Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your diverse reporting assignments while maintaining clarity and conciseness is a significant challenge for journalists. By delving into our guide, you'll discover strategies to distil your most impactful stories into compelling bullet points, ensuring your experience stands out to prospective employers.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche journalist role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Structuring your journalist CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your journalist CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a journalist CV
- Work Experience details showcase journalism expertise.
- Key Journalism Skills section highlights specific abilities.
- Education Backdrop proves academic foundation for reporting.
- Portfolio of Published Work exhibits professional writing.
- Awards and Honours validate recognition in journalism field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your ability to produce compelling content by showcasing your versatility in writing for different types of media, such as print, digital, broadcast, or social media, to demonstrate your adaptability to a range of journalistic formats.
- Emphasise your portfolio by including links to your published work or an online portfolio; this offers tangible proof of your writing skills and journalistic success to potential employers.
- Demonstrate your research skills by mentioning specific investigative projects you've worked on, as well as your ability to handle complex information and present it in an accessible manner.
- Detail your understanding of media law and ethics, which are critical in journalism, to assure employers that you can navigate these challenges competently and responsibly.
- Include any industry-specific tools or technologies you're proficient in, such as content management systems or multimedia editing software, to illustrate your readiness to work in a modern newsroom environment.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning journalist CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for journalist:
- Senior Political Correspondent | Expert in International Relations | NCTJ Certified | 15+ Years' Experience
- Award-Winning Investigative Reporter | Data Journalism Specialist | BA in Journalism | 12 Years in Newsrooms
- Multimedia Journalist | Social Media Engagement | MA in Multimedia Journalism | Bilingual (E/F) | 7 Years' Experience
- Broadcast Journalist | Prime Time News Presenter | Voice of the Year 2020 | Media Law Diploma | 10+ Years
- Environmental Journalist | Climate Policy Analyst | MSC in Environmental Science | 5 Years Field Reporting
- Foreign Affairs Journalist | Conflict Zone Coverage | Fluent in Arabic & Spanish | War Reportage Award 2021 | 8 Years
Choosing your opening statement: a journalist CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a journalist job:
- Seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience specializing in political commentary and investigative reporting. Expert in multimedia content creation, with a track record of increasing readership for major newspapers through engaging storytelling and thorough research. Accomplished in winning the National Journalism Award for an in-depth analysis of local governance.
- Dynamic broadcast journalist with 15 years of experience delivering compelling on-air news segments for top networks. Skilled in live reporting, fluent in three languages, and adept at using social media platforms to enhance viewer engagement. Proud recipient of the Broadcaster of the Year award for an exclusive interview with a high-profile whistleblower.
- Former international human rights lawyer seeking to leverage a strong background in public policy and advocacy into a career in investigative journalism. Experienced in managing complex legal cases, with exemplary communication skills and a deep passion for uncovering the truth and informing the public. Eager to transition robust analytical and research expertise into impactful storytelling.
- Accomplished marketing executive aiming to transition into business journalism, bringing over 20 years of experience in leading successful campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. Equipped with a keen understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and financial analysis, determined to provide in-depth coverage and insights on economic developments and corporate strategies.
- Aspiring journalist with a recent First-Class Honours degree in Communications and a fervent commitment to pursue a career in environmental reporting. Eager to apply academic knowledge and internship experience in digital content creation to contribute meaningfully to coverage on climate change and sustainability movements, while continuously learning from seasoned professionals.
- Enthusiastic recent graduate with a Bachelor's in Journalism and New Media, aiming to launch a career in sports journalism. Determined to employ strong writing talents, multimedia skills, and a passion for sports to deliver engaging and factual content for a wide audience. Dedicated to growing as a professional by gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic newsroom setting.
Narrating the details of your journalist CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your journalist CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Summarise the scope of your reporting, such as covering local news, politics, or international events, and highlight any beats you're exceptionally knowledgeable in.
- Detail any exclusive stories or investigative pieces you've worked on, showcasing your ability to uncover and report on issues of public interest.
- Include audience engagement metrics, if available, to demonstrate the impact and reach of your published work, such as reader numbers or shares on social media.
- Mention any multimedia skills, such as video or podcast production, that you have utilised in storytelling to enhance the narrative and engagement.
- Quantify your experience by noting the number of articles written or contributions made to various publications to convey the extent of your writing capabilities.
- Describe any live reporting situations you've been involved in, highlighting your ability to deliver accurate information under pressure and to strict deadlines.
- Reference any awards or recognitions received for your journalism, indicating your industry credibility and the quality of your work.
- List proficiency in content management systems and digital tools, demonstrating your adaptability and modern approach to journalism.
- Discuss your collaboration with editors, photographers, and other journalists to portray your teamwork skills and ability to contribute to a cohesive newsroom environment.
- Developed and pitched original story ideas leading to a 30% increase in feature pieces for the culture section.
- Investigated political corruption, resulting in a series that garnered the publication a regional journalism award.
- Regularly conducted interviews with key figures, expanding the publication's network and enhancing the credibility of content.
- Crafted compelling narratives for over 100 human interest stories, increasing readership among the 18-35 demographic by 20%.
- Initiated a successful weekly column focusing on environmental issues, elevating the publication's profile in green initiatives.
- Implemented a social media strategy that amplified content reach by 50%, boosting online engagement.
- Produced live reports from conflict zones that consistently rated highest amongst competing network segments.
- Facilitated a digital transformation by integrating multimedia content into traditional reporting, increasing digital audience by 40%.
- Collaborated with international correspondents to cover global events, enhancing the publication’s international reputation.
- Led a team of journalists in an undercover investigation that exposed a human trafficking ring and led to legislative changes.
- Launched a podcast series on local politics that reached the top 10 in news podcast charts within six months.
- Mentored junior reporters and interns, improving the quality of reporting and boosting team productivity by 25%.
- Spearheaded the transition to a digital-first newsroom, which doubled our online subscriber base to 100,000 in two years.
- Developed a content partnership with a leading data analysis firm to enhance the depth of economic reporting.
- Secured exclusive interviews with prominent figures in the technology sector, positioning the publication as a leader in tech news.
- Pioneered the use of interactive visuals in storytelling, leading to an increase in average page views per article by 35%.
- Directed a team that won the 'Best Reporting' accolade at the National Press Awards for a collaborative investigative project.
- Expanded the freelance contributor base by over 50 diverse voices, enhancing the breadth of perspectives covered.
- Conceptualized and led a multimedia project that mapped the impact of climate change across the UK, influencing public discourse.
- Gained proficiency in data journalism, using analytics to inform storytelling approaches and drive a 20% rise in content engagement.
- Nurtured partnerships with major non-profits, securing exclusive content and increasing the reference citations by other media entities.
- Launched a local investigative unit that contributed to a 25% rise in annual web traffic through in-depth community reporting.
- Facilitated a series of workshops that increased proficiency in mobile journalism among staff, improving on-the-ground coverage speed.
- Orchestrated the coverage of the 2024 elections with multimedia content that significantly outperformed competitor engagement metrics.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your journalist CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your journalist CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your journalist CV:
News Writing and Editing
Multimedia Storytelling
Investigative Reporting
Data Journalism
Social Media Proficiency
SEO Knowledge
Content Management Systems
Audio and Video Production
Photography
Fact-Checking and Research
Critical Thinking
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Communication
Curiosity
Time Management
Interviewing
Ethical Judgement
Resilience
Networking
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Further professional qualifications for your journalist CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your journalist CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional journalist CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
