Posts Tagged ‘broadcast jobs’

Salary changes in the Broadcast landscape

Monday, April 29th, 2013

 Salary changes in the Broadcast Landscape  by Tracey Newton

A recent review of pay structure within the TV industry over the past 2 years, showed a steady increase in salaries for operational roles, particularly for Presentation Schedulers.

The demand for skilled schedulers has increased  as people who have worked as schedulers move onto programming planning or another area within TV after a few years. 

The more senior roles in presentation are generally recruited internally, as there are always people ready to move up the career ladder, which means channels are always looking to recruit at the more junior/middle levels.

University degrees now include modules on scheduling in TV so people are now able to learn about this role rather than having to rely on finding out about it through practical work experience.

More and more people have got into scheduling now, and as a result competition for work in this area is stronger. There has also been a remarkable increase in demand for language skills in scheduling – where the communication between local offices and the presentation teams are so important.  This is great for all multilingual schedulers  as having both language skills and presentation scheduling experience means you are very attractive to many of the international broadcasters.

Salaries have also risen over the last 2 years , the average salary now for an experience Scheduler is now £27,000-£28,000, whereas 24 months ago it was around the £25,000- £26,000 mark.

Post Production roles have stayed fairly static, with maybe a slight downturn in salaries – because the Post Houses and Agencies are all in tight competition and the demand for talent is generally based on winning new projects. Salary ranges have been fairly consistent

e.g. Post Producers  are paid between  £30,000 -£35,000 , Editors £40,000, Reversioning Producers  £30,000 – £35,000, MCR £21,000 – £23,000

We have, however, seen an increase in freelancer rates particular for Editors and Post Producers, as these are always in demand and range between – £200-£250 per day for an Editor and £200 – £250 per day for a Post Producer.  

Broadcast Salaries in general have not hugely changed, however the reduction in number of job roles has. This is because most of the bigger multi-channels are struggling to get authorisation for new head count and their recruitment is focussed on replacement roles to cover leavers/secondments or mat covers etc .  In addition many major TV networks have restructured and relocated some departments to local countries which has also had an added impact on the availability of roles in London.

Because of the downturn in permanent roles available we have seen a 25% increase in the number of Fixed term contracts on offer. As a result organisations have to be able to offer more flexibility/attractive salaries in some cases, to entice candidates to take the plunge and move from permanent work  to fixed term roles. In most cases, candidates are open to consider this change, provided the opportunity is good and career development is offered.

Preparing a Cover Letter

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

 

Preparing a cover letter for a job application requires a lot of thought and can more than often be the ticket to a successful job application.

By now you should  have your cv ready with a very clear and impactful profile. The next stage is to write a cover letter which allows you to show your DNA and match your skills and background to the requirements of the role you are applying to. It should be concise, clear and the words you to choose to describe yourself should be relevant.

We’ve been recruiting for  some amazing clients within the broadcast / tv industry, within media and marketing consultancies, market research, insight, analysis, for international organizations and professional services firms including investment banks.  One thing that our clients tell us is that the London job market is extremely competitive and a good cover letter brings your profile to life. This might be the last opportunity to secure that interview and make your application stand out from the crowd.

A cover letter should explain the reasons for applying to the job, and explain the current circumstances which have led you to apply for a new role. Relevant work experience, for example working with a specific industry sector, or working on a certain type of project, should be discussed, including any particular achievements and successes.

In addition, the cover letter should explain any anomalies, any major gaps or even a change in career direction, and in the latter circumstance there should be evidence to explain the reasons for this change and the attraction to the new career.

This is also an opportunity to show what you know about the client, the industry, the job and to highlight why you feel you match the client perfectly, what you could bring to the table and why you would be a successful hire for their business.  

Your recruitment consultant should be able to help you with this, and explain to you what is most important and relevant to your job search. Sometimes this isn’t always clear and from experience, if we are not sure about a candidates commitment at boyce, we will ask them to make a note of why they are specifically interested in that sector and how they match the requirements. This is also a good prep for interview as it is always best to consider all of the above when applying for a new job.

Good luck !   

What’s driving the job seeker?

