10 Journalist Resume Examples for 2024

In journalism, a clear and strong resume is your first chance to show your skills. This article will provide proven resume examples and strategic advice specifically for journalists. Learn how to highlight your experience, showcase your best work, and use industry jargon appropriately. Whether you are new to the field or experienced, these tips will help you present a good resume.

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

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

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

  • Show Impact With Numbers: Good resumes in this category show impact using numbers. Use metrics like article views, audience growth, social media shares, and publication reach. These details help hiring managers see your true impact.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are SEO, AP Style, WordPress, Copyediting, and Investigative reporting. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Use Strong Action Verbs: Using strong action verbs makes your resume stand out. Examples include crafted headlines, led interviews, researched topics, and edited submissions. This shows clarity and impact.

Get your resume scored

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Highlight your education smartly

As a hiring manager, I look for where your education section is placed on your resume. If you are new to journalism or recently finished a journalism degree, your education should be at the top. This shows me you have fresh knowledge of the field. But if you have been a journalist for some time, list your experience first. Your hands-on work will speak louder than your degree.

For education specifics, highlight journalism-related coursework or projects. If your degree is in a different field, showcase any journalism education you have, such as workshops or certifications. Remember, it's not just the degree that counts, but also what you've learned that can help you in the job. Good education in areas like ethics, research, and media law is very useful for journalists. Make sure these are easy to see on your resume.

Showcase writing samples

Include links to your published articles or a portfolio of your best writing samples. Employers want to see your writing style and abilities.

If you have a personal blog or other digital presence where you write regularly, include that as well. This shows your passion and dedication to the field.

Ideal resume length

You need to get the length of your resume just right. If you are starting out or if you have up to ten years of experience in journalism, aim for a one-page resume. This helps you show that you can prioritize information effectively, which is a key skill in journalism. For those with more experience, a two-page resume is acceptable, allowing you to detail your career while still being concise.

As a journalist, your resume should grab attention like a good headline does. Keep your best achievements and key skills on the first page. Make sure they stand out, so they catch the eye in a quick skim. You should showcase your ability to communicate complex ideas simply and clearly, a must-have skill for any journalist. Remember, shorter does not mean less experienced, and clarity is essential for good communication.

Highlight investigative skills

Emphasize any investigative journalism projects you've been part of. Detail the skills you used like research, interviewing, and fact-checking.

Mention any awards or recognitions for your investigative work. This can give you an edge in a competitive field.

Beat the resume screeners

When you apply for jobs, your resume might first be read by a computer system called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This system looks for keywords and phrases to see if your experience is a good match for the job. To make sure your resume gets to a human, you need to know how to make it ATS-friendly.

Here are some tips to help you:

  • Use keywords from the job posting. For example, if the job needs someone who can 'write daily news stories,' make sure you mention your experience doing this in your resume.
  • Keep your resume format simple. Use standard headings like 'work experience' and 'education.' Fancy designs can confuse the ATS and cause it to miss important information about you.

Make your resume fit

Your resume should show that you are the right match for a journalist role. Think about what skills and experiences are most important and include those. Keep it relevant to the job you want.

  • For telling stories, focus on articles or reports you have written. Use numbers to show how many readers you reached or the impact your work had. Example: Authored over 30 investigative articles leading to a 20% increase in monthly website traffic.
  • For senior roles, talk about how you've guided other writers or worked with a team. Show how you were a leader. Example: Led a team of 5 reporters covering local politics, resulting in two industry awards for excellence in journalism.
  • If you are coming from a different job, find the skills that are the same. For example, if you used to do research for business, that’s a skill journalists need too. Show how you used this skill in your past job. Example: Conducted in-depth market research influencing editorial direction.

Essential skills for journalists

As you prepare your resume, focus on the specific skills that will show your strengths as a journalist. Remember, you don't need to include every skill listed, but choose those that best match your experience and the job you are applying for.

  • Investigative research - Show your ability to dig deep and uncover the truth.
  • News writing - Highlight your experience in writing clear, concise news stories.
  • Editing - Demonstrate your eye for detail and accuracy in editing content.
  • Interviewing - Include your proficiency in conducting interviews to gather information.
  • Fact-checking - Emphasize your commitment to accuracy with strong fact-checking skills.
  • SEO knowledge - Show your understanding of how to optimize articles for search engines.
  • Content management systems (CMS) - Indicate your experience with digital publishing platforms.
  • Social media proficiency - Highlight your ability to engage with audiences on various social platforms.
  • Photojournalism - If applicable, include your skills in capturing images that tell a story.
  • Video production - Mention your ability to create compelling video content.

Include these skills in a dedicated section or weave them naturally into the experience section of your resume. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which employers use to filter resumes. Tailor your skills to the specialization you are aiming for, whether it's digital media, broadcast journalism, or print.

Quantify your reporting impact

As a journalist, showing your impact with clear numbers on your resume helps employers see your value. Think about how your work has reached others and led to results.

  • Consider the readership numbers of articles you've written. This could be the circulation figures for print or view counts for online pieces.
  • Did your investigative work lead to change? Mention any policies altered or funds raised due to your reporting.
  • How many exclusive stories have you broken? Being first can significantly raise a publication's profile.
  • If you've worked in a fast-paced environment, quantify it. How many stories did you file per day or week?
  • Highlight your social media influence with followers gained or engagement rates if you managed a channel or campaign.
  • For broadcast journalists, share the ratings improvements or audience growth figures for shows you've worked on.
  • Did your work lead to any awards or recognitions? State the prestige and scope of these accolades.

Remember to estimate these metrics if exact numbers are not handy, but be ready to explain how you arrived at those figures if asked in an interview. Your goal is to show measurable success, which speaks louder than any adjective.

Tailoring to company size

When you apply for a job, think about the size of the company. For smaller firms, like local newspapers or digital news startups, show that you can wear many hats. You might write, 'Managed social media accounts while also reporting on city council meetings.'

For larger companies such as The New York Times or CNN, highlight your expertise in a specific area. For example, 'Specialized in political journalism with a focus on international relations.' Big companies often look for people with deep knowledge in one area.

In any case, make sure to show that you meet the job's needs. Use clear language and short sentences that are easy to understand.

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