BBC North Programme

Lloyderz

Just wondering if many people have applied for the BBC North Programme?
I have got through the first two rounds of the interview process and I am waiting to hear about next one.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/north/

The Sparrow

Have you actually had an interview, OP?

I applied in September and did the online assement and found out in late October that I was succesful and I am waiting to hear about the next stage of an interview or whatever.

Lloyderz

No, I haven't had an interview yet. I'd imagine that is the next stage. The online assessment thing was weird wasn't it? I keep getting regular updates in emails off them though. What department did you apply for?

The Sparrow

I went for Content Making and Journalism but they said I was selected for Content Making. What about you?

Yeah it was a very strange online test. I wasn't sure whether I had aced it or done terribly. I did the online test in late September and I heard back about a month later that I had been succesful. I haven't heard anything since but it seems to be a pretty long process and I think it is unlikely that there will be interviews before the New Year.

From reading around various places yesterday, it seems that there have been somewhere around 25000 applications for what seems like a maximum of about 800 jobs. I read estimates that about 83% of those who applied were invited to do the online test and while some people did say they failed, the vast majority of people on the forums I read said they passed it.

So I'm not even sure if a passed test will guaranntee an interview but hopefully it will. Also, some people had applied as far back as February and passed the test then and still nobody seems to have been called for interview.

frostie500

Applied yesterday for the journalism positions in sport and technology, how long did it take to get the online tests?

The Sparrow

frostie500 wrote: »

Applied yesterday for the journalism positions in sport and technology, how long did it take to get the online tests?

I think it took about a week or so and they sent me a link for the online test which had to be completed within 7 days. Good luck!

frostie500

Just after getting an email to sat that I'm through to the assessment section, any advice on what to expect?

The Sparrow

It is hard to prepare for the test because so much of it is your judgement about what to do in certain situations. I can't remember all of it but the main sections I remember are

1. Videos where actors play BBC employees and you take the role of one of them and you have to react to some sort of work based situation by answering a multiple choice question on how you would react to it. One that I remember was that you are working alongside a colleague and he asks you to show him how to use a computer programme and you ask him if he wasn't at the training session for the software and he replies that he was there but didn't really listen. Then the multiple choice questions are about whether you help him or not.

2. They give you four words and you have to pick out the odd one out. I didn't recognise loads of the words so my advice is to have a dictionary or and online dictionary in a different window. You have 3 minutes to answer these questions but I had plenty of time to google some of the words. I know some people might see that as cheating, but as a researcher it is not my job to know everything but just to know how to find out about it. I looked at this as a test of iniative to see who would be smart enough to use a dictionary!

3. There were comprehension tests where you would be given 3 minutes or so to read a passage of text and answer a multiple choice question about it. This was fairly straight forward once you actually read it all. I found that the best way to approach it was to read the question first and then read the passage with that in mind. I can't remember the exact questions, but it was along the lines of a couple of paragraphs and one of the sentences will say, for example, "the baker loved decorating cakes" and the right multiple choice answer will be the baker likes his job or something along those lines.

That's really as much as I remember but there may be more. As I said, you can't really prepare for it but just use common sense and give yourself plenty of time to complete it in a quite area and you will be fine. It took me about an hour and a half but I would clear two hours without distractions. I read the BBC North website carefully before it started and watched the videos on there and that helped a lot because you are constantly thinking that your answers, especially with the videos, are as much about fitting in with BBC values and culture as anything else.

And don't forget to open up a good online dictionary in a browser window!

Best of luck. Let us know how you get on.

Lloyderz

The Sparrow wrote: »

I went for Content Making and Journalism but they said I was selected for Content Making. What about you?

Yeah it was a very strange online test. I wasn't sure whether I had aced it or done terribly. I did the online test in late September and I heard back about a month later that I had been succesful. I haven't heard anything since but it seems to be a pretty long process and I think it is unlikely that there will be interviews before the New Year.