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Overall the recruitment market seems to suggest that career progression is more important than a pay rise when motivating a broad number of candidates who are looking for new roles.

Webrecruit recently completed a study of 987 applicants which showed that 38% of candidates consider career progression to be the most important factor when applying for a position. 23% said role responsibilities matter to them most.

In contrast, only 11% are attracted most by the salary of a position, 10% said they look for training opportunities, 9% look at the company’s brand, 6% want support towards qualifications and 3% are attracted by a position’s benefits package.

Aside from redundancy and the need to find work quickly, the teams at Boyce definitely agree.

Market Research job hunters in London definitely seem to focus on career development.  Many of our applicants are seeking more responsibility  and exposure to working with new and innovative methodologies. Being seen as a specialist is also important but having the opportunity to learn and work with talented people is a primary motivator for many of our candidates is key.

The Broadcast recruitment team  have many candidates who want to “do more” and move up the ladder in their career within operations and technical support. Whether this means becoming a teamleader, or scheduling supervisor , or if it means becoming an Account manager for a large global account then their employer may not be offering this and so they are looking elsewhere. When applicants do decide to move sideways, it may be because they love their job but feel stale doing the same thing within with the same team environment, or they may feel that the culture where they work has changed dramatically and they no longer identify  with the managers they report to.

In the language job market, there is very little difference. The opportunity to travel and meet clients face to face can be a great deciding factor for a career move, especially if the job seeker has invested a lot of time in building up their linguistic and cultural knowledge of the country they work in.

On the other hand, our Corporate Services team, who manage recruitment for “head office” functions including administration, HR and customer services  have been very heavily influenced by job instability and the desire to work for a company with a strong financial track record and the ability to offer great working conditions, a supportive team structure and training opportunities.

Interview of the week : Head of Scheduling and Programme Planning

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week we have chosen to feature Adam Russell : Head of Scheduling and Digital at a London based TV broadcaster and content provider .
Alfra TV setup TV channels worldwide and give customers a platform to distribute their content via digital networks.

My career background is in presentation scheduling and programme planning working for a range of broadcasters including Setanta Sports, Balance TV, Virgin Media and BBC.

 

 How long have you been doing what you have been doing?

I have been in my current role for 2 weeks. However, I  have been working in the broadcast and media industry for coming up to 10 years. 
  

How did you get into this : what did you do before?

My career has primarily been in television scheduling and programme planning. I have worked for major broadcasters including Virgin Media, BBC and Setanta Sports whilst also with a few niche channels including Body in Balance Television.

How did you start your career in this sector?

After finishing Uni I knew that I wanted to work in television. Whilst temping I continued to look for a job in the media and applied for any job that would allow me to get a greater understanding of the broadcasting industry.

What tips would you give someone who was interviewing in your company?

Be yourself and be prepared. You must be prepped to answer the questions asked of you, but equally be prepared to ask questions of your employer. If you haven’t got questions about the role, are you sure you really want it?

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the trust and confidence shown in me by my employers. I am given a task and trusted to get on with it. All ideas are welcome and considered. In terms of presentation scheduling, you know that your actions will play a big part in what the viewer sees on screen. It’s a big responsibility.

What are the challenges faced in the role?

Being a small company you have lots of responsibility. You must trust your own judgement and courage in your convictions. Things can change very quickly and you need to adjust quickly.

Why do you think some people are more successful than others when they do your job?

In scheduling, primarily you are the last link between the broadcaster and transmission. Scheduling can be monotonous but it is imperative that you have a high attention to detail and you can cope under pressure. Everybody makes mistakes, but it is ensuring that it doesn’t happen again. The successful ones are the ones that can meet deadlines whilst minimising and correcting mistakes.

What 3 adjectives would you use to describe the type of person/ skills needed in your job?

Composed
Attentive
Relaxed

What is the highlight of your career to date?

Negotiating a new Satellite and Playout including new scheduling software with increased functionality

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt in your career so far?

Not everything will go according to plan. Its how you deal with the challenges that you are faced with at work that will make your career. Keep a level head and prioritise. Enjoy what you do and the people you work with. It becomes much harder when you don’t enjoy it

Who has been your biggest influence on your career to date?

