At a Glance
- Tasks: Cover breaking news and create engaging stories for digital audiences.
- Company: Join The Dorset Echo, a vibrant newsroom in Weymouth.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, structured career progression, and employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for training and team building.
- Why this job: Develop your journalism skills while making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills, social media savvy, and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
The Dorset Echo is looking for a digitally savvy, community-focused reporter to join our busy newsroom. This is a great opportunity for a trainee or an early-career journalist to develop their skills across a lively patch, covering breaking news and producing engaging content for multiple platforms. Our reporters work on a rota which includes some evenings and weekend shifts, with the expectation that major breaking news is covered, whatever the time of day.
Key Responsibilities
- Cover breaking news and produce engaging stories for digital audiences
- Build strong relationships on patch to source stories and reflect community interests
- Use social media to identify trends, engage audiences and promote content
- Produce a wide range of content, including live blogs, features and human-interest stories
- Cover key topics such as crime, local politics and community issues
- Work collaboratively with the wider digital reporting team
- Be open to using AI tools to support your work
- Attend events and report from across the patch where required
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Excellent writing skills with attention to detail
- Ability to work quickly and accurately
- Skilled at building relationships with key contacts
- Highly organised with strong time management
- Knowledge of SEO and media law
- Confident using social media and AI Tools (additional training will be provided)
- Adaptable writing style across different formats and platforms
- Ideally, NCTJ qualified or equivalent (including 100wpm shorthand). If you do not yet have shorthand, you must be willing to train towards it
- A full driving licence and access to a car are essential
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 - The Dorset Echo in Weymouth employer: Newsquest
The Dorset Echo is an excellent employer for aspiring journalists, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Weymouth. With structured career progression, ongoing training, and a supportive environment that values community engagement, employees can thrive while covering diverse stories. The company also provides generous benefits, including 25 days of holiday, wellness perks, and opportunities for team building and volunteering, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land News Reporter - The Dorset Echo in Weymouth
✨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 - The Dorset Echo in Weymouth
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 - The Dorset 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.
