Newspaper Journalist Resume Guide

Introduction

Writing a resume for a newspaper journalist transitioning back into the manufacturing sector in 2025 requires a clear focus on relevant skills and experience. An ATS-friendly approach ensures that your application passes automated screening tools, highlighting your suitability for the role. This guide offers practical advice on creating a compelling resume that aligns with industry expectations and ATS requirements.

Who Is This For?

This guide is designed for experienced journalists returning to work in the manufacturing industry, whether after a career break, parental leave, or career shift. It’s suitable for professionals in any region, aiming to highlight transferable skills and relevant industry knowledge. If you have a background in journalism with some familiarity in manufacturing or are transitioning from related fields, this guide will help craft a resume that emphasizes your strengths and aligns with employer keywords.

Resume Format for Newspaper Journalist (2025)

Use a clean, straightforward format with clearly labeled sections. Start with a professional summary that encapsulates your journalism experience and interest in manufacturing. Follow with a dedicated skills section, then your work history, projects or portfolio (if applicable), education, and certifications. For most returning professionals, a two-page resume is acceptable if you have extensive experience or relevant projects. Otherwise, keep it to one page, especially if your manufacturing experience is limited. Including a portfolio or links to published work related to manufacturing can be advantageous.

Role-Specific Skills & Keywords

• Investigative reporting and research skills
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and industry standards
• Strong writing and editing abilities
• Familiarity with manufacturing safety regulations and compliance
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Use of journalism tools (e.g., AP Style, CMS platforms)
• Ability to interview industry experts and stakeholders
• Digital content creation and multimedia storytelling
• Familiarity with manufacturing technologies (e.g., automation, IoT)
• SEO knowledge for online publishing
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills
• Time management and deadline adherence
• Social media engagement and content promotion
• Collaboration with technical teams and editors

Ensure these keywords appear naturally throughout your resume, especially in your skills and experience sections, to improve ATS recognition.

Experience Bullets That Stand Out

• Researched and authored over 50 articles on manufacturing innovations, increasing readership engagement by ~20%.
• Conducted interviews with industry leaders to produce in-depth reports on manufacturing trends and safety protocols.
• Edited and proofed content for accuracy and clarity, reducing rework by ~15%.
• Managed social media channels, boosting online visibility of manufacturing coverage by ~30%.
• Collaborated with technical teams to develop multimedia content, enhancing storytelling impact.
• Monitored industry regulations to ensure compliance in published articles, reducing inaccuracies.
• Developed a weekly newsletter featuring manufacturing news, growing subscriber base by ~25%.

Tailor these examples with your actual experiences, emphasizing metrics and achievements relevant to manufacturing coverage.

Related Resume Guides

• Journalist Newspaper Resume Guide
• Journalist Broadcasting Resume Guide
• Broadcast Journalist Resume Guide
• Journalist Magazine Resume Guide
• Magazine Journalist Resume Guide

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Vague summaries: Instead, craft specific professional summaries highlighting your journalism background and manufacturing interest.
• Overloading with generic skills: Focus on industry-specific skills like manufacturing reporting, safety standards, and technical knowledge.
• Ignoring keywords: Use relevant manufacturing and journalism keywords throughout your resume, especially in skills and experience.
• Dense paragraphs: Break content into concise bullet points for easy ATS scanning and recruiter readability.
• Decorative formatting: Stick to simple fonts, clear headings, and avoid tables or text boxes that ATS may misinterpret.

ATS Tips You Shouldn't Skip

• Save your resume as a Word document (.docx) or PDF, based on the employer’s preference.
• Name your file with your full name and role, e.g., “Jane_Doe_Newspaper_Journalist.pdf.”
• Use clear section headings matching standard labels: Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications.
• Incorporate synonyms and related keywords to cover variations (e.g., “manufacturing reporting,” “industrial journalism”).
• Maintain consistent tense—past tense for previous roles, present tense for current skills.
• Avoid using complex tables, graphics, or excessive formatting that can confuse ATS parsers.
• Keep spacing consistent and use simple bullet points for clarity.

Following these tips will help your resume navigate ATS filters effectively and showcase your qualifications for journalism roles in the manufacturing sector in 2025.