13 Writer Resume Examples for 2025

A strong résumé is key for any writer. In this article, we'll give you proven examples and strategic advice. You'll learn how to highlight your writing skills, showcase your work experience, and use the right keywords to get noticed. This guide aims to help you build a résumé that can land you a great job in the writing industry.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for writers.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best writer resumes use numbers to show impact. Common metrics include increased readership by 20%, reduced editing time by 15%, boosted social media engagement by 30%, and improved content accuracy by 10%.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are SEO, copywriting, content management systems, blogging, and technical writing. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job application. Use snippets like specialized in health content or focused on finance blogs to match the job.

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Where to place education

When you are a writer, where you place your education on your resume matters. If you have been writing professionally for a while, place your work experience first. Your latest writing roles show your current skills and successes in the field.

However, if you recently finished a significant educational program like a writing workshop, creative writing degree, or journalism course, mention this first. This shows you are up-to-date with the latest writing techniques and styles. This is more important if you are new to writing jobs or if your most recent education is highly relevant to the writing position you seek.

For writers with little experience, it is good to show your education first. This includes recent graduates. If you hold degrees in writing, literature, or related fields, this will grab a hiring manager's attention quickly. List your most relevant education to writing to show you have a strong foundation for the job.

Show your writing samples

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.

Right resume length

As a writer, your resume should be just long enough to cover your key skills and experiences without overwhelming the reader. If you have less than 10 years of experience, aim for a single page. This shows you know how to communicate your qualifications briefly and effectively. Use the space to highlight your best work and most relevant achievements.

For those with more than 10 years of experience, two pages can be appropriate. Ensure that the first page captures your strongest points since hiring managers might only glance through it initially. Prioritize your writing achievements, major projects, and roles that closely match the job you're applying for. Use simple layouts to make the best use of space and maintain readability. Remember, clarity and conciseness are key attributes in good writing and should be reflected in your resume length.

Tailor to the job listing

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.

Beat the resume screeners

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used widely to filter resumes before they reach hiring managers. To get through this first step, you need to make your resume ATS-friendly.

Here are some ways you can do this:

  • Use standard headings like 'Work Experience' and 'Education' to help the system recognize different sections.
  • Include keywords from the job posting. For writers, these might be 'content creation,' 'editing,' or specific writing tools you're proficient with.

Connect through your personal brand

Creating a strong personal brand is vital. It tells employers who you are and what sets you apart. You may want to include a short, professional bio at the top of your resume that reflects your unique voice and writing style. This helps you stand out and shows your personal approach to writing.

Include any notable writing achievements or awards you've received. Also, if you maintain a professional blog or contribute to well-known publications, make sure to mention these. This demonstrates your commitment to the craft and provides insight into your expertise and interests in specific writing areas.

Ignoring the impact of first impressions

When you write your resume, the first impression is very important. You want the person reading it to see you as a good fit for the job. Avoid common mistakes like spelling errors or not tailoring your resume to the job you want. Here are two tips to help you:

  • Proofread your work. Small mistakes can make you seem careless. Use tools to check your spelling and grammar.
  • Match your skills to the job. Look at the job post. Use the same words they use to describe your own skills.

Remember, the person reading your resume wants to find the right person for the job quickly. Make it easy for them to see you are the right choice.

Tailor your resume

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.

Highlight your successes

As a writer, your resume should showcase your successes, not just a list of duties. You must make it clear how you add value. Remember, it’s not about what you did, but how well you did it. Focus on your achievements that demonstrate your skills and impact.

  • Instead of saying 'Wrote articles for a company blog,' specify your success by saying 'Increased reader engagement by 30% through a series of targeted blog articles.'
  • Avoid stating 'Responsible for editing company reports.' Show your impact with 'Improved report clarity and coherence, leading to a 25% reduction in client inquiries for clarification.'

Use strong action verbs

When you describe your writing experience, it's important to start each point with a strong action verb. This shows me, as a hiring manager, what you can do. Choose verbs that match the work you did. For example, if you wrote articles, you might start with 'composed' or 'authored'. If you edited work, you might use 'revised' or 'polished'. Remember, the right verbs make your resume clearer.

Think about the tasks you did in your writing jobs. Were you creating stories, explaining facts, or selling products? Choose verbs that show these tasks. Make sure your verbs are simple and easy to understand. Avoid words that might confuse someone who does not speak English very well.

  • To show your ability to create new content, use developed, crafted, conceived, originated, envisioned.
  • For work on making writing better, use enhanced, refined, edited, tailored, perfected.
  • If you led a project, use directed, coordinated, managed, orchestrated, supervised.
  • To show research work, use investigated, analyzed, examined, explored, surveyed.
  • When you want to show you finished tasks, use completed, executed, delivered, achieved, realized.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Troubleshoot, Created, Establish, Communicated, Awarded.

Showcase your leadership growth

If you've climbed the ladder in your career as a writer, it's key to highlight this on your resume. Leadership roles or promotions show that you have been trusted with more responsibility and have grown in your field. Think about the times you've guided a project, led a team, or been recognized for your work.

  • Managed a team of freelance contributors to meet project deadlines
  • Promoted to senior writer after consistently meeting company targets

Even if you're not sure you've held a formal leadership role, consider times when you've taken the lead on initiatives or mentored new staff. You might have been a go-to person for editing tasks or chosen to represent your department at a conference. These are all signs of leadership.

  • Led a workshop on narrative techniques at a national writers' conference
  • Selected as peer mentor for new hires in the editorial team

Key skills for writers

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.

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