cover letter for journalist job

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from training.npr.org: https://training.npr.org/2021/03/05/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-for-a-public-media-job-or-internship/

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How to write a cover letter for a journalism job or internship

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My letterhead doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to exist!

Dear Specific Person Whose Name I Obtained, Showing I Have Reporting Skills,*

I am starting this cover letter with literally ANYTHING other than “I am applying for [job].” Also I’m not telling you how I found the job listing, unless someone influential told me to apply. Yes, I am defying the advice of my career center, professor and/or friend who is applying to law/automotive/sales jobs. And my name’s in the letterhead so I don’t need to mention it again.

Instead, I will use my first 100 words or less to tell you something interesting — yet relevant to the job — that will make you want to talk to me. Because that’s what this is all about: Scoring an interview so I can dazzle you! Maybe that thing will not be how I reported on a Sad Person and learned a Valuable Lesson About Journalism, though, because everyone is doing that and also this isn’t a college admissions essay.

Now, instead of listing ALL my awesome experiences and achievements, since they are already on my resume, I will look at the job requirements and curate accordingly. I will make clear how my experiences/achievements prepare me for this particular job , which I researched extensively to see what, exactly, it is! Because I’m definitely not applying for all 20 openings at your organization. Or maybe I am (Wait, you can see that in your recruitment software?!), but THIS is the job I REALLY want. And it’s not because I’m PERFECT for the position (pobody’s nerfect! haha) or a great fit (because what am I, jeans?).

Next I’ll tell you what I can do for your organization besides work hard and utilize my strong track record in communication skills and high proficiency with Microsoft Word! I will skip the part about how this will advance my goals, which are to grow in my career, master new skills and have health insurance. Rather, I’ll tell you how I will advance your goals.

I will not make this paragraph about how I love [station/show/podcast] because I grew up listening to it in the backseat of my parents’ car, nor will I remind you that your organization is an esteemed news outlet with high standards that serves the public. I will give examples of work you do that I liked (and why), preferably at least two. Oh yeah, and I def won’t tell you how much I love a podcast your competitor produces. (That would be silly, I say as I delete a reference to The Daily .) Nor will I confuse Idaho Matters and Talk of Iowa . Thank goodness I always ask someone to proofread my letters and they caught that embarrassing mistake!

After reviewing your job description, it’s clear that you’re looking for a candidate that is extremely familiar with the responsibilities associated with this role, and can perform them confidently. Given these requirements, I am certain that I have the necessary skills to successfully do the job adeptly and perform above expectations. What? I’d never cut and paste a paragraph I found in a random template ! You must have me confused with 40% of your applicant pool.

Finally, I will not use words more suited for accepting a marriage proposal to express my excitement about this job! Yes I would love it, be honored to have it and be passionate about every aspect of it! But I will use normal words. And, because I am not a free online career personality test, my ability to craft phrases like “successfully utilize my core competencies and soft skills in the workspace” will remain implied. In conclusion, I bet you’re aware I’m available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

P.S. I saved this as a PDF so it will open in your browser, instead of a .docx file that will download and pollute your already-overflowing desktop. You’re welcome! Did you know I’m proficient in Microsoft Word?

How to make all-purpose letterhead

• Choose a sans-serif font with a heavy bold face. Proxima Nova is safe enough .
• Type your name. Make it between 25 and 30 points.
• Now choose a thinner version of your font.
• Type your email address, phone number and website URL. Separate them with this character: |
• Optionally, include your street address (but why?) and non-embarrassing social accounts.
• Make this stuff between 10 and 12 points.
• Feeling dangerous? Add a horizontal line!

How to add your signature

There are several phone apps that will “scan” a document:

Notes instructions (iOS) Dropbox instructions (iOS, Android) Any free scanning app in either app store

You don’t need photo editing software to crop your “scan.” Do this:

• Get the PDF or image created by the app onto your computer.
• Open the file in anything that opens files.
• Take a screenshot of just your signature. On a Mac, use Command-Shift-4 to do this. On a PC, use the Snipping Tool .
• Drag the screenshot into your document.

*Or team name  (updated 1/18/2022).

Holly J. Morris is the NPR Training team's Digital Journalism Trainer. 

