At a Glance
- Tasks: Moderate reader comments and engage with our audience through innovative storytelling.
- Company: Join The Times, a leading newspaper known for quality journalism and engaging content.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that fosters meaningful discussions and drives reader engagement in the digital space.
- Qualifications: A journalism degree or equivalent experience, with strong news judgement and organisational skills.
- Other info: We value potential over experience; apply even if you don’t meet every requirement!
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Reader comments journalist role at The Times. The reader comments journalist is responsible for moderating comments from our subscribers, eliciting stories from our readers, and finding innovative ways to directly engage our audience. This role will also involve hosting expert Live Q&As in the comment sections of articles that could benefit from added explanation or insight. You will work as part of a team to foster high-quality discussions on The Times and Sunday Times website and to ensure our online comments remain at the highest possible standard.
Responsibilities:
- Ensuring our reader comments are maintained and moderated to the highest standard
- Fostering high quality discussions in the comment section of The Times and The Sunday Times website
- Pitching strong ideas for reader-led stories
- Pitching and building timely reader polls
- Pitching ideas for Live Q&As with internal and external experts and hosting them in the comments section
- Sourcing expert contributors to drive reader engagement
Skills and experience:
- Experienced journalist with strong news judgement
- A journalism degree, journalism masters or an NCTJ qualification
- Ability to interpret and apply legal training
- Demonstrable experience working on comment moderation or reader engagement and an interest in driving online engagement with news
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- An understanding of online communities, and how to foster and grow debate
- Able to collaborate with others, including senior editors and work well in groups
- Can clearly articulate ideas
- Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- A strong understanding of editorial compliance and regulatory issues
If you believe you have the skills and passion to succeed, even if you don’t meet every requirement on the list, we encourage you to apply. We value potential just as much as experience and are eager to hear from individuals who are enthusiastic about learning and growing with us.
Reader comments journalist employer: Times Law
Contact Detail:
Times Law Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reader comments journalist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with The Times and Sunday Times comment sections. Engage with the content, understand the tone, and identify what types of comments resonate with readers. This will help you pitch relevant ideas and demonstrate your understanding of the audience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former journalists from The Times. Reach out on platforms like LinkedIn to ask about their experiences and insights into the role. This can provide you with valuable information that may set you apart in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview questions by thinking about how you would handle specific scenarios related to comment moderation and reader engagement. Consider examples from your past experience where you've successfully fostered discussions or managed online communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current events and trending topics that could spark reader interest. Being knowledgeable about what's happening in the news will allow you to pitch timely and relevant ideas for reader-led stories and Live Q&As.
We think you need these skills to ace Reader comments journalist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Covering Letter: Make sure to customise your covering letter for the Reader comments journalist role. Highlight your relevant experience in comment moderation and reader engagement, and express your enthusiasm for fostering discussions on The Times and Sunday Times website.
Showcase Your Journalism Skills: In your CV, emphasise your journalism qualifications and any relevant experience you have. Include specific examples of how you've successfully moderated comments or engaged with readers in the past.
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Online Communities: In both your covering letter and CV, illustrate your understanding of online communities and how to foster debate. Mention any previous roles where you’ve successfully managed discussions or engaged audiences online.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your covering letter and CV. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, as attention to detail is crucial in journalism. A polished application reflects your professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Times Law
✨Showcase Your Journalism Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience as a journalist, especially any work related to comment moderation or reader engagement. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully fostered discussions in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Online Communities
During the interview, express your knowledge of online communities and how to engage with them effectively. Share ideas on how you would encourage high-quality discussions and manage comments to maintain a positive environment.
✨Pitch Creative Ideas
Come prepared with strong ideas for reader-led stories, polls, and Live Q&As. This will show your initiative and creativity, which are essential for the role. Think about how you can make the comment section more engaging for readers.
✨Prepare for Pressure and Deadlines
Be ready to discuss how you handle tight deadlines and pressure. Provide examples from your previous roles where you successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards.