Resume Writing Tips for Senior Reporter & Sub Editor

Introduction

In today’s fast-evolving media landscape, senior reporters and sub editors must stand out with resumes that go beyond listing job responsibilities. Employers look for candidates who demonstrate measurable achievements, expertise in modern tools, and the capacity to lead editorial teams. A strong resume acts as your personal brand statement, emphasizing not just your experience, but also your impact, adaptability, and storytelling finesse. Whether you are aiming for a senior reporter position covering complex beats or a sub editor role ensuring content quality and consistency, this guide will equip you with the strategies to build a focused, ATS-friendly resume.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first impression hiring managers get—make it impactful. Summarize your professional experience, key strengths, and the unique value you bring to editorial roles in 3-5 sentences. Focus on leadership, investigative journalism skills, editing expertise, and your ability to deliver under tight deadlines.

Example: “Results-driven senior reporter with 8+ years of experience covering politics and social issues. Expert in investigative journalism, data analysis, and editorial leadership. Proven track record of increasing audience engagement by 30% through compelling storytelling and accuracy.”

2. Key Skills

Highlight relevant skills that match the requirements of senior reporter and sub editor roles. Use a blend of hard skills (technical tools, editing, reporting) and soft skills (communication, leadership). These keywords help with ATS ranking and quickly communicate your qualifications to recruiters.

• Investigative Reporting
• Copyediting & Proofreading
• Fact-Checking & Accuracy
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• SEO for News Content
• AP Style & Editorial Guidelines
• Interviewing & Source Development
• Data Journalism & Analytics
• Leadership & Team Collaboration
• Deadline & Project Management
• Multimedia Journalism (Video, Audio)

3. Achievements

Focus on achievements instead of merely listing responsibilities. Use metrics to demonstrate the measurable impact of your work, such as audience growth, awards won, or error reduction. This shifts the narrative from what you did to how well you did it.

Example bullet point demonstrating achievement: “Led a team of 5 reporters to deliver a series on local government corruption, increasing website traffic by 45% and earning a regional journalism award.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each application by aligning your skills and achievements with the job description. Use exact keywords and phrases from the posting—especially for ATS optimization. Highlight the experiences most relevant to the scope of responsibilities and editorial style required by the employer.

5. Tools

• Adobe InCopy
• WordPress CMS
• Google Analytics
• AP Stylebook
• Hootsuite (Social Media Management)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Photoshop (Basic Image Editing)
• Tableau (Data Visualization)
• Google Docs & Sheets
• Slack & Trello (Team Communication & Project Management)

6. Metrics

• Increased article readership by 30-50%
• Reduced editorial errors by 15% through rigorous fact-checking
• Managed teams of 4-10 reporters in multiproject coverage
• Exceeded publishing deadlines by an average of 10%
• Improved social media engagement and follower base by 25%

7. Education

• Bachelor of Journalism – [University Name], Year
• Certification in Data Journalism or Multimedia Reporting (optional)

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) sized 10-12 points
• Organize content using bullet points, bold headings, and consistent spacing

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages maximum. Be precise, avoid jargon, and use active language. Trim redundant job descriptions, focusing instead on highlights that demonstrate growth and mastery in your roles.

10. Bonus

• Include a link to your digital portfolio or published work to reinforce credibility
• Add a professional LinkedIn profile URL to boost networking opportunities

Examples

• “Spearheaded a content revamp project that boosted monthly page views by 40% within 6 months.”
• “Edited over 500 news articles, achieving 99.8curacy and adherence to AP style guidelines.”

Conclusion

In summary, a senior reporter and sub editor’s resume must powerfully convey your impact, leadership abilities, and analytical skills. Highlighting your measurable achievements coupled with technical prowess sets you apart from the competition. Tailoring your resume to specific job descriptions and optimizing it for ATS ensures your experience is recognized. By focusing on clarity, conciseness, and concrete results, you position yourself as a strategic editorial professional ready to excel in demanding media environments.