How to apply

 

This page gives instructions on how to apply for a Fairfax Editorial Traineeship. In 2004, traineeships will be offered in journalism, photography and design.

 

Please read this information right through. It is vital that you follow the instructions exactly. Applications close on August 1, 2003.

 

For information on journalism traineeships, please click here.

For information on photography traineeships, please click here.

For information on design traineeships, please click here.

 

 

Journalism traineeships

 

General information

 

Journalism traineeships will be offered at seven publications:

·        The Age

·        The Australian Financial Review

·        BRW

·        The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald

·        The Herald (covering Newcastle and the Hunter, and the NSW Central Coast)

·        The Illawarra Mercury

 

How will the applications for journalism traineeships be managed?

 

Applications will be managed in four streams.

 

1.      The Age

2.      The Australian Financial Review

3.      BRW

4.      The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald, The Herald and The Illawarra Mercury (known as the NSW general papers)

 

There is a separate application form for each of the first three publications.

 

There is a single application form for the four NSW general papers (The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald, The Herald and The Illawarra Mercury.) These four publications will be managed together as a fourth stream.

 

If you wish to apply for more than one stream, you must submit a separate application for each. If you decide to apply for all four streams, you will submit a MAXIMUM of FOUR applications.

 

IMPORTANT

·        Submit ONLY ONE application for the four NSW general papers (The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald, The Herald and The Illawarra Mercury.

·        DO NOT submit a separate application for any single paper in this group.

·        Your suitability for any or all of the four NSW general papers will be assessed by Fairfax Editorial Learning and Development, in conjunction with the editorial panels representing those publications.

 

Am I suitable?

 

Applicants should be talented, motivated self-starters who are committed to a career in journalism. You should be able to work independently or as part of a team and to produce high quality work quickly under pressure of deadlines.

 

You will have a passion for news, superior communication skills, both spoken and written, and high-level research and analysis abilities. You will have a degree or diploma in a relevant discipline, but this need not be in journalism or communications. People without tertiary qualifications who can demonstrate the necessary communication skills and show relevant life experience are also welcome to apply.

 

The qualities described above are desirable in applicants to both the Graduate Program and the Advanced Program within the Editorial Traineeships Program at The Age and at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald.

 

Applicants wishing to enter the Advanced Program should also have several years of experience in journalism. You will be committed to enhancing your professional skills and will have a long-term focus on developing your career.

 

NOTE: If you apply for the Advanced Program, your application will be considered for the Graduate Program as well. Submit only one application. DO NOT submit separate applications for the two aspects of the program.

 

How do I apply for a journalism traineeship?

 

IMPORTANT: You MUST submit your application in TWO formats:

 

1.      electronic format – submit the application form only

2.      print format – submit the application form PLUS supporting material

 

Your electronic application form will be used to build a database of applications. The address and contact details you provide in the electronic application form will be entered into the database automatically and will be used to contact you regarding your progress through the application process.

 

Please make sure the details you provide are valid until January 2004. If your address is incomplete, inaccurate or out of date, you will not be contacted.

 

Your full print application will be used to assess your suitability for a traineeship. If it does not reach Fairfax Editorial Learning and Development by the closing date –August 1, 2003 – your application will not proceed.

 

How should I submit my electronic application?

 

Your electronic application must consist of the application form only. DO NOT attach any other written or scanned documents.

 

To submit an electronic application form, follow these steps. You will require Word 6 or above.

 

1.      Print these instructions for future reference.

2.      Follow the links below to the relevant application form. Save the MS Word template for the form to the hard drive of your computer.

3.      Do not unprotect the document, as it will not be accepted by the traineeship database and your application will not be processed.

4.      Open the application form and fill in your details. All of the fields, lines and questions on the form will appear pre-printed and you will not be able to modify them on your computer.

5.      The grey shaded areas represent fields that should be completed in full. Complete these empty fields. Some shaded areas contain a pick-list menu where you will be able to choose the most relevant option. You may have to use the arrow keys to select the correct option.

