Creating Awesome Journalism resume & portfolio

As a journalist, your resume and portfolio are two of the most important tools you have to sell your skills and experience to potential employers. In today’s competitive market, it is essential to have a well-crafted resume and portfolio that showcase your best work.

Your resume should highlight your journalistic experience and skills, as well as any other relevant experience and education you may have. Your portfolio should be a collection of your best work, and it should be tailored to the specific needs of the employer you are targeting.

With a strong resume and portfolio, you will be in a much better position to land the journalism job you want.

10 steps to create your ultimate Journalism resume & portfolio

Step 1: Figure out what you want to do with your journalism career

As a journalist, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want to do with your career. There are many different paths you can take, and it is important to figure out which one is right for you. There are a few things to consider when figuring out your career path.

First, think about what type of journalism you are interested in. There are many different types of journalism, such as investigative journalism, political journalism, and sports journalism. There is no right or wrong answer here, it is simply a matter of what interests you the most. Once you have decided on a general area, you can start to narrow down your options.

Second, think about what type of media you want to work in. There are many different types of media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. Again, there is no right or wrong answer, it is simply a matter of what you are most interested in.

Third, consider your geographical preferences. Do you want to stay close to home, or are you willing to relocate for a job? This is an important consideration, as it will help you narrow down your options.

Once you have considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of what you want to do with your journalism career. From there, you can start to look for jobs that match your interests and preferences.

Step 2: Start building your portfolio

As a journalist, one of the best ways to make a name for yourself and stand out from the crowd is to start building a strong portfolio. Your portfolio is a collection of your best work, and it’s a great way to show off your skills and experience to potential employers.

There are a few things you should keep in mind when building your portfolio:

1. Make sure to include a variety of your best work. Include articles, videos, photos, and anything else you’re proud of.

2. Keep your portfolio updated regularly. As you produce new work, add it to your portfolio so that it reflects your current skills and experience.

3. Tailor your portfolio to your audience. If you’re applying for a job as a reporter, for example, make sure to include some of your best reporting work in your portfolio.

4. Use your portfolio as a way to tell your story. In addition to your work, include a brief bio, a list of your skills and experience, and anything else that would give potential employers a sense of who you are as a journalist.

Building a strong portfolio takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it. By taking the time to put together a quality portfolio, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in your journalism career.

Step 3: Creating a strong resume

Creating a strong resume

A strong resume will not only demonstrate your skills and experience, but also highlight your achievements and showcase your writing ability.

When creating your resume, be sure to:

Include your contact details: Your name, email address and phone number should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume.

Summarise your skills and experience: Include a brief summary of your skills and experience, highlighting your strengths as a journalist.

Detail your employment history: Include your past employers, dates of employment and your role at each organisation.

Highlight your achievements: Include any awards or recognition you have received for your work, as well as any by-lines you have had in major publications.

Demonstrate your writing ability: Include links to any articles or pieces you have written that have been published, or attach writing samples to your resume.

By following these tips, you can create a strong resume that will help you secure journalism employment.

Step 4: Get some experience under your belt

Get some experience under your belt

As an experienced journalist, I can tell you that having a strong resume and portfolio are essential for success in this field. When you’re starting out, it’s important to get some experience under your belt so that you can start to build up your portfolio. This can be done by interning at a news organization, or by freelancing for local publications.

Getting some experience will not only help you build up your portfolio, but it will also give you a chance to learn the ropes and see if this is the right career for you. If you find that you’re passionate about journalism and that you have a knack for it, then pursuing a career in journalism could be a great decision for you.

So, if you’re thinking about a career in journalism, be sure to get some experience under your belt so that you can start to build up your resume and portfolio. It could be the best decision you ever make.

Step 5: NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

As a journalist, one of the most important things you can do is network. Get to know as many people as possible in the industry, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help. The more people you know, the more likely you are to get your foot in the door of a news organization.

And it’s not just about making contacts. It’s also about building relationships. Get to know the people you meet, and let them get to know you. Be friendly and professional, and people will be more likely to remember you when they have a job opening or a lead on a story.

So get out there and start networking! Attend industry events, introduce yourself to new people, and make the most of your contacts. It’s one of the best things you can do for your career.

