Writer Resume Template: Guide and Free Download Examples

How do I write a freelance writer resume?

Since freelancers rely on short-term gigs, you need a writer resume that showcases your skills and abilities over your work history. A functional resume helps you achieve this. We recommend that you follow this freelance writer resume template:

1. Contact information: This short section needs your full name, the general region you live in, phone number, and professional email. Your copywriter resume benefits from adding links to your writing portfolio and work samples.

2. Summary Statement: his introduction needs to tell your professional story. If you’re applying to another freelance or short-term contract role, you can focus on your freelance history and timely delivery of written materials. Suppose you’re looking for a full-time or in-house writing gig. In that case, your summary statement identifies one or two projects with a noticeable and positive result for the client, such as a social media campaign that increased sales traffic or a successful promotion of new goods.

3. Qualifications of Summary: This section categorizes proof of your accomplishments, in the form of statistics or data, by skill set to help craft an idea of your creative storytelling.

4. Writing Skills: This detailed list of skills needs to focus on the critical aspects of your writing career. For example, you can define what forms of writing you're familiar with, such as email copywriting, product copywriting, technical writing, or user experience (UX) writing.

5. Editorial Skills: A good writer is nothing without strong attention to detail and the ability to self-edit. You should specify which writing styles you’re familiar with such as the AP style format.

6. General Skills: Although writing and editorial skills are your main feature, you should still compose a 6-8 item list of social and professional skills that can help mark you as a strong employee and pleasant coworker.

7. Work History: This reduced section should downplay your short-length employment by specifying your former job titles, employer, and general year of employment. Avoid adding specifying dates or responsibilities related to each job.

8. Education: Most education sections follow the same format. Add any relevant degrees or certifications that help make you a strong copywriter, such as a B.A. in Creative Writing or an SEO copywriting certification.

How much does a writer earn in the U.S.?

Pay ranges depending on your level of experience and where you’re hired to work. For example, journalists can earn significantly less than advertising writers and a technical writer in Austin, TX, could make more than a similarly skilled writer in Jackson, WY. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently calculated the average wage of writers across these general industries.

How do I become a writer?

A good writer isn’t born –– you have to practice your craft and pursue copywriting opportunities. To become an employed writer, you can use the following strategies to increase your job opportunities.

1. Pursue an education in English, Literature, Journalism, or Media Studies. You’ll learn to hone your writing, finesse your grammatical skills, and establish a network of peers who may evolve into future business contacts.

2. Invest in a professional website or online portfolio. Most employers want to review your writing samples to ensure you’re a strong storyteller before hiring you. An online portfolio makes it easy to share and measure your skills.

3. Register with various recruiting agencies and freelance marketplaces. Although recruitment agencies take a percentage of the wages you earn from each successful job offer, they’re a reliable option for starting your writing career. Agencies have established connections with reputable employers and recruiters and can recommend you for jobs before they are advertised to the general public.