A recent Q&A session with BBC Talent Managers provided top tips for applicants looking to join the BBC. This article summarises key advice from Carrie Britton (BBC Studios), Mel Adams (BBC Sport), and Tania Basile, (Talent Manager Children’s TV and online digital education platforms)

Be proactive in developing your experience and skills
All panel members emphasised that media-related experience gained solely from your degree programme is not enough, given the level of competition for media roles, and recommended that you constantly seek or create opportunities. Obviously live work experience with media organisations is pretty much out of the question right now but DO take every opportunity to prove your passion and motivation. Create your own content on your phone, blog and/or vlog, or create a You Tube channel or a website to showcase your work. Social media has democratised filmmaking and creative storytelling – make things happen for yourself!

Be a proactive networker
Use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with media organisations and connect with individuals via LinkedIn. The panel are open to accepting LinkedIn connection requests. Also consider making direct speculative approaches for work experience to shows or productions that you admire.

Indulge in ‘benign stalking’ or ‘making a gentle nuisance’ (in the words of two panel members). Be persistent, check in with the Talent Manager for your area of interest, update them and remind them that you are there and that you are passionate about the BBC. The advice on this was clear – do this every month or so, not every week, and do not expect an instant response. Be resilient.

Get into the routine of checking the BBC careers website regularly – particularly the Kickstart Your Career section. The BBC Academy also offers useful learning resources and advice on career development, for example getting into presenting.

Create an account with BBC CareersHub and update your profile regularly adding in any additional skills or experience that you have gained. Also consider registering with the BBC Talent Cloud for notifications of freelancing opportunities, especially if you have media experience already.

Add value to your CV
Your CV should showcase your passion and the value you could add to a production team. If you have watched every episode of Silent Witness or Doctor Who, for example, share your knowledge and understanding and describe why such programmes capture your imagination.

Panel members agreed that they dislike the use of ‘Hey’ in the cover e-mail! Another top tip is to label your CV document clearly, so it can be retrieved more easily from the application database. Include your name and career interest, e.g. Jo Jones: Runner.

Do I need a specific degree subject?
No, not necessarily. A positive, proactive attitude and transferable skills from any degree subject counts. The BBC describe themselves as a fluid employer  –  staff can move between departments, particularly within Sport and Children’s TV, and may show an aptitude for a role that they had not considered originally. Clearly, sports researchers and journalists need a sound knowledge of media law. Researchers on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ require historical research skills, whereas a science degree would be a useful background for creating science education programmes or resources. Clearly, the skills developed through Liverpool Screen School programmes are relatable and transferable to a host of roles within the organisation.

Final piece of advice from each panellist
Mel, BBC Sport: Always do the best job you can, as the media industry can be a small world – people tend to know each other, so put effort into everything you do in order to attract positive feedback and a potential offer to return.
Carrie, BBC Studios: Never give up. Be resilient and believe in yourself.
Tania, Children’s and Online Education: Get out there and be proactive rather than waiting for things to happen. Also, don’t talk yourself out of a job or be daunted by the size of an organisation.