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Journalist Cover Letter Example

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Start your journalist cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly, if possible. Then, introduce yourself and briefly mention the position you're applying for. For example, "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], I am a seasoned journalist with over five years of experience in investigative reporting, and I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company's Name]." This approach is professional and immediately communicates your interest in the role. Follow this with a compelling hook that highlights your most relevant achievements or experiences. This could be a significant story you've covered, an award you've won, or a unique skill you possess. This will grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more about you.

The best way for journalists to end a cover letter is by expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and a desire for further discussion. This can be done by saying something like, "I am excited about the possibility of contributing to your team and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further." It's also important to thank the reader for their time and consideration. This shows respect and appreciation. Lastly, sign off professionally with "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name. This ending strikes a balance between professionalism and eagerness, which is crucial in the journalism field.

In a cover letter, journalists should include the following: 1. Contact Information: At the top of the letter, include your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have a professional website or online portfolio, include that as well. 2. Salutation: Address the letter to a specific person if possible. If you can't find a specific name, use a general salutation like "Dear Hiring Manager." 3. Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and stating the position you're applying for. Mention where you found the job posting. 4. Body: This is where you sell yourself. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. As a journalist, you might want to discuss your ability to research and write stories, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. If you have any specializations (like investigative journalism or political reporting), mention them here. 5. Examples of Work: Provide examples of your work that demonstrate your skills. If you're applying for a print journalism job, for example, you might mention articles you've written that were particularly well-received. If you're applying for a broadcast journalism job, you could discuss a news segment you produced. 6. Knowledge about the Company: Show that you've done your homework. Mention something specific about the company or publication that you admire and explain how you could contribute to it. 7. Closing: In your closing paragraph, express your enthusiasm for the potential job opportunity. Thank the reader for their time and consideration. 8. Signature: End with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best," followed by your name. Remember, a cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression. It should be well-written, free of errors, and tailored to the specific job and company you're applying to.

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3 Journalism Cover Letter Examples Written for 2024

• Journalism Cover Letter
• Journalist Cover Letter
• Reporter Cover Letter
• Write Your Journalism Cover Letter

You’re passionate about stories and providing accurate reports on the latest news. Publications will highly benefit from your research-driven and engaging writing style that brings articles and scripts to life.

Are your cover letter and complementary journalist resume ready to show why your writing skills are best for each publication’s needs?

You have the writing chops to create engaging content, so you probably just need a few pointers and guidelines to choose the right tone and skills as you create your cover letter . We’ll help you out with our journalism cover letter examples and cover letter generator that are consistently landing jobs at top media outlets.

Journalism Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

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Block Format

Why this cover letter works

• Taking Mateo’s lead, show that Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Campaign Managers aren’t just software names for you. Describe how these tools were instrumental in your previous roles, whether they refined data analysis or performance optimization or aided visual content creation and ad management.

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Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Journalist Cover Letter Example

• For example, If the hiring company’s news coverage has left an impact on you, do share that you’re looking forward to contributing to their commendable work quality.

Reporter Cover Letter Example

• In this case, Emilia recounts a field trip to the San Francisco Examiner that exposed her to the mesmerizing world of real-time journalism. Alternatively, talk about an enthralling experience with the company’s software or equipment.

Related cover letter examples

• Journalist resume
• Social media manager

How to Format a Journalism Cover Letter

Writing your cover letter is like adding the right details to a news story to grab a target audience’s attention. 

In this case, it involves reviewing the job description to get an idea of each company’s needs so you can include the right skills and connections to their mission. For example, you could write about how you’ll use your interviewing skills to gather industry-leading details for a cutting-edge news outlet.

Journalism cover letter introduction

In journalism, the introduction is crucial to grab a reader’s attention. It works the same way in a cover letter. Ideally, you want to tailor it to the hiring manager by using your research skills to find the name of a contact person in the job description or on the company’s website to provide a personalized touch. 

Then, optimize your opening paragraph by connecting the top skills needed by each publication and how you’ll help achieve their mission. For example, you could include how you’ll use your data analysis skills to help a publication uphold its accuracy and integrity in the reporting space. 

The opener below gets off to a decent start. However, it could use extra details about the applicant’s specific journalism skills and how they connect with the company they’re applying to.

Not quite enough detail here! 

Upon coming across your publication’s journalism job opening, I was immediately eager to apply since this looks like a great company to work for. With tons of writing experience, I believe my skills will be an asset to your team.  

Instead, aim for an opener like the one below that shows the applicant’s passion for the impact WIXT Channel 4’s reporting makes and how their research and multimedia abilities fit in. 

