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.

As a journalist today, you must be able to work with multimedia. Show that you can handle text, video, and audio. You could say, 'Reported stories using video and live streams, increasing audience engagement.' This tells me you're ready for the changing nature of news.

Also, don't forget to mention your skills in social media and analytics. You might write, 'Used social media to share stories and track their reach.' These details make it clear you understand the digital side of journalism.

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.

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.

When you create your resume, use verbs that show your impact as a journalist. Good verbs can make your actions stand out. This helps hiring managers see what you have done. Use verbs that fit the work of journalists.

Before each list of verbs, think about what you want to show. Do you want to show how you gathered news or how you shared stories? Pick verbs that match your skills and work.

• To show you can find and tell news, use investigated, reported, uncovered, revealed, profiled.
• If you want to show how you make stories, use crafted, composed, drafted, edited, produced.
• To show you work fast, use delivered, executed, accelerated, broadcasted, streamlined.
• For teamwork or leading, use collaborated, coordinated, directed, managed, guided.
• To show how you check facts, use verified, fact-checked, evaluated, cross-checked, confirmed.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Obtain, In charge of, Orchestrated, Prepare, Ran.

When you apply for a job, it's important to show how you have grown in your career. If you have moved up in your work as a reporter or editor, make sure to highlight this in your resume. Think about the times you led a team or got a new title. These are key details that can help you stand out.

Examples of leadership and promotions:

• Managed a team of reporters on a major investigative series, resulting in increased readership.
• Promoted from intern to staff writer within one year due to exceptional reporting skills and work ethic.

Even if you are unsure about your leadership experience, consider any project where you guided others or took charge. This can include leading a college news publication or organizing a community event. Show these examples clearly to let hiring managers know you can take on important roles.

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.