Create A Professional Sports Writer Resume | Examples, Templates & Tips

• According to recent statistics, job openings for sports writers are projected to increase by a staggering 16% in the next decade.
• And with average salaries for sports writers or sports reporters hovering around $57,000 per year, it's no wonder that more and more people are turning to this dynamic field.

Tips and examples from industry experts can help you craft a professional Sports Writer resume that demonstrates your passion for sports journalism.

If you want a highly professional resume crafted by industry experts with less effort then you can use our resume examples.

Apart from Sports Writer, you can also find Journalist Resume Samples here if you are pursuing a career in journalism.

Here is an example of a sports writer resume:

Expert Tips and Guidelines To Craft a Sports Writer Resume

When it comes to crafting a sports writer resume, it's important to highlight your writing skills and experience in the sports industry.

Your resume should showcase your ability to produce high-quality content and tell engaging stories, as well as your knowledge of the sports you cover.

Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when writing a resume:

• Tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. Make sure to include relevant skills and experience that align with the requirements of the position.
• Keep your resume concise and easy to read. Use bullet points and clear, simple language to make important information easy to find.
• Use action verbs to describe your experience and accomplishments. This helps to make your resume more engaging and showcase your skills effectively.
• Proofread your resume multiple times to catch any spelling or grammar errors.

Follow these tips for crafting a professional sports writer resume:

• Highlight your writing and research skills, including experience with different types of content, such as game recaps, analysis articles, and feature stories.
• Describe your deep knowledge of the sport you are writing about, how well you know the teams and players, your insights on the games, and your ability to tell compelling stories.
• Showcase your knowledge of the industry by including any relevant publications or websites that you have written for.
• Provide evidence of your ability to work under tight deadlines, and give examples of stories that you have written under time pressure.
• Mention any of your experience with SEO, social media, and other digital platforms, as many sports publications now have a digital presence.
• Tailor your resume to the area of sports journalism you are interested in, and use industry-specific keywords that hiring managers will be looking for.
• Use words and phrases from the job description to show that you are a perfect fit for the job.

Sports Writer Resume Layout, Format, and Structure

The Ideal layout of the resume should be as follows:

When it comes to the layout of a sports writer's resume, it's important to make sure that the most important information is easy to find and that the overall design has professional look.

You can improve the layout of your sports writer resume by following these simple tips:

• Always use a professional font. The ideal fonts for a resume are Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.
• Highlight the heading in bold throughout the resume so that the recruiter can easily scan through your resume.
• Never make the resume too clumsy. Write to the point and avoid putting too much unnecessary information.
• Use bullet points to make information easy to scan and read.
• Keep the resume short to one page if possible or a maximum of 2 pages.

In terms of structure, the ideal layout for a sports writer's resume would be a combination of a reverse-chronological format and a functional format. This way you can effectively show your past experiences and relevant skills together.

The three most common types of resumes are chronological, functional, and mixed format.

• The chronological format emphasizes the job titles, companies, and dates of the experience you have had.
• The functional format emphasizes your skills, strengths, and responsibilities and downplays the job titles, companies, and dates of the experience you have had
• Mixed format is a combination of the chronological and functional format where you can highlight both your experience and your skills.

The Correct Way To Display Your Title and Contact Information

The header section should prominently display your title and contact information.

Good Example of a header

Jason Roger

Senior Sports Writer

jasonroger@email.com

555-555-5555

linkedin.com/jasonroger

In this example, the name is at the top, followed by the title, and then the contact information is listed in order of importance. The information is easy to read and stands out.

Bad Example of a header

Jason Roger

jasongoofy@email.com

5555555555

First of all, the bad example doesn’t display your title as a sports writer. Secondly, the email address consists of an unprofessional email address. Lastly, it doesn’t include a link to your LinkedIn Profile.

As a sports writer, it is advisable to include a photo as it can help to make a personal connection with the reader.

How To Write a Professional Summary On A Sports Writer Resume?

A professional summary is the first thing viewed by hiring managers in a resume. A sports writer needs to include a brief overview of his/her skills, qualifications, and experience.

It must highlight a summary of your interests, and expertise concisely which helps the recruiters quickly understand your profile.

CORRECT

Experienced sports journalist with a strong background in reporting on both amateur and professional sports. Proficient in research and interviewing, and skilled in writing compelling articles that engage readers. Strong passion for storytelling and uncovering unique angles on popular sports topics.

In this example, the writer highlights their specific education and experience in the field of sports journalism along with their expertise, interests, and skills that make them stand out.

