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How to Write a Job Application Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is essential when applying for jobs. This is the perfect way to express how your specific skills are relevant to the open position. Wow your future employer with this simple cover letter example format.

Write a First Draft

Writing a first draft makes your letter concise and professional, states The Balance Careers. Organize your thoughts by making a list of what you’re trying to convey. Make sure you prioritize certain aspects like your previous job experience and why you would be a good fit for the position. Clearly state what position you’re interested in and why. Think about why you’re applying and what caught your eye about this specific position. Your cover letter will be easier to write after your thoughts are collected and organized.

Customize Your Salutation

When writing a salutation, make sure you know who you are writing to. Is this person the owner of the company or a Human Resources administrator? If you’re not sure, research the company to find out. Addressing your cover letter to a specific person shows initiative and attention to detail. After your salutation, start your letter with a short introduction of yourself. This gives future employers insight into who you are and the purpose of your cover letter.

Write Intentionally

Your cover letter should be no more than one page, so keep your points brief. Clearly state what position you are interested in and why. Explain why you are a good fit for the company because of your past job experience. If you have no similar job experience, let the employer know why you are changing career paths. Expand on your skills and give specific examples of how that skill set helped you at your last position. Name projects you’ve worked on and show results.

Close Your Letter

End your cover letter with a brief sentence and sign off. Thank the employer for their time and express your interest towards the job again. Let them know you’ll follow up with them if you do not hear back within a week and leave your contact information. Sign off with a professional farewell and leave room for a signature if sending a hard copy.

Edit and Proofread

As you finish writing your cover letter, make sure you take time to edit and proofread your document. Make sure it’s structured in a professional format with the company’s information, the salutation and introduction, the body of the letter, a brief closing sentence and farewell. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes to ensure a formal result. Make sure all names are spelled correctly, as well.

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journalism cover letter

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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/

journalism cover letter

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

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.

journalism cover letter

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

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:

*Or team name  (updated 1/18/2022).

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

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Journalism Cover Letter Example & Guide [10+ Tips]

Journalism Cover Letter Example & Guide [10+ Tips]

You’re a writing pro—after all, you make a living making words look good on paper. Suffering from writer’s block when it comes to your cover letter? Let me help.

Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW

As seen in:

In the era of #fakenews , unsupported claims all over media outlets, and cheap infotainment, it’s your role as a journalist to help people make sense of the world.

It’s no small task, but a noble one. You truly are on a mission.

But what’s the first step? 

Landing that journalist job.

And it’s not easy. The field is shrinking so the competition is tougher than ever.

To get your big career break, you’ll need a perfect journalism cover letter. And you’ve come to the right place to learn how to write one.

This guide will show you a great journalism cover letter example. Plus, the best tips on how to write a professional journalist cover letter step by step.

Want to write your journalism cover letter fast to make your job search so much easier? Can’t be bothered with formatting a cover letter in Word?

Use our cover letter builder. Choose from  20+ professional cover letter templates  that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Create your cover letter now

journalism resume and cover letter set

Journalism Cover Letter for a Resume— See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here .

Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW

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How to Email a Cover Letter: Samples, Format & Subject Line

How to Email a Cover Letter: Samples, Format & Subject Line

Applying for a job via email? You need a perfect email cover letter (No, copy-pasting your regular cover letter will NOT do.) Check out this guide to see an email cover letter sample that gets jobs. Plus, you’ll get an email cover letter template you can adjust and use, tons of expert advice, and actionable cover letter tips.

General Cover Letter That Isn't Generic (Sample for Any Job)

General Cover Letter That Isn't Generic (Sample for Any Job)

How to write a general cover letter? Copy our sample generic cover letter template, adjust and use it to land an interview. Read more!

