Break into the writer field by tailoring your resume to each job listing. Highlight your most relevant writing experience, whether it's freelance work, internships, or published articles. Use keywords from the job description in your resume. This increases your chances of getting noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by many employers.

Include links to your writing samples. Having a portfolio attached or a link to an online collection of your work can make a big difference. Employers want to see your style and read examples of your past work. Make sure these samples are relevant to the type of writing job you are applying for.

When you apply for a job as a writer, your resume should show you can craft good content. Make sure your experience matches what the job asks for. Show that you understand the kind of writing the job needs.

• List any writing projects you have worked on. For example, if you wrote for a blog, you can say: Created 30+ SEO-driven blog posts increasing site traffic by 20%.
• If you've led projects or worked with others, share those numbers. A good example is Led a team of 5 writers to develop a new content strategy.
• If you are new to writing professionally, use examples from other jobs where you had to write. Maybe you wrote reports or emails. You could write Composed weekly reports to communicate project status to stakeholders.

When crafting your resume, it's important to highlight your technical abilities and knowledge. As a writer, you have a unique set of skills that are valuable across many industries. Here are some skills you might show:

• SEO optimization
• Content management systems
• Copywriting
• Proofreading
• Editing
• Research
• Technical writing
• Scriptwriting
• Storytelling
• Grant writing

Choose skills that match the job you want. For example, if you aim to be a technical writer, highlight skills like technical writing and research. If your focus is on digital content, show your strength in SEO optimization and using various content management systems. Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Explain how you have used them in your past work in your experience section.

Remember, you don't need every skill listed. Pick the ones that best fit your career goals and show your expertise in those areas. This will help you stand out to employers looking for a writer with your specific skill set.

When you apply for a job, it's key to show how you've grown or taken charge in past roles. Here's how you can do that for writing positions.

• List any roles where you led a project or team. For example, 'Led a team of writers for an online magazine, resulting in a 20% increase in monthly readers.'
• Include any times you trained others. You might write, 'Trained new writers in SEO best practices and editing software.'

Think through your writing jobs. Even if not formal, any time you helped guide a project or gave direction counts. Share these moments clearly on your resume.

When you write your resume, showing your impact with numbers can make a big difference. Here's why: numbers help hiring managers understand the scale and significance of your work. They make your achievements more concrete and compelling.

Think about the following metrics:

• The number of articles or projects you completed within a certain timeframe. This shows your ability to meet deadlines and manage workload.
• The percentage of traffic increase or readership growth for a blog or publication due to your content. This demonstrates the appeal and effectiveness of your writing.
• Any cost savings achieved by streamlining the writing process or by negotiating better rates for freelance assignments.
• The conversion rates for marketing materials you wrote, showing how your writing drives business results.
• If you've worked in a team, the percentage of projects you led or the number of writers you supervised.
• The social media engagement metrics such as shares, likes, and comments on content you created.
• Grant money or funding secured through proposals or applications you've written.
• Any awards or recognitions you've received for your writing.

If you're unsure about specific numbers, you can estimate. For example, if you wrote for a company's blog, look at the average views per article before and after your contributions. If you've helped reduce customer support issues through clearer manuals or FAQs, estimate the percentage decrease. Remember, it's important to be honest and not inflate these numbers. Use your best judgement to provide a truthful reflection of your impact as a writer.

When you apply for a writing job, think about the size of the company. If you want to work at a small company or startup like Medium or Wattpad, show that you can wear many hats and adapt quickly. For example, you might say 'Adapted content strategy for a growing audience, increasing engagement by 30%.'

For a larger company, like The New York Times or Penguin Random House, focus on your ability to handle complex projects and work with cross-functional teams. In this case, your resume might include 'Collaborated with marketing and design teams to deliver a major publishing project on schedule.'

• For small companies, highlight versatility and initiative
• For large companies, emphasize specialized skills and teamwork