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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Write engaging sports articles and collaborate with experienced journalists.
- Company: Join talkSPORT, the world's biggest sports radio station.
- Benefits: Earn above living wage, receive full training, and gain an NCTJ qualification.
- Why this job: Kickstart your journalism career while working on exciting sports content.
- Qualifications: Passion for sports journalism and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant work culture with diverse employee networks.
Overview
talkSPORT is the world’s biggest sports radio station. From World Cups and European Championships to the Premier League and the Champions League, through to Test cricket and world class boxing, the talkSPORT network is at the heart of the world’s major sporting events.
Your role: We are seeking a passionate and talented Apprentice Sports Writer to join our team at talkSPORT.com. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an aspiring sports journalist to develop their skills and gain valuable experience working on a leading sports website, while also acquiring an industry-recognised NCTJ qualification.
You will spend four days a week in our London Bridge offices, working closely with experienced sports writers and editors and contributing to our website’s content, and one day a week working towards a journalism qualification at PA Training’s HQ in London. During your apprenticeship you will receive mentoring and coaching bespoke to you. By the end of the two-year programme, you’ll finish with the skills, experience and professional network to launch a successful career in journalism.
Being an apprentice at talkSPORT is a gateway to a great career in journalism. During your time with us you will earn above living wage, get full training, four days a week with the talkSPORT.com team and one day a week studying – including an NCTJ Diploma in journalism – with all your course fees paid. Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll receive personalised mentoring and coaching from some of the most experienced journalists in the industry.
Day to day
- Write engaging and topical articles and features across a range of sports, with a strong focus on football
- Work closely with the editorial team, pitching ideas for original content
- Stay up-to-date with the latest sporting events, news and trends
- Attend sports events, press conferences and interviews when required
- Help to curate talkSPORT’s social media platforms with relevant sports content
- Ensure all content adheres to talkSPORT.com’s editorial guidelines
- Show flexibility and be willing to cover sporting events at unsociable hours
- Give your full dedication to pursuing an NCTJ journalism qualification, attending all classes and completing coursework as required
What we are looking for
- You are passionate about sports journalism and creating great content
- The ability to turn new and imaginative ideas into reality and help us reach new and diverse audiences
- Someone who excites people through storytelling
- Strong communication skills – you can make the complex simple
- Creative and curious mind, with the ability to think differently
- Good understanding of what makes a story engaging
Application Process
Online Application > Google Meet Interview > Assessment Centre
As part of the Online Application process, we would like you to provide answers to the following 3 questions:
- Briefly introduce yourself and tell us why you’re interested in pursuing a career in the apprenticeship you’ve applied to?
- What interests you about the company you are applying to and suggest one improvement you would make to the content?
- Describe a learning curve you recently navigated. Outline the steps you took, the challenges you faced and what the outcome was.
Life at News
Our people create award-winning national and local radio, podcasts and first in class social, digital and video platforms which have become destinations for millions of listeners across the UK, Ireland and beyond. Our success is rooted in delivering content our audiences love.
We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter most. To ensure these stories resonate with as broad an audience as possible, it is essential that our organisation reflects the diversity of the people we reach. Whether through age, gender, ethnicity, disability, social class or sexuality, we are committed to representing the rich variety of voices that make up our society. And we champion a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive as we continue to innovate and drive long term sustainable growth. This is done through our Diversity Strategy.
At News UK, we take pride in our exceptional employee-led networks that bring together individuals with shared interests and create a vibrant sense of community. We believe our networks play a vital role in fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture at News UK. Groups that we support include the African & Caribbean Network, Parents and Carers, and LGBTQ+ group News Is Out, and the Apprentice Society.
Benefits
Some of our benefits include:
- Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary and paternity leave up to 2 weeks
- Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access
- Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes
- Bikes for Work and Electric Car scheme
- Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
- Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities
- Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
- A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year
We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to perform to their best when applying for a role. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or for us to do anything differently to support you apply for any of our roles please contact us on careers@news.co.uk.
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Apprentice Sports Writer, Talksport employer: Journo Resources Limited
Contact Detail:
Journo Resources Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Sports Writer, Talksport
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the talkSPORT vibe! Tune in regularly, follow their social media, and engage with their content. This will help you understand their style and what they value, making it easier for you to pitch ideas that resonate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend sports events, press conferences, or any local meet-ups where you can connect with industry professionals. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights that are invaluable for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your writing skills daily. Whether it's blogging about recent matches or creating social media posts, keep honing your craft. The more you write, the better you'll get, and it’ll show in your application!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, make sure to tailor your responses to the questions asked – show us your passion for sports journalism and how you can contribute to the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Sports Writer, Talksport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When introducing yourself, let your personality shine through! We want to know what makes you tick and why you're passionate about sports journalism. Don’t hold back – show us your enthusiasm!
Do Your Homework: Before you hit send, take a good look at talkSPORT’s content. Think about what you love and what could be improved. Suggesting an idea shows us you’re engaged and ready to contribute right from the start!
Share Your Journey: In your application, when discussing a learning curve, be honest about the challenges you faced. We appreciate resilience and creativity, so outline how you tackled those hurdles and what you learned along the way.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Journo Resources Limited
✨Know Your Sports
Make sure you’re up to date with the latest sports news and trends, especially in football. Familiarise yourself with recent matches, player transfers, and any hot topics in the sports world. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your passion for sports journalism.
✨Craft Your Storytelling Skills
As an aspiring sports writer, storytelling is key. Prepare a few examples of how you've turned complex information into engaging narratives. Think about how you can make a story resonate with different audiences, and be ready to share these during your interview.
✨Pitch Original Ideas
Come prepared with a couple of unique content ideas that could fit well with talkSPORT’s style. This shows initiative and creativity, which are essential traits for this role. Be ready to discuss why your ideas would engage their audience and how they align with current sports events.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is crucial in journalism. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable discussing your experiences and ideas. Remember, it’s all about making the complex simple!