Resumes and Cover Letters

First impressions count so make sure you get your resume and cover letter right. Some tips:

General Guidelines for Resumes:

General Guidelines for Cover Letters:

How to Land an Entry-Level Journalism Job

Finding a job opening in the Entertainment and Media industry isn’t tough, but getting hired is a much bigger challenge. You need to demonstrate the skills and experience that hiring managers are looking for, and that’s why you need a well-written Entry Level Journalism cover letter.

The following Entry Level Journalism cover letter template offers step-by-step guidance to writing a cover letter that will move your application to the top of the pile! Create Cover Letter

Christopher Anderson

123 Main Street, Stateland, ST, 99999

(555) 123-9876

[email protected]career.com

RE: Show Production Assistant

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in your posting for a show production assistant position. I am a recent graduate in political science and communications from UCLA. This degree, combined with the extensive supplementary journalism and media courses I’ve taken in the US and the UK make me an excellent candidate. In addition, my three years of experience in television production, public relations, and media make me a great match for this position and a great fit with NBC.

My career is highlighted by consistent success in both television production, broadcast, and mass media. I am dedicated to continuous learning and delivering projects no matter the task. Recently, my position as a journalist at Channel 7 Brisbane has provided me with skills to handle the pressures on live reporting and breaking news production. Further, working as a production intern and online editor at CBS Television has given me invaluable lessons and enabled me to interface comfortably with senior stakeholders of all levels.

Noteworthy achievements include:

I am certain that my resume will provide you a greater understanding of my qualifications for this exciting opportunity. I would welcome the chance for an interview to discuss the value I offer your company at your earliest convenience.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with and learn from you and your talented team. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing an Entry-level Journalism Cover Letter

Why write a cover letter for an entry-level journalism job.

Research shows that 45 percent of jobseekers skip writing cover letters altogether. So, by taking the time to craft a well-written cover letter, you have a leg up on a big chunk of the competition.

Why? Especially in entry-level roles where many candidates have similar qualifications, recruiters use cover letters to distinguish between comparable candidates. If you skip writing a cover letter, you could be surpassed by a candidate who did.

Though jobseekers who are new to the workforce often wonder why they have to write a cover letter, it’s not a good idea to avoid the task. If you do, you’ll miss out on a great opportunity to shine.

Do cover letter have to be one page?

As a rule, cover letters should always be a single page or less. Since a cover letter should detail a few of your transferrable skills and past achievements, you should easily be able to accomplish that in a single page.

Think of your cover letter as a magnifying glass. You want to choose a few items from your resume and go into more detail about them. Remember, a cover letter should highlight ¬– not repeat – elements of your resume.

Create Cover Letter

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journalism cover letter

Journalism Cover Letter Example

Journalism Cover Letter Example

They say a journalist is a machine that converts coffee into copy. The hours are long, the pay is low, but the satisfaction is eternal. Notice that the Justice Department didn’t bring down Richard Nixon — the Washington Post did. 

Journalists write the first draft of history. They keep us informed, entertained and outraged. They are educated, intelligent, witty and nosy — they’re in the business of asking questions that are none of their business. They have long memories, short fuses, and a low tolerance for lies.

Journalism has undergone changes like few other professions, from the ink-stained wretches of the 19th century to the radio reporters of World War II to the network stars of CNN to the self-appointed blogger outing bad behavior on his block in the 2020s.

The advent of the internet sent print journalism into a tailspin not long after the year 2000. In the two decades since then, newspapers have seen massive layoffs, huge cutbacks and dizzying consolidations, and some have closed forever as the masses turned to online news sources. Broadcast news remains viable, but the days when you had to wait until 6 p.m. to find out what was going on in the world are forever gone.

Journalism in the 21st century is more democratic than ever — anyone can become a journalist, depending on how you define the word. Yet “old-school” journalists interested in the time-honored tradition of cultivating sources, reporting stories, pursuing investigations, and publishing or broadcasting the news should take heart from the fact that there are more venues, channels and platforms available to them than ever before. 

Did you ever see a news website that had no use for writers , editors, photographers, videographers, designers or artists? That website would be a totally blank page. The delivery vehicles have changed, but the need for content creators is greater than ever.

