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Journalist Cover Letter Template

Professional template and example for Australian job applications

Journalist Cover Letter Example

Dear Hiring Manager, I joined a morning news desk with a clear aim: to turn complex events into clear, accurate copy. In the last year at [Previous Company], I contributed to stories that ran across print and online, and I helped lift our proofreading and fact checking there by catching more errors before publication. That work kept us aligned with editorial standards and reduced corrections in the following day’s edition by a noticeable amount. My focus is on solid reporting, clear structure, and strong sourcing. I’m comfortable with interview techniques, assembling fact packs, and shaping quick-turn news as well as longer features. I understand the importance of legal and probity checks, and I regularly review copy for grammar and style before it goes out. I’m interested in how [Company Name] approaches stories, the editorial calendar, and how we connect with audiences across platforms. There’s a recent piece I worked on about a city council budget clash that required assessing multiple sources and verifying claims from public records. I coordinated with editors to decide what to publish that day, and helped refine the narrative so readers could follow the timeline of decisions. The story performed well online and significantly improved reader engagement on the topic over the week. I’m open to a chat about how I can contribute to the team at [Company Name]. I’m available for a discussion next week and can share a few concrete ideas on upcoming coverage and quick-turn reporting. Kind regards, [Your Name]

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What happens next: Our AI will match your skills to the job requirements, highlight relevant achievements, and create a compelling narrative that positions you as the ideal candidate.

Why This Journalist Cover Letter Works

Opening Paragraph

Hook with specific achievement + role alignment

Skills Match

Maps experience to job needs + company research

STAR Example

Situation-Task-Action-Result with numbers

Professional Close

Forward momentum + availability

Key Requirements for Journalist Roles

Essential Skills to Highlight

Make sure your cover letter demonstrates these key skills:

News ResearchReport WritingEditing News ReportsCommentaries WritingFeature WritingAdvertising CopywritingCopy Editing and ProofreadingGrammar and Style ChecksLegal and Probity ChecksFact Gathering and AnalysisInterviewing TechniquesTechnical Writing

Tip: Include specific examples of how you've used these skills in your STAR example paragraph.

Core Responsibilities to Address

Align your experience with these typical responsibilities:

  • Determine Advertising Approach
  • Write Advertisements for Media
  • Decide Publication Content with Editors
  • Review Copy for Grammar
  • Style and Legality
  • ...and more

Tip: Reference 2-3 of these responsibilities when describing your relevant experience.

Journalist Cover Letter Best Practices

Structure (4 Paragraphs)

Opening (40-60 words): State the role and company, plus one compelling hook
Match (100-130 words): Map 2-3 achievements to their top requirements
Proof (80-100 words): One detailed STAR example with quantified results
Close (30-40 words): Confirm fit and invite discussion

Essential Requirements

  • • Length: 250-350 words (one A4 page)
  • • Australian English spelling and dates (DD/MM/YYYY)
  • • Address to specific person when possible
  • • No photos or personal details (DOB, etc.)

What Makes It Strong

  • • Specific achievements with numbers
  • • Company research in second paragraph
  • • Keywords from the job description
  • • Professional but personable tone

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Generic opening lines
  • • Repeating your CV chronologically
  • • Including salary unless asked
  • • Exceeding one page