Tips for becoming a journalist from a trainee reporter

I realise I am extremely lucky to be able to say I'm currently in my dream job at the age of 22. It was first 'real job' - besides a brief stint as a waitress and time spent in retail - and I somehow managed to get my foot on the journalism ladder before I'd even graduated. 

In terms of my job, I still believe it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. In case you don't know... I started out on a six-week paid placement at the Nottingham Post in July. This was then extended for an extra month, and another month, then another six months, until in January I was offered a permanent position.

I was offered the initial placement after going for an interview to be a digital journalist at a new publication the paper was setting up. Despite technically being successful, the job fell through, but luckily I managed to secure the work experience.

I see numbers of work experience students coming through our doors daily, and I can remember the struggle and stress of realising university was soon ending and I needed a job. I could've stayed at Boots, but I knew that wasn't what I truly wanted to be doing.

So around this time last year, before I'd finished handing in my assignments, I started applying for jobs. When it comes to sending in your CV and covering letter, you need to tailor them to every job. It's time consuming, but it's definitely worth it. Make sure you show off your current skills and knowledge, and let the company know how you can benefit them.

In terms of where you should be looking for available positions. I'd recommend these websites:
Mediargh
Local World
Johnston Press
Journo Grads
Diary Directory
And remember - don't ever stop yourself from applying for a job because you don't think you're good enough or have enough experience. There is no harm in sending in an application.

I understand it's hard to get a job in journalism unless you have experience. My experience was my blog, plus a two-week placement at a magazine. But despite this, I understand the importance of getting yourself into an office environment. My first day at the Post wasn't that great at all as I had no idea what to expect due to my lack of experience. But luckily the editors were willing to work with me.

Secondly, whether you're a fresher, handing in your dissertation or are about to embark on a work placement, make sure you work hard. Journalism isn't a glamorous job - there are definitely perks - but it's mostly long hours and stress. The industry is extremely cut throat and filled to the brim with deadlines. And if you don't have passion, organisational skills or a good work ethic, you'll struggle.

Also it's worth working on your contact's list. After 10 months, mine is now nearly bursting at the seams but to start with it was awful having to ask the other reporters for their contacts. Writing a story is a lot easier when you know exactly who you should be speaking to and that by giving them a phone call they'll give you the comment you're after.

And finally, we're in the midst of the digital age so brushing up on your web skills is a must. They don't need to be extensive, but learning how to use Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite and content management platforms and also teaching yourself SEO is beneficial. If you can, HTML is worth knowing too.

If you have any questions, or would like further advice then do contact me! Although I do realise I'm still very new to the industry and have a lot to learn.

It's best to either use jemma.page@nottinghampost.com or jlpage11@googlemail.com.

Do you want to be a journalist?

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The 1989 tag

It's safe to say I'm a massive Taylor Swift fan. She's relatable, her music is mindblowing, and she's the perfect inspiration to many. When I saw this tag I knew it was one I had to take part in myself as 1989 has quickly become one of my all-time favourite records. I also must apologise for the format of this post as I'm writing it on my iPad - Blogger, please enhance your app. 

1. WELCOME TO NEW YORK 

If you could live in any city, which would it be and why? 

At the minute I'm very happy living in Nottingham, although I'd like to eventually move to the city centre, instead of living in the outskirts. It's always been a dream of mine to live in London, but as I've grown older I've realised that it'll never be possible. It's very expensive, and moving there would probably ruin the magic of the city for me. Visiting makes me happy, but I can imagine moving there would be a nightmare. 

2. BLANK SPACE 

What is something that everyone thinks is true about you but is actually false? 

Probably that I'm either boring or stuck up. I'm a shy person, and unless someone speaks to me the chances of me talking to them first is very slim (unless it's a part of my job, of course). I think this gives off the wrong impression of me, but it takes me a while to fully trust and open up to someone. 3. STYLE What is one item in your closet that makes you feel unstoppable? I love fit and flare dresses as they complement my figure. I'm definitely a dress girl 

4. OUT OF THE WOODS 

What is one thing that you’re afraid of? 

I'm scared of a number of things. Spiders is quite a big one. My dad's old house was full of gigantic ones, and I'd always cry and shake if I saw one. I'm also scared of getting ill, unfamiliar places, the dark, death, people... Oh every bloody thing! I'm a wimp. 

5. ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS STAY 

Who is someone you wish was still in your life? 

A couple of years ago I realised that people don't stick around forever. Your best friends who you once thought were everything to you will possibly end up leaving. But as time goes on you realise that those who have stayed have remained for a reason. Right now I'm lucky to be surrounded by so many incredible people. I have two close friends, and I'd rather have those two, who I know I can rely on for absolutely anything, than lots of random people who are never there for me. We don't see each other as often as we'd all like, but it know they're always only a phone call or text away. 