Which brings us to our current topic — how to get a job in journalism. In the old days, you might get your start by being a “copy boy.” Nowadays, you’re going to need a resume and a cover letter. 

You’ve come to the right place. Resume.io is a leading global provider of cover letter templates, online tools, as well as professional, occupation-specific cover letter examples to prepare them. And yes, many of our writers are (or used to be) stone-cold journalists.

For guidance on how to prepare your resume, consult our all-purpose guide on “How to write a resume.” But you’re going to need a proper journalism cover letter to go with it, and that’s what this article is about. The journalism cover letter example at the top provides a useful model.

What we’ll address here:

Why a journalist needs a cover letter

Common mistakes to avoid

Let’s fire up the coffee pot and get started.

Most good journalists are good writers, even if they work as photographers, artists, designers or online producers. It’s rare to excel at anything in journalism without being a good writer, and we’re going to assume that’s what you are.

So you need to showcase your writing skills — and when applying for a job, there’s no better way to do that than in a cover letter. 

To be brutal, it would be insane to apply for a journalism job without a cover letter. It would be like entering a cake-baking competition without a cake. 

For a journalist, a cover letter literally demonstrates your skills at doing your job — being personable, making connections, telling stories, drawing conclusions, changing minds. It’s like a mathematician being asked to write an equation, or a chef to prepare a dish — it’s precisely what you do best. 

Even if you want to be a dog groomer, you need a cover letter — you can’t just demonstrate your skills by sending the employer a dog you groomed. But in journalism, you can and you must demonstrate your skills by sending a well-written, well-argued, well-designed cover letter proving from the get-go that you’re good at what you do. 

A recent survey of hiring managers found that one of the top reasons job applicants were ignored — in all fields — was their failure to include a cover letter. It’s an expected part of any job application, and if you don’t include one, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

Best format for a journalism cover letter

If you’re a print reporter, you know the importance of structure — the lede, the nut graf, the body, the kicker. They say news stories are made up of notes, quotes and anecdotes, but they’re organized according to a coherent structure. 

Good journalism cover letters don’t happen by accident — they are deliberately structured to deliver the desired results. Follow this cover letter structure to make sure your story doesn’t lose its way:

Cover letter header

Cover letter greeting.

This cover letter example for a journalism application will give you a starting point for your own letter:

Dear Mr. Hatherley,

Receiving my Story of the Year award from Dawson Heckham at the Sports News Awards made me understand just how much impact our words have on the soccer industry and its fan base. People love discussing sports, but they equally love reading an opinion and thinking through how their thoughts might differ.

Sports journalists help fans to relive those moments of magic through the medium of words, and with an average of 47.5m annual views of my articles, I hope that my six years at Soccer Media made an impact. A Senior Reporter position at a national publication would allow me to bring my unprecedented player and coach insights to a wider audience.

As a former academy soccer player and top college draft pick (while studying for a journalism degree), many of the biggest players have been my peers. My close relationships give me access to the stories behind what happens on the pitch. Anyone can understand that a goal is scored, but I explore the emotions behind the goals. I have broken some of the biggest soccer stories from the past years:

Prior to my journalism career, I worked for a leading MLS club as an assistant in their PR department for two years, running their blog as well as coordinating their press relations. I was one of the first in the industry to cultivate a successful social media presence.

I enclose a portfolio of my most popular articles for your interest and would welcome the opportunity to share my passion for the sport of soccer.

Travis Jenner

The top of your page must contain a header with your name, profession, address, phone and email. Omitting this info would be like printing a blank business card — nobody is ever going to know who you are, what you do or how to reach you.

Journalists understand the importance of good design, and that’s the second function of the header. When done right, it’s an attractive design element that makes the letter look good at a glance, before anyone has read the first word. This might mean a splash of color and/or creative use of typography, layout and white space. It should give the page an eye-pleasing look at arm’s length, prompting the reader to want to look closer.