A top-notch opener with relevant journalism skills! 

Dear Mr. Thomas,

Having seen the impact WIXT Channel 4’s reporting makes in Jacksonville, I felt instantly drawn to your open journalist position. Your news coverage doesn’t just inform; it tells stories that resonate with a diverse audience. As your journalist, I aim to bring engaging stories from our communities, accentuated by meticulous research and vivid multimedia support.

Journalism cover letter body

The body of your journalism cover letter is similar to the one in an article. You need facts and figures to back up your claims. In this case, it’s metrics and examples based on previous journalistic achievements. 

For example, you could write about how you optimized introductions to boost reader retention rates or applied a new data review model to boost reporting accuracy. 

If you don’t have much work experience , you can also add achievements from obtaining a journalism degree or transferable experiences like working on a school newspaper.

A great body paragraph with journalistic achievements!

At SWAYE, I harnessed the power of mobile journalism to bring news to audiences in real-time. There, I produced more than nine live streams weekly, which improved the reach of news articles by 33%. Additionally, my expertise in live reporting and streaming saw me delivering breaking news with superior efficiency, surging our viewership by 28%.

Journalism cover letter closing

Just as every article should have a conclusion that wraps up your key points, so should your journalism cover letter. This involves rephrasing your top skills and connection to the publication’s mission. For example, you could write about how you’re eager to use your social media skills to present up-to-date news to a broader audience.  

Then, wrap things up by saying thank you and using a call to action, such as “I’m excited to discuss this journalism role with you further.” It’s similar to ending a thought leadership piece where you want the reader to take a specific action. 

The closer below could use some work since it’s missing a call to action or any connection to the news outlet’s mission or the journalism skills they’re seeking.

Add more detail than this! 

I believe my skills will be a great fit for your news outlet’s needs. Thank you for considering me for the journalism role. 

Donna Mason

Instead, aim for a closer like the one below that showcases a great overview of the skills in content creation, performance metrics, and paid promotions that Dell Technology is seeking. 

A high-performing closer based on company needs! 

I’m confident that my deftness in understanding audience behavior, creating engaging content, analyzing performance metrics, and strategizing paid promotions will harmonize with Dell Technology’s social media strategy. Thank you for considering me.

Mateo Rodriguez

The best way to optimize your tone will be to match the one used in the job description . It’ll help showcase how your writing style aligns with each publication’s culture and audience. 

One page will work best for your journalism cover letter. It’s similar to news stories where you want to include relevant information but keep it concise with the most essential details. In this case, it would be the skills needed for each role, such as editorial research or storytelling. 

Sometimes, media outlets and publications won’t have a hiring manager listed anywhere. So, simply using “Dear [name of company] hiring team” will still work well. Then, make the rest of your cover letter highly specific to the broadcasting and reporting skills they’re seeking. 

8 Professional Journalist Cover Letter Examples for 2024

In your journalist cover letter, showcase your ability to tell a story compellingly. Highlight your knack for uncovering the truth and connecting with readers. Demonstrate your versatility across different media platforms. Your cover letter should also reflect your understanding of the ever-evolving journalistic landscape.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Student Journalist

News Director

Sports Journalist

Magazine Journalist

Broadcast Journalist

Multimedia Journalist

Fashion Journalist

Cover letter guide.

Journalist Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Journalist Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Crafting a journalist cover letter can be a daunting step in the job application process. You've meticulously updated your resume and now realize a cover letter is required—one that doesn't just mimic your resume, but spotlights your proudest journalistic triumph through an engaging narrative. Striking a balance between formality and originality, avoiding clichés, and condensing your story into a single page adds to the challenge. Let's navigate these hurdles together and pen a cover letter that stands out.

• Create a journalist cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
• Use industry-leading journalist cover letter templates and examples to save time;
• Dedicate your journalist cover letter space to your best achievement;
• Make sure your journalist cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.

Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your journalist cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.

If the journalist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Journalist resume guide and example
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• Photographer cover letter example
• Model cover letter example
• Film Production cover letter example
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Journalist cover letter example

San Francisco, CA

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting relevant experience such as the exclusive scoop on AI in autonomous vehicles showcases the candidate's ability to deliver impactful and newsworthy content, which is crucial for a journalist role.
• Emphasizing the results of the candidate's work, including the 30% increase in website traffic, demonstrates data-driven accomplishments and an understanding of audience engagement, both important for a digital publication.
• Expressing enthusiasm and alignment with the publication's standards and goals suggests a cultural fit and an appreciation of the company's values, making the candidate potentially more appealing to the hiring manager.

