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Step 1
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.
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Step 2
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.
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Step 3
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.
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Step 4
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.
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Step 5
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.
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Step 6
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!
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Step 7
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.
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Step 8
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.
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Step 9
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).
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Step 10
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.
Comments
paigeturner said
on 6/2/2009 Good advice that can be used with other companies as well. Thanks for sharing!