Newspaper Journalist Job Descriptions

Newspaper journalists, also known as reporters, investigate and write up stories for local, regional and national newspapers. They cover any event of interest to their specific audience, which can range from reporting on council meetings and school fetes for a local paper, to general elections and world events for the national press.
As a newspaper journalist your work would typically involve:
· investigating a story as soon as it breaks
· following up potential leads
· developing new contacts
· interviewing people, both face-to-face and over the phone
· attending press conferences
· recording meetings and interviews using recording equipment or shorthand
· coming up with ideas for new stories and features
· Writing up articles in a style that will appeal to the intended audience.

Key Skills
· excellent writing skills
· good listening and questioning skills
· an enquiring mind and a lively, inquisitive interest in people, places and events
· an interest in current affairs at all levels
· research skills
· self confidence and the ability to put people at ease
· the ability to absorb information quickly and write it up in a style which is easy to understand
· determination and persistence
· the ability to achieve shorthand speeds of 100 words per minute
· Keyboard and IT skills.