The role of the journalist does not only belong to the media, he is currently required to work in advertising agencies, private companies, public entities or journalism agencies.
However, each job requires a journalist with different emphasis, experience and skills.
“It is essential, for every journalist, to have a solid foundation in humanities to make an in-depth analysis of the local, national and international context. In addition, nowadays he needs to master multimedia and transmedia languages”, advises Juan Camilo Hernández, director of the Social Communication and Journalism program at the University of La Sabana.
Some things do not change, such as thejournalistic rigorthat must always be maintained. The investigation and authenticity of the information that is published is key in any journalistic exercise, because in this the credibility and quality of the professional’s work is based.
Find here the job you want for 2022.
New technologies, the Internet and the journalist
Not only audiences found a new space for information consumption with new technologies and the Internet.
Traditional formats such asprint, radio and televisionalso saw the need to transfer part of their essence, and journalists, to social networks and websites.
For digital journalists, it is important that they have knowledge about how the effectiveness of the information they publish and the statistics they achieve on websites or on their profiles onFacebook, Instagram or Twitter is measured.
For this task you must have knowledge in tools such asGoogle Analytics, Chartbeat or Adobe Omniture.
The tools that expand creativity
In addition, it is essential to have a basic level of mastery over design and editing tools such asPhotoshop, Premiere and Illustrator, which will serve to create graphic pieces such as infographics, video texts or ‘posts’ in case you do not have the skills of a graphic designer or filmmaker at hand.
Large volumes of information
The management of databases and large amounts of information is one of the ‘plus’ that a professional who is dedicated to data journalism can have, who must have basic knowledge in statistics and software to analyze, process, condense and project, in an attractive way, all that information.
Know how to program and understand the structure of a website or content
Although the journalist should not be a programmer, having knowledge ofHTML language, as well as the administration of web pages, will allow him to work more openly and easily with the needs of a client or media.
Highlight the professional’s approach
However, a journalist’s resume that is “todero” is not entirely recommended. Well, it is necessary to find an approach that gives “strength, or deepening that is organized around thematic interests, so that it delves into fields such as economic, political, cultural, technological, judicial, environmental, among others.
It is also necessary to highlight the experiences that have been had according to the emphasis of each journalist. For example, for those who have developed in television it is important to highlight their ability to present news combining images and words in a short time in an agile, clear, safe and fluid way.
Journalists for print or digital press
Those journalists who want to dedicate themselves to the written enterprise will require the ability to address the news in greater depth and detail; On the other hand, generate analysis through various formats such as reports, interviews, chronicles or opinion columns.
The radio
For those who are dedicated to radio it is important to detail the skills they have in terms of production, voice-over, narrative agility and the use of their voice.
Include your best work and get creative with the design.
Regardless of the focus, every journalist should have a portfolio or ‘reel’ of their work. This should include the best examples of the content that the professional has developed such as reports, interviews and stories that demonstrate their talent. They must be agile, short and very well produced.
As for the design, it is recommended to adapt the resume according to the company or position to which the candidate is applying. That is, for a position that involves presentation, a resume that redirects to a video will be preferable; If it is for a printed or digital medium, it is preferable to agglomerate the most relevant published articles, as well as the medium and date of publication.
Finally, we must not forget the personal brand. Many journalists use their networks, not only to find new sources of inspiration and connect with more colleagues, but also to get closer to their audience, creating a space and community where their work and content is recognized in the best way.