Frequently Asked Questions

No, that\'s not the way we operate. It\'s up to you to present yourself well so that you get selected by an employer. Oh, and it\'s best not to lie, a bad reputation is not helpful in this small business.

We provide you with valuable CV Tips when you receive your welcome letter. There is information on our website for members too. We also offer all our members dedicated one to one CV advice. You simply need to request this service and we can support you with feedback to assist you in producing a punchy TV targeted CV. Your CV is your opportunity to grab the Producers\' attention, so be clear, concise and passionate. Good spelling and grammar are essential too! Your CV needs to tell a Producer why they want you!

We know hundreds of producers, and have contacts for thousands more. We will make sure they know ALL about the site. They will find startinTV of great value for new recruits. Rest assured – we’re in their position!

You will get an email when a producer has viewed your full CV

Relax – you deserve it. Listen to what is asked. Try to enjoy the opportunity to pass on some of your talents, sharpness of mind and the variety of your ideas. Read up on your interview skills in the startinTV resources sections.

TV Openings result from WORK EXPERIENCE, which often isn\'t advertised. Employers get inundated with too many applicants, so you need to promote yourself and get spotted by producers. And that\'s where StartinTV.com comes in:

StartinTV.com is designed expressly for people wanting their first job in TV and aims to put them in front of TV execs actually seeking their specific talents, experience and interests.

TV executives, desperate for fresh talent to move the industry into the future, now turn to the internet for a fair way of finding tomorrows stars of the small screen both infront of and behind the camera.

Fledgling producers, directors, presenters, camera operators, sound technicians, makeup artists and runners can get a boost into one of the toughest industries to crack using our website www.StartinTV.com.

We are aimed exclusively at TV newcomers - you will not be in direct competition with experienced professionals. Our smart database allows producers to search for new talent with interests and skills they need for their particular programme. This is a fast, efficient and organised system that improves upon the current random process of CV mailshots.

Ask anyone currently working in TV - they\'re likely to tell you that\'s exactly how they got started. It\'s a chance to find out if the business suits you and you suit the business. Some might call it exploitation, others might say it\'s simply the result of market forces - a lot of people want to get in and it is, effectively, a \'buyers\' market. View it as a chance to prove yourself and find out if this is really what you want to do.
Initially, some work experience might be unpaid... you are receiving good training after all ... but after a while you can expect to be paid. Always make a special effort to get things right, be helpful and make a good impression. This will help turn your work experience into a paying job. PLEASE SEE StartinTV pages on the site for more on this: The link is; http://www.startintv.com/resources/yourfirstday.php

Not yet. This is something we may consider for StartinTV.com in the future if it seems appropriate and if there is a demand for such advertisements.

Many entry level positions are filled by direct contact and connections rather than by advertising and interviewing. More employers are using StartinTV.com to source bright new talent directly, saving themselves time.

Yes we check they are bona fide producers before they get their password. In any case, we are constantly marketing the site direct to producers and often already know them before we issue a password.

Extremely safe. We use the internationally recognised company, World Pay, to handle credit and debit card transactions. Their service offers outstanding security and is excellent protection for both you and us. Please see their terms and conditions for further details if you wish to know any more about how thier service works..

Working for a local radio station or even hospital radio could provide you with the type of experience and demonstrate the commitment to broadcasting that potential employers are looking for in future TV producers.

The BBC has five national radio stations, around 40 local stations and also the World Service. The number of independent radio stations is constantly increasing. There are national and around 250 local radio stations. In addition, there are also a host of hospital and university/college stations.

Clearly, TV news journalism is a specialised field, but the same rules apply. You will need sufficient specific training, a demonstrable interest in the subject and a background of relevant knowledge. Local radio is a particularly good route in, along with experience at local newspapers.

Feature films are another industry. The skills you gain in TV however, overlap massively and TV is often the way in. Begin to develop a serious and comprehensive interest in the subject and tailor your career in this direction from the start.

If you are doing valuable work for your employer you can expect to be paid something. However if you are learning a lot, the chances are the company is taking time to train you in the basics. Often these initial positions will be based on you gaining the value of the experience, and not the cash!
When you complete your registration details, you may choose whether or not to accept approaches from Producers who are offering \"unpaid\" work experience.

For some further guidance, take a look at the Skillset website at; http://www.skillset.org/careers_old/getting_in/experience/index_1.asp

We cannot accept cheques but you can pay by all major credit and debit cards. We use a secure online payment faciliity provided by WorldPay, leaders in the field of secure credit card payment over the internet.

Usually a company will try you out for 1-3 weeks. If you prove to be invaluable to them you may well be asked to stay.

This is at the very core of startinTV. It is not just your specific TV skills that are in demand, it is also the range of other skills, interests and experience you can bring to the industry that make you uniquely valuable.

