Journalist Resume Examples [2 Samples & Writing Guide]

Journalists play an important role in society as they research and report news-worthy information, keeping the public aware of different occurrences. We have something for you if you are a journalist looking for a new job or a professional considering a career change. We will furnish you with all the information you need to know up until your journalism job application.

Our article covers the roles and responsibilities of journalists and the accompanying requirements, i.e., education, skills, and knowledge. Furthermore, we have dedicated a large chunk of it to resume writing to help you succeed in your future job application. Therefore, expect two resume examples and an exhaustive resume FAQ section. Let’s get started!

Journalist Job Description

Journalists work in newsroom departments where they gather information, prepare news pieces, and present news to viewers, keeping them informed of different events and occurrences. These professionals also update and influence public opinion by working on several features and articles. Other roles include keeping updated records of notes, audio files, and interviews.

A good journalist requires excellent verbal and written communication skills and a passion for gathering and disseminating news. They must also be natural storytellers, excellent communicators, and exceptional coordinators. Other requirements include excellent observation and judgment skills and the ability to meet deadlines and fact-check information.

Journalist Roles and Responsibilities

• Following credible leads to obtain newsworthy information
• Pitching captivating stories and ideas to editors
• Independently or collaboratively meeting regular deadlines
• Keeping accurate records of all notes, audio files, and interviews
• Thoroughly reviewing and editing work before seeking editorial approval
• Staying up-to-date with and adhering to the ethical code of journalism
• Building and maintaining trustworthy relationships with news sources and content in anticipation of future research
• Collecting data from different sources and verifying it before deciphering
• Staying updated on the latest news developments and occurrences by reading opinion pieces, attending events, and studying various papers
• Preparing clean, honest, factual, and concise articles using detailed findings
• Conducting extensive research on significant and interesting news sources and reporting findings through news pieces or articles
• Regularly meeting with crucial entities such as sources and witnesses to conduct interviews and obtain more information on subjects
• Being present during occurrences where possible to obtain and report first-hand information
• Partnering with other professionals, including journalists and editors, for successful news editing and reporting
• Keeping in mind the readers’ point of view to keep them captivated and focused on the news pieces
• Traveling locally and abroad to investigate or witness and report news-worthy stories
• Observing high standards of professionalism at all times
• Conducting unbiased reporting at all times to prevent factual information to the public
• Regularly writing and revising news copy meant for broadcast purposes
• Identifying, following, and developing local story sources
• Protecting the information of news informants and whistleblowers
• Creating full story overviews by combining footage from different interviews
• Traveling to different scenes and emergencies to conduct live interviews with witnesses

Journalist Required Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent research skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Knowledge of source verification and fact-checking
• Excellent presentation skills
• Exceptional story-telling skills
• Ability to work under strict deadlines
• High ethical standards
• Interpersonal skills
• High perseverance levels
• High levels of confidence
• Good observation skills
• Ability to deduce information from different sources
• High levels of integrity and morality
• Knowledge of current rules, legislations, and procedures surrounding journalism
• Computer proficiency
• Extensive knowledge of digital editing, MS Office, databases, and web search
• Excellent database administration skills
• Rich portfolio of published newscasts and articles
• Excellent networking skills
• Passion for extracting and reporting information
• Knowledge of news headlines
• Ability to observe and maintain an objective standard in reporting
• Excellent judgment skills

Journalist Education and Experience

• Proven working experience as a journalist or reporter
• Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Communication, English, or any related field
• Experience preparing catchy and trendy headlines
• Experience working in team settings
• Specialization in a given area of journalism, e.g., print or broadcast journalism
• At least one-year internship with a reputable media outlet

Journalist Salary

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary of journalists is roughly $59,000 annually (based on 1000+ anonymous salary submissions)- a figure highly dependent on one’s years of experience and workplace. Companies such as Bloomberg L.P and New York Times pay $131,000+ and $92,000+ annually, which is quite impressive. Therefore, strive to gain extensive experience as a journalist to earn more.

Journalist CV Example 1

Journalist CV Example 2

Journalist Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?

