Byline
A byline is the line in a newspaper article, magazine piece, or online content that tells readers who wrote the story. It's an important credit that shows the writer's name, usually appearing right after the headline or at the beginning of the article. In modern publishing, having numerous bylines is like having a portfolio of work, showing a journalist's experience and range of coverage. When reviewing resumes in publishing, bylines are concrete proof of a writer's published work and professional experience.
Examples in Resumes
Earned over 200 bylines in major national newspapers covering local politics
Featured byline writer for the newspaper's weekend culture section
Contributed regular bylined articles to the paper's business and technology sections
Typical job title: "Journalists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Journalists
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a team of writers while maintaining editorial quality?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in editing others' work, providing constructive feedback, meeting deadlines, and maintaining consistent editorial standards across multiple writers and stories.
Q: Tell me about a time you had to handle a sensitive or controversial story.
Expected Answer: Strong candidates should demonstrate ethical judgment, ability to balance different perspectives, fact-checking processes, and experience handling delicate subjects professionally.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure accuracy in your reporting while meeting tight deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss fact-checking methods, reliable source verification, time management skills, and balancing speed with accuracy.
Q: What's your process for developing and pitching story ideas?
Expected Answer: Look for answers showing ability to identify newsworthy topics, research skills, understanding of audience interests, and experience successfully pitching stories to editors.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What makes a story newsworthy?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic news values like timeliness, impact, proximity, and human interest.
Q: How do you verify information from sources?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic fact-checking processes, understanding the importance of multiple sources, and basic journalistic ethics.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic news writing and reporting
- Fact checking and research
- Meeting deadlines
- Basic interview skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Developing own story ideas
- Building source networks
- Writing for different sections
- Handling multiple assignments
Senior (5+ years)
- Editorial judgment
- Managing other writers
- Complex investigative reporting
- Mentoring junior staff
Red Flags to Watch For
- No published writing samples
- Unable to provide examples of published work
- Poor writing skills in application materials
- No understanding of basic journalistic ethics
- Lack of fact-checking experience
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