Getting your first job in journalism is not easy, with so many others also wanting to break into this tough field. This makes it all the more important to consider some useful tips to make your application stand out.
Talk up your experience
Recruiters want to see evidence of your enthusiasm for journalism, so be detailed in your experience. Even if you have not had a salaried position, you may have done work experience for a media company or had articles published on a freelance basis. You should also give details of your training. Be specific in the type of training and where you have trained – you could, for example, state that you have completed a sports journalism course at schoolofjournalism.co.uk/journalism-courses/sports/.
Build a portfolio
A portfolio is the best way for budding journalists to demonstrate their abilities. If you haven’t already, start pitching some ideas to publications. There is likely to be a lot of competition for well-known, national newspapers, so consider more niche publications or local newspapers as the best place to start.
When deciding what to write about, consider your background and interests. This will allow you to write with depth and from an angle that brings a new perspective to a story. This fresh perspective is something many publications value in their journalists, so emphasise this in your journalism application.
It may take time to get an article accepted, but persevere while honing your skills. Each published article helps build your reputation until you can demonstrate real experience on your job application.