Structuring and formatting your journalist cover letter

Here's what the structure of your journalist cover letter should include:

• Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
• Salutation (or greeting);
• Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
• Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
• Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
• Signature (that is optional).

Use the same font for your journalist resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.

Your journalist cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder .

When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).

On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your journalist cover letter.

The top sections on a journalist cover letter

• Header: Include your contact information at the top of the cover letter so the recruiter can easily reach you; for journalists, having a professional header signals attention to presentation and detail, which are relevant to the role.
• Personalized Greeting: Research and use the name of the hiring manager or editor; personalization shows you've done your homework, an essential trait for a journalist.
• Introduction: Begin with a compelling hook and showcase your passion for journalism; this sets the tone and demonstrates your storytelling ability.
• Career Highlights: Detail relevant reporting experiences, key stories covered, or significant achievements in journalism; this section shows your practical expertise and credibility in the field.
• Closing Paragraph: Conclude with a strong finish, reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and explaining how you plan to contribute to their team; as a journalist, your concluding remarks should leave a lasting impression, prompting the recruiter to take action.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Strong writing and storytelling skills: Demonstrates the ability to create compelling content that engages readers.
• Nose for news: Shows an instinct for digging up newsworthy stories that are relevant and interesting to the audience.
• Investigative research abilities: Reflects the capacity to conduct thorough and accurate research, crucial for credibility and in-depth reporting.
• Multimedia proficiency: Indicates the capability to use various platforms and tools, like video, audio, and social media, for modern, multi-channel journalism.
• Ethical integrity: Recruiters look for journalists who adhere to high ethical standards, maintaining trustworthiness and impartiality.
• Resilience under pressure: Illustrates the potential to perform efficiently against tight deadlines and in potentially stressful or dangerous situations.

Kick off your journalist cover letter: the salutation or greeting

When writing your journalist cover letter, remember that you're not writing for some complex AI or robot, but for actual human beings.

And recruiters, while on the lookout to understand your experience, would enjoy seeing a cover letter that is tailored to the role and addresses them . Personally.

So, if you haven't done so, invest some time in finding out who's the hiring manager for the role you're applying to. A good place to start would be LinkedIn and the corporate website.

Alternatively, you could also get in touch with the company to find out more information about the role and the name of the recruiter.

If you haven't met the hiring manager, yet, your journalist cover letter salutation should be on a last-name basis (e.g. "Dear Mr. Donaldson" or "Dear Ms. Estephan").

A good old, "Dear HR Professional" (or something along those lines) could work as your last resort if you're struggling to find out the recruiter's name.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
• Dear [Editor-in-Chief's Name],
• Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
• Dear [Publication Name] Team,
• Dear [Department Name] Search Committee,
• Dear [Hiring Manager's Title],

Your journalist cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role

On to the actual content of your journalist cover letter and the introductory paragraph .

The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.

Use your journalist cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:

• Company culture;
• Growth opportunities;
• Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
• Specific technologies the department uses.

When writing your journalist cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.

Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.

Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your journalist cover letter

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your journalist cover letter ?

For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).

After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.

Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.

Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:

• you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
• you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
• your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.

Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.

Final words: writing your journalist cover letter closing paragraph

The final paragraph of your journalist cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression .

Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:

• how you see yourself growing into the role;
• the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.

Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).

If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your journalist cover letter with a follow-up request.

You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.

Which story should you tell in your journalist cover letter when you have zero experience

Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.

Your journalist cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.

And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?

Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).

Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your journalist cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.

Key takeaways

Within this Enhancv guide, we've provided you with plenty of advice and inspiration on writing your journalist cover letter:

• Always make sure your journalist cover letter is tailored to the role you're applying for to make a good impression on recruiters;
• In your journalist cover letter include a header (with your name, the role you're applying for, date, and contact details) and an introduction of up to two sentences that highlight your key accomplishment or why you'd fit the role;
• Focus your journalist cover letter body on one sole achievement through your career and all the valuable lessons, skills, and know-how you've learned (that are relevant to the role);
• Ensure your journalist cover letter closing statement isn't generic and includes either a call to action or a promise;
• If you lack professional experience, shift recruiters' focus to a relevant achievement (thanks to your academic or versatile experience) or toward your dreams and goals for professional growth.