Take a look at some of the free cover letter templates at resume.io to get an idea of what well-designed headers look like. Download one of these, enter your personal info, and you can save yourself a lot of trouble trying to design your own header.

Give your resume and cover letter a matching look

Your resume and cover letter should use the same fonts and formatting styles, and colors if any, so that’s it’s obvious they were designed by the same person and were meant to go together. 

This gives you a “visual brand” and shows that you pay attention to detail, you understand the importance of coherent design, and you aren’t just randomly experimenting with new fonts and styles. It also makes the hiring manager associate a certain visual style with your name.

“Dear John” is perhaps the most famous letter greeting ever, suggesting an imminent breakup, but yours can open the way to happier endings. “Dear Mr. X:” or “Dear Ms. Z:” are the traditional ways to open any business correspondence, including a journalism cover letter, and you should generally follow this format unless you have a good reason not to.

One thing is for sure: If your cover letter starts off with “Dear New York Times,” you are doomed. Whether you’re a film reviewer, an Africa correspondent or a digital graphics guru, you’re dead in the water if you haven’t even bothered to figure out which department to address your letter to, let alone who heads it. 

Do everything in your power to find out who makes the hiring decisions for the job you want, and address your letter to that person. If no names are listed in the job post you’re responding to, use your superpowers as a journalist to find out. If web sleuthing fails, try the old-fashioned telephone — just call and ask.

Cover letter introduction

It’s time to write your lede, which is the most important part of any story because it comes first. Every day, millions of people scan news stories in print and online deciding whether to read them by glancing only at the first paragraph. If it grabs them, you’re in; if it doesn’t, they’ll move on.

You may need to devote more effort to your first paragraph than to the rest of the letter combined. Every good story needs a strong beginning, middle and end. If you’re only good at the middle and the end, you’re in trouble, because nobody will get past the beginning.

Do not open by saying “I’m writing this letter…” — the reader already knows you’re writing this letter. Do not say, “Please consider this letter my application for…” — just start writing the letter. Use active, provocative, interesting language that makes the reader want to keep reading. 

Here’s an example of a journalist cover letter intro that really grabs attention:

Cover letter body

The best anecdotal lede fizzles out if you don’t get to the meat of the story soon. Some editors insist on a “nut graf,” one paragraph that describes the story in a nutshell, before it jumps to an inside page. 

The same is true of a journalism cover letter — once you’ve hooked the reader, you need to get down to business pretty fast. Think of USA Today, where most stories that begin on the front page have to end there too. 

In most cases, a cover letter should be a maximum of 400 words, contained to one page, and that requires extreme brevity. 

In the body of your letter, the central two or three paragraphs, you must present the “nutshell” of your case — why your experience, skills and passions make you the ideal candidate for this job. 

Experience is always key, so you must describe what you have done in this field to prove your chops. Don’t just describe where you worked or for how long, but tell stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Be specific, using facts and figures wherever possible.

Sports journalists help fans to relive those moments of magic through the medium of words, and with an average of 47.5m annual views of my articles, I hope that my six years at Soccer Media made an impact. A Senior Reporter position at a national publication would allow me to bring my unprecedented player and coach insights to a wider audience. 

Cover letter conclusion

You want to end with a bang, not a whimper. You might offer a brief recap of what you’ve already said, and you might thank the reader for his or her time, but you must propose some kind of call to action. This can be as simple as saying that you’re looking forward to a response, or that you would be delighted to talk further about the skills you could bring to the table for the employer you’re targeting. 

End on a confident (but not arrogant) note, looking forward to continuing the conversation you’ve started. 

Cover letter sign-off

Close with a simple “Sincerely,” “All my best,” “Best regards,” or whatever sounds right, and then type your full name below that.

To see all of these structural elements in an actual one-page letter, take a look at the journalism cover letter sample above.

