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From Katie B…
After a busy week at work and the news including energy firms collapsing and a volcano erupting in La Palma, I am definitely in need of a nice walk down the beach this weekend to clear my head and have some time off my phone and computer.
I am living for this autumn’s TV, we’ve been blessed with Strictly, GBBO and Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Get me in front of the telly with a hot chocolate right now, I’m about this life!
Whatever your plans are this weekend, take some time out to recharge and don’t worry about the week ahead - you’ve got this!!
From Katie W…
I woke up this week and chose content. I would say I’ve had a fairly successful week so far, I’ve been hitting my targets at work, on average writing around 7-8 pieces a day and hitting stat targets too.
As a trends writer, each day is different. Some days I’m pushing out general network pieces and other days I focus on one topic. Monday’s have been Vigil days - has anyone been watching that? I have been hooked! Now it will be turning to Strictly and honestly, the fact that I NEED to watch tele for work - I’m living the dream.
But all work and no play and all that..it’s my birthday on Sunday. Goodbye 26! And I’m planning on having quite a chilled day, I’m finally going to visit my Grandparents in Ireland soon so I’ve been quite careful of what I do/where I go etc and going to the pubs with a group of folk just doesn’t seem wise at the moment. But for sure, when I get back from my trip - I will get right on it! I will have a drink for everyone of you!
🚨 NEW EPISODE - LISTEN NOW 🚨
We have a lot of local journalism jobs on our jobs list and we cover a lot in this episode that might help you with your application and even in the interview.
Journo tip of the week
Lets talk about… what to put on your CV
We have a few jobs below which asks for a CV to email to the editor.
But what needs to be included?
Keep it one page but 2 at maximum.
Firstly, add a cover letter too. ALWAYS add a cover letter, it allows you to put a personal touch and tell them why you want to work for them and why they should hire you.
For the CV, hyperlink your work. Where you have your name + contact details, add your portfolio and hyperlink it to your work.
Mention work experience first and hyperlink examples where it suits.
Show different forms of media. Have you got examples of video/audio/social media? Basically show all the ways you can tell a story. At the end of the day, journalists are storytellers and there are so many different forms of journalism now. The more you can show the better.
Education doesn’t need to be first and there is a debate whether to mention your school grades. If you have other qualifications then I wouldn’t bother.
Put examples of work at the bottom. Maybe two-four examples. Ones that you really want to stand out and make sure they suit the role. If you’re applying for a local journalism role, include articles where you’ve proven you have an eye for a story, interest in local news and can interview.
As always, we’re always here to help.
Katie W x
Who to follow
Megan Banner - Reporter at Yorkshire Live
Anisah Vasta- Trainee Reporter at Birmingham Live
Conor Matchett - political reporter for the Scotsman
NN reacts
Katie W: Energy Prices is all I’ve been thinking about and writing about. It is stressful, honestly, who likes being an adult? You can see my breakdown of my articles here.
Katie B: Jürgen on the Bake off, what a cutie 💞
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Anna Lou Walker is looking for festive feature pitches for the December issue of @readersdigestUK. Stories that are uplifting and hopeful, to see them through to the new year. Email anna.walker@readersdigest.co.uk
FREELANCE: Our pal Zesha Saleem is on the desk at Metro this weekend and is wanting your opinion pitches. zesha.saleem@metro.co.uk
FREELANCE: Arriel from Catapult is looking for personal essay pitches (with drafts if possible) about the holidays. Think family traditions, stories that bring you joy, or even not celebrating at all. Fee starts at £200. Email arriel.vinson@catapult.co
FREELANCE: FUTURISM is looking for pitches for a package on the future of pleasure, email jon@futurism.com
FREELANCE: Each Other UK are looking to commission someone who feels strongly about #Spectrum10K and its potential impact on human rights for their #TheInspiredSource series. Pitch to editorial@eachother.org.uk
FREELANCE: Parents Magazine is looking for pitches about single parent finances! How-tos, personal essays, all welcome, the more specific/unique the better. Pitch MUST include hed and dek to be considered. Rates $200-300 for 800+ words, pitch to aedelman@meredith.com
FREELANCE: Pink News are looking for writers for news and entertainment shifts. £120 a day. Email reiss@pinknews.co.uk with examples of news reporting and a CV via email and newsroom experience is a must.
FREELANCE: Emma from the Independent looking to commission some book roundups and wants to hear from you! Please email CVs and examples of work to emma.henderson@independent.co.uk
FREELANCE: Lucy Purdy from Positive News is wanting pitches for their January addition all about smart solutions. Deadline is 6th October.
FREELANCE: LeedsNews is looking for an opinion writer for a weekly column. Get in touch with Sam Lewis on Twitter.
FREELANCE: Simon Brew is looking for interview based pitches for Whynow. He is wanting stories coming out of the afternoon teas etc, especially with a UK angle. Email simon@whynow.co.uk
REMOTE: Investigative website the Ferret is looking for an experienced reporter working across news and fact checking to join its team. This is a full-time position with a £31,200 salary. Email your CV + cover letter to support@theferret.scot by 15th October.
REMOTE: Amy Packham is looking for a freelance journalist with 1-2 years for a month (to begin with), focusing on positive news and solution-based journalism. experience to work on @SmileyNews amy@smileymovement.org
ABERDEEN: D.C Thomson are hiring a live journalist. They’re looking for journalists, preferably with newsroom experience and who are able to demonstrate finding their own stories and make them digitally optimised. Closing date is 6th October.
STIRLING: Stirling University is hiring a Sports digital media assistant. The Sports digital media intern role will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and monitoring of the University of Stirling Sport digital platforms. Deadline is midnight on 3rd October. See more info and apply here.
EDINBURGH: Shelter are looking for a communications executive. £29,924 per annum. Apply by 7th October at 11.30pm.
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY: Are you a young person aged 18 - 25 in Dumfries and Galloway? Interested in journalism and getting involved with your local heritage? Wonder Fools is looking for researchers with a flat rate of £1k. See more info here.
EAST LOTHIAN: The East Lothian Courier is hiring a reporter. You will be working from home, reporting on Facebook Live and cover breaking news. Apply here.
SUNDERLAND: JPI Media are recruiting a community reporter to work on the Shields Gazette newspaper. Send your CV + covering letter explaining why you’re the right person for the job, before 1st October to Joy Yates, Regional Director of JPIMedia North East at joy.yates@jpimedia.co.uk
CUMBRIA: Newsquest are hiring reporters across Carlisle, West Cumbria, Barrow, Kendal and Penrith. Gold standard NCTJ and 100wpm shorthand required plus driving licence and car. Email your CV and a brief covering letter to editor Vanessa Sims at vanessa.sims@newsquest.co.uk by 30th September.
DURHAM: The Northern Echo is looking for a Digital News Reporter. The role would be suited to a senior journalist looking to make the next move in their career, however outstanding newly qualified NCTJ trainees will also be considered. Salary up to £25,000 + bonus. Email your CV and a brief covering letter to the editor at karl.holbrook@newsquest.co.uk by 1st October. Applications will be considered as they are submitted.
MANCHESTER: Cognitive Publishing is hiring a multimedia journalist. They’re looking for someone with BA in journalism or NCTJ equivalent degree. Salary is £18,600 - £20,000. Email a CV and cover letter to royc@cognitivepublishing.com. Deadline is 9th October.
Good luck if you are applying!