Why is classism being highlighted in media job applications?

Being a graduate is already hard enough, and it’s not getting any easier for those wanting to get into the media industry. With application questions concerning financial upbringing and secondary school education, classism takes the upper hand yet again.

Picture this: You are a fresh graduate. £27,000 in debt, three years spent crafting, learning and preparing for your career in the media industry. With experience and knowledge under your belt, you begin applying for roles that you’re perfectly qualified to do.

You spend hours reworking your CV, perfecting your cover letter. All to be asked: What were your parents’ highest grades? How much do your parents earn on average? Did you attend private or state school?

Frustrating, right?

Although these questions may be included for HR inclusion and diversity purposes, it is not certain, and this can have a mental effect on graduates trying to enter the historically exclusionary industry.

The media industry is repeatedly placed in the spotlight for being high-class, cliquey and often elitist, but there is no excuse for classism. With graduates hoping to get their foot in the door, it’s usually a case of working for free or for very low pay at an entry level job. But this is not an option for those who cannot afford to work in London for nothing.

This means creative people from working class backgrounds are less likely to have the opportunity to take part in work experience or move to London where most of the well-paid work happens.

A study by CV-Library asked 2,000 working professionals about the class-based discrimination they felt they faced during their search for a job. “Respondents cited where they’re from (48%), their class (46%), the way they speak (43%), the school or university they attended (33%) and where they currently live (19%) as the main issues they faced”.

“Not only is the Government being placed in the limelight because of classism, but large media companies like the BBC, ITV studios and Channel 4 are also under scrutiny from recent graduates”

This study also asked 300 UK employers about discrimination when hiring. “When asked about the areas they make pre-judgements on during the hiring process, employers confessed that they do consider the way people speak (77%), where they’re from (45%) and their class (32%)”.

This discrimination is not only seen in the media industry, but education as whole, as shown by the recent unfair algorithm for A-Level results. Not only is the Government being placed in the limelight because of classism, but large media companies like the BBC, ITV studios and Channel 4 are also under scrutiny from recent graduates.

Television Production graduate, twenty-one year old Lauren Stansbury from Norwich, feels she has experienced class-discrimination when applying for jobs in the media industry.

“After my first year in university I needed television work experience, so I signed up for work experience at the BBC for Wimbledon coverage. My application failed straight after a questionnaire with questions highlighting mine and my family’s socioeconomic background.

“This gave me an impression that I got turned down because I didn’t come from a wealthy background,” said Lauren.

“These types of questions can imply that those from private school may have more worthy skills or experience than those from state”

Those who went to state school or come from a working-class background may feel confused as to why these questions are relevant to someone who may not even live at home, no longer dependant on their parents. These types of questions can imply that those from private school may have more worthy skills or experience than those from state.

“There is still a big issue surrounding the history of classism in the industry and there’s still the belief that higher class represents more skills,” said Lauren.

Beth Walker, an English Language and Theatre graduate from University of Warwick has also experienced job application questions regarding her parents, school and earnings from the BBC.

“These questions make me feel like I’m just part of a quota that they need to fill in. I understand that it can help diversity and fair opportunity but this industry is difficult for everyone and you can’t buy your way in no matter how hard you try.

“I think people who work in the industry don’t care about your background but then comes the debate about working for free, getting your foot in the door and knowing the right people, which can often favour those from a more affluent background,” said Beth.

This level of superior classism questions the impact on application success rates, leaving graduates feeling pulled back by the industry rather than pushed forward.

Becky Gibbs, a Communication and Media graduate from Liverpool believes that most media companies are trying to be inclusive, but the changes are not substantial enough to make a difference for all those left out.

“I think the creative industries have a passion to be equal and fun, but they are still completely restricting those who can apply for them – there have been so many opportunities I’ve had to pass up because I don’t have the means or funds to pay a month’s rent in London”.

She added, “It feels like they are excluding such a huge chunk of the participant pool which is frustrating”.

Although she is a university graduate, she does worry that the recruitment process continues to be influenced by what kind of school an applicant attended. “Someone who has a private school education might hold themselves better or have a better work ethic compared to someone who attended state school.

“I hope that they take my own achievements at university into account,” said Becky.

Classism is reappearing out of the cracks. The real question is: can we trust that our real skills, experience and knowledge are being considered over what our parents earn or where we went to school? I’m not so sure.

Chloe Martin

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