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Journalist Resume Guidance

A journalist’s CV is a document that showcases a journalist’s skills, experience, and education to potential employers. It should be well-written, accurate, and organized, with a readable layout. 

1. Resume Layout and Formatting

Your resume should be well-organized, easy to read, and professional.

  • Font: Use a clean, readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Length: Keep it to 1 page for less experienced journalists or 2 pages for those with more extensive experience.
  • Sections: Include Contact Information, Professional Summary, Key Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications (if applicable), and Portfolio/Work Samples.

2. Contact Information

Place this at the top of your resume:

  • Full Name
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address (professional email address, e.g., yourname@email.com)
  • LinkedIn Profile (optional, but can be useful to show professional connections)
  • Portfolio/Website (optional but highly recommended, showcasing writing samples, articles, or multimedia work)

3. Professional Summary

The Professional Summary is a brief paragraph that highlights your career achievements, writing style, and any key areas of expertise. This should grab the reader’s attention and provide an overview of your background.

Example: “Accomplished and resourceful journalist with over 5 years of experience reporting on breaking news, features, and in-depth investigations. Proficient in writing engaging, clear, and well-researched articles for both digital and print media. Expertise in interviewing, story development, and meeting tight deadlines. Passionate about covering local news, politics, and social issues.”

4. Key Skills

The Key Skills section should highlight both your technical and soft skills. Focus on abilities that are crucial for a journalist.

Examples of Key Skills:

  • Investigative Reporting
  • News Writing (AP Style)
  • Content Editing
  • Research & Fact-Checking
  • Interviewing Techniques
  • Social Media Strategy
  • SEO Writing and Optimization
  • Multimedia Storytelling (Video, Photography)
  • Content Management Systems (CMS)
  • Data Journalism
  • Deadline Management
  • Public Relations and Media Outreach
  • Multimedia Editing Software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)

5. Professional Experience

This section should be presented in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Focus on your achievements and responsibilities, and wherever possible, quantify your impact (e.g., number of articles written, audience reach, etc.).

Example:

Senior Reporter
[News Organization Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Present

  • Write daily articles covering breaking news, features, and political stories for both print and online platforms.
  • Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, experts, and sources to gather information and insights.
  • Manage story assignments, collaborate with editorial staff, and meet tight deadlines.
  • Produce multimedia content, including videos and photo galleries, for online publication.
  • Increased web traffic by 25% through SEO-optimized content and social media promotion.

Staff Writer
[News Organization Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year

  • Covered local news stories, including crime, education, and community events.
  • Wrote compelling feature articles and opinion pieces that increased readership engagement by 20%.
  • Edited and proofread articles to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to style guidelines.
  • Developed relationships with sources to provide exclusive stories.

Freelance Journalist
Various Publications
Month/Year – Month/Year

  • Contributed feature articles and op-eds on technology and social issues for national and local publications.
  • Conducted investigative research and interviews to develop in-depth stories.
  • Collaborated with editors to refine articles for maximum impact.

6. Education

List your degree(s), along with the institution and graduation year. If you’re a recent graduate, you can also include relevant coursework, projects, or publications.

Example:

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
[University Name], [City, State]
Graduated: Month/Year

  • Relevant coursework: Investigative Reporting, Media Law, Ethics in Journalism, Digital Media

7. Certifications

Include any certifications relevant to the field of journalism or media. These can add value to your resume and highlight your commitment to professional development.

Examples:

  • Certified Digital Journalist — [Year]
  • Google News Lab Training — [Year]
  • Certificate in Data Journalism — [Year]
  • SEO for Journalists Certification — [Year]

8. Portfolio / Work Samples

As a journalist, your portfolio is incredibly important. If you have a collection of published articles, blog posts, or multimedia projects, provide a link to your online portfolio or include specific links to published work. This section showcases your ability and range as a journalist.

Example:

9. Additional Sections (Optional)

If applicable, consider including any additional sections that highlight other relevant experiences.

  • Languages (e.g., Spanish, French, etc.)
  • Awards and Honors (e.g., “Best Investigative Reporter Award”)
  • Professional Memberships (e.g., National Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists)
  • Volunteer Experience (if relevant, such as working with a nonprofit media organization)

General Tips for a Journalist Resume:

Proofread: Journalists are expected to be detail-oriented. Proofread your resume multiple times to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.

Showcase your writing: Employers are hiring you for your writing skills, so it’s essential to provide concrete examples of your work. Make sure to link to or include samples of articles that highlight your writing style and range.

Focus on your impact: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements (e.g., increased readership, web traffic, or social media engagement).

Tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job by focusing on the skills and experience that match the job description. Highlight your expertise in areas they value, whether it’s investigative reporting, multimedia content, or digital journalism.

Use action verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like “reported,” “investigated,” “interviewed,” “produced,” etc.

Be concise and clear: Journalists must communicate effectively, so ensure your resume is easy to read and free from unnecessary fluff.

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