6. SHAKE IT OFF 

What is something you have had to shake off? 

Self depreciation. I'm my own worst critic, and although over time it's got me to where I am now, I've had to realise that I am good enough. When I first started working as a real journalist I found it hard to believe in myself. It took me a good few months before I realised I was there for a reason, and that I was actually decent. Now I'm much more confident in my abilities and I think it shows. It also helps that I'm in an office full of bright sparks! 

7. I WISH YOU WOULD 

What is something you’d like to happen right now? 

I'm currently on a mission to lose weight. I'm the biggest I've ever been so I've gone back to using the Weightwatchers plan. I understand it isn't a lifestyle change, but for me it does work as it makes understanding calories and nutritional information much easier. Hopefully I'll drop a couple of dress sizes and start to feel confident again. 

8. BAD BLOOD 

Have you ever had someone stab you in the back? 

In terms of the song Bad Blood, I always associate it with my ex. He stabbed me in the back in ways I didn't think were possible. I think he meant it in a harmless way, and I don't think he was being malicious at all. Maybe he didn't understand the extent of his actions, but it's something I'll never forgive or forget. 

9. WILDEST DREAMS 

What would you like to be remembered for? 

Being nice. I think it's a trait that's often looked down on. You only have to look at Taylor Swift for this. She's genuinely a nice person, and in this day and age people can't understand that. They think she's manipulative. People don't seem to trust people who are nice which I think is ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with putting other people before yourself and being a caring, loyal human being. 

10. HOW YOU GET THE GIRL 

What is your favourite pick-up line? 

I love so many of them. I don't use any, and I hope no one uses them on me, but I find them hilarious. 

11. THIS LOVE 

What is something you got back that you never thought you would? 

Happiness. For the first time in a long time I'm very content with where I am, and who I am. I used to think happiness was a destination and when you reached it, it'd remain forever. I now know that isn't true, but I've realised when you're going through a rough patch that it's a part of life, and I've come to appreciate that too. 

12. I KNOW PLACES 

Where is one place you always feel safe? 

When I'm with my friends, when I'm with my family, and when I'm working. I don't have a safe place, it's people who make me feel safe. 

13. CLEAN 

What is an important lesson you have learned in life, and how did you learn it? 

I think I answered that in question 11. Life isn't easy, and you have to take the good with the bad. I've definitely grown up a lot in the past few months. This year has been a strange one but I've learnt an awful lot and I'm incredibly grateful for all the crap I went through with my ex. He taught me that no guy is worth crying over. Trust me, there's plenty more of them out there. It'd be silly if we stuck with one who wasn't good enough for us our entire life. 

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Being cheated on

I've always wondered what it'd be like to be cheated on. I've always been massively anti-cheat as no one is forcing you to be with a person. But I never imagined it'd be this awful. It's not as if you're mourning for that person - every nice feeling you ever had for them is quickly replaced with hatred - you just feel so low in yourself.

What's worse for me is that I had no idea it was going on and I had no idea he was unhappy as he claims to be right now. I thought everything was fine, and I was going along all happy whilst he was sat there lying to me and planning a life with someone else. I was telling my friends and family what an amazing guy he is, whilst he was scouring online, searching for someone new to replace me.

It's as though it's all my fault. Everything that's happened is because of me, like the quote above says. He did what he did because I wasn't good enough, because someone better came along. I tried hard, I did everything I could to make him happy, but it wasn't good enough and there's nothing I can ever do about that. To him, it might've been a joke. I might've just been someone who was there to entertain him for a few months before someone better came along. But to me, it was serious.

To make matters even more worse, he still can't see what he's done wrong. And all I'm now left with is a worthless half-hearted apology. He's continuing his life, happy as Larry with this new girl, and I'm here, confused. I have no idea how I'm supposed to be feeling, and I have no idea what to do. I've not only lost him in a relationship-sense, but also as a best friend.

He walked away (in the most disgusting way, I might add) and left me as if I didn't mean anything to him. All of those months completely wasted. And I had no idea it was happening. I don't really know where I'm going with this post. I have no idea whether or not to publish it. I suppose I just need advice. Similar stories. And it's nice getting your feelings out there. I haven't read this back so sorry for any mistakes and errors.

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Life after university...

My favourite blogs to read are the ones with a bit of personality behind them. I love getting to know the person who writes the blog, and although I mainly read blogs to find out about beauty products, a few personal lifestyle posts never did anyone any harm. So that's what this post is going to be. A bit more personal, a little bit sad but hopefully it'll be relieve me of stress. After all, a blog is an online diary and a way for me to get things off of my chest.

