Writer Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a writer, you'll need experience in meeting tight deadlines and adhering to SEO. To succeed in your applications for writer roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a writer resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating a writer resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to find out how to show your creative side in a professional resume, with key tips from Jobseeker's career experts.
Main elements of a writer resume
The key sections to include in a writer resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Header and Personal Information
A writer resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Russell Collins
russell.collins@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
112½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA
linkedin․com/in/russell–collins123
Resume Objective
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for writer roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for writer roles.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for writer roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your writer resume summary.
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing with extensive experience as a Content Specialist, adept at creating engaging and compelling content across various platforms. Proven ability to develop strategic content that aligns with brand messaging and drives audience engagement. Strong research, writing, and editing skills, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling
Writer with a background in arts and some experience in creating content. Worked on making content that fits with what a brand wants and tries to get people interested. Have skills in finding information, writing, and making sure everything looks right, with an interest in telling stories
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your writer resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a writer. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Content Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Inkwell Innovations Ltd, Las Vegas
- Increased organic website traffic by 45% through strategic SEO content initiatives and keyword optimization over 12 months
- Developed and led a content marketing campaign that boosted lead generation by 30% within the first quarter
- Managed and produced a high-impact blog that gained 10,000+ subscribers and 5,000 social shares within six months
Content Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Inkwell Innovations Ltd, Las Vegas
- Improved website traffic through content strategies and SEO efforts
- Led content marketing efforts to enhance lead generation
- Managed a successful blog with increased subscribers and engagement
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Portfolio and Work Samples
Showcasing your writer work samples in a portfolio or personal website can be a great way to prove your worth to employers. If you have examples of your work online, include a URL here.
Portfolios and work examples are most useful for roles in creative sectors, such as graphic design and web development. You could either include a link to your portfolio or website in your resume header, or add a separate section towards the end of your resume with links to published work. Conversely, if you're not working in a creative role but still have examples of your best work available online, adding them here can make a real impact.
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a writer.
Typically, working as a writer requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your content management systems or SEO writing expertise.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, 2017 - 2020
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for writer roles. Whether your skills include SEO writing expertise, effective communication abilities or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for writer jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a writer.
How to list hard skills on your writer resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a writer. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your writer job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the writer role. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a writer resume.
- Content management systems
- SEO writing expertise
- AP style proficiency
How to list soft skills on your writer resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a writer resume.
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Effective communication abilities
Hear from experts:
Tailor your creative resume to emphasize your expertise in specialized techniques, such as 3D printing for sculpture or digital animation for film. (1) Include a portfolio link with detailed examples that demonstrate your process and the finished product. (2)
Licenses and Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to writer jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a writer resume:
- Certified Content Marketer, 2022
- SEO Writing Certification, 2022
- Technical Writing Certificate, 2022
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a writer resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for writer jobs.
Hobbies
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant writer work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard writer resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a writer resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Crafted
- Authored
- Composed
- Edited
- Revised
- Published
- Narrated
- Communicated
- Articulated
- Conceptualized
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a writer resume
The writer resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
112½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA
•
russell.collins@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/russell–collins123
Creative and detail-oriented writer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and experience as a Content Specialist. Adept at producing high-quality written content, developing engaging narratives, and tailoring messages to target audiences. Proven ability to meet deadlines, collaborate with teams, and contribute to content strategy.
Content Specialist
2020
-2022
CreativeQuill Media (Milwaukee)
- Increased website traffic by 35% through targeted content strategies and SEO optimization within six months
- Led a content team to produce 200+ high-quality articles, resulting in a 40% boost in engagement and social shares
- Developed and executed a content calendar, improving content delivery efficiency by 25% and maintaining a consistent brand voice
Content management systems
SEO writing expertise
AP style proficiency
Attention to detail
Time management skills
Effective communication abilities
Certified Content Marketer
SEO Writing Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a writer resume
- Aim for a brief, concise writer resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different writer jobs (e.g. authored, published, articulated).
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't add personal information such as your age, gender, a photo or marital status, as these can lead to bias in the hiring process.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your writer resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
- Don't use jargon or business-speak. It can make your resume appear clichéd and harder to read.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. There are several things you can do when writing your writer resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a writer resume
It's generally not advisable to add a personal photo to your resume. A personal photo can add to the visual appeal of your resume, but it can also create biases in the selection process, whether conscious or unconscious.
There are some occasions when a personal photo can enhance your application, when applying for a creative role. These tend to be for roles where you're making public appearances, either to meet clients, appear on camera, acting, modelling or for public speaking engagements.
After writing your writer resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the writer role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional writer resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
Selecting a font for your resume helps to set the tone for your document, and is one of the most important design decisions you'll have to make. Choose a clear, readable serif or sans serif font that gives your resume a professional look and feel. Opt for a font size between 10 and 12 for maximum readability. For creative roles, sans serif fonts can help your resume feel more modern and dynamic. Consider using a sans serif font for your writer resume.
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your writer resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Careers for creative people, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/creative-careers.htm
(2) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Craft and Fine Arts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
