How to get a job at ITV
20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what ITV actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.
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Your question
“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”
About ITV
Company overview
ITV (Independent Television) is the UK's largest commercial broadcaster, known for its iconic programmes including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Love Island, and the The Breakfast show. ITV operates multiple television channels, ITV Hub (its streaming service), and is a major producer of content for the UK and international markets.
Founded in 1955, ITV has become a cultural institution in British television, producing world-class drama, entertainment, news, and factual programming. The company combines commercial success with a commitment to producing high-quality British content that entertains and engages audiences.
ITV's mission is to entertain and inform audiences with distinctive, high-quality British programming. The organisation values creative excellence, audience understanding, and commercial viability in content production.
Inside the company
Culture & values at ITV
ITV fosters a culture of creative ambition and commercial awareness. The organisation values innovation in storytelling, audience understanding, and the ability to produce content that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Employees are encouraged to take creative risks and challenge conventions.
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important to ITV's content and workforce strategy. The organisation is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where talent from all backgrounds can thrive and bringing diverse voices and stories to audiences. Collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement are valued.
Why people want to work here
Join ITV to work on some of the UK's most popular television programmes and reach millions of viewers. You'll collaborate with talented creatives and producers on iconic dramas, entertainment shows, and factual content. ITV offers excellent opportunities for professional development, access to world-class production facilities, and the chance to work on content that defines British popular culture. Your contributions will directly impact programmes that shape entertainment and public discourse.
What to expect
Working at ITV
Most roles at ITV are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, UK offices and remote working. The day usually starts with team stand-ups or check-ins, followed by focused project work. Collaboration is a significant part of the role — expect cross-functional meetings, client interactions, and working alongside colleagues from different departments throughout the day. The rhythm varies by team, but most people find a mix of heads-down work and collaborative sessions. Peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, project deadlines) can mean longer hours, but the day-to-day pace is generally manageable.
With 10,500+ employees, ITV is large enough to offer diverse teams, specialisms, and career paths, but not so large that individual contributions go unnoticed. You'll typically work within a team of 6–15 people with clear reporting lines and regular feedback loops. Cross-team collaboration is common, and most people find they build a strong professional network within their first year.
The culture at ITV shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Creative Flair and Commercial Awareness. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — ITV recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.
The hiring journey
ITV interview process
ITV's interview process is designed to assess creative talent, commercial awareness, and cultural fit. The process involves multiple stages from initial application through to senior leadership interviews.
Application and Portfolio Submission
1-2 weeksYour CV and portfolio (for creative roles) are reviewed. Strong candidates with relevant experience and creative excellence are selected.
Telephone Screening
20-30 minutesInitial conversation with a recruiter to discuss your background, experience, and motivation for the role.
First Interview
45-60 minutesMeeting with a departmental manager or senior producer to discuss your creative approach, relevant experience, and fit for the role.
Creative or Technical Exercise
2-3 hoursFor some roles, a practical assignment or case study demonstrating creative thinking or problem-solving capabilities.
Panel Interview
60-90 minutesMeeting with multiple stakeholders from production, commissioning, or department leadership to assess broader fit.
Final Interview
45-60 minutesSenior leadership discussion for senior positions, assessing strategic thinking and organisational impact.
The recruitment process typically takes 6-10 weeks from application to offer. Timelines can vary depending on role urgency and interview scheduling.
Insider tips
Research ITV's current programming portfolio and recent commissioning strategy. Be prepared to discuss your creative work in detail and articulate your understanding of audience preferences. Demonstrate knowledge of commercial television and audience ratings. Show awareness of how content is distributed across linear TV, ITV Hub, and other platforms. Be ready to discuss ideas and creative vision enthusiastically.
Your game plan
How to prepare for your ITV interview
ITV's interview process typically takes The recruitment process typically takes 6-10 weeks from application to offer. Timelines can vary depending on role urgency and interview scheduling.. Starting your preparation 4 weeks ahead gives you enough time to research thoroughly, build strong examples, and practise until your answers feel natural rather than rehearsed. Candidates who prepare systematically consistently outperform those who wing it — and interviewers can always tell the difference.
4 weeks before
Research ITV thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in media & broadcasting and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow ITV on LinkedIn and note the type of content they share — this reveals what they're proud of and where they're heading. Start reviewing the 6 stages of their interview process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. Identify anyone in your network who works or has worked at ITV and reach out for an informal conversation.
3 weeks before
Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Creative Flair, Commercial Awareness, Audience Understanding. These should be specific, quantified stories you can adapt to different questions — don't just prepare one example per quality, because interviewers often ask follow-ups or probe the same competency from different angles. If you're applying for Video Producer or Copywriter role, make sure your examples are directly relevant to that function. Start practising answering questions out loud — silent preparation and written notes aren't enough, because the interview requires you to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure.
2 weeks before
Do a full mock interview covering ITV's typical question types — common, behavioural, and technical. Time your answers (aim for 2-3 minutes per STAR response — shorter feels thin, longer loses the interviewer's attention). Research your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know who they are — understanding their background can help you tailor your examples. Prepare 4-5 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of each stage. Good questions show you've done your research: ask about team challenges, upcoming projects, or how the role contributes to ITV's strategy.
Final week
Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check ITV's news and social media for anything published in the last few days (being able to reference something current shows genuine, ongoing interest). Confirm logistics — location, format (video or in-person), dress code, who you're meeting, and how long to allow. Prepare a printed copy of your CV, the job description, and your question list. Plan your route if in-person. The night before, focus on rest rather than last-minute cramming — confidence and composure matter as much as preparation.
