boy

Build your resume in 15 minutes

Give yourself the best chance of standing out from the competition!

Create an awesome resume that meets the expectations of potential employers with our selection of professional, field-tested resume templates.

investigative reporter: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Derek Young

342 Countryside Drive, Allport, AR 72046
[email protected]
986-626-2045

Professional Summary

 A highly motivated investigative reporter with a passion for uncovering the truth. Proven success in researching, writing, and editing stories for a variety of media outlets. 

Employment history

Senior Investigative Reporter, CBS Corporation New York, New York
September 2010 – Present
  • Prepare and present live reports
  • Develop story ideas and pitches
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
Investigative Reporter, ABC News New York, New York
April 2009 – August 2010
  • Attend press conferences, meetings, and court hearings
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
Jr. Investigative Reporter, Turner Broadcasting Atlanta, Georgia
April 2008 – March 2009
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
  • Collaborate with other reporters and media outlets
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency

Education

Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
BA in Advertising, February, 2008

Skills

Stress Management
Reliability
Networking
Business Acumen
Audio Editing
Video Editing
Media Law
Media Literacy

Do you already have a resume? Use our PDF converter and edit your resume.

Ernest Ingram

47 Cedarwood Drive, Roodhouse, IL 62082
[email protected]
927-519-3790

Employment history

Chief Investigative Reporter, The Washington Post Washington, DC
July 2019 – Present
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field
  • Utilize digital media to enhance stories
Associate Investigative Reporter, CBS Corporation New York, New York
July 2018 – June 2019
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
  • Monitor news and social media for developing stories
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field
Entry Level Investigative Reporter, CBS Corporation New York, New York
January 2017 – June 2018
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
  • Prepare and present live reports
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field

Education

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Media Ethics, November, 2016

Skills

Visualization
Innovation
Leadership
Conflict Resolution
Investigative Photography
Audio Editing
Investigative Journalism
Investigative Reporting

Pete Johnson

25 Pleasantview Drive, Muleshoe, TX 79347
[email protected]
788-828-6223

Employment history

Chief Investigative Reporter, NBCUniversal Universal City, California
November 2016 – Present
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
Investigative Reporter, ABC News New York, New York
May 2016 – October 2016
  • Utilize digital media to enhance stories
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field
Entry Level Investigative Reporter, Hearst Corporation New York, New York
November 2015 – April 2016
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Attend press conferences, meetings, and court hearings
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends

Education

Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
BA in Public Relations, September, 2015

Skills

Reliability
Social Media
Problem Solving
Collaboration
Investigative Photography
Media Ethics
Media Research
Video Editing

Isaac Wilson

422 Oakview Drive, Wolcott, VT 05680
[email protected]
984-982-8605

Employment history

Chief Investigative Reporter, Fox Corporation Los Angeles, California
December 2022 – Present
  • Develop story ideas and pitches
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
Investigative Reporter, ABC News New York, New York
May 2022 – November 2022
  • Interview subjects for stories
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
Junior Investigative Reporter, Turner Broadcasting Atlanta, Georgia
May 2021 – April 2022
  • Develop story ideas and pitches
  • Attend press conferences, meetings, and court hearings
  • Prepare and present live reports

Education

Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
BA in Graphic Design, April, 2021

Skills

Training
Conflict Resolution
Analytical
Social Media
Data Mining
Media Ethics
Investigative Journalism
Video Editing

Fred Kelly

19 Woodland Court, Ephrata, WA 98823
[email protected]
670-239-7936

Professional Summary

 A highly motivated investigative reporter with a passion for uncovering the truth. Proven ability to research and report on complex stories, resulting in significant impact. 

Employment history

Senior Investigative Reporter, The New York Times New York, New York
May 2011 – Present
  • Utilize digital media to enhance stories
  • Develop story ideas and pitches
  • Verify facts and accuracy of information
Associate Investigative Reporter, Fox Corporation Los Angeles, California
November 2010 – April 2011
  • Analyze data to uncover patterns and trends
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
Jr. Investigative Reporter, Hearst Corporation New York, New York
May 2009 – October 2010
  • Develop sources and contacts in the field
  • Utilize digital media to enhance stories
  • Interview subjects for stories

Education

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
BA in Digital Media, April, 2009

Skills

Communication
Mentoring
Written Communication
Project Management
Investigative Techniques
Social Media Analysis
Media Literacy
Media Law

Not in love with this template? Browse our full library of resume templates

investigative reporter Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an investigative reporter position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

1

investigative reporter

  • Collecting and analyzing facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. 
  • Interviewing people in a range of different circumstances. 
  • Building contacts to maintain a flow of news in specific area. 
  • Seeking out and investigating stories via contacts, press releases and other media. 
  • Attending press conferences. 
  • Attending a variety of other events, from launch parties or premieres to sports events and industry briefings. 
  • Answering the phones on the news desk and reacting to breaking news stories 
2

investigative reporter

  • Field research, data analysis, interviews, working with public documents, etc. Gathering and analyzing data/information, preparing articles on both: Georgian and English languages.
  • Research and report on specialized fields such as corruption crime.
  • Writing and researching accurate stories 
  • Creating and uploading content onto magazine/website 

investigative reporter Job Skills

For an investigative reporter position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

  • Data Mining
  • Investigative Writing
  • Investigative Reporting
  • Investigative Techniques
  • Media Law
  • Media Ethics
  • Interviewing
  • Investigative Interviewing
  • Fact-Checking
  • Storytelling
  • Social Media Analysis
  • Media Research
  • Media Relations
  • Investigative Journalism
  • Investigative Photography
  • Media Literacy
  • Video Editing
  • Audio Editing
  • Investigative Videography
  • Investigative Audio Recording
  • Freedom of Information Requests.

