Writing articles and investing is what you’re best at, so writing your resume should be a piece of cake, right? Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple, but don’t worry, we can lend you a hand. Use our resume templates and inform recruiters why you’re the best fit for the position.
Journalist Resume Example MSWord®
Save time with our free Journalist Resume template and get back to writing the articles you really enjoy writing.
The truth is out there, and the task of journalists is to dig it up. The profession is one of the pillars of democracy, inspiring many young people to join local and national news media services. To get your foot through the door at the news desk, you will need a journalist resume that advertises you as the next Clark Kent.
There are 46,700 journalists on the job in the USA. Projections reveal that by the end of the decade, the profession will experience an uptake of 6% in the USA. This means – it’s time to polish your journalist resume and secure a new job.
The good news is you should already have a knack for the written word. But if you don’t know the proper format and necessary content for the document, we can teach you how to write a resume that makes recruiters take notice.
Editors require journalists to write concise pieces. And the resume resembles a news article, providing answers to the key 5 journalistic questions: who, where, when, what and how. The entire document should be a testament to your credentials, packed in 1-2 pages, max.
Some of the crucial details that must get included:
There are several ways you can arrange the section mentioned above, depending on what stage of your career you are at when applying for a specific job. However, even novice and veteran journalists must make the content relevant and short. Focusing on the qualities that make them a good candidate for the job posting.
Let’s have a look at a journalist resume sample.
Resume Example Copy to clipboard[ Rebecat.pen.olson@gmail.com | 555-343-3748 | 441 4th Street, Washington D.C ]
>> Professional Summary
Inquisitive journalist with 6+ years of experience. An instinct for the truth and storytelling skills, with a background as a reporter in print media with a circulation of about 200K. Well-versed in social media platforms and digital journalism. Seeking an opportunity to demonstrate my high level of journalism on the dynamic news desk at The New Times.
>> Work Experience
Writer/Editor
The Washington Post
Feb 2018- Mar 2022
>> Key Achievement
Metro News Reporter
Chicago Tribune
Sept 2016-Jan 2018
>> Key Achievement
B.A. in Journalism
University of Georgia
2012-2016
Hobbies
Swimming
Sci-Fi book club
Blogging on environmental issues
The presented information should be straightforward but intriguing. It’s crucial to make it easy for the HR personnel browsing through your journalist resume to spot the relevant data that shows you are a competent candidate.
Feel free to include extra contact info by providing your social media profiles. Most resumes are no longer printed but reviewed on a digital platform. This makes it possible to improve interactivity and engage with the recruiter for a longer period. You can also share links from your best news stories under the achievement section.
Journalists are knowledgeable in multiple areas and fields and can report on everything from politics to entertainment. This wide range of abilities can be an advantage in a competitive news profession, but recruiters are used to seeing similar profiles. When your resume is on the desk of an HR person, you need a clear resume format to impress.
Choosing the appropriate option will depend on your circumstances. Although every top-notch resume will present the same categories of info, the way you structure them and the part you emphasize will make the secret formula of the resume format.
The most common formats are:
The purpose of a journalist resume is to introduce yourself to the employers through the profile you present. Apart from the technical data, you can achieve a personal touch via the resume objective or summary. These are the paragraphs where you make your direct pitch about why you are the right person for the job in question.
The two options are applicable in separate cases.
A career objective for a journalist’s resume is the route for entry-level reporters still searching for an opportunity to start a career. Highlight the education and skills you have accumulated. Be open to including transferable skills and display your achievements, even if they are not directly related to the profession. It will signal you are a hard worker and talented.
On the other hand, a career summary is an appropriate option for an experienced journalist. Start by listing the years of experience and major accomplishments. Don’t be shy to be boastful about your skills and offer insight on how you can improve the performance of the news desk.
Do not complicate things with excess information. Keep it short, no more than 4 sentences long, and have it written with the job position in mind. This is your opening statement – it’s crucial to strike a chord with the recruiter. Use a journalist resume template for better results.
As a Journalist, you’re going to want to demonstrate your writing skills at any chance you have! The first intro is a great opportunity to ‘wow’ any prospective employer – don’t skimp out on it!
Typically, a journalist resume objective gets utilized for entry-level positions. It’s a strategy to overcome the limited work experience by indicating what you can bring to the team.
The objective makes it possible to present yourself as a competent journalist. Key components to list are skills, certificates, educational level, and personal motivation.
Let’s examine a couple of examples of how to compose an inspirational objective and the pitfalls to avoid.
A self-motivated, dynamic, and unique storyteller seeks a position at Sports Illustrated. Proficiency in sports news and analysis, with high verbal and written communication skills. Prepared to work under deadline pressure and collaborate with journalists. Experience with digital platforms and exceptional editing skills.
