Foreign correspondent

Description

Foreign correspondents research and write news stories of international importance for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They are stationed in a foreign country.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to foreign correspondent:

on-the-scene reporter
foreign journalist
foreign news correspondent
international correspondent
foreign affairs correspondent
foreign reporter

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as foreign correspondent. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Foreign correspondent is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Foreign correspondent career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to foreign correspondent.

columnist
sports journalist
crime journalist
political journalist
business journalist

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of foreign correspondent. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of foreign correspondent with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of foreign correspondent.

Interview techniques: The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
Editorial standards: The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.
Writing techniques: The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.
Rhetoric: The art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.
Spelling: The rules concerning the way words are spelled.
Grammar: The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.
Copyright legislation: Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of foreign correspondent.

Provide context to news stories: Provide substantial context to national or international news stories to explain things in more detail.
Participate in editorial meetings: Participate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.
Speak different languages: Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Observe new developments in foreign countries: Observe political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.
Study topics: Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.
Study cultures: Study and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.
Evaluate writings in response to feedback: Edit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.
Interview people: Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Stay up to date with social media: Keep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Consult information sources: Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Show intercultural awareness: Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.
Apply grammar and spelling rules: Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
Develop professional network: Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
Follow ethical code of conduct of journalists: Follow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.
Use specific writing techniques: Use writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.
Build contacts to maintain news flow: Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc.
Write to a deadline: Schedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.
Follow the news: Follow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of foreign correspondent. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Pronunciation techniques: The pronunciation techniques to properly and understandably pronounce words.
Ict software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
Desktop publishing: The creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.
Press law: The laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of foreign correspondent. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Do historical research: Use scientific methods to research history and culture.
Create online news content: Create and upload news content for e.g. websites, blogs and social media.
Apply desktop publishing techniques: Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.
Check correctness of information: Check if the information contains factual errors, is reliable, and has news value.
Adapt to changing situations: Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people’s needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
Proofread text: Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.
Manage writing administration: Manage the financial and administrative side of writing including making up budgets, maintaining financial records, checking contracts, etc.
Adapt to type of media: Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
Manage personal finances: Identify personal financial objectives and set up a strategy to match this target in seeking support and advice when necessary.
Promote your writings: Talk about your work at events and conduct readings, speeches and book signings; establish a network among fellow writers.
Write headlines: Write” titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.
Provide written content: Communicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelling rules.
Rewrite articles: Rewrite articles to correct errors, make them more appealing to the audience, and to ensure that they fit within time and space allotments.
Communicate by telephone: Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
Document interviews: Record, write, and capture answers and information collected during interviews for processing and analysis using shorthand or technical equipment.
Follow directions of on-site director: Follow the instructions of the director when covering events on location.
Present during live broadcasts: Present live on political, economic, cultural, social, international or sport events, or host a live broadcast program.
Write captions: Write captions to accompany cartoons, drawings, and photographs. These captions can be humorous or explanatory.

ISCO group and title

2642 – Journalists

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Foreign correspondent – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022