How to Get a Job With the BBC

By Amy Stone, eHow UK

Rate: (2 Ratings)

The UK’s British Broadcasting Company is the biggest broadcasting company in the world, with a budget of nearly £4 billion and a huge workforce of over 26,000. That said, job vacancies at the BBC are predictably oversubscribed, and you’ll face stiff competition for each place. But if you’ve decided that it’s the career for you, and you’re relentlessly determined, it is possible to land that dream job.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step1
Decide which area of the BBC you’d like to work in. As you’d expect in a company of this size, there are a multitude of roles available, from sales and marketing positions to more creative jobs in television production teams and even on screen opportunities in newsreading and TV presenting.
Step2
Check the BBC’s website (see Resources below) as regularly as you can for advertisements of job openings. They have a page especially dedicated to recruitment, where you can also find out what it’s like to work at the BBC and what benefits you will get.
Step3
Consider taking a course of education to prepare yourself for a career at the BBC. Although not strictly necessary, most paid jobs at the BBC will require you to have some kind of experience in the field, and practical media courses are now offered at many universities and colleges around the country.
Step4
Try getting a foot in the door by securing a work experience placement or internship with the BBC. However, don’t think it will be easy--the BBC receives over 20,000 applications for work experience alone each year, so make sure you can prove you know exactly what you want to do, what you can offer the company and why they should hire you.
Step5
Prepare a list of all your qualifications, education and your work experience for the online application form you’ll have to fill out through the BBC Jobs website. Try to match your experience and qualities to the requirements of the job.
Step6
Visit the BBC website to sign up for an online account and set up your application. You’ll have to enter your basic details, your education history, a list of your qualifications, your career history and some equal opportunities information. There’s also a section called "Application Questions", where you’ll need to write a personal summary of why you think you would be a good fit for the job. This is your chance to sell yourself so don't be modest!
Step7
Complete and submit your application as soon as possible, and make sure it’s before the deadline. Once submitted you should expect to wait at least a couple of weeks to hear whether you’ve been selected for interview or not.
Step8
Don’t panic if you’re asked to go to the BBC for an interview or assessment day. Try writing down any questions you think you could be asked on the day, and get someone to practise them with you. Have answers prepared for any question you think the interviewer might want to ask.
Step9
Be on time! You definitely won’t make a good impression if you are late to the interview. Plan your journey in advance, and leave plenty of time to get there on the day. Check travel websites to see if there’s likely to be any delays to your journey. It’s important to make an effort with your appearance too, and though it’s not always necessary to wear a suit to an interview (depending on the job).
Step10
Be persistent! It’s rare to find someone working in the media that hasn’t had to work hard to get where they are, and it’s inevitable you’ll face rejection at some point. If you haven’t been successful this time, remember that a company as big as the BBC has openings all the time. Don’t be disheartened, but instead ask for feedback on your application and interview from the HR department to help you make your next application even better.

Tips & Warnings

  • If it’s within your means, try offering your services to another TV company for free for a couple of months. The more experience you can get, the better chance you stand of securing a place with the BBC.
  • Don’t be tempted to exaggerate your achievements on your application. You’ll invariably be caught out which certainly won’t help you land a job at the BBC. Be aware too that employers are allowed to request copies of your exam certificates once you’ve been offered the job.

Resources

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eHow Article:  How to Get a Job With the BBC

eHow Member: Amy Stone, eHow UK

Amy Stone, eHow UK

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Category: Careers & Work

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