Demanded job, starting off with journalist (5)
I believe the answer is:
asked
'demanded' is the definition.
('ask' can be a synonym of 'demand')
'job starting off with journalist' is the wordplay.
'job' becomes 'task' (synonyms).
'starting off' means to remove the first letter (the starting letter is removed).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'task' with its initial letter removed is 'ask'.
'ask'+'ed'='ASKED'
(Other definitions for asked that I've seen before include "Questioned" , "Inquired" , "Requested" , "Put a question to" , "Made a request" .)