INCORRECT

I am a writer who loves sports. I have been writing about sports for a few years now and I am good at it.

This example neither provides specific information about the writer's experience or qualifications nor does it give the reader a clear sense of what the writer's expertise and interests are.

Describe Your Professional Experience as a Sports Writer

The Professional Experience section for a sports writer's resume is where you list your past employment and freelance work in the field of sports journalism. This section allows potential employers to see where you've worked and what kind of experience you have in the field.

When listing your professional experience as a sports writer:

• list your most recent job or freelance work first and work backward in chronological order
• include the name of the publication, website, or organization you worked for, your job title, and the dates you worked there
• use strong, action-oriented language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments
• quantify your achievements with specific numbers and metrics when possible.

Good Example of a Professional Experience for a Sports Writer

The Athletic

Sports Writer,

2018-2022

• Wrote a minimum of 5 articles per week on various sports topics, including game recaps, feature stories, and player profiles.
• Consistently met deadlines and exceeded the expectations of my editors, resulting in a 50% increase in page views for my articles.
• Developed a strong reputation for uncovering unique and underreported stories, leading to several scoops and exclusives.

This example provides specific information about the publication worked for, the job title, and the dates of employment. It also uses strong, action-oriented language to describe responsibilities and accomplishments.

Moreover, quantifying the achievements with specific numbers gives a clear picture of the results achieved.

Bad Example of Professional Experience for a Sports Writer

Sports Writer,

Worked at Various publications

2015-2018

• Wrote articles about sports
• Did some research and interviewed people

This example does not provide specific information about the publications the writer worked for, their job title, or the dates they were employed. It has used generic and non-specific language to describe their responsibilities and accomplishments.

2. Education | Include your academic background

The Training/Education section of a resume is where you list any formal education or training that is relevant to the job you're applying for.

This section includes information about your degrees, certificates, and any relevant coursework or training programs you have completed.

Here are two examples of how to write the Training/Education section:

In this example, the writer includes the name of the degree they earned, the name of the university they attended, and the dates they were enrolled.

They also highlight the relevant coursework that pertains to the sports writing field. And also point out that they graduated cum laude, which demonstrates their academic achievement.

This example includes the name of the certificate earned, the name of the institute, and the dates of the program.

It also provides information about the specific training you received and highlights a specific achievement. This gives a brief idea of the extra effort you have put into gaining further knowledge and skills.

Resume Skills for a Sports Writer

The Skills section of a sports writer's resume is where you list the specific skills that you possess that make you a good fit for the job.

This section is often used to supplement the information you've provided in your Professional Experience and Education sections, and it can help to demonstrate your capabilities for the job in a more concrete way.

The main skills of a sports writer's resume:

• Writing and editing skills.
• Research skills.
• Interviewing skills.
• Sports knowledge and expertise.
• Familiarity with media production and dissemination platforms.
• Knowledge of media laws and ethical standards.

List Hard Skills For Sports Writer's Resume

• Writing and Editing
• Research
• Data analysis
• Photography
• Video production
• Podcast production
• Social media management
• SEO
• Analytics
• HTML

List of Soft Skills For Sports Writer's Resume

• Communication
• Adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Stress management
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Networking

Having a mix of both hard and soft skills shows the potential employer the writer's capability to handle multiple tasks and responsibilities.

Summary

Here's a list of key points to keep in mind when creating a sports writer resume:

• Highlight your relevant experience and qualifications.
• Use action-oriented language to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Quantify your achievements with specific numbers and metrics.
• Include the name of the publications or websites you've written for.
• List your most recent job or freelance work first and work backward in chronological order.
• Emphasize your hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Be specific about how you've demonstrated each skill in the past.
• In the professional summary, provide a brief overview of your qualifications and experience.
• Include any relevant education or training.
• If it applies, consider including a photo that is professional and consistent with the branding of the company you are applying.

Complement Your Resume with a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a valuable tool for a job application as it provides an opportunity to elaborate on your qualifications and experiences, and to demonstrate how you are a good fit for the position and the company.

A well-written cover letter can help to make you stand out from other applicants by showcasing your writing skills, and giving insights on your interests, motivations, and how your skills align with the company's goals.

If you want to create a perfect cover letter, you can always consider acquiring a resume template with a cover letter.

FAQs

What to highlight instead of professional experience if you are just starting your career as a sports writer?

Things you can highlight instead of professional experience:

• Educational background and related coursework.
• Volunteer or intern experience.
• Writing samples or portfolio.
• Extracurricular or personal Sports experience.