How to Get a Job in Journalism

A good reporter holds the power to bring down governments, expose wrongdoing in business and dig into celebrities’ best-kept secrets. No wonder journalism is an extremely oversubscribed profession that many people think of as exciting and glamorous.

With the explosion in the take-up of media studies degrees and the recent rises in undergraduates taking journalism courses, the hunt for jobs has become even more competitive.

But do you need one of these degrees to get a job in journalism?

The answer is no.

Certain characteristics will always be in demand by newspapers, magazines and websites. They are intelligence (but not necessarily a blue-blood education), determination, persistence, inquisitiveness, an ability to probe and ask the right questions, tenacity, charm and an interest in the trade and current affairs.

The classic route into national newspaper journalism used to be as an apprentice on a local paper, working your way through the newsroom covering local, small-scale events, such as parish council meetings. Once you had gathered enough experience after a year or two, you could start applying for jobs on the nationals, or in radio broadcasting.

While this is still a popular route, many journalists are now educated to degree level in almost any subject, and then take a post-graduate degree in journalism, such as those run by the City University, London (http://www.city.ac.uk), or a course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (http://www.nctj.com).

Such training is an advantage because it teaches shorthand, media and libel law, and is seen as a commitment to the profession.

However, what will make your job application stand out in any pile of CVs is the interest you have shown in journalism. Did you write for your college magazine, or work for your university radio station?

Many organisations have journalism training schemes, including the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk), Channel 4 (http://www.channel4.com), BSkyB (http://www.sky.com) and some national newspapers. But places on these are always oversubscribed.

There are many small magazines, newspapers and websites at which it may be easiest to get your first job - or at least some work experience. A directory of such organisations, called the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, should be available at your local library.

If you send a speculative application letter, check and double-check them. Make sure the name and title of the person to whom you are writing is correct. Keep phoning to follow-up your application. Remember: journalists are expected to be tenacious.

You probably won’t succeed at first attempt, and it might take a long time to get your foot in the door.

Don’t expect much financial remuneration for your efforts. While some top newspaper columnists command hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, starting pay on a local paper can be as low as £8,000 a year. Your first break into national papers could start at around £16,000.