At a Glance
- Tasks: Cover breaking news and create engaging digital content for our audience.
- Company: Join the Southern Daily Echo, a vibrant newsroom in Southampton.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, career progression, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for both seasoned journalists and trainees.
- Why this job: Make an impact by telling powerful community stories that matter.
- Qualifications: Strong news sense and ability to write under pressure.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
The Southern Daily Echo is seeking a news reporter to join our busy team in Southampton, covering the city and surrounding areas, including Eastleigh and the New Forest. The successful candidate will have a sharp news sense and be as comfortable heading out to breaking incidents as running a live blog from the newsroom. You will play a key role in delivering fast, accurate and engaging content for dailyecho.co.uk, helping us lead the conversation on the stories that matter to our readers. This is a varied and fast-paced role. One day you could be covering a major emergency incident, the next attending court, chasing exclusive leads, or telling powerful community stories that resonate with our audience. A strong understanding of digital publishing, social media and audience engagement will be a distinct advantage. Working as part of an experienced and supportive newsroom, you will be expected to generate your own story ideas, build contacts across the patch and uphold high standards.
This role is open to senior journalists looking for a fresh challenge as well as trainee reporters entering the industry.
Key Responsibilities- Cover breaking news, court, community and feature stories across the patch
- Produce fast, accurate and engaging digital content, including live blogs
- Generate original story ideas and develop exclusive content
- Build and maintain strong contacts across the patch
- Use social media and digital platforms to source stories and engage readers
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in a busy newsroom
- Uphold high editorial and legal standards
- A strong news sense and understanding of what makes a compelling story
- Ability to write quickly, accurately and to a high standard under pressure
- Understanding of digital publishing, social media and audience engagement
- Knowledge of SEO and producing content that performs well online
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships in the community
- Good understanding of media law and ethical journalism standards
- NCTJ qualification or working towards it (desirable)
Please apply with your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are the right candidate for the role. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Benefits- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
- Structured career progression & ongoing training
- Pension plan
- Employee Helpline counselling and advice
- Perks & discounts including: Gym membership, Cycle to Work scheme, Eye care, Retail discounts
- Team building days & annual volunteer charity day
News Reporter - Southern Daily Echo in Southampton employer: Newsquest
The Southern Daily Echo is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in the heart of Southampton. With a commitment to employee growth through structured career progression and ongoing training, we ensure our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Enjoy generous benefits including 25 days holiday, a holiday buy scheme, and unique perks like gym memberships and team-building days, all while making a meaningful impact in the community through engaging journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land News Reporter - Southern Daily Echo in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at Newsquest!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like Newsquest, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
We think you need these skills to ace News Reporter - Southern Daily Echo in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for Newsquest:When applying for the News Reporter - Southern Daily Echo role at Newsquest, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what Newsquest produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newsquest
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within Newsquest. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
