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As an entry-level journalist, your first resume is a crucial stepping stone in your career. It's not just a list of past experiences, it's a ticket to your dream job. In recent times, the journalism industry is hunting for fresh talent equipped with digital skills, multimedia content creation, and social media savviness. So, when crafting your resume, remember that it needs to transmit this modern outlook. Furthermore, journalism is all about storytelling. Instead of just mentioning your qualifications, make your resume a compelling narrative of your journey and potential.
Use your education section wisely; don't just list your qualifications. Highlight any coursework or academic projects relevant to journalism—like a college newspaper article you wrote or a podcast you produced. This will show your hands-on experience, even if you haven't had a formal job before.
It's no longer enough to just be a great writer. You should highlight any digital skills you possess, such as blogging, video production, or social media management. These are the tools of the modern journalist, and companies are on the lookout for these skills.
An entry-level journalist will have many of the same responsibilities as all other journalists. You will most likely be assigned stories by your editor and will need to investigate and write the stories within a given deadline. You may also be tasked with assisting more seasoned journalists with their stories.
This resume highlights the applicant's wide experience in media, from news anchor experience to adverts and radio host responsibilities. It also shows a very strong educational background in journalism. These would both be attractive to a recruiter.
You might be applying for this position straight out of college. If you are, include all journalism-related experience you acquired while in college; from your time at the college tv or radio station to your work in the college newspaper or newsletter. After all, journalism is journalism whether you are in college or not.
Most journalists will have a bachelor’s degree in a journalism-related field. If you have a journalism-related degree, be sure to list it. If you have also completed any further training or received any certification, be sure to include that as well. Remember that you can always find online journalism courses that you can complete and add to your resume to bolster your chances of getting that dream job.
As a hiring manager who has recruited journalists at top media companies like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes for entry-level journalist positions. Based on my experience, I've compiled a list of tips that will help your resume stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview. These tips are tailored specifically for aspiring journalists and will showcase your relevant skills, experience, and potential to hiring managers in the media industry.
Hiring managers want to see evidence of your writing skills and published work. Include:
Avoid simply listing the publications you've written for without providing context or examples of your work, like:
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or career summary, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. It's a brief paragraph, usually 3-5 sentences long, that highlights your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. While a summary is not a requirement for an entry-level journalist resume, it can be a valuable addition if you have relevant experience or want to clarify your career goals.
On the other hand, an objective statement, which was once a common feature on resumes, is now considered outdated and should be avoided. Objective statements tend to focus on what you want from an employer, rather than what you can offer them. Instead, use your summary to showcase your value and what makes you a strong candidate for the role.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume for entry-level journalism roles. It's where you highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments. Even if you don't have years of full-time journalism experience, there are still ways to make your work history stand out.
In this section, we'll break down key steps to write a compelling work experience section that will catch the eye of hiring managers and help you land your first journalism job.
When describing your work experience, start each bullet point with a strong action verb that showcases your journalism skills:
Avoid starting bullets with weak, vague verbs like:
Instead, use powerful verbs that paint a vivid picture, like reported, investigated, interviewed, wrote, fact-checked, edited, and published.
The education section of your resume is a critical component that hiring managers and recruiters pay close attention to, especially if you're an entry-level journalist. It's important to highlight your academic achievements and relevant coursework to showcase your qualifications for the role. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when writing your education section:
The skills section of your resume is a critical component that showcases your abilities and qualifications to potential employers. As an entry-level journalist, it's essential to highlight the relevant skills that make you stand out from other candidates. In this section, we'll provide you with tips on how to craft a compelling skills section that grabs the attention of hiring managers.
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry-Level Journalist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry-Level Journalist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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