Work experience at Haymarket Automotive
For those with little or no experience in motoring journalism, we do offer work placements with Autocar, What Car? and Classic & Sports Car that can help you understand the industry, and give you the opportunity to show us what you’re capable of. Many of our staff started their careers with us in this way.
Regrettably, due to high demand we cannot accept all applicants, so please pay attention to the details and application process as stipulated below:
1. A placement is usually over a working week, starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday, and you must be able to commit to this. This usually tooks place online, which means you can be located anywhere.
2. You will need access to a reasonably capable PC or Mac computer, access to a place where you can work and undertake video conferences, and access to a reasonably fast internet connection capable of handling live online video like Google Meet.
If you do not have Adobe Photoshop (full version) on your computer, you will need to download and install a free 7-day trial on the day before your placement begins. As we will be using various Google tools, you will also need an active Google Account. We also need you to have Microsoft Word.
If you are unable to supply all of the above, regrettably we can’t offer work experience to you.
3. You will be working on various aspects of feature story production and other tasks that may arise for Autocar, What Car? and Classic & Sports Car. There may also be a chance to join a photo or video shoot, subject to availability and geography. You will usually be given an opportunity to produce some written work, on which we will provide feedback.
4. The placement is designed to show us what you are capable of, and for you to make a meaningful contribution to our titles during your time here.
5. Spaces are limited as we can usually accommodate only one person at a time. We are currently taking bookings for January 2025.
6. Please only apply if you actively wish to pursue a career in motoring journalism. If you just want another thing on your CV as you try and do something else, this isn't for you.
Please send your application to Tom Evans on tom.evans@haymarket.com
A. A short description of around 50-100 words of why you’re interested in motoring journalism and why you love cars.
B. A copy of your CV.
C. One article of not more than 500 words that could be published in Autocar, What Car? or Classic & Sports Car:
For Autocar: “Do you think the UK government’s aim of banning all non-electric powered new cars from sale by 2035 is realistic?”
For What Car?: Write a short consumer review of a car that you have driven. This can be any car, including one owned by yourself or a relative, or a hire car. If an older model, style it as a used car review. Don’t forget to read examples of reviews on What Car? to get an idea of the title’s style. If you do not have a driving licence, please do the Autocar exercise above.
For Classic & Sports Car: Write a 500-word defence of an unloved car (originally built pre-2000) that is traditionally sneered at, but that for you is a guilty pleasure.
All three titles are market leaders in their respective fields, and set great store in written accuracy. Please do the same.
IMPORTANT WARNING: Text submitted that has been generated by AI tools like ChatGPT will not be accepted. We run all submissions through multiple AI detection tools. We want to see your opinions, originally presented in your own words. If you don't hear back from us, it will usually be because your submission failed an AI check.
5. Good luck with your application.
