What makes this resume great
This resume stands out for a Journalist role due to its clear progression from intern to senior reporter, showcasing growth and leadership. The candidate lists a strong set of relevant skills, including investigative reporting and multimedia storytelling, which are highly valued in modern journalism. The education from a top journalism school adds credibility. The inclusion of both traditional and digital media skills demonstrates adaptability. The resume is also well-organized, making it easy for employers to quickly assess qualifications.
Resume summary examples for Journalist
Example #1
Strong Summary
Award-winning journalist with 6+ years of experience in investigative reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling for leading news organizations. Adept at uncovering compelling stories, managing digital content, and engaging diverse audiences across platforms.
Weak Summary
I am a journalist who has worked at a few newspapers and can write articles and do interviews.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Dynamic reporter skilled in AP Style, fact-checking, and data journalism, with a proven track record of delivering impactful stories and increasing readership through innovative content strategies.
Weak Summary
I know how to use AP Style and have written some stories for different places.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Experienced journalist with a strong background in editing, social media management, and content management systems, committed to producing accurate and engaging news coverage.
Weak Summary
I have experience editing and posting on social media for news organizations.
Resume achievement examples for Journalist
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Led a team of 5 reporters to break a major investigative story that resulted in a 30% increase in online readership within one month.
Weak Achievement
Worked with a team to write investigative stories.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Authored over 200 feature articles, 15 of which were syndicated nationally and received over 100,000 combined views.
Weak Achievement
Wrote many feature articles for the newspaper.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Implemented a social media strategy that boosted The Daily Chronicle’s Twitter engagement by 50% in six months.
Weak Achievement
Helped manage the newspaper’s social media accounts.
Essential skills for a Journalist
- Investigative Reporting
- Feature Writing
- Interviewing
- Editing
- AP Style
- Multimedia Storytelling
- Fact-Checking
- Social Media Management
- Content Management Systems
- Data Journalism
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Journalist
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Journalist.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Journalist, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Journalist (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.