Creating your journalism CV can be a challenge. You’ll find that even small mistakes, inconsistencies, or vague phrasing can make a strong candidate appear less competent or detail-oriented, which is why reviewing your CV carefully is essential before submitting it for applications or opportunities.
Focusing on Activities Instead of Skills
One common mistake is listing the activities that you’ve done without explaining the skills you gained from them. Employers want to see the practical abilities you can bring to their company – such as research, fact-checking, or multimedia production, rather than just a boring list of tasks. You’ll make your CV more compelling if each activity demonstrates clear, tangible journalism experience.
Using Clichés and Unnecessary Words
Phrases like “hardworking,” “team player,” or “passionate about media” appear on almost every CV and add little value. It’ll read better if you replace these with more concrete examples. Avoid overloading your CV with unnecessary adjectives – employers are looking for evidence of performance, not too much self-promotion.
Treating Education as a Tickbox
Education should highlight achievements and relevance, not just dates and institutions. Mentioning journalism courses you’ve completed, such as at //newsassociates.co.uk/journalism-courses/ also adds context to your experience. Don’t rely on education alone – show how you applied these courses in projects or articles.
Overlooking Mistakes or Inconsistencies
Errors in spelling, grammar, or formatting can often undermine your credibility. You’ll want to proofread carefully and check for consistency in dates, job titles, and the way you list. Even minor typos on a journalism CV can signal a lack of attention to detail.