Cover letter for a journalist with no experience

A cover letter for a journalist with no experience requires a slightly different approach. It’s a tougher sell, but everyone has to start somewhere. If nobody could ever get a job without experience, then nobody on earth would have a job. 

To write a cover letter if you’re a journalist with no experience, emphasize any credentials you have that are relevant. Include links to stories/photos/artwork you’ve produced, even if you were unpaid. Accentuate your successes, no matter how modest. Focus on your education more than your experience. Talk about your passion for journalism, even if your credentials are slim, and sell yourself with your writing skills.

If you’re still in school, or you’re looking to change careers to go into journalism, simply say so. Remember that once upon a time, the editor you’re writing to had no experience either.

How to write a persuasive journalism cover letter

No journalist succeeds by writing something that nobody wants to read, and the same is true of writing a cover letter for journalism. You have to find your target audience, and in this case your target is a hiring manager looking to hire a reliable professional.

So you have to try to get inside this person’s head a bit. What are editors looking for? They’re looking for professional, competent journalists who can consistently deliver newsworthy stories. They’re not looking for self-important prima donnas who think they’re God’s gift to journalism. You need the editor to like you and to want to work with you. Nobody wants to hire somebody they don’t like.

So, not unlike a reporter working your sources, you need to try to fit in, to walk and talk like the people you’re trying to influence. You need to use a little psychology to “read the mind” of the people whose help you need, and to demonstrate that you belong in their world. A cops reporter we know once agreed to be tased in the middle of a police station, on video, with all the cops gleefully watching, and he was their hero from that day forward. 

Always remember that in a cover letter for journalism, you’re not trying to explain to anyone what you need or what you want. You’re trying to convince editors that they need you (or at least that they would benefit greatly from you on their team). 

If you look at the journalism cover letter sample above, you’ll see that the author is neither demanding a job nor begging for one, but demonstrating that he offers value to the news organization he seeks to represent. 

According to the great newsman Joseph Pulitzer, the three biggest imperatives in journalism are “accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!” Here are some mistakes you can’t afford to make:

Key takeaways

You can avoid a multitude of errors by starting with a cover letter sample from resume.io, using a pre-formatted, pre-designed template where the structure and design are already done. All that’s left for you to do is to write the letter.

Here are other creative cover letters to inspire you:

Free professionally designed templates

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School of Liberal Arts

Department of journalism and public relations.

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Cover letters

A cover letter is a professional document that tells your interest in a particular position, highlights your qualifications and introduces your resumé. It should accompany your resumé whenever you are submitting your application materials to an employer, whether by regular mail or e-mail. Your cover letter is just as important as your resumé. It also is a sample of your writing.

Your cover letter should be:

Also, don’t forget to:

Outline of a Cover Letter

Your address City, state, zip Date

Name of contact person Title Organization Street address City, state, zip

Dear (contact person),

Opening Paragraph: Why writing? Capture interest!

Body Paragraph: Critical content section. Convince the reader of your skills.

Closing Paragraph: Ask for interview and identify next step!

Sincerely, (Respectfully, etc.)

(sign your name) Your name typed

Enclosures: resumé (work samples, transcript?)

Journalism and public relations students pose in front of Cavanaugh Hall

Featured Story

Media matters blog.

Journalist Cover Letter Examples

Journalists write news stories for various media such as newspapers, magazines, journals, radio, and television. Typical tasks these employees complete include: reading press releases, performing research, interviewing people, taking part in events, verifying facts, writing and editing, and attending press conferences. In order to provide audiences with captivating news, Journalists need to establish and maintain a network of contacts. Another vital aspect for this job is being aware of privacy regulations and defamation law.

Need a cover letter format? Here are 3 types of cover letter formats to choose from.

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For help with your resume, check out our extensive Journalist Resumes .

A good cover letter can make you stand out from the rest. Learn how to create one in our Cover Letter guide .

Include These Journalist Skills

Beneath is visible an example cover letter for Journalist highlighting similar skills.

