What should a writer put on their resume?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

A writer should put highlights of their writing expertise, technical skills, and storytelling ability on their resume. Just think, your resume may be the first thing a potential employer or client reads of your writing. Just like anything else you write, this too needs to be technically sound, relevant, and compelling.

To get started, you should write a strong profile summary or objective. In one to four sentences, touch on who you are as a candidate and what you have to bring to the table.

For example, "Detail-oriented technical writer with over five years of experience writing high-quality internal and user-facing support and learning documentation. Single-handedly authored a 90-page user guide for a cloud-based webinar app."

Next, you should elaborate on your specific experiences working as a writer. Here, you'll want to convey your experiences through your achievements using action verbs. For example, "Authored 90+ unique lifestyle articles published on six websites that attracted over 8M unique visitors."

If you're just starting out your career as a writer, then consider including some samples of your work via a work portfolio, website, or school projects. Also, use the education section to showcase some of your skills. You should also include a section for certifications if you have any.

Finally, be sure to include a customized list of skills. Include no more than ten hard and soft skills that not only reflect your own abilities but also align with those mentioned in the job description. Don't just list these skills but also demonstrate them throughout your resume when describing your experiences and accomplishments.