What Desk Reporter skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I'd suggest they try to establish a freelancing relationship with a news outlet they want to work for. There's no better way to get on a hiring manager's radar than to show them your work. Pitch some stories you think would expand the news outlet's coverage. Or, if you're not ready for that yet or can't afford to do that, spend your free time reading about a topic that interests you that you want to report on, and think about how you'd want to cover those stories, so you're ready to pitch when the time comes to apply for jobs. Or, spend your time building your technical skills. Data reporting skills are really valuable in newsrooms, as are coding skills. In radio, get familiar with audio editing. You can use free software online and record on a phone; the barrier to entry in audio is low. Experiment and build your portfolio so you can demonstrate interest when the time comes to apply for jobs.

What type of skills will young Desk Reporters need?

Those college years of reading, writing, and discussing literature mean English majors have three skills business leaders want: creativity, the ability to communicate well, and the empathy that can set a person or a business apart. Creativity is crucial in a time of change such as this one, and as employers look to transform their business model. Good communication is basic within a business and in reaching out to the market. Empathy is there to make sure communication matters and reaches a receptive audience.

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Desk reporter skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Quoted experts

Rachel Estabrook,

David Faldet

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical desk reporter skills. We ranked the top skills for desk reporters based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 60.7% of desk reporter resumes contained conduct interviews as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a desk reporter needs to be successful in the workplace.

List of desk reporter skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a desk reporter resume and required skills for a desk reporter to have include:

Conduct Interviews

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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