The example illustrates a journalist with the proper mindset and skill to thrive in an increasingly digital news media industry. The entire paragraph radiates a person with experience, although work history is not mentioned. This objective transmits the candidate’s enthusiasm and skills, marketing the person as somebody that can make a valuable contribution to the brand.
I’m a big sports fan regularly following the NBA, NFL, and MLB seasons. I wrote for my high school newspaper. My communication skills are high, so networking will not be a problem. Although my experience with web platforms is limited. Looking forward to being a member of the team.
Personal pronouns such as “I” are a big no in a resume objective. For a journalist, the written content is not a convincing argument of the candidate’s skills. You never reveal your weakness. The point is to show what you are good at, and by advertising a lack of software knowledge, the application will automatically end in the trash bin.
Most recruiters will admit they prioritize journalism work experience when selecting a candidate. People employed for a longer period are obviously doing something right. So make the most of the experience section. Sometimes it can be tricky to fit in all the info, and resume templates are available to simplify the process.
Remember that HR is interested only in relevant employment history. Some journalists have made a transition to public relation or digital marketing. But if the job posting is not specifically requiring social media experience, the info is not enhancing your chances. It can be counterproductive, making the employer question your long-term commitment to the profession.
The journalist’s resume should include past work history relevant to the job position.
HR is not obligated to treat every candidate equally. They also look for shortcuts to expedite their workload. Reviewing hundreds of resumes a day can last for hours, a sacrifice not everybody is willing to burden.
Recruiters scan pages, searching for important criteria that grab attention. That’s the value of using relevant sentences that can stop them in their tracks and take notice.
Let’s look at a couple of journalist experience section examples.
Oak Tree News, Atlanta GA
May 2016–March 2020
The bullet points are attention-grabbing and the titles are short and easy to understand.
All relevant data is presented in the section.
But what if you take a different approach? For example, here is a sample to avoid:
Chicago Tribune, Chicago IL
Jun 2018 – May 2021
Long paragraphs are hard to follow, and crucial facts get lost in the context. The point is not to display your writer’s style but to show your competence for the job.
Investing in education pays dividends by equipping you with adequate knowledge and improving your chances of finding employment in a successful news corporation.
Recruiters appreciate applicants with a high level of education, which shows dedication to the chosen profession and professional expertise.
However, journalism studies are not mandatory for a career in journalism. There are reporters with degrees in philosophy, literature, political sciences, and many other academic disciplines. That’s why it’s important to capitalize on the education section. It’s the only segment where senior and entry level journalism resumes are at a standstill.
The rules to follow are similar to other sections. Make it clear and short, with an accent on the qualities required for the job position.
Include these points:
Journalism is not a low-skill profession. Even a student journalist resume will include courses and schools relevant to an internship. This section is mandatory, and there are ways to navigate around the lack of a university degree. Applicants can include relevant courses and projects.
Here is what this part of your resume shouldn’t look like:
Graduated with a degree in Journalism
School: Rutgers University
Judging from the provided info, the candidate is probably qualified, but most recruiters would be horrified by this type of education section. Easily scannable is key for your resume. Packaging the information in an orderly way is the way to go.
Additionally, there is a lack of relevant data. The inclusion of the GPA score is a minus in this case. Scores over 3.5 add value. Otherwise, you advertise yourself as a mediocre student.
Let’s check out an example of how it should be done:
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri| Columbia, MO
This is an excellent example for a journalist without any work experience. At the same time, it will be a perfect fit for an experienced reporter’s CV, with the option to subtract the coursework.
You are welcome to apply for internships or even jobs if you are in the final years of your studies. Many news desks prefer to hire ambitious young reporters, willing to do the leg work with fact-checking or covering routine press conferences. Don’t forget to clarify that you are still studying. You shouldn’t leave a false impression from the start. It’s the best way to waste a solid opportunity and accumulate experience.
A journalist has to be a Jack of all trades. Although most try to specialize in one area, the job market frequently dictates the course of a career. Having more skills means you can bring more value to an organization. In turn, this creates multiple employment opportunities.
This can be a tricky section to write, too. Most applicants get tempted to overdo it. Cataloging every possible technical skill and character trait they have. At the same time, the journalism skills resume shouldn’t look like a copy and paste section. Try to make it unique and genuine.
Research the news media company you hope to land a job with and see what qualities are a perfect fit for their concept. Do not underestimate the importance of journalism skills for a resume. Most applicant tracking systems (ATS) search for relevant phrases, such as specific skills.
Some helpful journalism resume tips are
It’s a good idea to divide the skills into hard and soft. Recruiters will be able to locate the desired qualities more easily.
