Anyone who wants to work in the media should read this

Anyone who wants to work in the media should read this

The media is one of the most competitive industries for would-be employees. Here are six ways to stand out from the crowd

By Sophie Cole

Ask anyone who knows and they’ll tell you that scoring a job in the media is tough. The industry is swamped with young, ambitious job hunters who will do just about anything to realise their dreams.

The industry is swamped with young, ambitious job hunters who will do just about anything to realise their dreams.  

To help you stand out from the crowd, we asked recruitment pros and those who work in the media for advice. Without further ado, here are our top tips for media-career success.

1. Build a portfolio. And make it impressive

Show potential employers what you’re made of by building a portfolio of your finest moments.

For example, if you’re a wannabe actor or presenter, you need a showreel of your highlights. Likewise a camera operator or production pro: you need to show off your quality with a strong selection of original work. And if the printed word is more your thing, well, you know the drill: gather your finest pieces and have them ready to share with anyone who may consider hiring you.  

Of course, that’s easier said than done when you’re just starting out and have zero experience. But why not pair up with other aspiring creatives and help each other out? A struggling presenter and a fledgling videographer sound like a match made in heaven. Put your feelers out and chances are you’ll find your perfect partner.

Anyone who wants to work in the media should read this2. Be proactive in hunting for opportunities

Media roles aren’t as easy to find as those in more traditional industries. You need to widen your search beyond the usual job sites to give you the best chance of finding the perfect opportunity.

Send speculative emails directly to media companies. Make it clear that you’re up for any snippets of work they can offer, and always keep an eye out for direct submission calls or auditions. You need to be proactive if you’re to bag the job of your dreams.

3. Give uni a try

We all know that you don’t strictly need a degree to succeed in the media. Just look at people like Chris Evans and Holly Willoughby. But media companies are like any other employer, and often use a degree as a way of sifting applicants.

There are loads of degree programmes for aspiring media professionals, from journalism and TV courses to film studies, media production, music technology and courses with a behind-the-scenes focus such as media make-up or set design.

If you want to get earning straight off the blocks, consider an apprenticeship, combining academic study with on-the-job skills development. In an industry like the media, where hands-on experience is highly prized, this is an ideal way to make a name for yourself.  

4. Get some work experience. Then get some more

Tim Gibson, a journalist and video presenter for national newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, says that work experience is crucial when you’re trying to establish yourself in the media.

...self-motivation and focus will get you a long way in the media industry.  

“I doubt there’s anyone working in the media today who didn’t start out with work experience somewhere,” he says. “It’s certainly how I made my name. Start small, with a local newspaper, hospital radio, or YouTube channel/Internet TV station. And be prepared to make the tea or pilot the photocopier for a week.

“It won’t be glamorous, but it’ll get you known and show potential employers that you’re serious about working in a notoriously demanding, challenging and competitive industry.” 

5. Stay focused

Winner of the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowship and seasoned screenwriter Sean Robert Daniels says that self-motivation and focus will get you a long way in the media industry.

“As well as all the usual stuff like being punctual and professional, I appreciate it when those I work with don’t need constant prompting,” he says. “It’s great to be self-reliant, to proactively look for ways to go the extra mile and stand out.”

Sean also says that it’s not just those behind the scenes who need to know their stuff.

“Doing your homework is essential. Even if you’re a presenter who just reads off a script, you’ll do the best job if you know the topic you’re talking about. And it helps if you’re someone who can take on information and adapt quickly, particularly if you want to work in news broadcasting or live TV or radio.”

6. Start small, think big

If you want to make it in the media, prepare to work from the bottom up. Be realistic about the jobs you apply for, as you’ll have a tough time convincing an interview panel to hire you as executive producer when you’re fresh out of college.

It can be disheartening to work as a humble coffee-fetcher or note-taker, but stick with it. Even the most humble roles provide a foot in the door. And sometimes, that’s all you need to get noticed and make your dream come true.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
The Just Recruitment guide to interview dressing
The benefits of work experience

 

Published: 28 April 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Internal Sales Executive
Sector: Sales
Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC30
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business in Ipswich, looking to add an Internal Sales Executive to their team.

The Internal Sales Executive will play a crucial role in driving the company's growth by developing and executing strategic sales plans, expanding the customer base, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. This role is essential for achieving the company's sales targets and maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

Duties include:

  • Carrying out outbound sales calls to meet sales targets.
  • Managing client sales appointments.
  • Client/Customer upsell and cross-sell.
  • Securing new sales orders via quotations, proposals and trials.
  • Continuously develop sales pitch and processes.
  • Identifying and targeting opportunities to expand the customer base.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing clients.

You will need to be a highly motivated, proactive, and results-driven business development professional with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, integrity, and innovation. You should excel at building and maintaining relationships and actively contribute to the wider growth of the business.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Negotiator (9-month contract)
Sector: Sales
Location: Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC29
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded, market-leading business on the outskirts of Colchester that is seeking a Sales Negotiator to join its stable team.

The key purpose of this role is to achieve and exceed sales conversion targets from quotations, whilst maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and engagement.

You will be responsible for the accurate updating of CRM and pricing systems too.

Key duties include:

  • Contacting clients by phone or email to follow up on quotations with a view to securing orders for the business.
  • Ensuring internal systems are updated accordingly with accurate and current information.
  • Negotiating with customers — listen to objections, understand requirements, and provide appropriate solutions.
  • Developing relationships with key customers, influencers, and decision-makers within the industry.
  • Using the bespoke pricing software to review and amend quotations in line with company processes.
  • Performing other tasks and duties as reasonably requested by the Sales Office Manager.

