News Anchor Resume examples & templates
Copyable News Anchor Resume examples
What drives someone to deliver the day's events to millions of viewers, knowing a single verbal slip or facial expression could launch a thousand memes? The role of News Anchor has evolved dramatically since the Walter Cronkite era – from authoritative information gatekeeper to multi-skilled media personality. Today's anchors don't just read teleprompters; they live-tweet breaking stories, host podcasts, and engage with viewers across platforms. According to the Pew Research Center, 86% of Americans now get their news from digital devices, pushing anchors to develop skills far beyond polished delivery.
Behind that composed on-camera presence lies a fascinating blend of journalism, performance, and adaptability. The most successful anchors balance trustworthiness with personality – maintaining credibility while connecting with viewers who have more news options than ever. As streaming platforms continue disrupting traditional broadcast models and newsrooms embrace AI for production tasks, the anchor's role
faces its biggest reinvention yet. For those with the right combination of skills, the future promises exciting opportunities to shape how stories are told in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Junior News Anchor Resume Example
TARA MITCHELL
Pittsburgh, PA | (412) 555-7890 | tmitchell@emailpro.com | linkedin.com/in/taramitchell
Entry-level News Anchor with exceptional on-camera presence and demonstrated ability to deliver breaking news under tight deadlines. Strong background in journalism fundamentals with experience in story development, live reporting, and teleprompter reading. Seeking to leverage my multimedia production skills and communications degree to grow as a broadcast journalist.
EXPERIENCE
Weekend News Anchor / Reporter – WKPT-TV (ABC Affiliate) – Pittsburgh, PA
January 2023 – Present
- Anchor weekend morning newscast, delivering 2-hour broadcasts covering local, national and international news
- Report live from field assignments 3 days per week, covering everything from city council meetings to severe weather events
- Write and edit 5-7 news packages weekly, including conducting interviews and gathering b-roll footage
- Collaborate with producers to develop compelling story angles that increased weekend viewership by 11%
- Maintain active social media presence, growing station’s Instagram following from 13.2K to 17.8K in 8 months
News Production Assistant / Fill-in Reporter – KZRN-TV (NBC Affiliate) – Altoona, PA
May 2022 – December 2022
- Assisted with news production duties while occasionally stepping in as on-air reporter
- Researched and fact-checked stories for accuracy prior to broadcast
- Operated teleprompter and studio cameras during live broadcasts
- Created compelling teasers and promotional content for upcoming segments
- Pitched 3-4 story ideas weekly, with 60% selected for development
Broadcast Journalism Intern – WUPT Radio – Pittsburgh, PA
January 2022 – April 2022
- Shadowed on-air talent during morning drive-time news segments
- Assisted with writing news briefs and weather updates
- Conducted pre-interviews with guests and prepared question outlines
- Learned audio editing using Adobe Audition for news package production
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Journalism Concentration
University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, PA
Graduated: May 2022 – GPA: 3.78
- Campus TV Station: Anchor/Reporter for “Pitt News Now” weekly broadcast
- Relevant Coursework: Broadcast Journalism, Media Ethics, Video Production, Public Speaking
- Senior Project: Produced 22-minute documentary on food insecurity in urban neighborhoods
CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
National Association of Broadcasters – “Effective On-Camera Reporting” (2022)
Red Cross First Aid & CPR Certified (renewed Jan 2023)
Drone Pilot Certification – FAA Part 107 (in progress)
SKILLS
- On-camera presence & teleprompter reading
- Live reporting & breaking news coverage
- Script writing & story development
- Video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut)
- Social media management
- Investigative research techniques
- Interview skills & microphone technique
- Multimedia production
- Basic Spanish proficiency
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Volunteer Reader, Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital (monthly since 2021)
Emcee, Annual Neighborhood Clean-up Fundraiser (2022, 2023)
Mid-level News Anchor Resume Example
REBECCA MARTINEZ
San Diego, CA | (619) 555-8124 | r.martinez@emailpro.com | linkedin.com/in/rebeccamartinez
Award-winning broadcast journalist with 5+ years anchoring experience at mid-market stations; Recognized for clear, conversational delivery and ability to connect with diverse audiences while maintaining journalistic integrity. Skilled at breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling across broadcast and digital platforms.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Evening News Anchor & Reporter
KGTV Channel 10 (ABC Affiliate) – San Diego, CA
March 2021 – Present
- Co-anchor weekday 5PM and 6PM newscasts, reaching 183,000+ households in the San Diego market
- Develop and pitch 3-4 original story ideas weekly, with special focus on local government accountability
- Collaborate with news directors and producers to prioritize breaking stories and maintain broadcast timing
- Launched “San Diego Voices” segment that boosted viewership by 17% in the 25-54 demographic
- Write and edit web versions of broadcast stories for station website and social media platforms
Weekend News Anchor & Multimedia Journalist
KBAK/KBFX (CBS/Fox Affiliate) – Bakersfield, CA
August 2019 – March 2021
- Solo-anchored weekend evening newscasts while serving as field reporter three days a week
- Produced and presented “Health Matters” segment featuring local medical experts and health initiatives
