Resume Writing Tips for Desk Reporters

Introduction

Your resume is the frontline tool in landing interviews and, ultimately, jobs. As a desk reporter, employers seek candidates who can write quickly and accurately, handle multiple stories simultaneously, and work well with editors and a newsroom deadline-driven environment. A strong resume that effectively highlights your editorial expertise, technical skills, and measurable accomplishments can set you apart from other candidates, helping you climb the career ladder in journalism.

1. Resume Summary

Begin your resume with a concise, impactful summary that highlights your experience, key skills, and career goals. This section should act as an elevator pitch, giving recruiters a snapshot of who you are professionally and what you bring to the table.

Example: "Detail-oriented desk reporter with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced newsrooms. Skilled in investigative research, deadline management, and multimedia storytelling. Proven track record of increasing audience engagement through clear, compelling content."

2. Key Skills

Include a section dedicated to key skills relevant to desk reporting, ensuring you incorporate keywords that ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) recognize. This boosts your chances of passing automated screenings.

• Newswriting and Editing
• AP Style Proficiency
• Fact-Checking and Research
• Deadline Management
• Interviewing Techniques
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• Multimedia Reporting
• Social Media Management
• Video and Audio Editing
• SEO for News Articles

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Rather than simply listing job duties, focus on achievements that demonstrate your impact and skills. Quantifiable accomplishments resonate with hiring managers far more than generic responsibilities.

Example bullet point: "Produced daily news briefs that increased reader engagement by 25% over six months by integrating multimedia elements."

4. Tailor to Job

Each job is unique, so tailor your resume to fit the specific job description. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position and use keywords from the listing to optimize your resume for ATS and human readers alike.

5. Tools

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• WordPress CMS
• Google Analytics
• Trello
• Hootsuite
• AP Stylebook Online
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Slack
• Canva
• Google Docs and Sheets

6. Metrics

• Increased online article views by 30% within a year
• Reduced content production time by 20% through workflow optimization
• Managed social media accounts to grow followers by 15,000 in six months
• Handled up to 5 breaking news stories daily under tight deadlines
• Led a team of 3 reporters to deliver daily news coverage

7. Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism – University Name, City, State (Year)
• Certificate in Digital Media and Communication – Institution (Year)

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Calibri, size 10-12
• Maintain consistent margins and spacing to optimize readability and ATS scanning

9. Concise

Your resume should be succinct and focused. Aim for two pages maximum, avoiding overly long paragraphs. Use bullet points for clarity and readability.

10. Bonus

• Include links to your portfolio or published work when possible
• Use action verbs such as 'crafted,' 'reported,' 'investigated,' and 'managed' to convey ownership and initiative

Examples

• “Crafted investigative reports that resulted in a 15% increase in reader trust scores as measured by annual surveys.”
• “Spearheaded redesign of newsroom CMS workflow, reducing publication errors by 10%.”

Conclusion

For desk reporters, a resume isn’t just a list of jobs — it’s a reflection of your impact, leadership, and analytical skills in the newsroom. By focusing on measurable achievements, aligning your skills with job requirements, and maintaining a clean, ATS-optimized format, your resume can open doors to your next journalism role. Remember, your storytelling ability extends beyond articles—it should shine through your resume too.