Every week I speak to journalists and media professionals looking to find a job or move to a new role. Some are graduates, while others have years of experience.

But they often have a lot in common. They can feel completely confused about the job hunt and what their CV and application need to do. Even though recruitment feels like a flawed process, one thing is clear. A good CV still matters. But it is not enough on its own. Cover letters matter too, and you need to use both parts of the application to show you have the right skills and knowledge for this job.

Editors aren’t just hiring someone who can do one thing. They’re hiring someone who can adapt, learn quickly, work across multiple platforms and contribute from day one, and as I always say to clients, someone who ‘gets it’.

If you’re applying for journalism jobs today, here’s what employers are looking for.

A CV that earns a second look

A recruiter said to me recently that they spend about 15 seconds looking at CVs during hiring. That’s a long time compared with the average. Imagine people looking at your CV for seven seconds. If they can’t establish who and what you are, your experience and skills in those seven seconds, you are failing.

The aim isn’t to tell your life story; it’s to persuade someone to invite you for an interview.

A strong journalism CV should answer two questions almost immediately:

  • What are you?
  • Where have you worked and what have you achieved?

Get that right, and they might keep reading.

Key to that is leading with a short professional profile rather than a generic personal statement. Avoid all the bland platitudes you think are important and see in job adverts and focus on the achievements and examples from your career (or studies).

Show evidence, not adjectives

Anyone can describe themselves as passionate, hardworking or creative.

Employers are far more interested in evidence.

Rather than writing:

  • Excellent writer
  • Work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
  • Strong communication skills

Show where you’ve demonstrated those skills.

For example:

  • Broke news of Queen’s death on national radio.
  • Increased newsletter subscribers by 18%.
  • Exclusive interview with (NAME) on moving away from London.
  • Worked with Spotify to place a news podcast that generated 5 million listens in 3 months.

Achievements are always more convincing than nothingy descriptions.