Be sure you use the proper cover letter format to make your cover letter readable and professional.

Journalism cover letter template (text format)

Today’s Date

Abigail Crabbe
27 Brooms Road
Dumfries
DG1 2DZ
01387 254518
abigail.crabbe@gmail.com

Dear Ms Crabbe,

I was thrilled to see that GenNext is hiring for the position of In-House Journalist on Reed.co.uk. I’m a determined and creative journalist with 7+ years of experience in news reporting and features writing. Given my extensive experience covering finance and business topics, I’d be an ideal addition to your newsroom.

Your job description mentions you’re looking for someone with sound knowledge of the financial markets and corporate law. As a journalist for Global, I wrote and published 10+ monthly articles on digital innovation, economic development, and fiscal policy. My well-timed and analytical coverage of these areas stimulated a 20% rise in unique page views during the two years I was in this position.

Additionally, I have experience in layout design that will be invaluable to your quarterly print publication, GenExclusive. Through the managerial experience I accumulated in my previous role at ShoutVox, I’m also adept at collaborating with media partners and developing advertorials, two skills you’re looking for in your next hire.

As a driven journalist with a keen eye on the financial sector, I share GenNext’s passion for providing entrepreneurs with unique, analytical coverage of the latest developments in the UK economy.

I’m convinced that the breadth of my newsroom experience makes me an excellent candidate for this role. At your earliest convenience, I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I may benefit your team moving forward.

Yours sincerely,

James Higgins

How to write a journalism cover letter

Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a cover letter in a way that makes you seem like the best candidate for the job.

While exciting and immensely rewarding, journalism is highly competitive, especially for entry-level writers. So whether you’re pursuing a career as a broadcast journalist, newspaper reporter, or magazine writer, you need to know how to pitch your relevant experience to hiring editors.

1. Address your cover letter to a named person

How you address your cover letter matters, especially given the importance of networking in the journalism industry.

But ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ doesn’t build rapport.

Start your cover letter with a personalised, professional greeting:

Dear Mr Smith

Dear Ms Holston

Dear Jennifer Lomax

Addressing the employer by name gives a tailored touch to your letter and shows that you aren’t sending out identical cover letters to multiple employers.

Don’t have a name? Check the company’s ‘About us’ or ‘Careers’ pages. Often the names of the HR department heads will be listed. Alternatively, phone the company and ask who you should address your application too.

2. Explain why you want to work for the specific employer

In your cover letter opening, give context to your application by outlining your motivations for the specific job. Here are a few good reasons for wanting to apply for a journalist position:

  • Passion for a specific beat or subject matter
  • Shared values
  • Interest in a particular area of journalism
  • Eagerness to develop a relevant skill
  • Ability to solve a company problem (e.g., a skills gap)

If you’re not sure what kind of motivation statement will have the biggest impact on the employer, review the job description and employer’s ‘About us’ page. What values, challenges, or specific fields of journalism do they emphasise? By mentioning a topic that the employer cares about, your cover letter will be much more persuasive.

Example motivation statement in a journalist cover letter

As an environmental activist with a nose for news in the green energy sector, I share Planet’s drive to provide the public with the latest information on renewables, recycling, and relevant legislation.

3. Quantify your achievements

Data is a powerful tool for your journalism cover letter, especially if you don’t have a long work history. They can draw attention to your skills and achievements and away from your years of experience.

Some numbers you could include in a cover letter for a journalism role are:

  • how many articles you’ve written
  • the circulation of a publication you’ve written for
  • changes in new site metrics (e.g. unique page visits, bounce rate etc.)

Quantifying your achievements will make them stand out to the employer, but only include numbers highly relevant to the hiring company and position.

For example, you might discuss your success increasing unique page visits if the job requirements include SEO skills or proficiency in writing web content. You wouldn’t if the job ad is for a print publication.

You should also quantify your achievements when you make your CV as hard numbers will highlight your strengths and contributions for employers.

Seb Morgan
Written by

Seb Morgan

Seb Morgan is a Career Counsellor for CV Genius, where he helps job seekers and professionals get more out of their careers. With over 7 years of experience in business and lifestyle journalism, he's written for a stack of careers-focused publications, including Oxbridge Home Learning, Study International, theHRDirector, and Employee Benefit News, and his expertise includes skill development, interview preparation, and CV and cover letter writing. West Midlands born and raised, Seb has since lived, worked, and studied in 4 countries across 2 continents. He speaks 4 languages and has survived job interviews in 3 of them. He currently also freelances as a travel and culture writer. Reach him at [sebastian] @ [cvgenius.com] or via LinkedIn.