- Shot and edited news packages using Adobe Premiere under tight deadlines (often same-day turnaround)
- Covered major regional stories including 2020 wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic impacts on local businesses
General Assignment Reporter
KMIR (NBC Affiliate) – Palm Springs, CA
June 2018 – August 2019
- Generated, researched, and reported 1-2 local news stories daily for evening broadcasts
- Conducted live remote broadcasts from community events and breaking news scenes
- Filled in as weekend weather presenter during staff shortages (6 weekends total)
- Built source network across local government, law enforcement, and community organizations
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism
University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: May 2018 | Minor: Political Science
Activities: USC Annenberg TV News, Daily Trojan (student newspaper)
Certifications:
- Hostile Environment & First Aid Training (HEFAT) – completed March 2022
- Poynter Institute: TV Power Reporting Academy – completed November 2020
SKILLS
- On-camera presence & teleprompter reading
- Breaking news coverage
- Live reporting & improvisation
- Video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro)
- Multimedia storytelling
- Social media management
- Script writing & copyediting
- Audience engagement analytics
- Interviewing techniques
- Spanish language proficiency (conversational)
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award – “Best Feature Story” (2022)
- Golden Mike Award – Best Investigative Reporting, Southern California (2021)
- Named “Rising Star in Broadcast” by California Broadcasters Association (2020)
Senior / Experienced News Anchor Resume Example
STEPHANIE MARTINEZ
Philadelphia, PA • (215) 555-8721 • s.martinez@emaildomain.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniemartinez • Twitter: @StephMReports
Award-winning broadcast journalist with 10+ years delivering breaking news, investigative reports, and feature stories. Known for exceptional on-air presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences. Track record of covering major national events with composure while maintaining journalistic integrity. Skilled interviewer who has conducted over 300 on-camera interviews with public figures including politicians, celebrities, and community leaders.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior News Anchor – WPHL-TV (Philadelphia, PA)
June 2018 – Present
- Anchor weekday prime-time newscast (6 PM and 11 PM), reaching 1.4M viewers across the Philadelphia metropolitan area
- Lead special coverage of major events including 2020 presidential election, COVID-19 pandemic, and Philadelphia civil unrest
- Spearheaded station’s “Community Voices” segment, boosting viewer engagement by 27% and earning regional Emmy nomination
- Collaborate with 12-person news team to develop content strategy and breaking news coverage
- Conduct live field reporting during extreme weather events, maintaining broadcast continuity during Hurricane Ida (worked 18 straight hours)
Weekend News Anchor & Reporter – WNEP-TV (Scranton, PA)
March 2015 – May 2018
- Anchored weekend evening newscasts and reported 3-4 weekday packages
- Created and produced “Your Health Matters” weekly segment, which increased Saturday viewership by 19%
- Covered major regional stories including the Marcellus Shale gas industry controversy and local political corruption scandal
- Trained and mentored 4 junior reporters, 2 of whom advanced to larger markets within a year
Reporter & Fill-in Anchor – WBOC-TV (Salisbury, MD)
August 2013 – February 2015
- Generated and reported 5+ daily news stories across politics, education, and community interest
- Selected as fill-in anchor after just 7 months, based on audience feedback and management recognition
- Developed exclusive coverage of local fishing industry struggles that prompted state regulatory review
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism – Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
Minor in Political Science, Graduated with Honors, 2013
Certifications & Training:
- Advanced Crisis Reporting Certification, Poynter Institute (2019)
- Hostile Environment & First Aid Training (HEFAT), 2018
- Multimedia Journalist Training Program, CBS News (2016)
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award, Outstanding News Anchor (2022)
- Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Award for Excellence in Breaking News Coverage (2021)
- Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Excellence in Video Journalism (2019)
- Named to Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list (2020)
SKILLS
- Live broadcast & breaking news coverage
- Teleprompter proficiency
- Interview techniques (confrontational & conversational)
- Script writing & editing
- Social media engagement (175K+ followers)
- Video editing (Adobe Premiere Pro)
- On-location reporting
- Investigative journalism
- Public speaking
- Spanish (conversational)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Board Member, Philadelphia Media Alliance (2020-Present)
- Volunteer journalism instructor, Philly Youth Media Project (2019-Present)
- Emcee for annual Children’s Hospital Fundraising Gala (raised $893K in 2022)
How to Write a News Anchor Resume
Introduction
Landing that dream news anchor position means getting past the first hurdle: your resume. In a field where appearances matter (let's be honest), your resume needs to be just as polished as your on-camera presence. News directors and station managers might spend less than 30 seconds scanning your qualifications before deciding whether to watch your reel. I've helped dozens of journalists transition into anchor roles, and the resume is often what gets your foot in the door.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and scannable—just like a good teleprompter script. News directors are busy people juggling multiple responsibilities.
