Sky News receives hundreds of enquiries each year from job applicants. It is possible to apply for a job at Sky News through their website ,which is open twice a year in the winter and summer.
In 2012, 100 people went to Sky News’ studios for work experience placements.
Here, Neil Dunwoodie, Sky News executive producer for news programmes, shares his tips on how to get your foot in the door at the broadcaster.
How can someone get a job at Sky News?
There are many different ways to get jobs at Sky News and there isn’t one main route. Some people have worked as journalists elsewhere while others begin doing freelance work for us and then apply for jobs as they come up.
Jobs at Sky News are advertised on the Work for Sky website. Another route in for people just beginning their careers in journalism is through our very popular and successful work placement scheme.
We have a track record of giving opportunities to those people who have shown great promise while with us on work experience.
What can interns expect on a work placement at Sky News studios?
The placements last up to three weeks and are unpaid, although this year we are offering bursaries to some applicants who otherwise may not be able to come to London to take up an offer.
People on work experience are placed with many different departments within Sky News including TV, Online, Radio and Sport.
What skills do you look for in an applicant?
Applicants need to prove to us that they are committed to a career in journalism.
We ask them to tell us about three pieces of journalism they have done. Ideally we expect them to have had some relevant journalistic work experience elsewhere.
They should be interested in world events, have an inquisitive mind and they need to get on with people.
What tips would you give to an applicant?
We get hundreds of applications – convince us why we should pick you. And don’t apply unless you are totally committed to news.
How much work experience should applicants have?
If you’re trying to convince us that you’re serious about journalism – some kind of work experience in a news-related environment is pretty essential if you want to survive the selection process. l
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