Being an enthusiast or an expert in a relevant subject can be a distinct advantage. In addition, today\'s competitive culture means you need to build up experience from wherever you can, and develop an unshakeable resilience, if you are going to get that job.

To start with, probably nothing or very little if you are lucky. To show you\'re keen on a broadcasting career you will probably have to gain the necessary experience by offering your services for free. Once in and experienced, you could go on to earn around �15k-20k as a production or broadcast assistant, and see your pay rise to around �25k- 30k or much, much more if you get to be a Producer/Director and from there - the sky\'s the limit. Become a senior executive and expect to be very comfortable indeed!

Well, the good news is you have made the best possible start by coming here! The most important thing at the beginning of your career is to gain experience wherever possible. Good sources of jobs for those already in the industry are Media Guardian (every Monday), industry press such as Broadcast, websites like the BBC world of opportunity at bbc.co.uk/jobs. The latest BBC production training scheme plans are always announced in the press and on the BBC website, although competition for places is incredibly intense.

http://www.skillset.org/careers/ is a good site which offers plenty of useful advice for those hoping for a career in the media.

The Radio Authority can provide you with the names and contact details for each independent radio station http://www.ofcom.org.uk/a>

The Radio Academy is a professional body for those working in or interested in radio. Check them out at
www.radioacademy.org
Books are a good source of general careers information. Getting into the Media 2003, by Emma Caprez and published by Trotman is available from www.amazon.co.uk.

We\'ve lots of sources of useful information at our Links page (see the left-hand menu on the home page)

You\'re not alone! And yes we have a whole section on this site for new presenters, (the red navigation bar!) and we know that producers are keeping a close eye on us.

When you subscribe, one deduction will be made which covers your 12 months membership. After 11 months, you will be notified by email that your subscription is due to run out on a specific date and will be advised \"do you wish to renew your subscription\" - if you - like so many members - are happy having your CV on StartinTV, you will reply \"Yes I wish to renew my subscription\" - and payment will take place exactly the same way as when you joined 12 months earlier.

We operate the same way as any interactive database.

Our policy is that upon your written request to talent@startintv.com, we will offer you a refund within your first month of registering with us. This refund will be for the full amount of any monies taken, less a £15.00 administrative charge.

However, to really make the site work for you, we would encourage you to follow our check lists very carefully. Make your CV interesting and keep it updated, fill in relevant boxes such as interests, what television means to you etc. It is the first place an employer looks when doing a search. We have found the only members who request a refund are those who do not use the site to the best of its abilities. They do not check spellings, fill in relevant boxes, update experience.

Essentially, it is up to you - the new talent - to update and improve your CV on a regular basis and whilst always remaining pro-active in your quest for a break into television, remember that it can take time to get that break and patience is a valuable quality which should be equalled only by your determination to succeed using all credible avenues available to you.

Membership fees for students who have an NUS card is only £55.00 a year. Simply click on register and follow the instructions there.

The website takes you step by step through the registration and payment process. You will need a credit or debit card to pay.
Simply go to our home page and click on \"Click here to register now\". You may need to hold down the Ctrl button and click if you have difficulty opening the link.
We use Worldpay, a very secure system and you may visit the worldpay site at;
http://www.worldpay.com/
if you would like to know more first.
When you register, you will need an email address which you would like to use for log in purposes and which will be your username. You will also choose your own password, we would recommend that you do use your own easily remembered password. That\'s it.....
Please also see our FAQ \"I\'ve paid so what happens next? and our FAQ \"How much does it cost to join and what do I get\"?

You have registered so you are now able to start using the site straight away. Simply log in with your username (the email address you registered with) and the your chosen password.
Now is a great time to start filling in your CV too!

You will receive a welcome email shortly after joining, usually within 2 or 3 working days but please allow for a week.

We would always recommend you choose your own memorable password when you register.

StartinTV.com is a site for dedicated, motivated newcomers who are serious about getting their career started. Producers know that people have paid to join, and have done so because they are sincere about their careers. The site is free for producers. The easier it is for them, the better it is for you!

Subscription is for your 12 months membership of StartinTV.com. (The price is also reduced for subsequent years)

Your payments will be made through WorldPay, which uses state of the art security tools and techniques. This system ensures that your payments are protected.

Just 65 pounds covers the main membership of StartinTV.com for a year, but you may wish to upgrade, now or later, to include our special extra services of Silver and Gold membership or you may wish to add a showreel.

BRONZE - SPECIAL OFFER Equivalent to just £5.42 per month (£65.00 per year - just £55.00 for students)
This includes CV posting with access to over 1,300 production companies, one to one dedicated CV feedback to assist you in producing a punchy TV targeted CV - just email us your request once you have created your CV(we send you tips on completing this with our welcome letter). Plus full access to the extensive site info, regular job alerts, training opportunities, newsletters & presenter photos.

