Creating a Writer's Resume
Impress Employers, Land Writing Jobs with a Professional Writing CV
A writer's resume is an integral part of a writer's portfolio. If your CV is professional and well-written, it should help you get a writing job.
While writing may seem like one field where you can get away with being less than professional, it isn't. If you want to work in the writing field, it is essential to present yourself professionally. A polished writer's resume is a good way to start.
Why Writers Need Resumes?
You need a resume because you never know when a great writing opportunity is going to present itself. You may hear of a great job offer, or an editing contract that's perfect for you. The writer's resume is not generally used when submitting your articles for publication, unless it is specifically asked for. It's usually used to apply for writing jobs or writing programs.
Preparing your writer's CV will also help you see how much you experience you really have. It's a good way to boost your confidence or else to show where you need to beef up your resume a little.
Statement of Purpose
This is optional. Some writers like to put a statement of purpose or an 'objectives' line at the beginning of their resume. It should, in one or two sentences, sum up what you're hoping to achieve professionally.
Skills-Based Resume Format
Most freelance writers or emerging writers who have never had a writing job will find that the skills based resume will be the best way to highlight their experience. Often our steady day jobs are in fields other than writing. Or we have a long list of short-term writing contracts with various employers, which don't look good in the traditional chronological resume format. If we look at the skills we've developed while doing these other jobs our qualifications line up quite nicely.
You can title the skills section “Writing and Editing Skills” or “Relevant Qualifications” or whatever else fits with the job offer. Try to find a logical way to organize your skills into relevant skill sets. Possible skills sets could include:
- Writing (List your credentials here, including names of publications)
- Editing (List clients' names, courses you've taken, familiarity with specific editorial skills)
- Research (What research have you done? How did you do it? Are you familiar with specific databases, on-line libraries or public archives?)
- Computer skills (List programs you can work with, websites you've created, etc.)
- Interviewing skills
- Typing and data entry skills (Only if this is relevant)
Work History
Include a brief chronological history of steady jobs you've held, with names of your employer and your start and end dates. Your work history illustrates to an employer your capacity to hold a job. They want to know that you are dependable.
References
Generally, if an employer is interested in hiring you they will ask to see your references. Unless it is specifically asked for in the job
