Journalism Resume Examples and Templates for 2023

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Downloadable Resume Examples

No Experience
Journalism_No-Exp.pdf

Example #1 No Experience

2-3 years
Journalism_2-3-Years.pdf

Example #2 2-3 Years

5-10 Years
Journalism_5-10-Years.pdf

Example #3 5-10 Years

10+ Years
Journalism_10-Years.pdf

Example #4 10+ Years

Journalism Resume Examples

Years of Experience
  • No Experience 0
  • 2-3 years 2-3
  • 5-10 Years 5-10
  • 10+ Years 10+

Connor Stevens
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
1818 Liberty Street, Arlington, VA 20380

Profile

Motivated government and politics reporter with experience at National Public Radio (NPR). Possesses a vast knowledge regarding the history and current-day status of race relations and other social justice issues. Spearheaded the creation of a non-partisan student political blog while attending American University. Eager to join a factual and integrity-based newsroom as a full-time journalist.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Washington D.C., September 2018 – May 2021

Relevant Courses

  • Advanced Reporting
  • Digital Media and Podcast Production
  • Politics and the Media
  • Quantitative Methods for Journalists
  • Race, Ethnic, and Community Reporting
  • Social Forces that Shaped America (U.S. History Credit)

Key Skills

  • Data Analysis and Visualization
  • Integrity
  • Interviewing
  • Photography
  • Studio Equipment
  • Policy-making and Legislation
  • Social Media
  • Storytelling

Professional Experience

Reporting Intern – Politics, NPR, Washington D.C.
January 2021 – June 2021

  • Voiced two live radio news stories that aired nationally under the supervision of the Washington Desk team
  • Assisted in research and interviews for NPR White House Correspondent that led to an exclusive
  • Interviewed 11 local and state politicians
  • Participated in the production of both radio broadcast and podcast material
  • Attended virtual staff meetings and kept supervisors up-to-date using a range of tools, including Basecamp and Slack

Andrea McCarthy
(123) 456-7891
[email protected]
983 Maple Ave, New York, NY 10031

Profile

An award-winning Journalist with three years of experience delivering engaging articles on technology and science innovations. A strong history of translating complex topics and concepts into accessible language for audiences. Adept at performing investigative research and conducting interviews with subject matter experts.

Professional Experience  

Science and Technology Reporter, Popular Mechanics, New York, NY

January 2020 – Present

  • Won third place for science feature from the National Association of Science Writers
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts to translate complex scientific data, concepts, and topics into everyday language and engaging news
  • Research and implement tactics for reaching and engaging Popular Mechanics audiences via multiple channels, resulting in a 200% increase in online traffic

Technology Journalist, The Verge, San Jose, CA

September 2018 – December 2020

  • Interviewed key players at prominent technology businesses on a variety of emerging topics, including blockchain technology and autonomous vehicles
  • Developed profile stories on technology pioneers and decision-makers driving innovation within the tech space, including Paul Brody and Robert Schwertner

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Los Angeles, CA, August 2014 – May 2018

Key Skills

  • Journalism
  • Interviewing
  • Editorial Research
  • Storytelling
  • Content Writing

Drew Butler
(123) 456-7891
[email protected]
10137 S Yates Blvd, Chicago, IL 60617

Profile

A Senior Sports Reporter and Analyst with over seven years of experience delivering compelling news stories on NFL sports teams. A proven track record of creating engaging and informative articles for the Chicago Tribune, including interviews with Matt Nagy, Justin Fields, and Mitch Trubisky.

Professional Experience

Senior Sports Reporter – NFL, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL

June 2019 – Present

  • Interview pertinent sources associated with assigned sporting events, research and gather facts, and create engaging and informative news articles for a premiere newspaper with over 400K subscribers
  • Write, edit, and produce sports-related content under strict deadlines across multiple platforms, including digital, print, social media, and web articles
  • Serve as Chicago Tribune liaison to NFL, monitor breaking news activity and emerging stories, and communicate professionally with pro athletes and celebrities

Sports Reporter, Miami Herald, Miami, FL

July 2014 – May 2019

  • Conceptualized a new sports column idea that earned 30% more views on average than other articles, which included writing weekly sports content, recaps, breaking news stories, features, and opinion pieces
  • Developed news and photojournalism stories regarding the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and U.S. Olympic team
  • Applied data analysis, sports history, and critical thinking skills to provide readers with unique and thoughtful perspectives regarding their favorite teams