6.      Please note that some of the usual functions of MS Word such as the spell checker are not available when using templates. In addition, you will not be able to adjust the font style or size in the form.

7.      Once you have completed your application form, save it and print it for inclusion in your hard copy application.

8.      Write AFR, BRW, AGE or NSW in the Subject line of the email.

9.      Email the form only, as an attachment, to traineeapply@fairfax.com.au.

10.      DO NOT attach any other documents. DO NOT copy the form into the text area of the email.

 

What should I include in my print application?

 

Submit a full application in print format. This application must comprise FIVE components:

1.      A printed copy of your completed application form.

2.      A 500-word statement about yourself in a style of your choice.

3.      A resume of no more than three pages.

4.      Copies of documents or statements relating to your educational qualifications. Do not submit original documents, as applications will not be returned.

5.      A portfolio of published work comprising up to six articles. You should include a variety of pieces to show your versatility if possible, but do not submit more than six articles, as they will not be read. Do not submit original clippings, as applications will not be returned. If you have no published work, you may include up to two unpublished articles, or excerpts, of up to 500 words each. Do not submit full copies of long academic essays, as they will not be read.

 

If you wish to be considered for the Advanced Program within the Editorial Traineeship Program at The Age, and at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald, you must include one further component in your print application.

6.      A 300-word statement saying what you can offer the paper and why you should be considered for the program.

 

How should I present my print application?

 

1.      Your application must be in A4 format. If any of the articles in your portfolio are in a format larger than A4, either reduce them on a photocopier (ensuring they are still easily readable) or fold the sheets to fit within the dimensions of A4.

2.      Stack the sheets of paper in the order the components are listed above: application form, personal statement, resume, copies of documents, portfolio.

3.      Fasten the bundle with a foldback clip.

DO NOT use a binder of any sort, including a spiral or ring binder.

DO NOT put individual sheets in plastic sheet protectors.

DO NOT submit a complete copy of a magazine. Clip the pages on which your work appears and include copies in the bundle. Put the publication details in the application form.

4.      Place the bundle in an envelope and post or deliver it to the following address:

 

Editorial Traineeships

Fairfax Learning and Development

Level 11, St Martins Tower

31 Market Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

 

IMPORTANT: Applications for The Age must also be sent to the central Fairfax Learning and Development address in Sydney, as above. Later stages of the selection process will be managed by Fairfax Learning and Development in Melbourne, but initially hard copy applications must be received in Sydney.

 

When your application has been safely received, you will be sent an acknowledgment letter. As your application moves through the selection process, you will be informed by letter.

 

If you have any queries, please email them to traineehelp@mail.fairfax.com.au

 

Please confine your queries to information that cannot be answered by reference to this website. Regrettably, Fairfax Learning and Development staff are not able to give general career advice.

 

For an application form for The Age, click here.

For an application form for The Australian Financial Review, click here.

For an application form for BRW, click here.

For an application form for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun-Herald, The Herald and The Illawarra Mercury, click here.

 

Photography traineeships

 

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald invite applications from people seeking a career in photojournalism to take up a position of as a photography trainee in 2004.

 

Please note that photography traineeships will be offered at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald only.

 

Am I suitable?

You should be a self-starter who can demonstrate a passion for photography, a willingness to learn and a desire to be part of Australia’s leading photographic team. You should be able to produce quickly under pressure to tight deadlines. A NSW Class C driver’s licence or equivalent is essential. Demonstrated knowledge of digital photographic procedures and basic understanding of Photoshop 7 or other photographic computer programs are highly desirable. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and a keen eye for detail.

 

How do I apply?

To apply, send in an application in print form only.

 

DO NOT fill in the application form on this website.

DO NOT email anything to traineeapply@fairfax.com.au

 

Your application must contain FIVE components:

1.      A cover sheet giving your name, postal address, home, work and mobile phone numbers (if applicable) and email address.

