Career Advice for a Journalist

Journalists cover breaking news and stories on various subjects for newspapers, magazines, or online news outlets. They investigate possible stories and research individuals and events in order to write compelling stories to gain readers and followers for the publication. Journalists can choose to write on specialist subjects, such as politics, or they may cover a certain region or country.

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How to Become a Journalist

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Journalist

Should you wish to work as a Journalist you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Journalist

  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English or Communication
  • Apprenticeship or college course in Journalism

Key Responsibilities for a Journalist

  • Assessing incoming leads and pitching ideas to the editors
  • Ensuring all stories are submitted to deadlines
  • Writing and editing stories and other content for publication
  • Using research, contacts, and other information to create factual articles
  • Following all ethical codes and legal requirements
  • Recording all notes, interviews, and files
  • Staying up to date with the latest news and developments using various sources
  • Creating a network of trustworthy contacts and sources
  • Collecting and verifying information
  • Using storytelling ability to create compelling and engaging content

What to expect as a Journalist

Journalists write stories and articles for the local, regional or national press. They research breaking news and ongoing stories to create compelling content that will engage readers. You may work in an office or travel to meet sources and research breaking stories. To be a successful journalist, you will need superb communication skills and be an excellent storyteller. You will need to have an analytical approach to research and be able to create long-lasting relationships with possible sources and contacts.

Recommended Journalist Jobs

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How to get Journalist Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Journalist job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Journalist application. If you have not held a Journalist position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Journalist role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Journalist CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Journalist application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Journalist in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Journalist 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Journalist and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Journalist experience.

How to get Journalist Experience

What does it take to be a Journalist? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Journalist jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Journalist through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Journalist Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Journalist part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Journalist or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Journalist freelance work

If you have impressive Journalist qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.