have now once I do go back to work, means I keep it going. It might be a risk, but only during the past 12 months while the pubs have been shut have I been able to get all these opportunities and experiences. It’s what I want to do and it’s what I love. For me, it’s a risk worth taking.
We’ll be launching a new episode TONIGHT so keep an ear out! You can listen to our latest episode here:
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat interviewing tips.
Katie W:
I’ve been interviewing folk for articles for around 6 years. I’ve interviewed actors, directors, farmers, chefs, union workers, mums, dads and cat lovers. Over the phone, in person, over email and over zoom.
The best interviews I find are in person, or over Zoom in a pandemic rather than phone. You can gauge how someone is feeling by their facial expressions and you can use that to add colour to your articles.
Don’t stick to your questions. Have your questions as a guide, it’s good to bounce off their answers and then ask questions about their answers, like “what do you mean by that?” or “tell me more about this”.
Let them speak. This might seem obvious but I see so many journalists butt in and move quickly on to the next question. There is a fine line between giving them speaking space and letting them dictate it. I know time is of the essence at times but if you just sit back, be quiet and let the person speak, they might want to fill the silence themselves and they might reveal a golden nugget. So use your journalistic judgement here.
Tell them something about you. I’ve never been told to do this but I find it effective, especially when you’re expecting them to tell you personal things about them. It might be helpful to share something about you, doesn’t have to be too personal, but it allows a give and take situation.
At the end, ask if there’s anything else they want to add. This gives them the opportunity to cover something you might not have thought of.
Who to follow
Bethany Dawson; freelance journalist, words in BBC News, VICE, Independent.
Jay Sykes; freelance audio producer & storyteller.
Rachel Charlton-Dailey; disabled freelance journalist and activist.
Sumaiya Ahmed is a sex and mental health writer and journalist and recently wrote this fab piece about Bratz!
NN reacts
Katie W: I’ve got another podcast recommendation for you all. Now I am a MASSIVE Dolly Parton fan, it always brings me back to being 4 years old in the car with my mum, blasting out Jolene. Dolly Parton’s America looks into the Dolly-verse, her songs and reputation with interviews from Dolly herself. The first episode looks at Dolly’s earlier songs which were darker.
Katie B: The Art of Being Yourself - Caroline McHugh.
In this brilliant Ted Talk, Caroline McHugh explains the beauty of being yourself. It’s definitely worth a listen.
Song of the week
Katie W: I’m a sucker for a TikTok banger.
Katie B: This song always puts me in a good mood!
Jobs and Opps
FREELANCE: Prachi Vidwans is accepting pitches for World Politics Review and wants to hear from writers of colour. In her thread she also shares a stellar pitching guide. WPR pays $250 and you can see their articles here. Pitch to submissions@worldpoliticsreview.com.
FREELANCE: Catherine Thompson is looking for enterprise stories for Insider. Email clthompson@insider.com.
FREELANCE: Observer is looking for pitches on memes, digital art, exhibition reviews and other arts related topics. $150-$300 per piece. Deadline is April 1. Email inquiries/pitches to etaylor@observer.com.
FREELANCE: PolyesterZine is looking for opinion pieces; email gina.tonic@polyesterzine.com with your pitches.
FREELANCE: Jenna Mahale from I-D is looking for funky digital culture stories, they pay £150-200 and she has stressed to read their stuff first and begs “no first-person narratives”.
SCOTLAND (bit vague for them to just say Scotland, I know, but anyhoo) - reNews are hiring a Scotland Correspondent to cover the fast-moving wind power and clean energy industry. They want a motivated and resourceful journalist capable of delivering exclusive news and insightful feature articles.
GLASGOW: BBC The Social are hiring a part-time content producer. Our Katie W is a contributor for them and thinks this is a fantastic opportunity within a great team.
GLASGOW: Reach PLC are recruiting a Trainee Reporter for the Daily Record. They are offering fully-funded NCTJ journalism training, a competitive starting salary and benefits including mentoring and support throughout your course, career progression, 35 days holiday per annum and pension and holiday schemes.
GLASGOW: The Scottish Sun are looking for a news reporter.
NEWCASTLE: Technology business NBS is recruiting a PR and Social Media Coordinator. You would be responsible for coordinating content for PR materials and stories to raise the profile and awareness of the NBS brand. This is a full time position.
GATESHEAD: ITV News Tyne Tees & Border are looking for a Production Journalist. This role is a full time position and you will be involved in the planning and production of television and digital news stories, from producing live bulletins in the gallery to creating must watch online content. Closing date is 31st March.
LINCOLNSHIRE: Key Publishing are searching for an Assistant Editor for their aviation publication. They say travel is to be expected; salary is 22k.
MANCHESTER: Prolific North is looking for a journalist with news writing experience to join the team and contribute to Prolific North's digital, creative, and tech industry coverage.
MANCHESTER: Are you a multimedia reporter with a driving licence and 100 wpm shorthand? Newsquest is hiring! This sounds like a great entry-level opportunity.
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