How to Write a Resume for a Journalist
Journalists have a specific skill set that involves writing, interviewing, planning and more. They are responsible for getting information from unlikely sources and packaging it in such a way that caters directly to the reader. Putting together a resume for a journalist should include an accounting of her skills, as well as a detailed overview of the her experience. The combination of this information -- as well as proper formatting -- can provide a powerful resume document.
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Instructions
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Find a resume template that lends itself to a detailed account of both skills and experience. Because journalism organizations place a hefty amount of importance on each aspect of your qualifications, it is important to highlight both on your resume. You can opt for a general Microsoft Word template or design your own resume. The idea here is to create something simple and easy to scan.
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Draft an objective. Because there are so many facets to the journalism profession, your objective gives a potential employer an idea of where your specialty lies and what you want to do with a new position. If you are a reporter, then designate an area of reporting in which you hope to specialize, such as entertainment writing, government reporting or opinion and editorial writing.
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Designate a section for your skills. As a journalist, you need superb research abilities as well as writing, editing, interviewing and people skills. You need to know your way around a computer, camera (both digital and video) and tape recorder fairly well. The more technological skills you have, the more attractive a candidate you will be.
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Detail your experience. Whatever work experience you have relating to the journalism profession should be written on your resume, including any internships you may have had. Notate any important people you've interviewed, special stories you wrote, front page headliners you wrote or edited, significant assignments you took on and anything else that can showcase your abilities as a capable and experienced journalist.
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Include references on your resume. The journalism profession has a lot to do with your contacts and who you know. If you have credible journalists that are respected in the industry and willing to vouch for you, include that information on your resume. Detail names, contact numbers and your relationship with that person.
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Insert keywords throughout your resume that speak to your abilities. Since most employers tend to scan through resumes, the more journalism-oriented keywords you can include, the better. Options might include: "deadline-driven," "detail-oriented," "fast writer," "expert interviewer."
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