SILVER -Equivalent to just £10.42 per month(£125.00 per year)
You will benefit from the above, PLUS, you will get personal email career advice from one of StartinTV\'s own experts. (Up to 12 emails per year) We\'ll coach you ahead of interviews and auditions and answer all your questions. We\'ll help you decide on the TV area to which you are best suited and guide you through your job applications.

GOLD - Equivalent to just £14.58 per month (£175.00 per year)
You will benefit from all of the support above, PLUS, one to one TELEPHONE career coaching. Personal advice through your applications, interviews and auditions. One hour of coaching time - eg six sessions of ten minutes - with a Startin TV careers adviser. These sessions will be taken by either David Wheeler or a colleague with at least ten years of TV production and/or presenting experience and skilled in giving careers guidance.

Showreels - This is an additional £50.00 per year (or £25.00 if Gold membership is your option)

Wherever possible, we will try to respond within 2 to 3 days of any email enquiry, however, please do allow for the rare occasion when a response may take longer.

FILLING IN YOUR CV ON-LINE -
PLEASE DON\'T CUT & PASTE YOUR CV. Our Webmaster tells us that this uses lots of YOUR valuable input space. Bad news. It also makes for difficulties with your formatting, causing all sorts of problems. So again, PLEASE don�t cut and paste. You will write a better piece if you prepare it and review it as you type it in on-line. Of course, you need to save regularly when you input your CV on-line. Remember you can check the appearance of your CV afterwards. Click on the CV box bottom left of input page. Also it\'s obvious to us, and your employers, if you use material lifted from other CV\'s. We\'ve seen a bit of this. It looks poor. Please update your CV regularly, GET MORE EXPERIENCE and put it on your CV. Good luck to you � and get your break into TV this year!!!

GET YOUR CV RIGHT - BE SEEN IN THE BEST LIGHT - Here\'s some important points.. apologies if they seem obvious to you!

TYPOS & SPELLING: We\'re surprised at the number of careless mistakes made in CV\'s, aimed at a highly competitive area of the communications business. It\'s an immediate turn off for producers, who could be your employers. If you want to be in the communication business you need all your verbal and writing skills.

Fill in ALL sections of your CV! You don\'t have to do it all at one sitting! VITAL: Note also, that the FIRST LINE of your \'Attraction to the TV industry\' question on your CV, appears in the employers \'Quick Search.\' (you can see this yourself if you go to the employers page). Therefore, we strongly suggest that you make the first few words really count. Make them powerful and individual. Alas,some people have not even filled in the answer to this question! Say no more!

Remember, your CV is designed to sell you! The question \"How do you relax?\', gives you another opportunity to let a prospective employer get to know better, the kind of person you are - these need to be things that are RELEVANT TO THEM, so best not to bang on about the pub, clubs or your favourite football team!

Startintv.com can accept a show reel of 3 minutes (or we can take the first/last 3 minutes of your reel) in any format.

It costs 50 UK Pounds to encode, upload and store your showreel for a year....

Once you have registered with us to include the showreel option, just send your Showreel to us at; StartinTV.com, Creative Careers Limited, P O Box 891, Cheltenham. GL50 2WT.

As a current member, you can upgrade to include a showreel, at any time you wish.

To upgrade to showreel option online.:
Login at www.StartinTV.com - (make sure it is with your \'presenter\' profile if you have both) This will take you to the \'CV Centre\' where you just click in the grey \'upgrade box\'... then click on \'Showreel\' upgrade and you\'re off.

When you decide to send us a showreel, we would be grateful if you could let us know when it is on its way so we can anticipate its arrival. Please email us at talent@startintv.com

Your show reel should go live within approximately 3 weeks of receipt and we will then send you an acknowledgement and your own links so that you may view your show reel at any time.

Yes you can join both as Production and Presenter, and at no extra charge!
Once you have registered/subscribed with either the Production or Presenter side, you choose, send a request to be registered on the other site, remembering to include an ALTERNATIVE email address. Please send the request to talent@StartinTV.com.

We will then set up another profile for you and send you confirmation. To make life simpler, your password will remain the same for both profiles unless you choose to change them yourself which you can at any time when you are logged in.

Importantly, you will need to fill in another CV ... they are slightly different, to reflect the different kinds of skills and experience you require for roles in Production and as a Presenter. Don\'t forget as a potential Presenter, experience behind the camera will be invaluable.

Yes, as a member, you have the option to upgrade at any time during your membership, for example, you might like to upgrade to Silver from Bronze, or include a showreel on your profile when you are ready. You can log into your profile at any time and choose the \"upgrade\" option

It is important that you ensure your Spam Filters are not set to block StartinTV.com email communication with yourself. The emails addresses which we will be using to contact you with Newsletters and other correspondence, are, for your information;

Talent@StartinTV.com
Enquiries@StartinTV.com
Helpdesk@StartinTV.com

Thank you for taking the time to address this.