Step 6: START APPLYING FOR JOBS

As a journalist, you will need to have a resume and portfolio to showcase your work. Here are a few tips on how to create a strong resume and portfolio:

1. Start by creating a list of your journalistic experience, skills and accomplishments. Include any awards or recognition you have received.

2. Write a brief summary of your professional goals.

3. Tailor your resume and portfolio to the specific job or type of journalism you are interested in.

4. Use strong, action-oriented language to describe your experience and skills.

5. Highlight the most relevant and impressive aspects of your experience and skills.

6. Make sure your resume and portfolio are error-free and easy to read.

7. Use industry-standard formatting for your resume and portfolio.

8. Keep your resume and portfolio up-to-date with your latest experience and skills.

9. Make sure to showcase your best work in your portfolio.

10. Use your resume and portfolio to market yourself as a journalist with skills, experience and accomplishments that match the needs of your target employer.

Step 7: Be prepared for interviews

1. Do your research: Before your interview, research the journalism program and the specific requirements for the position you’re applying for. This will help you ask informed questions and demonstrate your interest in the program.

2. Prepare your portfolio: A strong portfolio is essential for any journalism job interview. Make sure you have a selection of your best work, including writing samples, photos and/or videos.

3. Practice your interviewing skills: In addition to researching the journalism program, it’s important to practice your interviewing skills. This will help you feel more confident and reduce the nerves on the day of your interview.

4. Be prepared to answer common questions: There are some common questions that are asked in journalism interviews. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience, your goals and why you’re interested in the journalism program.

5. Ask questions: In addition to being prepared to answer questions, it’s also important to ask questions. This shows that you’re interested in the program and that you have thought about your career goals.

Step 8: Keep your portfolio and resume up-to-date

It’s important to keep your portfolio and resume up-to-date so that potential employers can see your best work and know what you’re capable of. By keeping your portfolio and resume current, you’re also showing that you’re keeping up with the latest trends and technologies.

Here are a few tips for keeping your portfolio and resume up-to-date:

1. Make sure to add your latest work to your portfolio. This way, potential employers can see your most recent work and get an idea of your style and abilities.

2. Update your resume regularly. Include any new skills or experience you’ve gained so that employers can see that you’re always learning and growing.

3. Use social media to showcase your work. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram are great ways to share your work with a wider audience.

4. Keep your website up-to-date. If you have a personal website, make sure to regularly update it with your latest work.

5. Stay active on professional networks. Connect with other professionals and stay up-to-date on industry news by joining relevant online communities and forums.

Step 9: Be persistent

No matter how talented and skilled you are, you will not get very far in your journalism career if you are not persistent. You need to be constantly on the lookout for new opportunities and willing to put in the hard work to make your dream a reality.

It can be difficult to stand out from the crowd, but it is important to remember that every rejection is one step closer to an acceptance. Do not be discouraged if you are not getting the results you want immediately – keep trying and eventually you will find the right opportunity for you.

In addition to being persistent, it is also important to be patient. Breaking into the journalism industry can take time, but it will be worth it in the end. So, keep working hard and don’t give up on your dreams.

Step 10: Never give up on your dreams

No matter what field you’re in, never give up on your dreams. If journalism is your passion, don’t let anything get in your way of pursuing it. A resume and portfolio are important tools that can help you land your dream job, so make sure you invest the time and effort into creating strong ones.

While a resume is a key component of any job search, it’s especially important for journalists. Your resume should highlight your journalistic experience and skills, as well as any other relevant experience or skills you have. If you don’t have any professional journalism experience, that’s okay – just be sure to focus on your other writing experience and any other skills that would be relevant to the field.

A portfolio is also a crucial tool for journalists. It’s a great way to showcase your best work and demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers.

If you don’t have any published work, don’t worry – you can still put together a strong portfolio by including writing samples, class projects, or even unpublished work.

No matter what your experience level, if you’re passionate about journalism, don’t give up on your dreams. A strong resume and portfolio are essential tools that can help you land your dream job.

Final Thoughts

As an experienced journalist, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a strong resume and portfolio. Your resume is your first opportunity to make a good impression on potential employers, and your portfolio is your chance to show them your best work.

Invest the time and effort into making both as strong as possible, and you will increase your chances of landing the journalism job you want.