How To Write A Journalism Resume And Cover Letter

If you're breaking into journalism, or even landing your next role, you know it's a competitive industry. To stand out, your application needs to make an impact fast. Editors don’t have time for waffle, weak pitches or typo-riddled resumes (or CVs if you're in the UK). This guide strips it back to the essentials: how to write a sharp, tailored resume and cover letter that gets you noticed.

How to write a journalist resume

Your resume is your pitch. It needs to show, quickly and clearly, that you have the skills, experience and instincts of a journalist. Here’s how to write one that does just that. Our list of journalism terms will help you get the lingo down.

What to include

• Your name and contact details: Include your email address, phone number and a link to your portfolio.
• Personal statement: This is your elevator pitch. In one paragraph, briefly explain your skills and career goals.
• A list of your key skills: Make these relevant to the role and tailor them to the job description. A reporter’s resume might focus on writing, research and published stories, while a multimedia journalist might highlight video editing, podcast production or social media expertise. Some skills you might want to include are:
  
  • Research
  • Interviewing
  • Shorthand
  • News and feature writing
  • Investigative reporting
  • SEO
  • CMS proficiency
  • Social media
  • Video editing
  • Experience using AI transcription tools and any other research tools 
  • Deadline management
  • Adaptability in fast-paced environments
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Understanding of media law and ethics
• Professional experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, with a few bullet points on your key responsibilities and achievements. 
• Education: Include the name of your school or college and the degree. Remember to include any relevant certifications too.
• Awards and achievements

Journalism resume example

[Name]
[Town, City]
[Email address]
[Telephone number]
[Portfolio: URL]
[LinkedIn: Profile URL]

Professional Summary

Multimedia journalist with 6+ years of experience reporting for national digital and print outlets. Skilled in investigative reporting, political coverage and visual storytelling. Committed to delivering impactful, fact-driven journalism across platforms.

Core Skills

• News writing & feature reporting
• Investigative journalism
• Video production & editing (Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
• SEO best practices for digital media
• Social media strategy
• Sourcing & interviewing
• Data journalism (Excel, Tableau)
• AP style & fact-checking

Professional Experience

Political Reporter
The Washington Post — Washington, D.C.
March 2021 – Present

• Covered Capitol Hill and state-level politics, producing daily news and long-form features.
• Reported live during breaking political events and elections.
• Collaborated with video and social teams to produce multimedia packages.

Multimedia Reporter
BuzzFeed News — New York, NY
June 2018 – February 2021

• Wrote and edited stories on politics, social justice and culture.
• Produced explainer videos and social-first content to drive engagement.
• Optimized content for search, increasing page views by 30%.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
New York University, New York, NY
Graduated: 2018

Certifications

• Poynter Institute: Investigative Reporting Techniques
• Google News Initiative: Data Journalism Certificate

Awards

• Finalist, Livingston Award for Young Journalists 2022

Portfolio

[URL]

How to write a journalism cover letter

Your cover letter expands on your resume. It introduces you, highlights your relevant experience, skills and achievements, and explains why you're a strong fit for the role you're applying for. It's also a great place to showcase your ability to produce snappy copy, so make it count.

What to include

• Introduction: Let them know who you are and the position you're applying for.
• Relevant experience: Highlight your credentials such as reporting, interviewing or writing for specific publications. Prove you know your stuff.
• Key skills: Briefly mention your key skills and why you're a good fit for the role. E.g. writing, research, meeting deadlines, multimedia skills (if relevant), etc.
• Notable achievements: Published stories, exclusives or special projects.
• Personal fit: Explain why you’re the right fit for their newsroom
• Call to action: End with confidence and a polite request for an interview or further discussion.

Journalism cover letter example

Dear [Editor’s Name],

I’m writing to apply for the reporter position at [publication]. I’m a multimedia journalist with three years’ experience covering politics and culture, with bylines in [notable publications]. Along the way, I’ve landed exclusives, dug into policy shifts that shape everyday lives and turned complex issues into stories people actually want to read.

What draws me to [publication] is your reputation for agenda-setting journalism — not just reporting on events, but interrogating the forces behind them. That’s the kind of work I want to do more of. Whether it’s interviewing politicians or capturing cultural shifts before they hit the mainstream, I’m driven by curiosity and the challenge of finding the story beneath the surface.

At [previous role or publication], I pitched and delivered a series on [brief example of relevant work or series], balancing breaking news with deeper investigative pieces. I thrive in fast-paced environments, but my real strength lies in unpicking complex subjects and turning them into accessible, compelling reads.

I’m eager to bring that same energy and rigour to your newsroom. I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my skills and experience could support the team’s ambitions as well as contribute fresh ideas of my own.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

Top tips for writing a journalism resume and cover letter

• Tailor for each job: One size doesn’t fit all. Customize your resume to match the job description’s language.
• Keep it concise: Be direct. Cut the fluff. Focus on what’s relevant to the job and stick to 1–2 pages max for your CV, and around 300–400 words for your cover letter. You'll have time to expand in your interview.
• Quantify your achievements: Show the numbers where you can. “Grew site traffic by 30%” hits harder than “Improved engagement.”
• Be specific: Don't just give a run-of-the-mill phrase like "working to deadlines". Be specific and give an example like "Produced a weekly feature series, coordinating interviews and edits to meet strict publication schedules". 
• List relevant tools and platforms: Show your technical fluency by giving specific examples, such as CMS platforms, editing software, analytics tools, etc.
• Show you’ve done your homework: Refer to a recent piece or project from the publication and explain why it caught your eye.
• Professional presentation: Don't try to wow recruiters with flashy design. Instead, prioritize clarity and readability. Use clean, easy-to-read formatting. 
• Proofread ruthlessly: Your resume is your first impression, so make it a good one. A flawless, typo-free resume shows you have the sharp attention to detail every journalist needs. So, don't forget to check, check again, then proof it once more.

Nail your application with these journalist resume and cover letter tips and examples. No matter if you're breaking into the industry or looking to step up in your next big role, a sharp, tailored application can make all the difference. You can find more insights and resources for new and seasoned journalists over on our Creator Hub.

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