The Apprentice – Get some work experience
A work experience placement with a production company is the best way to start your journey into TV and Film. During your time you can learn how things operate, meet people in the industry and work on a variety of projects. Jeremy Mills points out the Catch 22 that can be avoided by volunteering, “In the job market you need a job to get experience and you need experience to get a job, the best thing you can do is give up your free time and offer yourself to help out on a production”.

Career Bootcamp – Start a Career in TV as a Runner or Researcher
Becoming a runner or a researcher is an intense and rapid way to learn the ropes in the TV industry. Shahana Meer, Executive Vice President in Charge of Production, agrees “I started out as a Production Secretary and worked my way up. My advice is start off at a junior level and prove you have what it takes to move up to the next level”. This takes us onto our next point….

Curb Your Enthusiasm – Learn how to be constructive
Showing enthusiasm is a key factor in getting you a long way. Lion’s Head of Talent, Jane Hosking, noted “Sometimes enthusiasm and interest is the determining factor when choosing between candidates and that is at any level”. Jeremy Mills adds “Show a genuine interest in the programmes the company is developing and don’t be afraid to give feedback” but he warns, “there is a difference between being cocky and being constructive make sure the comments you give are valid and of use”.

The X Factor – Special skills give you the upper hand.
Whether you hold a science degree, speak another language, or have a fascination with Ancient Egypt, you may have something that singles you out from the rest. Nick Catliff notes, “Particularly for factual productions, if you have a specialist qualification or a proven track record for interest in that particular area, you may be at an advantage”.

Talking Television – Make contacts
Remember that once you’re in a job you should still see part of it as a learning process, colleagues on every level can teach you something about the industry, and all you have to do is ask. Don’t worry about appearing dumb, chatting to people in the industry about what they do is important and will help you to make contacts. Jane Hosking advises, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, pester power is a good thing...just think of it as networking.”

Lost – Find your career path
Shahana Meer notes that many people come into the industry without knowing their direction and so would be Programme Developers/Directors end up as Production Managers/Producers and vice versa. Shanhana’s advice is to “Decide early on where you would like to be. Once again this is about showing enthusiasm, finding out what colleagues do and reading job descriptions carefully” she adds “this process is important as once you start down a path it can be tough to switch, people will tend to pigeon hole you”.

Million Dollar Ideas – Nurture your programme ideas
If you want to go into development, format ideas and stories are your golden ticket to get there. Mat Steiner, his success as a format innovator led him to Lion TV where he is now Head of Creative Formatting, he advises, “Try and come up with new and exciting formats, if their good, your ideas will get heard and you could end up jumping the queue to a better job”.

Just Shoot Me
If you are already on a film/media course or are simply just enthusiastic about film then you should try making one for yourself. Jeremy Mills was an amateur filmmaker before getting a job in the industry “I’ve been making films since the age of 15 and I feel that it really helped to understand the whole process and it was something that I could show to employers”. Schools and colleges often have camcorders that they lend out to students and fairly inexpensive software can allow you to start editing from your home PC, just remember that your story idea should be well thought out and researched, it needs to be more than just a home video.

Above and Beyond – Work really hard
No it is not a cliché; Shanana and Jeremy agree, if you show you are a hard worker who is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty then you’ll move quickly move through the ranks, soldier!

Survivor
“Never ever, ever give up” Mat Steiner advises, “TV is full of rejection, particularly if you are pitching ideas, just keep at it because success will out weigh the knock-backs”. Jane Hosking agrees “Even though you might feel as if you are banging your head on a brick wall to get that all important break, don’t worry, the wall will eventually crack!”