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Sports Journalism 

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY State College, PA, August 2010 – May 2014

Key Skills

  • Sports Journalism
  • In-depth knowledge of NFL, MLB, MLS
  • Interviewing Athletes
  • Content Writing
  • Investigative Research

Willow Harwood
(123) 456-7891
[email protected]
6116 Strathmore Ln, Madison, WI 53711

Profile

An accomplished News Anchor and Broadcast Journalist with over 10 years of experience in conceptualizing, investigating, and presenting quality news. Completed over 2,500 successful live news segments for WKOW TV and KEZI TV. Recipient of a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

Professional Experience

Weekend Anchor and On-Air Reporter, WKOW TV, Madison, WI

November 2017 – Present 

  • Earn the station a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for an outstanding feature
  • Grow social media presence as journalist and station representative to 250,000 original followers across three social media platforms in two years
  • Serve as a weekend TV anchor, covering all important news events
  • Complete extensive research and off-air interviews to ensure the station produces only in-depth, informed, fact-based content

Broadcast Reporter, KEZI TV, Eugene, OR

June 2011 – October 2016

  • Engaged with the community outside of live broadcasts and enhanced story impact by using social media to provide essential story updates as new information became available
  • Researched content and developed scripts for primetime news
  • Mentored and supervised two of the station’s broadcast journalism interns annually

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism

INDIANA UNIVERSITY Bloomington, IN, September 2007 – June 2011

Key Skills

  • Investigation
  • Live Interviews
  • On-Air Presentation
  • Storytelling
  • Social Media

Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Journalism Resumes

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by many businesses to narrow the hundreds of resumes they receive. Employers collect, categorize, and assess resumes based on the keywords they include using an applicant tracking system (ATS). Unfortunately for job seekers, only 25% of resumes make it past these automated systems. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the most common abilities and action verbs seen in journalism job descriptions. Incorporate them into your resume to help you beat the ATS:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Breaking News Broadcast Journalism
Communication Content Writing
Copywriting Data Analysis
Editorial Research Investigative Research
Live Interviews On-Air Presentation
Photography Proofreading
Public Speaking Reporting
Research Social Media
Sports Journalism Storytelling
Writing
Action Verbs
Attend Compose
Conceptualize Create
Design Evaluate
Inform Inspire
Interview Investigate
Listen Paraphrase
Photograph Report
Research Summarize
Verify Video Production
Write

Tips for Writing a Better Journalism Resume

Create a Compelling Summary of Your Journalism Experience

You need to grab the attention of prospective employers as quickly as possible in order to generate interview opportunities within the journalism field. Hiring managers have a limited amount of time to spend on each application, so it’s important to lead with an impactful summary at the top of your document. Notice how in the example below, the candidate highlights their background as a sports journalist. They draw attention to their experience working for a major newspaper and interviewing specific pro athletes, which will be sure to draw the reader’s eye:

Profile


A Senior Sports Reporter and Analyst with over seven years of experience delivering compelling news stories on NFL sports teams. A proven track record of creating engaging and informative articles for the Chicago Tribune, including interviews with Matt Nagy, Justin Fields, and Mitch Trubisky.

Showcase Specific Areas of Journalism Expertise

In order for the resume to be effective, you need to paint a compelling picture of your professional career by drawing attention to your unique areas of expertise as a journalist. Hiring managers want to learn more about you as a candidate, and generic bullet points won’t set you apart from the competition during your job search. In the example below, the candidate highlights their background creating articles within the technology and science industries. Their ability to translate complex concepts into accessible language for readers is an enticing skill set that may help to grab the hiring manager’s attention:

  • Won third place for science feature from the National Association of Science Writers
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts to translate complex scientific clinical data, concepts, and topics into everyday language and engaging news
  • Research and implement tactics for reaching and engaging Popular Mechanics audiences via multiple channels, resulting in a 200% increase in record-breaking online traffic

How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description

Jobs for journalists, also known as reporters or news analysts, are projected to decline by 9% from 2021 to 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While journalism overall has faced years of deep spending cuts and criticism, its rapid digital transformation and a renewed public desire for fact-based reporting are creating new opportunities in this field. Indeed, journalism is a highly desired career, and journalists continue to face fierce competition for a small handful of available positions.

Employers searching for journalists browse through hundreds of resumes to locate candidates who meet the company’s specific standards. By highlighting experiences and talents on your resume that correspond to those given in the job description, you can help make sure yours is one of the applications that catch the hiring manager’s attention.