Dear Mr. Holland:

Upon review of your posting for a Journalist, I felt compelled to submit my resume for your review. As a dedicated professional with more than nine years of experience covering news and current events, I am confident that I could outperform your expectations for this role.

My background lies in researching and pursuing stories, writing copy, unfailingly meeting all deadlines, and producing energizing content that can induce audience attention and invigorate participation and interest in current affairs. From conducting interviews and taking meticulous notes to performing deep research and developing an extensive contact base, I excel at facilitating comprehensive and engaging information delivery.

Consider the following highlights of my qualifications:

Strategizing and writing effective, stimulating copy for radio, print, online, and television while fact-checking all sources and evaluating audience feedback to ensure optimal listener / viewer experiences.

Maintaining a first-rate level of knowledge and expertise in news topics, current events, and cultural / global affairs.

Traveling on assignment to both domestic and international locations and performing interviews with individuals from a wide array of cultures and backgrounds to develop and propel story ideas.

Excelling in fact-paced, deadline-driven, and independent environments.

With my proven experience in spearheading the composition and delivery of news and information—along with my tireless devotion to encouraging public involvement in cultural and political issues—I am positioned to significantly contribute to your organization. I look forward to discussing the position and my qualifications further.

Thank you for your consideration.

Robert M. Henderson

A professional cover letter is the first step toward your new job!

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Journalism Cover Letter: Examples & Templates to Use in 2023

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

Journalism Cover Letter Examples

Example #1: experienced journalism cover letter sample, example #1: experienced journalism cover letter sample—text version, example #2: journalism internship cover letter, example #2: journalism internship cover letter—text version, how to write a journalism cover letter, 1. square up the cover letter format, 2. make your journalism cover letter header match your resume , journalist cover letter sample header , 3. introduce yourself by identifying the position you’re applying for, journalism cover letter: introduction, 4. editorialize your second paragraph, journalist cover letter sample: second paragraph, 5. show them the passion, journalism cover letter sample: third paragraph, 6. leave a call to action and sign off, journalist cover letter sample: sign off & call to action, was it interesting here are similar articles.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job [2023 Guide]

General Cover Letter That’s Not Generic: Free Samples (2023)

General Cover Letter That’s Not Generic: Free Samples (2023)

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Free Journalism Cover Letter Sample

In the digital age, journalism has become highly competitive with many full-time and paid roles becoming harder and harder to get. Modern journalists need to have skills in a multiple of different disciplines and a new range of skills. With such high competition your journalism cover letter needs to stand out from the crowd. The below journalism cover letter example will guide you through the elements you need to include in your own journalism cover letter .

Free Journalism Cover Letter Template

journalism cover letter

This is a free cover letter template for journalism. Free Download and customize it according to the sample text below.

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Journalism cover letter sample (text).

Giles Matherson Address: xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx Tel: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Email: xxxxxxxx Linkedin: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Marcus,

I am writing to apply for the position of Junior Reporter at your newspaper and website and I am certain that I have the right qualifications and skills to fit the role perfectly.

I recently graduated from MidWestern Journalism School with a BA Honors degree in Journalism, obtaining a First Class grading. During my time at university I was a reporter and then Editor of the campus newspaper, and undertook freelance writing assignments for the MidWestern Herald, Buzzfeed and Politico.

It is safe to say that as well as gaining my formal qualifications I have been proactive in creating an active portfolio of journalism work with news outlets. During my time as Editor of the campus newspaper we have increased interaction with the student body and broken a sexual assault story that made national headlines with the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post amongst others. Off the back of this story I have just completed an internship with the Washington Post.

A position at the Post would be fantastic but your publication fits in with my personal and career goals much more effectively.

The standard of your reporting has always impressed me, and your recent redesign has been a massive success. Yours is a journalistic culture that would relish the chance to be a part of. I feel I can bring much to the team as well as learn a lot about journalistic craft from your excellent team.