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

  • Communication
  • Interpersonal
  • Leadership
  • Time Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity
  • Adaptability
  • Teamwork
  • Organization
  • Planning
  • Public Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Research
  • Analytical
  • Attention to Detail
  • Self-Motivation
  • Stress Management
  • Collaboration
  • Coaching
  • Mentoring
  • Listening
  • Networking
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Negotiation
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Adaptability
  • Flexibility
  • Reliability
  • Professionalism
  • Computer Literacy
  • Technical
  • Data Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Customer Service
  • Presentation
  • Written Communication
  • Social Media
  • Troubleshooting
  • Quality Assurance
  • Collaboration
  • Supervisory
  • Risk Management
  • Database Management
  • Training
  • Innovation
  • Documentation
  • Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Visualization
  • Reporting
  • Business Acumen
  • Process Improvement
  • Documentation
  • Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your investigative reporter Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Henry Yates

897 Sycamore Avenue, Martell, NE 68404

Employment history

Chief Investigative Reporter, BuzzFeed New York, New York
November 2017 – Present
  • Work with editors to refine stories
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and media trends
  • Write and report stories for publication or broadcast
Investigative Reporter, BuzzFeed New York, New York
November 2016 – October 2017
  • Verify facts and accuracy of information
  • Coordinate with other departments to ensure accuracy and consistency
  • Research and investigate stories and leads
Junior Investigative Reporter, The Washington Post Washington, DC
November 2015 – October 2016

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Media Ethics, September, 2015

Skills

Conflict Resolution
Relationship Management.
Data Analysis
Listening
Investigative Techniques
Investigative Audio Recording
Media Research
Investigative Reporting

Include your Contact Information and Job Descriptions

Missing job descriptions lessens your chances of getting hired.

Key Insights
  • Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to include descriptions for all of your previous jobs.
  • Keep job descriptions short but don't just list your jobs.
  • Never copy-paste a job description to post on your resume. Get inspired and use tools to help you write customized descriptions.

How to Optimize Your investigative reporter Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Richard Wood

445 Woodland Court, Amsterdam, OH 43903
[email protected]
750-731-8076

Employment history

Senior Investigative Reporter, Fox Corporation Los Angeles, California
September 2009 – May 2022
  • Mointor newes and socail media fer develpoing storries.
  • Analize datA too uncover pattrens an trends.
  • Utilise digitial media too enhance stories.
Investigative Reporter, ABC News New York, New York
February 2009 – August 2009
  • Prepear and present live report's.
  • Colaborate with other reporters and media outles.
  • Verify fact's and accuracie of informations.
Junior Investigative Reporter, NBCUniversal Universal City, California
March 2008 – January 2009
  • Devellop storry ideass annnd pitchess.
  • Inteview subject's for story's.
  • Reserch and investigat stories and leadd.

Education

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Media Ethics, January, 2008

Skills

Visualization
Public Speaking
Written Communication
Training
Investigative Writing
Investigative Photography
Media Law
Interviewing

Correct Grammar and Address Gap Years in Your Resume

Don't leave unexplained gaps in your work history.

Key Insights
  • When explaining gaps in your employment section, start by being honest.
  • Elaborate on the gap and show that you never stopped learning.
  • Explain and elaborate any gap in your work history by highlighting new skills.

investigative reporter Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an investigative reporter position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.



Derek
Young

[email protected]
986-626-2045
342 Countryside Drive, Allport, AR
72046

Senior Investigative Reporter
The New York Times
New York, New York

To the respected The New York Times Hiring Team


I am a highly motivated and experienced Investigative Reporter with 15 years of experience in Media & Journalism. I am excited to apply for the Senior Investigative Reporter position at The New York Times, where I am confident that I can contribute to your organization's success.


My diverse life experiences have taught me the importance of adaptability, creativity, and resilience. Whether it was on the job, or simply on my day to day, I have learned to navigate challenges and find innovative solutions. I am confident that I possess the skills and expertise necessary to excel in the position at The New York Times and I am excited about the opportunity to grow with a team that values these qualities and contribute to your organization's growth and success.


I am elated about the opportunity to join a team that shares my passion for this field, and values collaboration and innovation. I am confident that together we can overcome whatever tests and challenges are put on our way.


Best regards,
Derek Young
986-626-2045
[email protected]

Derek Young






Showcase your most significant accomplishments and qualifications with this cover letter.
Personalize this cover letter in just few minutes with our user-friendly tool!

last guy

Build your Resume in 15 minutes

Give yourself the best chance of standing out from the competition!

Create an awesome resume that meets the expectations of potential employers with our selection of professional, field-tested resume templates.