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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. You’ll need a perfect journalism cover letter to get your big career break. 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.
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.
We’ll lead with this sample you can use as a point of reference.
Journalism Cover Letter Example
Anne Jones
Business Writer, Journalist
512-215-8219
anne.jones@me.com
linkedin.com/in/annejones9
@AnneFJones
Anytown, June 29, 2015
Mr. Paul Hunter
Editor-in-chief
XYZ Magazine, 3025 Sunset Blvd., Suite 99
New York City, NY 10723
Dear Paul:
I have been a long-term follower of your reporting and an admirer of the XYZ Magazine’s editorial excellence. When John Smith told me about the opening for Senior Reporter, Business & Tech, at The XYZ Magazine and suggested I apply, I knew this was an opportunity where my writing can make a valuable contribution.
Having 6 years of corporate PR experience in the private sector with ABC, as well as 4 years of experience as a Business Writer for Forbes and FastCompany, I am sure I can provide your readers with exclusive insights and cover stories that will amplify the impact of your publishing.
Here are links to a few of my writing samples you might find interesting:
House of Lie$ / A Pattern of Neglect: part of the series of 8 articles on New Jersey’s dysfunctional real estate market; shortlisted for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting.
Facebook’s False Standards for Not Removing Multiple Deepfake Videos
Exploring the Oceans by Remote Control
I have attached my resume with detailed work history and portfolio.
I would love to schedule a call to discuss how my expertise can help the XYZ’s Business & Tech journalism make a lasting impact, both locally and nationally.
Sincerely,
Anne Jones
512-215-8219
anne.jones@me.com
That’s a brilliant cover letter for journalism (or any communications job for that matter).
But what truly makes a good journalist cover letter?
To find out, I asked Stephanie Vozza, a writer for FastCompany, Parade, Entrepreneur, and Inc., among other outlets.
Always make a warm connection if possible, especially if you can be referred by a mutual friend. If you don’t have that, simply introduce yourself and give a quick bio. Highlight your experience that would be most relevant to the outlet. Then, include three to five links to your samples. Close by asking to schedule a quick phone call and offer to send more information.
According to the BLS data, jobs in journalism and reporting are in serious decline (a drop of 9% is projected in the following 10 years). A recent Pew Research Center’s report indicates that the worst recession is going to hit newspaper newsroom employees. Does that mean your career is doomed? No! Consider joining a digital reporting team. Digital-native employment has doubled in the past 10 years and you can expect continuous growth.
Also, make sure to keep your journalist cover letter short. Anything from 180 and 250 words will do. Let your portfolio do the talking. Learn more here: Ideal Length for a Cover Letter
5. Explain why you want in
Make it clear that you’re not simply desperate to get hired. Make them feel special.
You can refer to some of their past articles you’ve found inspiring or make a connection on the grounds of shared values or professional beliefs.
You want them to know you’re likely to stay for quite some time and not jump ship whenever a new opportunity comes around.
6. End with an offer and include a call to action
It’s not about your personal benefit but about your employer’s gain.
Emphasize that your expertise can help them.
Ask for a meeting or a call to discuss what you can bring to the table.
Write your full name and include a copy of your handwritten signature right above it.
At the very bottom, you can retype your phone number and email address.
And there you have it. Everything it takes to produce a perfect cover letter for journalists.
But don’t forget that to have a shot at that dream job, you still need to write a perfect resume.
Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Choose a resume template and follow our step-by-step guidance to have a professional resume ready in minutes.
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don’t stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