2.      A short resume listing your educational qualifications and experience in photographic work, plus your other work history, hobbies and interests, and referees.

3.      A brief statement (up to 300 words) telling us about yourself and saying what you have to offer Fairfax as a photography trainee.

4.      A brief answer (up to 200 words) to the following question: What is distinctive about the photographic style at Herald Publications that makes you want to join our team of photojournalists?

5.      A portfolio of up to 10 examples of your work, either published or unpublished. You may include either clippings or original photographs. Prints must be no larger than A4 size.

 

How should I present my application?

1.      You must present your application in A4 format.

2.      Either reduce the examples in your portfolio to A4 size or fold the pages to fit within the dimensions of A4.

3.      Stack the sheets of paper in the order the components are listed above: cover sheet, resume, personal statement, portfolio.

4.      Fasten the bundle with a foldback clip.

DO NOT use a binder of any sort, including a spiral or ring binder.

DO NOT put individual sheets in plastic sheet protectors.

DO NOT submit a complete copy of a publication. Clip the pages on which your work appears and include them in the bundle.

DO NOT send pictures stored electronically on CDs or other media.

5.      Place the bundle in an A4 envelope and post or deliver it to the following address:

 

Photography Traineeships

Fairfax Learning and Development

Level 11, St Martins Tower

31 Market Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

 

When your application has been safely received, you will be sent an acknowledgment letter. As your application moves through the selection process, you will be informed by letter.

 

If you have any queries, please email them to traineehelp@mail.fairfax.com.au

 

Please confine your queries to information that cannot be answered by reference to this website. Regrettably, Fairfax Learning and Development staff are not able to give general career advice.

 

Design traineeships

 

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald invite applications from people seeking a career in visual journalism to take up a position as a design trainee in 2004.

 

Please note that design traineeships will be offered at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald only.

 

Am I suitable?

You should be a self-starter who can demonstrate talent in design, excellent technical and communications skills, and a desire for a career in the print media. You should be able to produce quickly under pressure and to work both independently and as part of a team. Knowledge of QuarkXpress, Photoshop 7, Illustrator 10 and InDesign is desirable.

 

How do I apply?

To apply, send in an application in print form only.

 

DO NOT fill in the application form on this website.

DO NOT email anything to traineeapply@fairfax.com.au

 

Your application must comprise FIVE components:

1.      A cover sheet giving your name, postal address, home, work and mobile phone numbers (if applicable) and email address.

2.      A short resume listing your educational qualifications and experience in design work, plus your other work history, hobbies and interests, and referees.

3.      A statement (up to 300 words) telling us about yourself and saying what you have to offer Fairfax as a design trainee.

4.      A brief answer (up to 200 words) to the following question: When you review your life so far, of what achievement are you most proud?

5.      A portfolio of up to 15 examples of your work, either published or unpublished. You may include either clippings from publications or original prints.

 

How should I present my application?

1.      You must present your application in A4 format.

2.      Either reduce the examples in your portfolio to A4 size or fold the pages to fit within the dimensions of A4.

3.      Stack the sheets of paper in the order the components are listed above: cover sheet, resume, personal statement, portfolio.

4.      Fasten the bundle with a foldback clip.

DO NOT use a binder of any sort, including a spiral or ring binder.

DO NOT put individual sheets in plastic sheet protectors.

DO NOT submit a complete copy of a publication. Clip the pages on which your work appears and include them in the bundle.

DO NOT submit designs stored electronically on CDs or other media.

5.      Place the bundle in an A4 envelope and post or deliver it to the following address:

 

Design Traineeships

Fairfax Learning and Development

Level 11, St Martins Tower

31 Market Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

 

When your application has been safely received, you will be sent an acknowledgement letter. As your application moves through the selection process, you will be informed by letter.

 

If you have any queries, please email them to traineehelp@mail.fairfax.com.au

 

Please confine your queries to information that cannot be answered by reference to this website. Regrettably, Fairfax Learning and Development staff are not able to give general career advice.