In case you didn't know, I recently finished my final year at university. For the past three years, I've been studying journalism and working hard, whilst maintaining my blog, having a part time job and having a social life. It hasn't been easy, but it's been an incredible journey and I've met some wonderful people on the way. I didn't want university to end, mainly because my friends are now all scattered across the country, but I never imagined that leaving university would be this hard.

This week alone, I've applied for 27 jobs. Since my last assignment was handed in, I've applied for hundreds. Yes, I've had quite a few interviews for some spectacular publications and yes, I'm still waiting to hear back from a few, meaning that I haven't actually received a no from them yet. But there is nothing harder than finding a job after university. You work your butt off for three years to be told that a degree isn't good enough. A degree simply puts you on a level playing field these days, whereas back in the day, it'd put you ahead of the competition.

Rejections are hard enough, but what's harder is sitting by my phone, constantly checking my emails and waiting for someone to give me a yes. All I want is a chance. And of course, some money. I had to stop my part time job at Boots because it wouldn't have been worth the journey every week. But now I have bills to pay, and no money whatsoever coming in. I'm 21 years old and I'm having to ask my parents for money. I shouldn't have to do that, and kills me. It's something I've always hated doing.

This past week has been exceptionally hard. I've been stressed, bored and waiting. There have been times when I've questioned my life; where it's going and if there's any point to it. Today, I received some good news which cheered me up enough to write this blog post. This post doesn't have much structure to it, or much meaning. It's just a way for me to get a few things off of my chest. If you're currently going through the same thing, then I hope you know that you're certainly not alone. Keep working at it, keep trying hard and something will come along in the end. Hopefully. I have my fingers crossed for both you and I.

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LIFESTYLE | Happy 4th birthday Bamboozle Beauty

Four years ago today, I sat down and registered on Blogger. I had no idea what I was doing, all I knew was I wanted to share my experiences and love of beauty with the world. I never imagined that blogging was something I'd still be dedicated to and doing four years later. And I certainly didn't expect the blogging industry to blow up like it has done. It's crazy! We're no longer considered as customers with an opinion - we're taken seriously and it's fabulous. This is a career for some people and many vloggers are seen as celebrities. It's been a beautiful thing to experience and be a part of.

I don't want to ramble on too much but I did want to mark my blog's fourth birthday because it's something I'm proud of. I love my blog. It's a form of escapism for me. A way to share my love and my favourite things with you lovely people. And since starting Bamboozle Beauty, I've achieved a lot. (In no particular order) I met the Spice Girls, danced onstage with Britney Spears, started university, passed my driving test, turned 18, turned 21, been invited down to London for incredible events, worked with some of my favourite brands and that's just a few of the things. It's overwhelming to think about how much I have changed as a person in four years and how much this blog has achieved in four years. It's flown by.

But yes, happy birthday Bamboozle Beauty! And I hope I can say "happy fifth birthday" next year. Thank you for all of your support - it means so much to me and I love each and every one of you.

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Halloween 2012

Hello!

I hope you all had a lovely Halloween the other night? Halloween isn't something that's really celebrated over in the UK - it's definitely not one of the most important holidays but I love it. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love going out and getting dressed up, putting my make up on etc. But there's nothing like getting ready and having to make yourself look quite frankly, ugly. For example, last night it was raining and by the time we got to the nightclub, we were soaked. But we didn't care because we weren't supposed to look nice. But if this would've been any normal night, I know it'd have ruined our night.

I decided to go out as "dead Jemma." AKA a zombie. I don't have a lot (if any) of fancy dress clothes so I decided to use some of my old clothes and cut them up and add blood (or one of my friends added blood as I'm not that creative). Me, my sister and our friend started getting ready at 6pm. Really early but we were so excited. After I got over the fact that I wasn't supposed to look perfect and that face paint isn't make up, I really got into it. It was great to add lots of contour and make it look unnatural instead of natural. I also loved backcombing the hell out of my hair! And although I think my hair is feeling the damage today, it really did complete my costume.

What did you do for Halloween?

xxx

Freshers Photos

Although my blog focuses heavily on beauty, I personally love finding out more about the people behind the blog. So I thought I'd post a few of my personal photos from Freshers Week. I hope you like them and if you end up doing a post like this, make sure you link me too it! I'd love to see :)

If you're wondering where the outfits that I got are from then you can find out here. The leopard print dress isn't featured in that post though but it's from Primark and it cost me just £10.

This was my second freshers week and it was amazing. It was great not having to worry about making friends or worrying about where was the best place to go etc. I'm sad that I only have one more left though. Especially because my first year went so quickly. If you've had/have your freshers week then I hope you have/had a wonderful time :)

xxx