I was horrified the first time I applied for a freelance writing job that required a resume. I actually put off applying for several weeks because I didn't know what to do.Then, I decided to start researching and create the best possible writing resume for myself. I gave it my all and I got the job!
Creating a writing resume isn't as scary as it may seem. Working from a basic template can help tremendously. First, start with your name and personal information:
Willow Sidhe
123 Main St.
Sunnyville, US 12345
Phone: (555)888-2222
Email: myname@email.com
Next, add your objective:
Professional Freelance Writer
Providing creative and innovative writing to increase traffic and SEO.
Make sure to keep your objective in line with job you're applying for. Then, create your writing profile:
Writing Profile
Proven ability to create informative articles on any subject, with an expertise in SEO.
You will want your writing profile to be in line with the job you are applying for and make sure it correlates with the rest of the resume. If you wanted to showcase your expertise in the area of technology, you could say something like:
Writing Profile
Proven ability to create informative and insightful articles on any subject, with an expertise in technology and SEO writing.
Next, detail your writing styles:
Writing Styles
- SEO Articles
- Blogging
- How-To Articles
- Product Reviews
- Technology Guides, etc.
Make sure to showcase skills or styles that are relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are unsure what type of articles you'll be writing include general styles such as How-To and SEO Articles.
The next section will highlight your personal acheivements. These will include previous and current jobs related to writing. If you don't have any previous writing jobs, you'll need to get some articles published before creating a writing resume.
Personal Acheivements
- Associated Content, Content Producer - 2006-Present
- Ehow.com, Writer's Compensation Program - 2007-Present
- Acme Newspaper, Columnist - 1999-2007
It's a good idea to leave out any jobs you've had that don't relate to writing. It's easy to get articles published on sites like Ehow.com, Associated Content, Helium, etc., before applying for a higher paying job that requires a resume.
Next, create your education section:
Education
- University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
- Bachelor of English Literature, 1996
You can also list any other certifications you might have such as certificates, degrees, etc.
So, in the end, our completed resume looks something like this:
Willow Sidhe
123 Main St.
Sunnyville, US 12345
Phone: (555)888-2222
Email: myname@email.com
Professional Freelance Writer
Providing creative and innovative writing to increase traffic and SEO.
Writing Profile
Proven ability to create informative and insightful articles on any subject, with an expertise in technology and SEO writing.
Writing Styles
123 Main St.
Sunnyville, US 12345
Phone: (555)888-2222
Email: myname@email.com
Professional Freelance Writer
Providing creative and innovative writing to increase traffic and SEO.
Writing Profile
Proven ability to create informative and insightful articles on any subject, with an expertise in technology and SEO writing.
Writing Styles
- SEO Articles
- Blogging
- How-To Articles
- Product Reviews
- Technology Guides, etc.
Personal Acheivements
- Associated Content, Content Producer - 2006-Present
- Ehow.com, Writer's Compensation Program - 2007-Present
- Acme Newspaper, Columnist - 1999-2007
Education
- University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
- Bachelor of English Literature, 1996
This should give you a solid start toward building your own writing resume. Make sure not to just copy this generic template. This is an example only. Make it your own and add any experience or skills that you want to highlight. It's a good idea to examine your resume before applying for each job and modify it to suit. Good luck!
14 comments:
Great ideas for creating a writing resume. Many sites just state the importance of creation but not a detailed list.
Thanks, CherrineB. I had a difficult time trying to find examples of a freelance writing resume when I created mine, so I thought this might help some fellow writers.
I am guilty of waiting to apply for this exact reason. Thank you for such helpful tips! Great Blog too b-t-w!
Great tips; I have been confused myself on how to approach this sort of resume.
Thanks for sharing. Definitely will use your tips to create my resume. I stumbled onto your blog while searching for writing gig. I am more into 'need money now' and your section of upfront pay is very helpful.
I was one of Current Content writer and have been waiting for a week now for another job. It is a bit frustrating but they pay promptly on the forum boosting job (only after the boost is completed).
Thanks for writing!
Hi Willow,
Great article,and very helpful. I am just getting into freelancing, and want to apply for a position that requires a resume, but I have no "writing experience" that I can put down. I know that I can do the work, however, and think that the samples required will demonstrate this. Do you think I should wait until I get some stuff up on eHow and other such sites? And if so, how long would I need to be a published writer before I could post these experiences on a resume? I can get a few articles up at eHow this coming week, but don't think writing "eHow, May 2009 to present" will work, LOL! Would I need to wait, say, 6 months before applying for the positions that require a resume?
Thanks for your thoughts and your informative blog!
Hi, truthseeker. My advice is that if you don't want to wait, just put down any work experience you have and let your samples speak for themselves.
However, if you aren't comfortable with this, go ahead and start publishing on ehow, AC, or anywhere else you can. Then, wait about 6 months and fix up your resume to submit.
Really, though, if you don't want to wait go ahead and try it without experience. The worst that can happen is you'll be turned down and you can reapply in the future when you do have experience. You never know, they might just go ahead and give you a chance. Good luck!
This is great, Willow. This will definitely help me out. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Simple resume, but effective. For those of you that have a blog, you might consider mentioning your blog when they ask for experience, and they can see samples of your work there as well.
Wow I wish I read this before I applied for this one writing job that required a resume. I didn't even think about making a whole new resume that was strictly for writing jobs. This was very helpful. I'll be sure to make a new resume before applying to any other writing jobs in the future.
Thanks, Willow! I especially like the format of your resume-short and to the point. I realize now that the one I was using was too long and probably full of irrelevant details.
Thanks a million. I was looking for a resume template for freelance writers. Your template is easy to follow yet powerful. Thanks once again.
Thanks a lot,this is exactly the kind of blog i was searching before i get into serious blogging.This blog is very informative,full credit to you for all the effort you put in to create such great content here
you are a BIG help, thanks! for this post and many others I have just read here tonight. I am happy I found this blog and am a follower now. Thanks again for your help!
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