You have until March 5, 2023, to apply for The Telegraph's Editorial Graduate Programme. The 22-month-long scheme pays above London Living Wage and gives you training in everything from news and features to business and sport. Ngl, it's a pretty sweet gig.
So, how can you give yourself the best chance when you're applying? As ever, we've got your back. We've spoken to a whole range of people who've been there before, to give you an insider look at the process and how to prepare.
You can read our full guide to applications here, as well as some of the key highlights below:
- Pick Stories That Show Your Skills: At the application stage, it's all pretty standard. You'll need to write a cover letter, including three links to work you're proud of, and put together a CV.
Matilda Head
, who joined the team in the 2022 cohort, tells Journo Resources it doesn't matter where your work has been published. Instead, she says it's about variety: "Draw on anything you've done during your journalism experience that shows your ability to write well, spot a good story from the news cycle, and adapt to different formats. It doesn't matter if you don't have experience at a national yet, I went in from just student journalism!"
Jamie Johnson
, who now works for the paper in the US, recommends variety. "Don’t necessarily just put in three pieces about one topic,” he tells Journo Resources. “Try and show a bit of variation on different types of writing,” For example, your three pieces might span an interview, a news piece and a feature.
- Think About A Whole Range Of Formats: Head continues: "The Telegraph has a great range of platforms for its journalism, don't just think about print, but the website, the app, social media, video, audio, etc. So, if you can show skills at adapting to different audiences, that may help. For example, I had been running a news TikTok channel for a year or so before I applied. I drew on that in my interview to show how I was comfortable experimenting with new formats. Show that you're willing to get stuck in."
- Keep Up To Date With The News: It perhaps goes without saying, but candidates are expected to keep across the news agenda.
Cameron Henderson
, who also joined the scheme in 2022, explains that at interview “they just wanted to see that you know how a news story works, how it should look like" — something which comes with consuming a lot of news. He adds: "Can you identify the most eye-catching, pertinent pieces of information and put them at the top so the reader sees them first? Be up to date with the news, because they might ask you stuff outside your comfort zone.”
- Understand What Matters To The Telegraph: Finally, Izzy Lyons, who went on to work as the paper's crime correspondent, says it's important to understand the market and audience of the publication specifically. "It probably sounds a little bit obvious, but you need to be able to show [that you understand] what issues matter to us. You have to know what our readers are interested in and what they believe on certain issues, and how the paper is laid out.”?
Our Full Guide To The Application Process:
Job Listing For The Scheme:
