How to get a job as a journalist - a six step programme

Ok, as I am such a successful journalist (ahem) I thought I would share some of my wisdom from the past year's beavering, and a step-by-step guide to what I think you should do.

1. Write for whatever free resource you can. If you apply to a writer somewhere, but your CV doesn't have any evidence of writing on it then why would they employ you? Uni newspapers are great for this, particularly if you can be an Editor.

2. Buy the Writer's and Artists Yearbook, and send a letter (or an e-mail if you can't be bothered, although these are much more likely to be ignored/forgotten) to every magazine, newspaper and publication in there. Each time make sure you refer to the person by name (call up and ask if you are unsure of this) rather than Dear Sir/Madam and attach some examples of your work. Ask for work experience, try and come across as friendly/with a sense of humour. You may only get one reply from 100 letters, buts that's all you need.

3. Be likeable and professional on your work experience. If someone there thinks you are fun to work with, and can do the job, they will bear you in mind for any positions that come up or even offer you work then and there. This has happened to me and my friends before. If they don't get you anything to do, think of things to do, offer to write and article about x or research y for them. You can find ways to be useful to them even if they can' think of any. Finally, buy a bag of donuts on your last day, it will show them you appreciate their help and everyone likes donuts.

4. Armed with your work experience, a small portfolio and sugary fingers from the donuts, e-mail your CV to every recruitment agency and temp agency you can find, asking for editorial/writing work. Once again, they may not find anything suitable and you will get a lot of calls asking you to do media sales, but once again only one needs to work out and you will have a shiny new temp job or even a permanent job relevant to what you want to do. Even if its a boring magazine many journalism jobs ask for 6-months experience before even considering applications, or even a year.

5. Check out this blog http://journalismjobslondon.blogspot.com/ every day, applying for everything that is entry level. Once again, even if it takes you a year you WILL find something suitable eventually, and once your at this stage your only a bit of luck away from your dream job.

6. You get an interview. Be smart, passionate about the job, and absolutely 100% certain about what the job requires and why YOU can do that better than someone else. Coming across as friendly and with a sense of humour is important as these people are going to have to spend a lot of time with you if you get the job.

There you have it, you've done it. Congratulations. Send me a box of donuts in the post.

Some more things to bear in mind

1. Try starting a blog or offering to write about a website of something you like. Whether it be sport, music, films, boats, Jesus - when a job comes up in that field you will be competing against people that have a track record of writing in that field, you have no chance if you just swear blind that you love football for example, but never wrote for you Uni paper sports section.

2. Make the most of your contacts. My friend's Uncle got me amazing work experience at the Independent that has sprinkled golddust on my otherwise lacklustre CV. You'd be surprised how many people's godparents/next-door neighbours/long lost identical twins you can find who could get you that proverbial foot in the door.

3. Don't be afraid to badger (see illustration). If someone doesn't reply to an email or letter, send it again. If you've been on work experience and not heard from the publication for a while, give them a call. You'd be surprised how often when, when put on the spot, someone can actually find some work for you.

4. Finally, don't give up. It is very competitive but with the right portfolio and work experience, getting a job is an eventuality rather than a possibility.

Good luck!

I'm back

Could this be the longest gap between two blog posts of any blog in the world? Possibly. No, definitely.
Still, 186 people over the past four months, you can't argue with that. That's slightly more than one a day. Most of which would be me. But hey, this isn't a popularity contest, I'm happy as long as I know that one day when I'm a internationally renowned writer people will look at my blog and think 'golly, he's always been a genius'.
So what's happened in the world since I last posted? Saddam was hung, which was disgusting. How we can claim to be 'civilised' when we do that to someone, no matter how despicable. I don't know. Surely rotting in jail would be far greater suffering? Unless you believe in Hell. Which I don't.
Also, I've got an interview for a job at the Guardian next week which I couldn't be any more excited about. Rather than trying to not think about it so I'm not disapointed when I don't get it, I've opted for the approach where you fantasize about the job constantly so you feel immense pressure during the interview and paper cut your wrists using the rejection letter.
It's an internetty job so I should probably refer them to this blog as an example of my savvy...or not. I'm actually thinking of making a jackarnott.com but am not keen on self-indulgence.

I'm trying to make this job more useful so am going to post some of my wisdom later today. Hold your breath...