Writer Resume Guide + Tips + Example
by Kellie Hanna, You need a great resume to get a job as a writer, and we’re here to help you create one. Our guide to crafting a perfect resume for a writer will help you make the most of your written communication and research skills to ensure you stand out to employers.
Start by editing this sample writer resume, or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the best writer resume template for you.
More Resume examples for the next step in your copywriting career
Writer resume example (text version)
KRISTAL ORLANDO
Hightstown, NJ 08520
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Summary of Skills
- Demonstrates perseverance and personal drive to meet deadlines.
- Writes clearly and effectively to convey feelings and emotions and communicate with readers.
- Creates and maintains a favorable public image for content-requesting organizations.
- Plans, reviews and revises content so it’s ready for publication.
Key Skills:
- Investigative research
- Story development
- Rapport building
- Persuasive writing
- Editing
- Interviewing skill
- Media operations knowledge
- Story editing
Professional Summary
Skilled staff writer and marketing specialist with a history of conceptualizing and reporting on diverse stories. Versed in digital media and skilled in writing and editing pieces for online platforms. Highly effective at working on a clear narrative. Expertise in research, writing, content editing and delivery.
Work History
April 2018 – Current
Carson Marketing Group – Manhasset, NY
Staff Writer
- Create 12 informational copies per week and 10 monthly blog posts for the company relevant to the latest marketing changes.
- Edit and proofread documents for proper grammar, spelling, capitalization and verbiage.
- Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
July 2015 – March 2018
Cobalt Industries – Trenton, NJ
Marketing Assistant
- Assisted in creating preseason marketing plans to support department and divisional strategies.
- Created unique and creative content for a range of social media platforms including Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram, improving 20% of engagement.
- Assisted with capturing and analyzing social media metrics.
June 2014 – March 2015
Cobalt Industries – Trenton, NJ
Office Intern
- Answered an average of 80 daily incoming telephone calls, took down messages and provided information.
- Restocked office supplies and retrieved files for a staff of 20.
- Completed clerical tasks such as filing, copying and distributing mail.
Education
- New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ
- Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts & General Studies
5 essentials of a top writer resume
Contact details
Place your contact information at the top of the page. It must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and professional website, add them as well.
Personal statement
A personal statement is also known as a professional summary. It’s a concise, three-to-five sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you bring to the table. Include some of your top skills in your personal statement, along with one or two notable accomplishments.
Skills
Create a skills section to display skills for a writer on your resume so hiring managers can see them at a glance. Add a bulleted list of five to eight job-relevant skills in this section. Include both hard and soft skills, such as creativity and copywriting.
Work history
A writer resume must include a job history section. In reverse-chronological order, list your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them, plus two or three measurable achievements. If you’re applying for your first job, then use this section to highlight extracurricular activities, coursework, presentations, volunteer experience and community service.
Education
A resume for a writer job must include an education section, even if you don’t have a diploma or a degree. Using bullet points, list the names of the schools you attended and the years you graduated. If you did not graduate, then list the school you attended and some of the classes you’ve taken.
See why My Perfect Resume is a 5-star resume builder
Action words for a stand-out writer resume
action words and numbers strengthen resumes because they tell hiring managers exactly what you did and your impact.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for a writer resume:
- Write
- Coordinate
- Create
- Edit
- Develop
- Plan
- Interview
- Maintain
- Demonstrate
- Investigate
- Review
- Revise
- Report
Need a writer resume now? Our Resume Builder has all the tools you need to create a professional resume in minutes! Get inspired with our writer resume samples, then fill in a matching template with our expert phrases. You make edits on the fly, then download your finished resume, save it in one of the standard resume formats and send it to your target employer. It’s that easy!
Top skills for a writer resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
As a writer, your skills might include:
- Copywriting
- Content development
- Search engine optimization
- Research
- Content editing
- Copy editing
- Content strategy
- Marketing
- Digital production
- WordPress
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Interviewing
- Presentation
- Planning
- Creativity
- Taking direction
- Verbal communication
- Social media
Certifications for a writer resume
Writers are not required to have professional certifications or licenses, but having one or more on your resume for a writer job will help you shine.
Luckily, there are some certification opportunities for writers to give you a leg up, including:
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Writer resume FAQ
1. What is the right format for a writer resume?
The resume format you use for a resume for a writer depends on your experience and goals. If you have a few years of experience, choose the combination resume format, which highlights your work history and skills. If you’re just breaking into the industry, use the functional resume format, which focuses on your industry-related skills and training. If you have more than five years of experience, try the chronological resume format, which leans heavily on your past work achievements.
2. What are the educational requirements for a job as a writer?
There are no specific educational requirements for writers, but many employers prefer at least a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED). New employees usually receive on-the-job training. Content writing experience while in an internship is also helpful to display on a resume for a writer.
3. What are some tips for crafting a great writer resume?
A writer resume will vary from person to person, but pay attention to these important guidelines:
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.
Do’s and don’ts for building a writer resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your writing abilities and experience.
- Use action words to make an impact on your writer resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target writer job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your writer resume.
- Format your writer resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your writing experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best writer ever.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not about writing.
- Forget to proofread. A writer resume will be discarded immediately.
Top 4 tips for acing a writer interview
Research first.
To make a great first impression, learn about the potential employer’s history, goals, values and people before your first interview. Talking about the company knowledgeably shows genuine interest, dedication and commitment, which hiring managers like to see.
Practice makes perfect!
To practice for your interview, start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
- How would your coworkers describe you?
- Describe a time when you needed to cope with a stressful situation.
Think back to some of your recent work experiences and write down one or two possible answers as you review potential questions. Then ask a friend or relative to help you practice. Ask your interview partner for a review and work on improving your weaknesses. You’ll feel confident and ready when it’s time for the real thing.
Ask questions.
Your interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions at the end of your session — and they will expect you to have at least two or three questions for them.
Some questions you might ask for a job as a writer might include:
- What are you looking for in a candidate?
- What is a typical day like in this job?
- How would my performance be evaluated?
Gather references.
Have professional references ready in case the hiring manager requests them after your interview. Being prepared in advance can make a great impression. Have a list of two or three former coworkers and a manager who can speak highly of your job qualifications.
If you are applying for your first full-time job, ask a former teacher, volunteer coordinator, classmate or community leader who can vouch for your character and skills.
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Kellie Hanna
Content Strategist, Career Advice Expert
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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