Resume Writing Tips for Senior Sub Editor & Reporter

Introduction

In the competitive world of journalism, a strong resume is more than a list of roles and duties—it is a narrative that highlights your expertise, influence, and the unique value you bring as a senior sub editor and reporter. Employers seek professionals who not only manage content with precision but also drive editorial strategy, mentor teams, and deliver impactful stories. This blog provides 10 detailed tips to help you articulate your professional journey effectively, optimize your resume for ATS, and stand out in the selection process.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary should act as a compelling elevator pitch. It must concisely highlight your editorial leadership, investigative reporting strengths, and your adaptability in fast-paced environments. Use this area to convey your professional identity uniquely and powerfully.

Example: "Dynamic Senior Sub Editor & Reporter with 8+ years of experience leading editorial teams, producing high-impact investigative stories, and optimizing content workflows that increased reader engagement by 30% year-over-year."

2. Key Skills

Demonstrate a robust skill set that covers both technical and soft skills relevant to your profession. This section is crucial for ATS scanning and should include industry-standard keywords.

• Editorial Management
• Investigative Journalism
• Content Strategy
• SEO for News Media
• Copyediting & Proofreading
• AP Style and Grammar
• Newsroom Leadership
• Multimedia Storytelling
• Fact-Checking & Verification
• Deadline Management
• Interviewing Techniques
• Social Media Management

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Focus on what you accomplished, not just what you were responsible for. Achievements show your impact and problem-solving abilities.

For instance, instead of “Managed a team of reporters,” write “Led a team of 10 reporters to produce award-winning coverage, increasing readership by 25% over two years.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each job by analyzing the job description in detail. Emphasize skills and experiences that align with the employer’s needs. Use keywords from the posting to get through ATS filters.

5. Tools

• Adobe InCopy
• AP Stylebook
• WordPress CMS
• Google Analytics
• Trello/Asana (Project Management)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Slack (Communication)
• Final Cut Pro / Adobe Premiere (Video editing)
• Hootsuite (Social Media Management)
• Factiva / LexisNexis (Research tools)

6. Metrics

• Increased article page views by 40% in six months by optimizing headlines and social media promotion.
• Reduced editorial errors by 30% through rigorous fact-checking protocols.
• Managed a team of 12 journalists producing 50+ daily stories meeting deadlines consistently.
• Boosted social media engagement by 60% within a year via targeted content strategies.
• Achieved a 20% growth in subscriber base by leading high-impact investigative journalism projects.

7. Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism – XYZ University, Year
• Certified Digital Marketing Professional – ABC Institute (Optional but valuable)

8. Format

• Use clean, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri, sized 10-12 points.
• Limit the resume to two pages, maintaining consistent margins and spacing for readability.

9. Concise

Keep your bullet points crisp and focused, avoiding unnecessary jargon. Each bullet should communicate value clearly and quickly to busy recruiters.

10. Bonus

• Include links to your published work, online portfolios, or LinkedIn profile to provide additional proof of your capabilities.
• Incorporate recommendations or short testimonials from editors or senior journalists if possible in your application.

Examples

• “Spearheaded a special investigative project on corporate fraud that resulted in a 15% increase in subscriber engagement and won two regional journalism awards.”
• “Optimized newsroom workflows by introducing collaborative tools, improving story turnaround time by 25% without compromising quality.”

Conclusion

For senior sub editors and reporters, your resume is your professional story. Highlighting your impact through tangible achievements, showcasing leadership abilities, and reflecting your analytical mindset can set you apart in a competitive job market. A carefully tailored, metrics-driven resume optimized for ATS will not only open doors but position you as a valuable candidate capable of driving editorial excellence and storytelling innovation.