Reporter Resume Example and Template
A reporter's resume shows beat coverage, breaking news experience, and story impact. Include your primary beats, byline count, and any major exclusives or scoops.
News outlets hiring reporters prioritize speed, accuracy, and the ability to work under deadline pressure. Lead with your most impactful breaking story or exclusive.
A complete, realistic Reporter resume, laid out in an ATS-tested template. The candidate is illustrative: the name, employers and figures were written for this example and identify no real person, so you can copy its structure and wording freely.
Updated September 2026
Also searched as
General Assignment Reporter, Crime and Courts Reporter, General Assignment Intern
James Patterson: Reporter
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Summary
Fast-breaking news reporter with 5 years covering crime, transportation, and local government. Published 180+ bylined stories annually. Excels at breaking news and deadline work. Broken 2 major local stories resulting in public investigations. Strong interview skills and ability to synthesize complex information quickly.
Work Experience
General Assignment Reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan 2023 – Present. Major daily newspaper, 250,000 print circulation
- Cover crime, courts, and breaking news; published 140+ bylined stories in 18 months
- Broke story on transit authority procurement fraud, leading to federal investigation and 2 indictments
- Turned around breaking news stories within 2 hours of assignment; average story accuracy 99%
- Developed relationships with 50+ sources including law enforcement, prosecutors, and community leaders
Crime and Courts Reporter, Fulton County News
Feb 2021 – Dec 2022. Regional newspaper, 40,000 circulation
- Covered crime, courts, and local government; published 200+ stories over 22 months
- Developed crime reporter network; broke story on police misconduct involving city official that led to public inquiry
- Attended 60+ court proceedings and crime scene briefings; built expertise in criminal procedure and arrest procedures
- Participated in 3-reporter investigation on gang violence trends; series led to police chief public statement
General Assignment Intern, South Atlanta Chronicle
Jun 2020 – Jan 2021. Community weekly newspaper
- Researched story leads and attended 30+ city and county government meetings
- Wrote 8 published stories under reporter supervision; all copy edited with minimal revisions
- Learned news reporting fundamentals including interviews, fact-checking, and deadline management
- Covered local government and community events; published stories on neighborhood development and school board votes
Education
Georgia State University
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism. Sep 2016 – May 2020
Skills
Breaking news reporting, Crime and courts coverage, Investigative research, Source development and interviews, Deadline pressure management, AP style and news writing, Multi-source verification, Video and audio skills, Social media news distribution
Languages
English
Why this look works
Reporters should use a professional, straightforward template that gets out of the way. News outlets value substance over style. A clean, readable design shows you understand that the story matters more than the presentation.
Resume tips for this job
- Quantify your story output. Saying you published 140+ bylined stories is stronger than saying you worked as a general assignment reporter.
- Lead with breaking stories and scoops. The exclusives and investigations you've broken distinguish you from other reporters.
- Show your beat expertise. Specific beats like crime, transportation, education, or government make your skills concrete and marketable.
Common questions
How should I handle political coverage bias concerns?
Keep your resume factual and neutral. Report only on your coverage areas and story numbers, not on the political implications of what you've covered. Your reporting record speaks for itself.
Should I include clips in my resume?
No. Your resume should point to where clips live (your portfolio, news outlet archive, or personal website). Editors will ask for specific clips if interested. Focus your resume on coverage area, story volume, and major scoops.