Editor Resume: Examples and Tips

An editor’s main responsibilities include reviewing and editing the work of writers, checking content for grammar and accuracy, producing projects for publications and digital media, brainstorming ideas for new content, and delegating tasks to in-house teams and freelancers.

Use these provided resume examples and tips to buff up your own editor resume.

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Editor Chronological Resume Format

Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Editor Resume

  1. Summary Provide a brief introduction to your skills, experience and achievements, while also touching on your approach to work. For example: “Focused on delivering superior quality within timeframes, with experience in content creation and generating advertising sales.”
  2. Skills Look to match your skills with the job description, as editor job responsibilities vary depending on the job. Emphasize editor-related skills like adherence to quality, problem-solving, team management, budget management, effective organization skills, story identification, and any foreign language skills you have
  3. Work history Instead of listing standard tasks, highlight your achievements. Your resume gains more value when facts and figures are stated to support your work experience, and you give examples of project management and client appreciation. For example: “Spearheaded a major redesign of a magazine that increased page views by 25% year-over-year.” Also mention any awards you’ve received for your work in this section.
  4. Education List  any relevant degrees you have in English, Communications or Journalism, as well as any related certifications in writing, management or public relations, and professional memberships (e.g. being a member of American Copy Editors).

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Find the Right Template for your Resume

To craft a resume that stands out from the other applicants’ submissions, make use of these professionally designed templates, suitable for the editor position.

Acclaimed

This two-column layout organizes section headings and content for readability, with a monogram design for the job applicant’s name providing a unique touch.

Bold

This use of mixed colors for the applicant’s name makes this design stand out, while the dual-column approach makes scanning your info a breeze.

Pinstripe

This template’s design uses elegant dividers between each section, giving your resume  a classy look.

For more resume templates to choose from, see our templates page.

Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume

  • Present technical skills and soft skills Editing is not just about reviewing and rewriting content, but also providing guidance to writers, and successfully completing projects using software and technical know-how. Include skills in your resume that speak to your high standards of quality (e.g., “Well-versed in Chicago Manual of Style”), as well as your proficiency in content management software, such as WordPress. Also mention soft skills like excellent verbal and written communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, time management and strategic planning.
  • Communicate your skills using unique keywords Keywords like “attention to detail” and “team player” are commonly used terms — get yourself noticed by finding ways to describe your individual talents when you mention these skills. “Strong problem-solver adept at managing content flows on spec” tells a recruiter much more than “problem-solving.”
  • Show a proven record of achievement  Concentrate on achievements that show how you would bring value to an editorial job — just listing experiences in grocery-list fashion won’t cut it. Wherever you can, quantifye your achievements with authentic facts and figures. For example: “Published ‘special editions’ for magazine that sold 2 million copies,” or “Increased advertising revenue by 15% by realigning the sales team.” Whether you’ve contributed to business growth or played a crucial role in client satisfaction, recruiters are more impressed with a proven record.
  • Don’t create an over-lengthy resume A recruiter takes an average of six to seven seconds to scan a resume. The lengthier your document, the more chance you’ll lose a recruiter’s interest. Unless you’re applying for a senior position, work on building concise work history and skills sections (without compromising on including necessary details) to keep your resume at one page.
  • Do not use a standard resume for all applications Avoid using one resume format for all job applications. Research each job and industry you are applying for and customize your resume accordingly. For example, the skills you feature for an advertising agency position will differ from those needed for a publication house. Check job descriptions for required skills, and include them in your resume where appropriate.
  • Don’t forget to mention awards and extra-curricular activities Any awards you’ve earned at an academic or professional level will grab a recruiter’s attention. Don’t shy away from including extracurricular activities that show off your abilities, such as a blog project, or contributions to newspapers or magazines. This information also provides a peek at your personality, and unique attributes that could make an impact on an editorial role.