In journalism, technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise needed to perform job-specific tasks and operate tools and programs. These skills often differentiate exceptional journalism from amateurs and must be present in your resume. For the best results, please include the following: investigative reporting, broadcast journalism, reporting, interviewing, writing, digital journalism, Microsoft Office Suite program, mobile journalism, video journalism, social media blogging, digital media, editing, public relations, photography, videography, news writing, and editing and copywriting.

Additional technical skills you can consider include: computer literacy, ethical journalism, story-telling, knowledge of digital narrative tools operation, data collection and analysis, fact-checking, video production, content marketing, and online publications skills. We advise you to read the job description carefully before writing your resume to identify and capture all the technical skills the interviewer needs in their new hire.

2. Which Keywords Should I Include in My Resume?

A good resume should have just the right keywords, which are typically words and phrases describing specific job requirements. From this definition, they can be the expertise, skills, abilities, and values that the recruiter wants in a new hire. Here are some of the best keywords you should have in your journalist Resume: editing, journalism, public relations, online journalism, social media, writing, digital media, copywriting, blogging, story-telling, television, newspapers, search engine optimization (SEO), broadcasting, Instagram, social media marketing and news writing.

Additional keywords you can try out include radio, newsroom, analysis, digital, MS Office, writer, collaboration, graphic design, communication skills, newsgathering, shorthand, ethics, integrity, story-telling, time management, advanced reporting, podcast, politics, studio, visualization, data analysis, interviewing, presentation, on-air, flexibility, persistence, objectivity, and stamina. Ensure that these keywords are evenly spread in your resume to avoid keyword stuffing.

3. Which Action Verbs Should I Use in My Resume?

These are verbs at used to express actions. They are usually found in the work experience section of resumes where they relay achievements. For the best results, here are some of our best recommendations: attend, create, design, conceptualize, compose, create, inspire, evaluate, investigate, report, paraphrase, produce, write, summarize, report, research, verify, photograph, listen, interview, and inform.

Other action verbs include tape, assess, supervise, hire, participate, execute, team, and anticipate. However, since you will be talking about your past achievement, ensure that these action verbs are in their past tense.

4. Which Soft Skills Should I Include in My Resume?

You need soft skills to interact effectively and work harmoniously with your workmates, which make them just as useful as technical skills. They also support situational awareness and enhance a professional’s ability to succeed in a given job. Some of the best options you can including your resume include excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work well under pressure, willingness to learn, adaptability, optimism, work ethic, logical reasoning, excellent organization skills, assertiveness, persistence, attention to details, ability to multitask, active listening, time management and ability to think critically.

Additional soft skills include stress management, interpersonal skills, high adaptability levels, excellent problem-solving skills, leadership, teamwork, patience, public speaking, presentation, story-telling, creativity, excellent collaboration skills, a positive attitude, and social skills. However, ensure that you first find out the soft skills required by the hiring manager in the job listing before preparing your resume.

5. Which Courses and Certifications Should I Obtain for a Perfect Resume?

Here are some of the certifications you can obtain and include in your resume:

• Illustrated Journalism and Memoir Certification- This journalism verification covers documentary sketching, illustrated memoir, comics journalism production, theory, and analysis. You also get a chance to sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge and work on your potential.

• VSkills Certified Online Journalist Certification covers blogging, online journalism, internet, and computer basics, writing skills, digital audio-video, RSS, ethics, legal aspects, and social media. Additional areas include media laws, streaming media, electronic publishing, online newspaper, written communication skills, and social media reporting. This course only takes 17 hours.

• Udemy Courses – Udemy is one of the best platforms for pursuing short courses and certifications by some of the best instructors worldwide. Take some time to check out the following: investigative journalism, Dan Rather in Journalism and Finding the Truth in the news, how to be a Journalist- The Complete Guide to Journalism, Advanced Training Course in Science Journalism 2.0, Learn Citizen Journalism- Be A Digital Soldier Step by Step, The Fine Print: Learn the Writing Business and Online Journalism: How to Write Great Copy For Online Media.

Ensure that you pursue courses and certifications relevant to your resume, and you will be good to go.