WHEN Dame Nellie Melba warbled into Guglielmo Marconi’s microphone in 1920,
she proved that wireless technology could be used to entertain the masses.
Her performance, the first advertised public broadcast programme, also
helped to spawn the BBC.
Within two years of the opera star’s recital, the British Broadcasting Company
had been born. Today, the BBC — a “corporation” since 1927 — employs more
than 26,000 people. Roger Hammett, the BBC head of recruitment
communications, says that virtually every type of job exists within the BBC.
“What people don’t realise is that for every one person they see on the TV,
there are 99 others who helped them to be there.”
Vacancies are advertised on the BBC website, which Hammett recommends as the
starting point for aspiring recruits. As well as current positions, the site
has articles on work-experience schemes and tips for a successful
application.
Hammett says it has taken time to bury the myth, but insists that Oxbridge
types are not the staple of BBC recruitment. “We try to mirror our audience
in our workforce,” he says. Diversity is key. Employing clones does not make
business sense when output ranges from Bargain Hunt on BBC One to
“dancehall splurt” on 1Xtra, the black music station.
This year the BBC is ranked sixth in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.
Hammett says: “We have done an incredible amount to make sure that people
are productive but not driven into the ground.” Flexible hours, working from
home and the chance to buy extra holiday all help staff to balance work with
other commitments, and although breaking news can mean it’s all hands on
deck, as Hammett says, that’s one of the attractions.
Less attractive perhaps is the spotlight often turned on the BBC and its
employees. Lord Hutton’s inquiry after the death last year of the weapons
scientist David Kelly criticised the BBC and followed a bitter row with
ministers. Next week, as the BBC gears up for charter renewal in 2006, an
announcement is expected on staff cuts, with some reports suggesting that
6,000 jobs will be lost. So morale is rock-bottom, right? No, says Hammett.
“It’s remarkably good.”
Yes, says Luke Crawley, supervisory official for the BBC division of the
broadcast union Bectu. “And the redundancies are not going to cheer anybody
up.” But Bectu still regards the BBC as “one of the better employers”, says
Crawley, offering decent terms and conditions and good training.
Morale is not a problem for Maseena Ziegler. Although technically not an
employee, she has completed a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism
sponsored by BBC News. She has undertaken placements on the Today
programme, has just begun another on Newsnight, and has more planned
with BBC Scotland.
She says: “From my experience at the BBC, every member of staff counts, even
the little people. I see the BBC as a genuinely meritocratic organisation
where progress is by recognition of ability and contribution. My experience
with my mentor and other BBC managers has been very encouraging. Their
outlook is shaped by harnessing and developing talent, and unlocking the
potential of junior staff.”
DATA FILE
- Ninety-three per cent of the UK population watches or listens to BBC
programmes every week.
- BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened-to station.
“Our hours are varied and our dress code relaxed. It’s a million miles away
from the standard nine-to-five,” says the BBC Jobs website.
- The Hutton inquiry criticised BBC managers, editorial systems and governors.
- bbc.co.uk records more page impressions each month (an average of 1.3 billion)
than any other content site in Europe.
- The first BBC broadcast outside Britain was in 1932 on the Empire Service. BBC
World Service broadcasts in 42 languages, plus English.
- On November 14, 1922, the first news bulletins were read twice; once quickly
and once slowly, and listeners asked which they preferred.
- “The BBC should cut down on output that does not fit with its central role of
being a public sector broadcaster, the Government has said.” Tessa
Jowell, the Culture Secretary, to the House of Commons culture, media
and sport committee as reported on BBC News online last month.
- Work experience is available in most BBC departments. Placements are unpaid
and last from a few days to four weeks.
- The BBC Jobs website says that as many as 75 per cent of candidates perform
poorly at interview. The site includes some useful interview tips.
www.bbc.co.uk/jobs