Role requirements include:

  • Professional and confident communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Diligent and proactive in following up on quotations and capturing feedback.
  • Positive, “can-do” attitude and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work methodically under pressure.
  • Reasonable level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite; training provided for in-house systems.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise and remain organised.

Please note that, due to the company location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Sales Negotiator
Sector: Sales
Location: Earls Colne, Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC28
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded, market-leading business on the outskirts of Colchester that is seeking a Sales Negotiator to join its stable team on a full-time, permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to achieve and exceed sales conversion targets from quotations, whilst maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and engagement.

You will be responsible for the accurate updating of CRM and pricing systems too.

Key duties include:

  • Contacting clients by phone or email to follow up on quotations with a view to securing orders for the business.
  • Ensuring internal systems are updated accordingly with accurate and current information.
  • Negotiating with customers — listen to objections, understand requirements, and provide appropriate solutions.
  • Developing relationships with key customers, influencers, and decision-makers within the industry.
  • Using the bespoke pricing software to review and amend quotations in line with company processes.
  • Performing other tasks and duties as reasonably requested by the Sales Office Manager.

Role requirements include:

  • Professional and confident communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Diligent and proactive in following up on quotations and capturing feedback.
  • Positive, “can-do” attitude and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work methodically under pressure.
  • Reasonable level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite; training provided for in-house systems.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise and remain organised.

Please note that, due to the company location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Assistant (1 year contract)
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Location: Braintree
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC8
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business in Braintree, looking to add an Accounts Assistant to their team.

You will be responsible for maintaining all records required for the accurate operation of the sales and purchase ledgers, including the daily entry and reconciliation of cash.

Duties include:

  • Entering daily cash from multiple bank accounts and reconciling on a daily basis.
  • Processing daily sales invoices in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Dealing with the despatch team to reconcile any discrepancies.
  • Processing of Purchase Ledger Invoices, ensuring they are accurate, matched to the delivery notes, and as per the terms agreed.
  • Ensuring the invoices are coded correctly and in line with company policy.
  • Reconciling all supplier statements and agreeing the Creditors Report monthly, correcting any discrepancies with suppliers, and in line with company policy.
  • Raising and processing monthly payment runs for Purchase Ledger invoices, both in domestic and foreign currencies.
  • Working closely with Customer Service and Warehouse departments to ensure excellent communication is adhered to at all times and a high level of
  • Customer Service is given at all times.
  • Assisting the Accounts Manager and CFO with any other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the accounts department within the company.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm.

Please note the company can offer full or part-time hours!

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Engineer (South)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: South
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913747
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, at the forefront of their sector, looking to add a Field Service Engineer to their team - covering a patch in the South - you can be based anywhere in the South of the UK.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the Installation, Commissioning, service, repair, breakdown, and maintenance of the company’s range of capital equipment in a variety of environments, located in the South of the UK.

Duties include:

  • Duties include installing, commissioning, maintaining, and fault‐finding a wide range of both manufactured and third‐party equipment.
  • Providing user training to end clients when required.
  • Providing feedback to customers on any issues identified during commissioning, maintenance, or fault‐finding visits.

To be considered for this exciting role, you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years’ experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience of performing in a technical field service team
  • Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills
  • Ability to present information in a structured and balanced way
  • Good working knowledge of Word and Excel
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Positive ‘can‐do’ attitude
  • Problem solver ‐ ability to engineer solutions on the job
  • Ability to work and manage in a high‐pressure environment
  • Work autonomously, taking initiative to resolve customer issues
  • Willing to travel and work unsociable hours when needed
  • Some overnight stays are required

This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation.

You will be joining a national team of Field Service personnel who take great pride in their work and who aim to build upon long-term relationships with customers.

You will be continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies. You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management, and your technical knowledge will be furthered through training courses.

For those with the desire, there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will receive ongoing, industry-recognised product training as new products are introduced. You will also enjoy a generous remuneration package, including a competitive salary, company healthcare, a contributory pension scheme, a phone, and a laptop, as well as excellent opportunities for career progression within a market-leading organisation.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Production Operator
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Witham, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB30
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Production Operator for a company based in Witham, Essex.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 6.00am to 2.30pm, with occasional 12-hour shifts required to cover holidays and peak periods.

Role will involve:

  • Carrying out the safe and efficient operation of equipment to prepare products
  • Undertaking dispatch checks and reporting any discrepancies to the Team Leader
  • Completing all necessary record-keeping on the computer
  • Operating filling equipment
  • Movement/sampling of the product to the final store as instructed
  • General cleanliness of production areas, conveying equipment, coolers, etc.
  • Maintaining high levels of cleanliness in all work areas, ensuring correct procedures are followed and documented, where applicable

Skills/Abilities include:

  • Able to determine colour differences by eye
  • Self-motivated and able to work under own initiative
  • Computer literate
  • Quality awareness
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • Good people skills
  • Literate and numerate
  • Team player

Experience in production line operations in the food and beverage sector and knowledge of HACCP would be advantageous.

Excellent company benefits include:

  • Automatic entry into pension scheme after 3 months 4% employee, 6% employer contributions, going up to a maximum of 8% company contribution
  • You automatically qualify for Death in Service benefit which is 4 x basic annual salary
  • Health Cash Back Plan
  • Gym subsidy and cycle to work scheme
  • Benefits hub with access to discounts from various retailers
  • Loyalty awards scheme

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more