How To Write a Journalism Resume
A journalism resume should showcase your way with words and provide actionable information for a hiring manager to decide on your application. Just like when you cover a story, writing your resume involves investigating what’s important to the audience and providing details that support the purpose — in this case, to get hired. Follow these steps to create a winning journalism resume.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your journalism qualifications
The profile is the hook for your resume. It catches the hiring manager’s attention and ensures they keep reading to find out more. Write a dynamic profile by summarizing your experience, skills, and career achievements.
It should include how many years of experience and what categories you’ve reported on. Include a career accomplishment if you have one, such as an award or a high-profile interview, and anything else specifically relevant to the job description.
Senior-Level Profile Example
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.
Entry-Level Profile Example
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.
2. Create a powerful list of your journalism experience
Instead of talking only about basic job duties like interviewing subjects or proofreading articles, focus your professional experience section on your accomplishments. Include metrics whenever possible, such as your average turnaround time, what percentage of deadlines you met, or how many subscribers the paper you worked for had.
If your article were published online, metrics like engagement time, comments, and shares can all show you write engaging articles people resonate with and respond to.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
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
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
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
3. Add your journalism-related education and certifications
Many journalism positions require a bachelor’s degree at minimum, and some may specifically request candidates to have majored in journalism, English, or a similar field. A double major or minor in another field, such as political science, can make you a stronger applicant, so make sure to clearly list your education on your resume.
If you have other professional credentials or awards, this can be a separate section or included with your education as part of a larger “credentials” header.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN | June 2011
Awards
Template
- [Award Name], [Organization], [Year]
Example
- Thomas M. Keenan NewsGuild of New York Service Award, 2016
4. Include a list of your skills and proficiencies related to journalism
Hiring managers often only skim resumes to see if the candidate is an overall fit before reading more carefully. Increase your odds of being called for an interview by providing a key skills list that highlights your knowledge and abilities.
Sought-after skills for journalists go beyond just writing. Show you can handle every aspect of the job by emphasizing the investigation and research skills you use in the early stages of an article. We’ve compiled a list of common skills hiring managers are looking for in journalists to jump-start your creativity:
| 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 | |
How To Pick the Best Journalism Resume Template
Journalism resume templates should be straightforward and easy to read without fussy fonts or distracting design elements. This is your chance to show your professionalism and writing skills, so choose a template that keeps the focus on the content.
Minimalist templates often work well for journalism resumes because they are direct and to the point. If you have high-profile bylines, consider a format that has a section for publications similar to how a CV works.
Journalism Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
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
Frequently Asked Questions: Journalism Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for journalism resumes?-
As a journalist, you’re well aware of the power of words. Impress the hiring manager by using descriptive, powerful action verbs on your resume. Each bullet point describing your job duties and experience should start with a strong action verb that highlights what you accomplished and why it mattered to the company.
Consider the difference between something basic like “wrote feature articles” and the more engaging “pitched topics based on current events” or “leveraged contacts for exclusive quotes.” Try some of these verbs to ensure your word choice is specific and varied.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Analyzed |
| Authored | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Developed | Edited |
| Interviewed | Investigated |
| Leveraged | Managed |
| Photographed | Pitched |
| Reported | Researched |
| Verified | Wrote |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), open positions for news analysts, reporters, and journalists are expected to decline by around 3% through 2032. You’ll need to put in some extra effort to ensure your resume stands out from what could be dozens of applicants. Tailor your resume to the job description by identifying what matters most to the hiring manager.
For example, if you were pursuing a career as a sports writer, you might emphasize your experience interviewing athletes or covering professional sports teams. If you’re applying for a broadcast journalist position, demonstrate your ability to communicate breaking news and investigative stories live on-air.
What is the best journalism resume format?-
It takes time to hone the skills necessary to craft informative, engaging articles under the pressure of a deadline. Hiring managers want to see you have demonstrable work experience that has prepared you for this role.
The reverse chronological resume highlights your professional experience and gives hiring managers a skimmable overview of your career path and accomplishments. This format starts with your most recent position and works backward. In general, your resume should still only be one page. If you’re applying for a senior role or have over 10 years of experience, bumping up to two pages to accommodate is acceptable.
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Including a cover letter with your resume gives you a chance to show off your writing skills without being limited by bullet points or truncated sentences. Use this opportunity to connect with the hiring manager, provide details on career highlights, or explain why you want to work for this publication. Our guide on writing a cover letter provides examples of formatting and content.