I would really like the chance to discuss my skills and the job role with you further, and I am available to talk through this at any time.

Thanks for your time,

Kind regards, Giles Matherson

Tips for Writing a Journalism Cover Letter

There are many different journalism cover letter examples available online, but the above journalism cover letter sample is a very good starting point for writing your own letter. The field of journalism is one of the most competitive to get into and so journalism cover letters need to impress more than letters for other careers.

The below tips and advice will take you through what you need to write your cover letter journalism.

How to Edit Journalism Cover Letter Template

To make your cover letter more attractive, you can try to send it as PDF format. The PDF cover letter template in this page will help you. Edit and customize the template, and you will get your own PDF cover letter easily. To realize this, you need a professional PDF editor: Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor . It can help you edit any elements in the template.

cover letter journalism

Step 1. Open the Journalism Cover Letter Template

journalism cover letter examples

Step 2. Click on "Edit" and Enter Your Text as You Like

journalism cover letter example

Step 3. Complete and Save Your Journalism Cover Letter

journalism cover letter

Posted by Elise Williams to Updated: 2022-09-06 10:05:16

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Journalism Cover Letter Examples

How to write a cover letter for a journalist job, journalism cover letter template.

As a journalist, you will be responsible for investigating, collecting, and presenting information as a news story which can be delivered through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, or the internet. Based on such news, citizens are able to make the best possible decisions about all aspects of their lives like business, healthcare, politics, etc.

As a thrilling yet competitive job prospect, journalism takes more than just a huge passion for writing to get into. One of the basic requirements is crafting a strong journalist cover letter that helps pitch yourself effectively to employers. From a journalism internship cover letter to a reporter cover letter, we will have them all covered with an ultimate guide, winning tips, and excellent samples. 

Having a well-written cover letter and resume might be one of the most challenging parts when applying for a job. Let’s start off with 2 cover letter samples for journalism jobs as shown below:

✉️ Journalism internship cover letter sample

Gracie Lee Garnette  [email protected] (+0936)-xxx-xxx

August 06, 2022

Evan Huang Editor-in-chief  Times Magazine 603 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78721  [email protected]

Dear Mr. Huang,

My name is Gracie, a final-year student at the University of Arizona School of Journalism majoring in Photojournalism. When Professor Keith Smiths told me about the opening for Publications Intern at the Times Magazine and suggested I should apply, I knew this was an opportunity where my writing can make a valuable contribution.  

While still in high school, I was elected the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper which covered a variety of topics such as sports, movie reviews, career counseling, and human interest stories. Back then, my major responsibilities included overseeing the production of articles for publications and developing content strategies.

My passion for journalism is not limited to writing, but I also have a keen interest in photography and research. That motivated me to pursue a bachelor's degree in Photojournalism. During 3 years at the University of Arizona School of Journalism, I’ve produced 400+ articles for both school activities and my personal projects. Moreover, I’ve conducted nearly 30 interviews, which were published on the school's Facebook page.

I am an open-minded, fast learner with a willingness to take on new challenges. Being a Publications Intern at the Times Magazine will allow me to gain plenty of professional experience and, at the same time, bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to your company.

Please find enclosed my resume, writing samples, and references. I would enjoy an opportunity  to learn more about the internship program and further discuss how I can contribute to the team with you. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Gracie Lee Garnette

✉️ Cover letter for news reporters

Ryan Leone (+190)-390-xxxx  [email protected]

August 13, 2022

Jessica Pullman Hiring Manager Channel4U 3901 Oak Run Ln, Mansfield, TX 76063

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the position of News Reporter at Channel4U. Having 4 years of experience working for local media outlets, I fully understand the reporter's duties and responsibilities. I also feel that my interests and skills closely align with what Channel 4U is doing. 

I graduated in Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia at the University of North Carolina in 2015, but started my full-time career in 2016 after completing a six-month internship at Garnett. The news reporting internship allowed me to gain plenty of experience in local news, breaking news, and digital optimization - not to mention, strong research and storytelling skills.