Journalist cover letter examples

Explore additional journalist cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
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Journalist cover letter examples

You’ve got a way with words and you can turn even the most mundane topic into a masterpiece. But when it comes to your cover letter, you’ve got writer’s block.

In the guide below, we’ll help you write a standout application that effectively pitches your skills and experience to the recruiter.

We’ve also put together some journalist cover letter examples to inspire you.

CV templates 

Journalist cover letter example 1

Journalist cover letter example 2

Journalist cover letter example 3

These 3 Journalist cover letter examples will provide you with some good ideas on how to format a cover letter, along with the type of message you should be trying to put across to recruiters .

To further understand exactly how you can write a cover letter that will get you noticed, check out our further guidance.

How to write a Journalist cover letter

Here’s a simple process to write your own interview-winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you have opened the cover letter with a warm greeting, you need to explain which role you are interested in.

Sometimes a recruitment consultant could be managing over 10 vacancies, so it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly which one you are interested in.

Highlight the department/area if possible and look for any reference numbers you can quote.

These are some examples you can add..

• I am interested in applying for the role of Journalist with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Journalist cover letter

So, what type of information should you write about in your Journalist cover letter?

The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.

• Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
• Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
• The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
• Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
• Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job ? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.

Journalist cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Journalist cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I hope you’re well. I would like to express my interest in the Journalist vacancy at The Telegraph. As a passionate individual with a track record of delivering engaging and impactful content, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your world-rewound company.

During my 5 years as a Journalist at Hearst Media Services, I have honed my abilities in investigative reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling. My dedication to delivering accurate and objective information has consistently driven me to pursue stories that resonate with vast audiences and shed light on important societal issues.

Some accomplishments I contributed towards include, covering the Russia-Ukraine war and other political developments that increased web traffic by 70%, as well as authoring an article on the European heat wave which went viral and boosted the organisation’s social media following by 40%. In addition, I was pivotal in hosting a successful podcast series on natural disasters that reached 8K downloads.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV and a portfolio for your review and look forward to attending an interview at your convenience.

Kind regards

I hope you are well. As a dedicated Journalist with 12 years of experience working for Argus Media, I am keen to apply for the Senior Journalist role at the BBC. Given my exceptional investigative reporting, feature writing, and editorial leadership skills, I am confident in my ability to supervise a team and elevate your organisation’s journalistic endeavours.

Throughout my career, I have immersed myself in breaking news coverage and long-form pieces, while striving for excellence when providing accurate and thought-provoking content that informs and engages readers. I focus on executing targeted audience engagement campaigns to boost readership numbers.

My notable achievements include, guiding reporters and editors who produced compelling content and improved editorial quality by 15%, as well as enhancing business efficiency by 75% through spearheading the newsroom’s digital transformation and introducing multimedia storytelling formats across various platforms.

I look forward to attending an interview where we can further discuss my qualifications and skills which align with your goals. Thank you for considering my application.

Daniel Patterson

Good afternoon, Samuel

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the Junior Journalist vacancy at PA Media Group, as advertised on Career Moves. As an aspiring journalist, I am eager to contribute my skills, creativity, and dedication to delivering captivating and informative content across various formats and platforms.

Having recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Journalism from the University of Birmingham, I excelled in mastering the art of crafting clear, concise, and engaging narratives. I also reported for the university newspaper, where I covered local events and human-interest stories. I believe my writing and research abilities, ethical integrity, and eye for uncovering compelling stories will resonate with diverse readers.

Furthermore, I completed an 18-month internship at Chronicle Media, where I received the June 2023 Best Feature Article Award and composed a story that elevated online engagement by 10%, as well as helped produce a multimedia package featuring articles, photographs, and videos which led to 20% increase in the Instagram following.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me regarding scheduling an interview. Thank you for considering my application.

Alex Dickson

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Journalist job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!

How to: write a covering letter and CV

Tips from editors and HR managers on how to apply for a job in journalism

Advice from employers on how to write a CV and covering letter for a job in journalism

• Local weekly newspaper for Canterbury, the Kentish Gazette, received 40 applications for a recently advertised reporter role.
• A freelance position at Journalism.co.uk received 82 applications (more on that later).
• Money Marketing receives between 20 and 100 applications when it recruits.
• The Telegraph receives around 75 to 100 applicants for a journalism role, a more specialised position such as a business reporter role generates around 40 applications.
• The Guardian expects between 100 and 120 applications for a typical reporter role. It can be up to 300. An entry-level position generates around 600 applicatons.
• An entry level BBC job leads to several hundred applications.
• The BBC trainee scheme receives several thousand applications.

