10 Freelance Journalist Resume Examples for 2025

Freelance journalist resumes require a focus on writing experience, published work, and areas of expertise. This article includes proven resume examples and advice on presenting your skills and achievements. Learn how to highlight relevant experience, showcase your portfolio, and structure your resume for success.

  Compiled and approved by Grace Abrams
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best freelance journalist resumes.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes use numbers to show results. Include metrics common to this job, such as article view counts, social shares, publication reach, and engagement rates. Numbers make your impact clear.

  • Include Relevant Skills From Job Descriptions: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are SEO, AP Style, WordPress, Google Analytics, and Adobe Creative Suite. Choose skills you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Trend Towards Multimedia Storytelling: More journalists are using multimedia elements. Highlight skills like video production or podcasting to stand out.

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Position your educational background

As a hiring manager, I recommend you to position your education effectively on a resume. If you are new in the field of freelance journalism or have recently finished a journalism degree or related course, place your education section before your work experience. This will show employers that your recent academic training is the most current and relevant aspect of your professional development.

For those with substantial freelance journalism experience, your work history should take precedence. Your education can then follow to provide context and background, especially if it is in a field that enhances your reporting and writing skills, such as political science or economics. Always ensure your most relevant qualifications are easy to find and at the forefront of your resume.

Breaking into journalism

Start by building a strong portfolio. Include links to published articles and personal blogs in your resume. This shows your writing style and proficiency.

Networking is essential. Attend industry conferences and join journalism groups on social media platforms. Mention any industry memberships in your resume. This demonstrates your engagement and commitment to the field.

Ideal resume length

Keep your resume concise, aiming for one page, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. As a freelance journalist, this means including your strongest and most recent work. Prioritize showcasing your most impactful articles, the range of your reporting skills, and diverse publication platforms. Highlight collaborations and key interviews that align with the role you are seeking.

If you have ample experience stretching beyond a decade, consider extending to two pages. Here, focus on depth, including significant investigative pieces or series, high-profile assignments, and leadership in journalistic projects. Always remember to maintain enough white space for readability and to use a layout that naturally guides the reader through your career timeline and accomplishments.

Gaining credibility

Consider adding a section for quotes or testimonials from editors or readers. This can provide external validation of your work and reliability.

Highlight any niche areas you specialize in, like technology or politics. This helps employers match your skills to their needs and shows you have depth in specific topics.

Beat resume screeners

When you apply for work as a freelance journalist, remember that your resume might be read by a computer first. This system is called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It looks for keywords to pick the best resumes. To pass this test, you should:

  • Use words from the job post. For example, if the job asks for 'news reporting,' make sure your resume says 'news reporting' too.
  • Make a list of your skills. Include 'writing,' 'editing,' and 'research,' which are important for a freelance journalist. Also, add any special skills like 'video editing' or 'social media' if you have them.

Keep your resume format simple. Use clear headings and avoid images or graphics. They can confuse the ATS. Write your job history and skills in a way that a computer can read easily. This will help your resume get to a human hiring manager.

Show your journalism skills

To make your resume stand out, show you have what it takes to be a good freelance journalist. This means giving clear examples from past work that match what the job needs. Use simple, strong words to describe your experiences.

  • For stories you have written, list the kinds of topics you covered and the reach of your work, like 'Wrote on local politics for a city newspaper with 200,000 daily readers.'
  • Showcase any tech skills by noting tools you use for work, for example Proficient with WordPress and Adobe InDesign for online publishing and layout design.
  • If you've led any projects, mention the scope and the outcome, like 'Managed a team of stringers for an investigative series that increased viewership by 15%'.

Key skills for freelance journalists

As you tailor your resume, focus on the skills that show you can deliver high-quality content. Here's a list of key skills to consider. Pick the ones that match your experience.

  • Investigative research
  • Interviewing
  • Editing
  • Copywriting
  • SEO knowledge
  • Content management systems
  • Social media proficiency
  • Video production
  • Photography
  • Data journalism

Include these skills in a dedicated section for easy scanning. Use the job posting as a guide; if a skill is mentioned there, it's important to the employer. Some jobs might focus on digital storytelling while others require a strong grasp of multimedia journalism. Always match your skills with the job's needs.

Most hiring systems use software to scan resumes for keywords. Including these skills can help your resume pass through these systems. Remember, you don't need to have every skill listed. Focus on the ones that best represent your expertise and the job you want.

Quantify your writing impact

As a freelance journalist, you must show your impact through clear numbers. This helps hiring managers see the value you bring. Here are ways to quantify your work:

  • Number of articles published: Count how many pieces you've had published. It shows productivity and reach.
  • Readership or circulation figures: Estimate the audience size that has access to your work. It indicates influence and appeal.
  • Engagement metrics: Track likes, shares, and comments on your articles, if available. This reflects reader engagement with your content.
  • Web traffic: If you write online, note any increases in website visitors linked to your articles. It demonstrates your ability to attract readers.
  • Freelance contracts or clients secured: Count the number of clients you've worked with. More clients mean a strong reputation.
  • Content variety: List the types of content you've created (news, features, interviews). A broad range shows versatility.
  • Awards or recognitions: Any industry awards or notable recognitions you've received highlight your excellence.
  • Deadlines met: Indicate the percentage of projects completed on or before the deadline. It shows reliability and time management.

Think about your past work. Even if you don't have exact numbers, estimate them. If you increased readership, how much did it grow after your piece was published? If you often meet deadlines, what is your success rate? Use numbers to make your impact clear and strong.

Tailor for company size

When you apply to a small company or startup, show your flexibility and range of skills. You should also highlight your ability to work independently. These organizations, such as Vice or BuzzFeed, value a 'jack-of-all-trades' who can cover diverse topics and handle various aspects of journalism.

For a large corporation like The New York Times or CNN, focus on your specialized knowledge or beats. Show examples of your work that align with their journalistic standards and demonstrate a strong understanding of their audience. Large companies often look for experts in a specific field.

  • For small companies: 'Experienced in producing content for a variety of platforms and comfortable with both long-form articles and quick news updates.'
  • For large companies: 'Specialized in political journalism with a track record of breaking news stories and in-depth analysis.'
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