From reading around various places yesterday, it seems that there have been somewhere around 25000 applications for what seems like a maximum of about 800 jobs. I read estimates that about 83% of those who applied were invited to do the online test and while some people did say they failed, the vast majority of people on the forums I read said they passed it.

So I'm not even sure if a passed test will guaranntee an interview but hopefully it will. Also, some people had applied as far back as February and passed the test then and still nobody seems to have been called for interview.

They said I would be considered for BBC North Journalism roles, I applied in early May. They didn't say in exactly what area. I'd love sport. Ye, I'd imagine the interviews will be in 2011. What else can they do next? Where did you read those figures?

The Sparrow

I read those figures on a forum but it looks even worse now:

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/30000-apply-for-MediaCity-jobs_15986.asp

Hopefuls will have to fight for ‘hundreds’ of posts

Around 30,000 people have applied for jobs at MediaCityUK on Salford Quays, according to BBC North boss Peter Salmon.

Salmon, addressing a Pro Manchester lunch at the Crowne Plaza hotel in the city centre today (Nov 11), said the corporation would be creating ‘hundreds’ of jobs when it began its move from London next year, and the website it set up to sift through CVs had been inundated.

“There are lots or creative and inspiring people in my new patch,” he said. “We’ll be moving 2,300 jobs up to Salford and creating hundreds more, and we want to invest time and money in the area.

"The website we've set up for advertising jobs has had a phenomenal response - something like 30,000 applications.

“We’re investing millions in great northern drama and want to invest in developing digital content. We’re not saying we’re the answer to the challenges that the region is facing, but we think we can be part of the wider long-term solution.”

Salmon also said it had produced seven new radios shows in the region through 5live, which is also relocating to Salford Quays.

Salmon said the BBC had contributed £500m to the UK economy in 2009/10, but still had some ‘difficult’ decisions to make about its future.

“We’re firmly focussed on the future. We need to bring new blood through into the corporation and develop new partnerships.”

Lloyderz

That's alot! :eek: I wonder how many have got through to the stage we are at?

frostie500

Just after getting an email saying I got through from the online assessments, delighted to hear back from them before Christmas!

The Sparrow

frostie500 wrote: »

Just after getting an email saying I got through from the online assessments, delighted to hear back from them before Christmas!

Good stuff... I got a Happpy Christmas email from them the other day.

Welcome to the annoying period of waiting for them to start interviews and having no idea what is going on.

Lloyderz

I got that email too. Let's hope we hear something soon!


Here are a couple of recent articles I found about BBC North.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8235080/BBC-Breakfast-will-lose-top-guests-after-Salford-move-warns-its-editor.html

http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2010/12/09/bbc-north-director-peter-salmon-visits-edge-hill-university-s-new-200-000-tv-studio-80904-27790031/


The good thing for us, is alot of current staff won't be willing to move from London to Manchester. So they will have plenty of places to fill!

Lloyderz

This is very helpful. Well worth a look. Gives you an idea of when the interviews might start and a rough idea of when you might be hired.


http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:86yp4lz5nGcJ:www.ljmu.ac.uk/WoW/WOW_Docs/BBC_North_Recruitment_Process_-_for_skillset.ppt+bbc+north+jobs&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESigttlgS--GlYh8f7269BevjG2J14LbD6f7EP6ujnDGjEe8ey4_JcYB9ERf8vDWf5hU_qaEVgcLNGOSFlM2DtXLZr4TkDLJdgwkx4r4d37Vxv7KWOaHuuiWc_-J4YbNxhp5K7-C&sig=AHIEtbS3U-vu2tdxtflXTyTk-PITQoHbnQ&pli=1

The Sparrow

Lloyderz wrote: »

This is very helpful. Well worth a look. Gives you an idea of when the interviews might start and a rough idea of when you might be hired.


http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:86yp4lz5nGcJ:www.ljmu.ac.uk/WoW/WOW_Docs/BBC_North_Recruitment_Process_-_for_skillset.ppt+bbc+north+jobs&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESigttlgS--GlYh8f7269BevjG2J14LbD6f7EP6ujnDGjEe8ey4_JcYB9ERf8vDWf5hU_qaEVgcLNGOSFlM2DtXLZr4TkDLJdgwkx4r4d37Vxv7KWOaHuuiWc_-J4YbNxhp5K7-C&sig=AHIEtbS3U-vu2tdxtflXTyTk-PITQoHbnQ&pli=1

If that is still accurate (and it may not be as it is a presentation from March 2010) then they will need to start shortlisiting canditates for specific jobs pretty soon and holding interviews.