My biggest influence on my career so far has been my MD. He gave me the opportunity to work on projects on my own and allowed me to define my own path within the company. 

What are your predictions on how your role will evolve in the next 5 years  ?

I think that my role will be more about putting content onto Connected TVs as opposed to traditional broadcasting methods.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into your sector?

Don’t give up…There are plenty of jobs out there…. Boyce get a lot of them :-)

 

 

Interview of the week : Presentation Scheduler Thomas Archibald

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Getting a foot into the London Broadcast and Media  job market can be quite daunting, especially if you don’t understand how to get into the sector and what kind of opportunities are on offer.

This week we have asked Thomas Archibald, a Presentation Scheduler within the London TV industry to give us the lowdown:

Why is a Presentation Scheduler important to the business?

The role of a presentation scheduler is important to the business as we are the people that ensure channels go to air looking as good as they possibly can and ensuring that programmes go out on time. Without the presentation scheduler there would be no channel to watch!

 What do you do on a  daily basis?

On a daily basis the role of a presentation scheduler includes paying attention to detail and making sure every commercial break is the best it can be before being sent to transmission. Duties such as loading in Asruns, viewing new promos and reviewing previous days transmission reports can all be part of the daily life of a scheduler.

How long have you been doing what you have been doing?

I have been in and out of presentation scheduling for roughly 9 years now.

How did you get into this? What did you do before ?

I studied Media Writing at University and came out with dreams of being a journalist. When that didn’t materialise I looked for any opportunity within a media company and that’s when through a friend of a friend I heard about a presentation scheduler role at Discovery Channel and that’s how my career in tv began.

What was the interview process like to get this position, or how did you start your career in this sector ?

I had to go through two interviews to get my first role. It was the most comfortable I had felt in interviews and that was down to the people involved and probably why Discovery is still my longest permanent role to date.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

You are always part of a team in scheduling and that is one of the aspects I enjoy the most as you help each other out to produce the best results. Creating a schedule quickly and efficiently to the best of your abilities is always a good feeling.

 What are the challenges faced in the role?

The challenges are promos being dropped or changed meaning that you have to either go over work done previously and change it or contact transmission to swap out a promo with another. You are challenged to meet deadlines on a daily basis.

Why do you think some people are more successful than others when they do your job ?

I think some people are more successful than others in my job is down to communication. When scheduling it can become a solitary experience so the ability to communicate and make friends in other departments can always lead to other opportunities sometime in the future.

What 3 adjectives would you use to describe the type of person/ skills needed in your job ?

Quick, intelligent and vocal

What is the highlight of your career to date?

The highlight of my career to date is my time spent as a promo producer at a company called GTV. It’s where I was given the ball and told to run with it in a creative department that allowed my skills to shine in the best way. The company going into liquidation was tough and always grateful to have scheduling to fall back on but certainly in 2012 I am making every effort to get back into a more creative area.

Do you have any career regrets and if so what would they be?

If I had any regrets it would probably be not making enough of the roles or situations I found myself in at the many companies I have worked for. Being a people person and the ability to make friends with the right people can be a struggle sometimes when you stick to your own principles.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt in your career so far?

The most valuable lesson I have learnt in my career so far is never take anything for granted and make the most of every opportunity you are given as you never know when the next one might come along.

 Who has been your biggest influence on your career to date ?

The biggest influence on my career to date has probably been the director of programming at GTV and gave me the chance as a Promo Producer, something which I will always be eternally grateful for.

 What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into your sector?

To anyone that wants to get into my sector I would say do an internship/work experience at one of the many broadcasters and if you shine in that role then once your studies are over there’s every chance you will be asked back for a permanent role.

 What do you do in your spare time, when you aren’t working?

When I’m not working I have various things going on. I like to stay active by going running and playing Badminton. I’m a big football fan , Liverpool are my team and watch a lot of sport in general. Films are a big passion of mine so regularly visit the cinema. I love to socialise with friends over dinner and drinks. And I like to give something back so do sponsored activities whenever I can to raise money for charity.