Your job is to make yourself stand out. You'll do this through demonstrating your competencies, skills, experience, creativity, awareness of deadlines and understanding of news Daniell Morrisey, career writer and BBC talent executive

• Five applicants sent a CV with no covering letter.
• Six had significant spelling or grammatical errors.
• One made a mistake in the name of the person receiving applications (naming Mr Thompson Mr Thomas).
• 48 applicants did not specify skills in job description.
• 79 made no reference to key point in job description.

Always go back to the job description as your base. Think of the core competencies as headers – and consider using them as headers Daniell Morrisey

• Do send a covering letter, even if not asked for.
• Most employers will request that you submit applications by email. Paste the covering letter into the body of the email as this is your first opportunity to grab attention.
• Consider what you write in the subject line of the email.
• Address the recipient by name. If you do not know the recruiter's name or gender then find out.
• Follow instructions.
• If you are asked not to telephone the newsroom, do not call.
• Customise your covering letter. "We can spot blanket bombing a mile off," said Thompson, managing director of Journalism.co.uk.
• Be succinct. Write in single sentence paragraphs to demonstrate your skills as a journalist.
• Ensure you check, double check and get someone else to proof read your application to avoid errors. On the immediate reject list of the Kentish Gazette were "those who got my name, the name of the paper, or the spelling of Kent towns wrong", the title's editor, Leo Whitlock, explained. "Some were very obvious spelling mistakes, others which fell foul/fowl of spell checks/cheques. These put you off from the very beginning," he added.
• Even when journalists are at a level of experience that warrants an application to a national, grammatical errors and punctuation problems are not uncommon and this "upsets the challenge of getting through to the next phase of the application", Hammond from the Telegraph said.
• "Demonstrate enthusiasm and get across your passion for writing", advises editor of Money Marketing Paul McMillan. "It comes across when someone has those attributes."
• Focus on your experience that is relevant to the role, Hammond from the Telegraph said. If it is a sports or business role, for example, concentrate on demonstrating work in that area.
• Include links to your work. None of the applicants submitting covering letters and CVs for the position at the Kentish Gazette did this but it is something that would have impressed editor Leo Whitlock.
• Make sure the links guide the editor to your best work; do not highlight second-rate work.
• Suggest story ideas for the publication.
• If you are not living close to the location of the advertised position, explain that you are prepared to relocate and suggest the required notice period.
• Be aware of location when applying to local newspapers. "Ideally they would live in the patch," according to Whitlock from the Kentish Gazette. "It's not a deal maker for me but would be for some editors."
• Do not simply send a one line covering letter saying "this is my CV".
• Do not be too descriptive, advises Whitlock. Write a covering letter as you would a news story.
• Do not criticise a would-be employer by saying "your site is crap and I can make it better", warns Thompson.
• Do not expect the HR manager or editor to research you. "You have to make your case," says Thompson.
• "If you are rejected, take the news graciously", he adds. "Don't send stroppy emails – everyone knows every one else in this industry."

Remember that a CV is that your marketing document Daniell Morrisey

• Send your CV by PDF, advises Thompson. Some newsrooms will not have Word and unusual fonts and formatting can cause problems. Use the "save as" option within Open Office or a free service such as Zamzar to convert to PDF.
• "Don't just give the titles and dates, but give examples of stories you have worked on," suggests Paul McMillan, editor of Money Marketing.
• Make your CV easy to read by including bullet points, advises Morrisey. "Make sure it is easy to scan and that your experience, qualifications and skills are quite obvious. Avoid essays and avoid negativity."
• "Remember that a CV is that your marketing document," advises career writer and BBC talent executive Morrisey. "Don't list failed exams and there is no need to go overboard in explaining why you left a previous company as those questions can be asked later on."
• Be wary of the infographic CV. There are some great examples out there – and also some terrible ones. Perhaps the best place to include this CV format is on your blog or website.
• "Think about how your CV is going to be used. It will be photocopied so if sending a hard copy, avoid unusual papers such as acetates," Morrisey advised.
• Do not be too creative with the format. "Very occasionally this can be a good idea but it can go spectacularly wrong," he said, explaining that he once received a CV on a cushion.
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How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

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