How to Hire a Journalist
A journalist finds, checks and tells stories that readers can trust, often against the clock. Good ones combine curiosity, rigorous verification and clear writing with the ability to build sources and handle pressure. This guide helps you hire someone whose work will protect, not endanger, your outlet's credibility.
What to Look For
- Clear, accurate writing in the formats you publish, whether news, features, audio or video
- Rigour in verifying facts and sources and in correcting mistakes openly
- News judgement: knowing what matters to your audience and why
- Ability to build and protect sources and to approach people with tact
- Understanding of ethics, fairness and the legal limits that apply to publishing in your country
- Digital fluency across publishing tools, social platforms and basic data or audience analysis
The Hiring Process
- 1
Define the beat and format
Specify the subject area, the formats, the publishing rhythm and whether the role is reporting, editing or both.
- 2
Review published work
Read several pieces and look for original reporting, structure, accuracy and voice; ask which parts the candidate personally reported.
- 3
Editorial interview
Discuss how they find stories, verify claims and decide what to publish when facts are incomplete.
- 4
Writing or reporting test
Give a short brief with raw material and a deadline and ask for a piece or an outline, then check how they handle gaps and sourcing.
- 5
Newsroom meeting
Let editors and colleagues discuss ethics and teamwork scenarios with the candidate.
- 6
References
Speak to former editors about reliability, accuracy, corrections and collaboration.
Interview Tips
- Ask for the story they are proudest of and what they did to verify it
- Ask how they handle a source who later denies what they said
- Ask what they would do if they discovered an error after publication
- Ask how they approach a person who does not want to talk
- Ask how they decide what is newsworthy when two stories compete for the same slot
Red Flags
- Cannot show original reporting, only rewrites of other outlets
- Casual about sources, quotes or corrections
- Overstates facts to make a stronger headline
- Dismisses ethics or fairness questions as obstacles
- Cannot work to deadline or take editing
Journalist: let the AI hold the first interview
Every candidate takes a structured voice interview from their secure portal. Your team reads one scored report per candidate and makes the decision.