VITAMEDIAS
How do you get a job in journalism?
Jeremy Vine, Radio 2 presenter: Never take no for an answer and never stop knocking until the door has fallen off its hinges
Peter McKay, Daily Mail columnist: Be charming in your dealings with potential employers. Feign intense interest.
Dylan Jones, editor of GQ magazine: The best way is to do lots of work experience and to be the kind of 'workee' who is always offering to help, often to the point where you are annoying.
Sarah Montague, Today presenter: Go to your local newspaper, television or radio station and ask if you can make the coffee unpaid, or else generally make yourself useful.
Peter Hill, editor of the Daily Star: It's really quite hard now. The most important thing is total determination.
Eva Simpson, Daily Mirror '3am Girl': Some aspiring young journalists think that the way forward is to do a media studies degree and that this alone will get them a job. It won't, so steer clear. Instead, I'd recommend getting a good degree before doing a post-graduate course.
I'd also encourage you to get as much work experience as possible.
Robert Harris, novelist and columnist: [...] my advice would be to start early. [...] Those who are later starters need to show initiative.
Charlie Catchpole, Daily Express TV critic: It is very different now from my day, but the basic principle remains: pester people and know your market.
Piers Morgan, editor of Daily Mirror: Sleep with the editor. [...] Other than that: work hard, play hard, dress smart, think smart, file on time and remember that factual inaccuracy is never, ever acceptable.