Tim Birkbeck
Mobile: 07807 787 098
Email: tbirkbeck@hotmail.com
Personal statement
I am a driven, hardworking, creative individual who has a real passion for writing. I have a flair for writing fresh, engaging and entertaining copy to any brief as well as creating unique content for online outlets. I am comfortable working to strict deadlines and believe I can work effectively both in a team and on my own.
Summary of skills
⦁ Hands-on, field-based experience in journalism
⦁ 80wpm in shorthand working towards 100wpm
⦁ Flair for obtaining and creating stories from original sources⦁ Proven ability to research, plan and structure articles to a strict deadline
⦁ Panache for conducting interviews for feature length articles⦁ Meticulous in extracting the most relevant points within a specific story, proving attentiveness to details
⦁ Frequently use social network sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to engage with a wider audience
⦁ Flexible and adaptable, eager to build on skills as well as learn new ones
⦁ Proficient and confident in the Microsoft packages, Office applications, InDesign, Audacity, Windows Moviemaker, e-mail and Internet
⦁ A full clean driving licence
⦁ NCTJ qualified
Employment
The Basingstoke Gazette, reporter – October 2015 – present day
Vulture Hound Magazine, Freelance feature writer – November 2016 – present day
Steel Chair Magazine, Freelance feature writer – November 2016 – present day
Down For Life Magazine, Freelance feature writer – October 2016 – present day
The News, Freelance community reporter – June 2015 – October 2015
The News, sports desk – August 2013 – October 2015(part-time)
Salisbury Journal, Sports Desk – July 2014 – September 2014 (full-time)
Education
NCTJ Journalism diploma at Highbury CollegeJournalism & English Language BA (Hons) Degree Second Classnine GCSEs A-C and three A-Levels B-C
Experience
In order to pursue my career in journalism, I have undertaken a variety of unpaid internships including:
⦁ 10 months experience at The News, Portsmouth, writing for Sports, feature and news
⦁ News and sports writer for the Salisbury Journal.
⦁ Pundit and co-host on grassroots football show on Express FM⦁ Sports writer for the Surrey Comet
⦁ Press officer for Earache Records
⦁ Feature writer and reviewer for music magazine Big Cheese
Additional Interests include: ⦁ Football (unfortunately I am a Pompey fan!), tennis, wrestling and music.⦁ In my spare-time I host a music / wrestling based podcast called Just an Insight.⦁ I also enjoy travelling around the country, and enjoy driving to new cities.
Tim Birkbeck 