Best News Reporter Resume Examples + Guide + Tips

5 essentials of a top resume for a news reporter

1. Contact

   Add your contact information to the top of your resume so hiring managers can contact you. As our news reporter resume sample shows, your contact information must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and a professional website, add them last.

2. Personal statement

   A professional summary, also known as a personal statement, is a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer. A news reporter resume summary must include job-relevant skills and it should touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a resume objective for a news reporter instead. 

   Here’s an example of a great professional summary for a news reporter resume:

   “Dynamic and experienced news reporter with over five years of experience in news reporting, interviewing and broadcasting. Possesses excellent writing and research skills, as well as a comprehensive understanding of current issues and events. Skilled in managing and overseeing the production of high-quality journalistic content. Dedicated to providing accurate and timely information to viewers and readers.”

3. Skills

   Create a skills section for your news reporter resume so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. A resume template for a news reporter will have a separate section for your job-relevant skills in a bulleted list. As our sample news reporter resume shows, it’s best to include hard and soft skills, such as news writing and interpersonal skills.

   To be successful, news reporters must have a variety of skills, including strong writing and communication skills. They must be able to interpret and present complex information in a clear and concise manner. They must be able to analyze data and facts, ask pertinent questions and conduct interviews. Additionally, they need to be able to think on their feet and remain composed in high-pressure situations. They must be able to take criticism and use it to improve their work. Finally, they must have an excellent knowledge of current events, global politics and other relevant topics. All of these skills are essential for any successful news reporter.

4. Work history

   As our news reporter sample resume shows, your resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them. Include three bullet points of measurable accomplishmentsfor every job you list.

   Your accomplishments might look something like this:

   • Produced 10 feature stories, including a series on the city’s homeless population.
   • Developed and maintained a network of 30 reliable sources within the community.
   • Achieved a 30% increase in viewership for the nightly news.

5. Education

   A resume for a news reporter must include an education section. In reverse-chronological order, show the name of the schools and the years you graduated using bullet points. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here. 

   The educational requirements for a news reporter vary depending on the organization they are working for. Generally, most news reporters need at least a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, media studies, or a related field. Some employers may prefer a master’s degree, and some may require additional certifications or training. In addition to educational qualifications, employers may require news reporters to have experience in the field, such as internships, volunteer work, or freelance work.