I really hope this doesn't all fall through as it seems like an amazing opportunity. Hopefull loads of London employees will refuse to move north so that there will be plenty of jobs for us.

Lloyderz

The Sparrow wrote: »

If that is still accurate (and it may not be as it is a presentation from March 2010) then they will need to start shortlisiting canditates for specific jobs pretty soon and holding interviews.

I really hope this doesn't all fall through as it seems like an amazing opportunity. Hopefull loads of London employees will refuse to move north so that there will be plenty of jobs for us.

Ye you are probably right. But it gives you an idea. I'd imagine they would start making the shortlists before April when the "migration" happens.

I saw a figure of 40% of employees refusing to make the move, which plays into our hands. I also think being Irish will help us in a weird way!

Lloyderz

Anybody hear anything yet? Just got another of those update emails the other day.

The Sparrow

Lloyderz wrote: »

Anybody hear anything yet? Just got another of those update emails the other day.

Same here... this is taking FOREVER!

frostie500

The Sparrow wrote: »

Same here... this is taking FOREVER!

I think its going to April until we hear anything-thats the cut off date for current staff to relocate to Manchester. Could be wrong but I've had that date in my head for ages!

kevin99

What's the pay these days for a BBC journalist?

Lloyderz

Anyone else get this email today?


Many apologies if it has been a little while since we have been in touch.

We have been delighted with the interest that you and so many others have shown regarding working at BBC North. That so many are excited about the opportunities our move to MediaCityUK offers is terrific and we’ve been impressed by the high quality of applications. At the same time the competition for jobs has been fierce.

Therefore as we move into the main period for recruitment, I wanted to give you a quick update and answer some key questions that many of you have been asking.

When are departments recruiting?
Recruitment has started and some posts have already been filled. The entire process will continue until the end of this year and if a role comes up that closely matches your skills, experience and interests, we will be in touch. It is therefore essential your CV is clear, focussed and demonstrates why you might be suitable for any of the roles you’re interested in. For CV hints and tips you can go to www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/north/cv-tips.shtml.

How many jobs are there?
There are currently over 500 vacancies left to fill.

I would like to change the CV you have for me – how do I do that?
If you have gained significant new experience since you applied, you can email an updated CV to careers@bbchrdirect.co.uk (please put BBC North CV in the subject heading) and your new CV will be uploaded to your account.

Will I be invited to an interview?
As we have had an exceptionally high number of applicants, and because it is proving very competitive, we cannot guarantee everyone will be invited for an interview.

Passing the assessment means that you’re now through to the next stage in the application process where you will be considered for relevant vacancies when they arise. However with currently 50,000 applicants for over 500 roles, many candidates will not be contacted or invited to interview.

If I don’t get invited to interview or get a job in 2011, what are my options?
We will be in touch with all applicants when we have filled the majority of the vacancies later this year. We will outline how you can be considered for positions in BBC North from 2012. You can of course apply for roles in other areas of the BBC now via www.bbc.co.uk/jobs .

How do I get more information?
In order to ensure you are kept informed, we will be updating our website (www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/north) regularly with updates on recruitment. Moving forward we won’t be sending you regular emails except if there is specific information about your application which we need to contact you about.

With best wishes
Ken Lee
HR Director, BBC North

The Sparrow

Lloyderz wrote: »

However with currently 50,000 applicants for over 500 roles, many candidates will not be contacted or invited to interview.

:eek::eek:

Sounds a bit like game over for the majority of people. I didn't get that email yet but I assume I will soon.

The Sparrow

Just got the same email.