After the internship, I worked as a Breaking News Reporter at HuffPost, a subsidiary of BuzzFeed, Inc., for 4 years. My responsibilities primarily included: 

Here are links to my most-viewed news stories that you might find interesting:

I have attached my resume with detailed work history and portfolio for your further review. Please let me know if you have any questions. I would love to schedule a meeting to discuss how my expertise can help Channel4U make a lasting impact, both locally and nationally.

Best regards, Ryan Leone

💡 Choose the standard cover letter format.

Keep in mind that you’re writing a business letter. Hence, make sure your journalism cover letter is well-formatted and includes the following elements: 

✨ Reminder: To gain a better understanding of a journalism cover letter, please refer to the graphic at the top of the page. 

💡 Tailor your journalist cover letter to the role.

Since each job within the journalism sector asks for different requirements, make sure both your resume and cover letter are customized accordingly. 

Let's say, when writing a journalism cover letter with no experience, you should place an emphasis on your educational background and relevant skills. On the other hand, it's important to underline relevant experience and accomplishments if you’ve stayed in the field for a while. 

Likewise, the skills included in a reporter cover letter will be not the same as a journalist cover letter. The hiring manager can thus see your relevance to the role and be more likely to offer you the interview opportunity.

💡 Highlight relevant skills or experience.

Perhaps you have already mentioned essential journalist skills in your resume. However, a cover letter will allow you to be more specific about these, particularly how you've developed these skills and how they have been or will be applied at work. 

10 key skills you can highlight in your cover letter for a journalism job: 

Example of presenting skills in a cover letter for news reporters :

“During my 6 years at X Channel, I also worked closely with the production team to explore a wide variety of innovative story ideas and topics. Besides strong team collaboration skills, I've also received commendations for demonstrating exceptional storytelling skills, meeting every deadline, and paying attention to the smallest details.”

💡 Keep it concise.

As a general rule of thumb, a journalism cover letter should range between 170-300 words. Making it too short may lead the hiring manager to think that you didn't put much effort into the job application, or that you don't have lots of things to show. A letter exceeding 400 words, on the other hand, can be deemed too lengthy or likely to rehash your journalist resume.

💡 Proofread and ask for feedback.  

You've made great efforts to showcase your excellent writing skills throughout your  journalist cover letter and resume. If so, don't make them land in the trash due to grammatical errors or typos. 

You can use online grammar and spell checkers like LanguageTool , GrammarCheck , Grammarly , etc. to make sure they are error-free and good to go. Besides that, it's highly recommended you have your Professor or former colleague/employer proofread your cover letter and give you some useful feedback. 

Feel free to use the ready-to-use template below if you’re preparing your journalist cover letter.

[Your Full Name]  [Your Address]  [Your Email Address]  [Your Phone Number]

[ Date Written ]

[Recipient’s Name]  [Recipient’s Job Title]  [Company Name]  [Company Address]

Dear Hiring Manager/Mr.Mrs [ Last Name ] , 

In response to your job ad on [ Job Site ] , I am very interested in the [ Job Role ] position at [ Company Name ] , and believe that my previous work experience, educational background, and developed skillset will allow me to contribute to the ongoing success at your organization.

I graduated from [ Your college ] with a major in [ Your Major ] and started my journalism career after that. During [ Number ] of years as a [ Former Job ] , my major duties and responsibilities include:

During my tenure in this position, I’ve thoroughly honed my journalism, researching, and reporting skills, as well as succeeded in meeting all deadlines. Besides that, I consider myself as a [ Personal Trait ] journalist with [ Soft Skill 1 ] and [ Soft Skill 2 ] . 

I am now looking to [Career Goals] which closely align with [ Company Name ] ’s vision and core values. Please kindly find attached my resume and portfolio with a sample of my articles. I look forward to speaking with you more about my qualifications and how I can add value to the organization. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely,  [Your Name]

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