You'll need commitment, perseverance and hard work to succeed in a career in TV. It isn't an industry that nurtures the confused – you'll need plenty of confidence to develop your skills, experience and contacts, and be willing to work from the bottom up.
Entry-level positions
Runner jobs are often the first step in a TV career. "They're a smart way to understand all the different layers of production and to find out if you actually like the industry," says Billy Macqueen, co-director of Darrall Macqueen Ltd.
"The most common mistakes are not having watched the programmes you are being interviewed to work on, and announcing mid-interview that you really just want to be a presenter and this seemed a good way to get in," he adds.
But it's important to be open-minded about the variety of roles available: entry-level administration or coordination type roles can also be a great way in. In an online chat about careers in TV, Marsha Witter, talent scheme manager at ITV, emphasised that there's much more to the industry than production, with supporting departments including HR, finance, legal, archives, distribution, corporate responsibility.
Be prepared to start at junior levels and work your way up to develop experience and contacts. Some graduates with good degrees get their break-through script editing, but will have typically gained some relevant experience before being employed by a production company or broadcaster. Creative Skillset have information on roles within the script department, as well as a case study on how Pippa Best – who edited Blind Fight – conquered the industry.
Writing your application
Be concise and relevant in your applications – make it easy for your reader to see key facts. Avoid long personal statements or obvious claims, such as saying you are "hard-working". Instead, state the role you're applying for and highlight relevant information – your skills and media experience. Less relevant experience can go in a separate section labelled "other experience". If you lack direct experience, sell your transferable skills. For example, Marsha Witter explains how retail or hospitality work can demonstrate communication and team-working skills.
One or two pages is ideal for a CV – any more could show an inability to organise information, says Macqueen. Be persistent and organised: ring production companies and ask if there are opportunities, then follow up at appropriate times. For email applications, make sure you write to the right person – never "Dear Sir or Madam", advises Nicky Ball. The BBC also has a helpful page on writing a CV for the TV industry.
Qualifications and training
Most people in the industry agree that media studies courses on their own are unlikely to lead to employment, while other degrees, such as arts or history, can demonstrate research ability.
Keep an eye out for industry schemes and training courses. The Production Talent Pool is a main entry route into production roles at the BBC, while ITV also runs work experience and placement schemes.
Creative Skillset has extensive information about careers and training courses, along with job profiles detailing the specific skills and experience you need, and industry standards. Don Kong, from the BBC, also recommends the Craft & Tech scheme for technical film and TV placements.
Other useful resources for writers are the BBC Writersroom and the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing forum.
Future trends and opportunities
There's a huge range of opportunities and careers. Although organisations such as the BBC, for example, are fantastic places to get work and have an internal training structures, if you're a freelancer you can create your own career – applying for the jobs to put you on a different path.
Things are broadening out, with user-generated TV and YouTube also commissioning content. This brings in lower production costs and is opening up the industry to young entrepreneurs who are sidestepping the traditional TV hierarchy.
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