Stand out from the crowd
What ITV looks for
Creative Flair
Strong creative vision and demonstrated ability to produce engaging, entertaining content. ITV values originality and ability to create programmes with mass appeal.
Commercial Awareness
Understanding of audience ratings, advertising, and commercial requirements of commercial television. The ability to balance creative ambition with commercial viability.
Audience Understanding
Insight into audience preferences, demographics, and viewing habits. Ability to create content that resonates with ITV's diverse audiences.
Adaptability
Ability to work across different genres and formats, from drama to entertainment to factual programming. Flexibility to adapt to changing audience tastes and platform requirements.
Collaboration
Strong teamwork skills and ability to work effectively with producers, directors, and creative partners across the production process.
Get through the door
How to apply to ITV
Start by studying ITV's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — media & broadcasting employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for specific keywords, and generic applications get filtered out before a human sees them. If you're applying for Video Producer, Copywriter, Content Writer, research what each role involves at ITV specifically, not just the job title in general.
If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on ITV's careers page. Some roles may not be advertised externally, so networking through LinkedIn and industry events can surface opportunities before they're posted publicly. Consider whether ITV offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many media & entertainment employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.
Before submitting your application, research ITV's recent news, strategy, and any public statements from leadership. Mentioning something specific in your cover letter — a recent project, a company initiative, or a strategic direction — signals that you've done your homework and aren't sending the same application to every media & entertainment employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at ITV on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.
With 10,500+ employees, ITV has a large alumni network. Search LinkedIn for former employees now working elsewhere — they can offer candid insights about the interview process, team culture, and what it's really like to work there. Current employees are also worth connecting with, but former employees tend to be more frank.
Mistakes candidates make
- 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference ITV or media & broadcasting-specific experience — tailored applications are significantly more likely to get past initial screening. Mirror the language from the job description and quantify your achievements.
- 2Failing to research ITV's values, recent news, and strategic direction before the interview — interviewers can tell immediately when a candidate hasn't prepared beyond reading the About page on the website.
- 3Not preparing concrete STAR examples that demonstrate Creative Flair and Commercial Awareness — ITV uses competency-based interviewing, so vague answers like "I'm a team player" without specific situations, actions, and measurable outcomes will score poorly.
- 4Underestimating the preparation timeline — ITV's process typically takes The recruitment process typically takes 6-10 weeks from application to offer. Timelines can vary depending on role urgency and interview scheduling., and the best candidates start preparing weeks in advance. Last-minute cramming shows in your answers.
- 5Neglecting to ask thoughtful questions at the end of each interview stage — generic questions like "what's the culture like?" waste your chance to demonstrate genuine curiosity about ITV and the specific role.
- 6Applying to multiple roles at ITV simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.
Real questions asked
ITV interview questions
20 questions sourced from real ITV candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.
- 1Tell us about a television programme you admire and why it's successful.
- 2Describe a content idea you've developed and pitched.
- 3How do you balance creative ambition with commercial requirements?
- 4What appeals to you about working in commercial television?
- 5Tell us about your understanding of audience insights and viewing habits.
- 6How do you approach staying current with television trends?
- 7Describe your experience working across different content formats.
- 8What excites you about ITV specifically?
Your career here
Growth & development at ITV
Career progression at ITV follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many media & entertainment organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.
ITV invests in structured learning and development programmes, including access to training courses, conferences, and professional certifications. Many employees report that the L&D budget is generous and genuinely encouraged — not just a line in the benefits package that nobody actually uses. Whether it's technical upskilling, leadership development, or industry certifications, there's real support for continuous learning. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.
For media & broadcasting professionals, ITV offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Creative Flair and Commercial Awareness — are transferable across the media & entertainment sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at ITV started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.
Compensation
Salary & benefits at ITV
Competitive salary ranging from £23,000 for entry-level roles to £110,000+ for senior creative and leadership positions. Salaries vary by experience and role level.
Notable benefits
Roles they hire for
Popular roles at ITV
Frequently asked questions
What is ITV Hub and how does it fit into ITV's strategy?
ITV Hub is ITV's streaming platform providing on-demand access to ITV content, including live television and exclusive digital programming. It's part of ITV's strategy to distribute content across multiple platforms and reach audiences in changing media consumption habits. Production and commissioning decisions increasingly consider multi-platform distribution.
Does ITV offer apprenticeships and graduate schemes?
Yes, ITV offers various apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and early-career programmes across production, technical, commercial, and business functions. These structured programmes include training, mentoring, and hands-on production experience. Many participants progress to permanent roles.
What is ITV Studios and how is it different from broadcast operations?
ITV Studios is the production company arm of ITV, creating content for both ITV broadcast channels and external clients including international broadcasters. ITV Studios produces some of the most popular UK television programmes and is a significant revenue generator through international sales.
How does ITV approach diversity in content and commissioning?
ITV is increasingly committed to reflecting the diversity of British audiences in its content and workforce. The company has diversity initiatives and targets for increasing representation both on and off screen. Diverse storytelling and representation are prioritised in commissioning decisions.
Are there opportunities for international work or secondments?
Yes, ITV Studios operates internationally and creates opportunities for international assignments and collaboration. Particularly talented producers and creatives may have opportunities to work on international productions or with ITV's global partners.
How competitive is it to work in ITV production?
ITV is a highly desirable employer in UK television, so competition for roles can be intense. Strong portfolios, relevant experience, and demonstrated passion for television production significantly improve prospects. Many roles favour candidates with previous production experience or connections in the industry.
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