- Stick to 1-2 pages max (1 page for those with under 5 years experience)
- Use a clean, professional font (Georgia, Calibri, or Arial work well)
- Include plenty of white space—cramped text screams "amateur"
- Incorporate subtle design elements that match your personal brand
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a .doc)
Pro Tip: Create a slightly modified version of your resume for each station you apply to. Review their newscasts and incorporate language that matches their style—whether they're known for investigative reporting, community focus, or breaking news coverage.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary is like your 15-second standup—it needs to grab attention fast. In 3-4 punchy sentences, highlight your years of experience, market size history, special skills, and what makes you different from the 75 other anchors applying for the same job.
Example: "Emmy-nominated evening news anchor with 6+ years of experience in top 40 markets. Specialized in breaking news coverage and community-focused reporting. Skilled in digital media production and live-remote broadcasting. Fluent in Spanish with strong connections to local Hispanic communities."
Professional Experience
This is where you shine! List your positions in reverse chronological order, but don't just recite job duties—that's boring TV. Instead:
- Include your specific newscast(s), time slots, and market size (#45 DMA, etc.)
- Highlight ratings wins ("Helped grow 6pm newscast from #3 to #1 in key demographics")
- Mention major stories you anchored ("Led 14 hours of continuous coverage during Hurricane Laura")
- Quantify achievements where possible ("Produced and anchored weekly health segment that increased viewership by 17%")
- Note any producing or writing responsibilities
Education and Certifications
List your degree(s), but don't go overboard on details if you've been in the industry for 5+ years. For newer anchors, highlight relevant coursework, internships, and campus media experience. Include any specialized training like:
- Hostile environment training
- Weather certification
- Drone operation license
- Multimedia journalism workshops
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many stations (especially those owned by large groups) use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Make sure yours includes these keywords:
- Live reporting
- Breaking news
- Teleprompter
- IFB/Earpiece
- Newsroom computer systems (ENPS, iNews, etc.)
- Social media engagement
- Video editing software you know (Premiere, Avid, etc.)
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume to show you know the biz:
- Teases/topicals
- Rundown
- Live shots
- Package
- VOSOT
- Sweeps
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I see these errors constantly when reviewing anchor resumes:
- TMI about early career jobs (nobody cares that you waited tables in college)
- Missing market sizes (this is crucial context in broadcast)
- Vague descriptions ("Anchored the news" - duh!)
- No mention of multimedia skills (it's 2023, you need to be versatile)
- Outdated references to "film" or "tape" (unless you actually did work with these)
Before/After Example
BEFORE: "Anchored evening news and reported on various stories."
AFTER: "Solo-anchored 5pm and co-anchored 6pm newscasts (market #78) while generating 2-3 enterprise stories weekly. Led team coverage during 2022 midterm elections that earned regional Edward R. Murrow award."
Your resume should sound like you—conversational but professional. Remember that in TV news, your reel will ultimately do most of the talking, but a strong resume ensures that someone actually watches it. Good luck, and as we say in the biz, don't forget to "tease ahead" to your future accomplishments!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your News Anchor resume
- Extemporaneous speaking and ability to work without a script when teleprompters fail (handled 17-minute live coverage when systems crashed during storm coverage)
- Emotional intelligence to interview trauma survivors while balancing journalistic integrity with compassion
- Quick thinking to pivot between breaking stories, technical difficulties, and sudden schedule changes
- Active listening skills to respond meaningfully to field reporters’ updates and interview subjects’ responses
- Cross-departmental collaboration with producers, camera operators, and editorial team
- Calm demeanor under pressure, particularly during crisis reporting and live broadcasts
Hard skills for your News Anchor resume
- Teleprompting mastery with 97% read-through accuracy during breaking news
- Advanced ENG camera operation (Sony PXW-Z190, JVC GY-HM890)
- Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro CC for light editing and segment review
- iNews and ENPS newsroom management systems
- Broadcast audio mixing and troubleshooting (field and studio)
- Live remote broadcasting via LiveU, TVU Networks, and satellite truck coordination
- Social media integration during broadcasts (Twitter, Facebook Live, Instagram)
- Green screen/chroma key presentation techniques
- FCC compliance and broadcast standards knowledge