Content writers are experts at crafting effective messages to consistently engage their audiences. As a content writer, your resume should resemble a great piece of content. It should be tailored to your industry and professional story and communicated in a compelling way that tells an authentic story. In this guide, we'll break down 7 content writer resumes so you can craft an irresistible one for yourself.
You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.
As a Content Writer, your resume should showcase your writing and editing skills, as well as your ability to research and develop compelling content that engages audiences. Here are some tips to help you get into the right mindset:
Demonstrate your writing skills:
Include examples of your published work, such as blog posts, articles, and social media content. Emphasize your ability to write for different mediums and audiences, and your ability to adapt your writing style to different brand voices.
Highlight your research skills:
Content writers often need to conduct research to inform their writing. Showcase your ability to conduct thorough research, including data analysis and industry trends.
Showcase your editing skills:
Your resume should demonstrate your ability to edit and proofread your own work, as well as the work of others.
Emphasize your storytelling ability:
Content writing often involves storytelling. Highlight your ability to develop narratives and write compelling stories that engage audiences.
Tailor your resume to the job and company:
Customize your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the specific role and company.
Here are the essential sections that should exist in a content writer resume:
Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other content writer candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:
Let's start with resume headlines.
Content Writer with 4 Years Experience Generating Engaging Content
Creative and Detail-Oriented Content Writer with Expertise in SEO and Social Media Marketing
Award-winning Content Writer with 4 Years of Experience Crafting Engaging Copy and Boosting Website Traffic
The best resume headlines make use of active words and keyword phrases to highlight the job seeker's professional title as well as their experience level in that field.
In the two good examples provided, the words “experience”, “crafting”, “quality”, “generating”, and “engaging” all signal to the employer what the writer is capable of doing.
Experienced Content Creator
Professional Content Creator Looking for Job
Writer with Experience in Various Forms of Content
The weak resume headlines fail to provide any immediate signal to the employer as to the job seeker’s experience or what tasks they are looking to do. In a competitive job market, it's important for job seekers to create headlines that differentiate them from other candidates and showcase their unique strengths and value proposition.
A resume summary is a crucial component of a Content Writer's resume, as it provides a quick overview of your skills, experiences, and achievements in the field. A well-written summary can demonstrate your expertise in writing, editing, and publishing high-quality content, and quickly communicate the value you bring to the organization.
For a Content Writer, your resume summary should focus on your experience with writing and producing engaging content for a variety of formats and platforms. Highlight your ability to write in a clear and concise manner, as well as your skills in research, editing, and proofreading. Mention any specific achievements, such as the publication of a popular blog post, the launch of a new website, or the creation of a successful content marketing campaign.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind to write a compelling summary:
Why these are strong:
Why these are weak:
Creative and professional Content Writer looking for an opportunity to create compelling and motivational content for a top-tier company.
Passionate and organized individual looking for an entry-level content writing position to utilize my extensive writing skills and provide value to the organization.
Why these are strong:
Seeking a content writing position to make a lot of money.
Looking for a content writing job that will be a perfect fit for me.
Why these are weak:
Developed and implemented content strategies for a company, resulting in a 15% increase in website visits in the first month.
Created and managed content for social media, leading to a 20% increase in engagement over a 3-month period.
Organized and participated in promotional events, resulting in a 5% increase in sales.
Designed and implemented a comprehensive content plan, resulting in a 10% increase in brand awareness over a 3-month period.
Managed and developed the company’s online presence, leading to a 5% increase in web traffic.
Organized and coordinated promotional activities, resulting in a 3% increase in customer engagement.
Why these are strong:
Developed and implemented content strategies for a company.
Managed content for social media.
Organized promotional activities.
Designed and implemented a content plan.
Created and managed content for the website.
Participated in promotional events.
Why these are weak:
Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Content Writer position with [Company Name]. With my extensive experience developing and optimizing SEO-friendly content, creating effective content briefs, and establishing content strategies, I am confident that I would make a valuable addition to your team.
In my previous role, I spearheaded the development of SEO-optimized content including website pages, blog posts, articles, and social media posts, increasing organic website traffic by 17%. I also established content strategies and editorial plans for upcoming projects, resulting in a 55% increase in total organic lead generation. My ability to generate content briefs for internal and external teams led to the development of an effective 3-day turnaround initiative for every campaign.
I am also experienced in developing content style guides and standards to ensure brand consistency, resulting in a unified brand image across all assets. I pioneered the optimization of content for SEO, utilizing appropriate keywords and metadata for increased visibility on search engines. My ability to analyze brand and industry trends to drive customer engagement led to the establishment of a customer loyalty program, resulting in a 10% increase in repeat purchases.
I am confident that I can bring this level of success to [Company Name]. I am skilled at brainstorming innovative ideas for content briefs, which has helped reduce bounce rates on webpages by 40% and boost organic traffic. Additionally, I am experienced in coordinating with marketing, design, and sales teams to ensure content materials adhere to business objectives.
I am passionate about the power of words and their ability to drive traffic, boost engagement, and increase conversions. I am eager to collaborate with your team to create high-quality, engaging, and informative content that will help [Company Name] achieve its goals.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
A cover letter is an essential tool for any content writer looking to stand out from the competition. It's an opportunity to showcase your writing skills, highlight your relevant experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
While a resume provides a summary of your skills and experience, a cover letter allows you to personalize your application and connect with the hiring manager on a deeper level. It's an opportunity to tell your story, explain why you're passionate about content writing, and show how you can add value to the organization.
Here are some of the key reasons for pairing your content writer resume with a cover letter:
We understand that writing a cover letter may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Remember that the cover letter is an extension of your resume, so you can use the same format and content as your resume. It's also a chance to address any gaps or questions that the hiring manager may have after reading your resume.
Tips for aligning your cover letter with your resume:
Content Writers resumes should be no more than two pages. Whenever possible, use only 1 page to communicate your key skills, experience, and accomplishments. Even with previous experience in the field, if you are an entry-level writer, a 1-page resume should be sufficient. Keep content relevant and use a clear and readable font size and style.
The resume of a Content Writer should be visually appealing, concise and up-to-date. It should focus on the writer's experience, skill set, and must be tailored specifically to the desired role. As the resume should showcase talent and experience, it should be direct, clear and make use of bullet points. Content Writers should also include keywords related to the field in their resumes in order to make sure their resume is picked up by applicant tracking systems.
Content Writers should aim to include the following hard skills on their resumes: 1. Technical proficiency in WordPress CMS and other content management systems 2. Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading capabilities 3. Strong verbal and written communication skills 4. Proficiency in SEO and keyword optimization 5. Ability to generate original, high-quality content 6. Technology proficiency, such as web design and development, HTML, and CSS 7. Expert knowledge of AP, Chicago, and MLA styling and formatting 8. Ability to utilize social media to drive traffic and engagement 9. Knowledgeable in tracking, monitoring, and trend analysis of content performance 10. Understanding of copyright law and intellectual property rights
If you have no experience as a Content Writer, you should focus on the skills you have which can help you in this field. These may include any writing experience you have, such as courses you have taken, articles you have written (even if they were just for a school project), newsletters or blogs you follow, or books you have read in the topic. Make sure to emphasize any qualities that can help you succeed as a Content Writer, such as research and editing capabilities, attention to detail, and ability to express yourself clearly. Additionally, be sure to include a clear career objective highlighting your dedication and ambition to pursue a job as a Content Writer.
