What does a correspondent do?
A Correspondent is the backbone of every news agency today. It is through the correspondent experts write the news of a particular topic. Through Correspondents, a news agency can get an in-depth report of happenings and events which may not be possible through ordinary reporters. Correspondents are expected to have versatility and command on a particular topic. They are resourceful in finding newsworthy articles and getting the necessary interviews and data for a well-balanced informative report.
Correspondent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real correspondent resumes:
- Lead reporting in Mongolia, representing AFP's regional headquarters in Beijing.
- Manage constituent relations regarding financial services, housing, budget, judiciary, homeland security, and government oversight issues.
- Develop Facebook strategy, execute launch and manage content.
- Handle education, foreign affairs, judiciary and natural resources issues; assist with appropriations requests.
- Process FHA, VA and correspondent disclosures.
- Gain knowledge of interviewing, photography, and newsworthiness.
- Produce SEO headlines in order to increase views of an article.
- Create and maintain OEM customers' pricing files and sales histories.
- Use proven SEO techniques to ensure content are well-read and professionally present.
- Help out in mailroom with patient payments and run payments to post.
- Follow FDCPA guidelines, skiptrace borrowers, following the statement of work.
- Provide running commentary for basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball games.
- Web base reporting, photography and videography of local high school and college sports.
- Used automated systems to calculate the final purchase price on all loans sell to third-party lenders.
- Design incoming wire request/funding documents for first time closings , 203k, VA, FHA and conventional loans.
Correspondent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Correspondents are proficient in News Stories, News Coverage, and Feature Stories. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Correspondents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- News Stories, 17%
Researched and wrote news stories, investigated leads, made on-site observations, and interviewed people involved in arts events.
- News Coverage, 11%
Provided breaking news coverage of congressional leadership, legislation, and appropriations process.
- Feature Stories, 7%
Worked as freelance writer and photographer for Beacon insert * Completed dozens of community-based feature stories
- Instagram, 6%
Managed social media campaign through Instagram Account and Facebook page.
- Financial Statements, 6%
Analysed financial statements, covered the accounting industry including changes introduced by Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC.
- Develop Story Ideas, 4%
Evaluated and analyzed leads and tips in order to develop story ideas.
Most correspondents use their skills in "news stories," "news coverage," and "feature stories" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential correspondent responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a correspondent to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what correspondents do because "reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts must be able to report the news." Additionally, a correspondent resume shows how correspondents use communication skills: "build global teams and led communications with direct team, leadership, stakeholders and clients building strong relationships across different levels. "
Computer skills. Many correspondent duties rely on computer skills. "journalists should be able to use editing equipment and other broadcast-related devices," so a correspondent will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways correspondent responsibilities rely on computer skills: "transmit news stories and photographs via satellite dishes that feed the information directly into computers. "
The three companies that hire the most correspondents are:
- Middle East Broadcasting Network2 correspondents jobs
- Paramount2 correspondents jobs
- Barclays1 correspondents jobs
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Compare different correspondents
Correspondent vs. News writer
A news writer is primarily responsible for producing informative written materials about current events, ensuring quality and accuracy. Their responsibilities typically revolve around conducting interviews, traveling to different locations, pursuing leads, researching public records, and submitting stories within the expected deadline and set format. Typically working for newspapers or web news platforms, a news writer must also review materials to fact-check and correct any errors, monitor the progress of events or cases, and coordinate with other staff.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between correspondents and news writer. For instance, correspondent responsibilities require skills such as "news stories," "instagram," "financial statements," and "blog posts." Whereas a news writer is skilled in "edit video," "english language," "control room," and "assignment desk." This is part of what separates the two careers.
News writers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $47,969. Comparatively, correspondents tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $84,658.The education levels that news writers earn slightly differ from correspondents. In particular, news writers are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a correspondent. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Correspondent vs. Freelance reporter
A business reporter typically writes articles with regards to breaking news making readers get informed about the industry's current changes and major events. Business reporters gather and analyze facts with regards to events that are newsworthy. They collect information through investigation, research, observation, or interview. Generally, they write and report stories for news magazines, television, newspaper, or radio. It is part of their job to establish innovative ideas for writing news that is associated with a business.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that correspondent responsibilities requires skills like "news stories," "instagram," "financial statements," and "blog posts." But a freelance reporter might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "photography," "local news stories," "clips," and "writing articles."
Freelance reporters earn similar levels of education than correspondents in general. They're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Correspondent vs. Newspaper reporter
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a correspondent is likely to be skilled in "news stories," "news coverage," "instagram," and "financial statements," while a typical newspaper reporter is skilled in "indesign," "hard news," "local politics," and "adobe photoshop."
When it comes to education, newspaper reporters tend to earn similar degree levels compared to correspondents. In fact, they're 4.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Correspondent vs. Business reporter
Types of correspondent
Updated January 8, 2025
