Copywriter Resume Sample, Job Description & Writing Guide for 2024
Your resume is the first impression you make when applying for jobs. If you’re trying to create a copywriter resume that will truly wow potential employers, it can feel overwhelming. With a job field like copywriting that has a vast variety of job descriptions, niches, and potential responsibilities, you may find yourself staring at an extensive and overwhelming resume.
Fortunately, there are some great tips to ensure you send the perfect resume every time. This guide is designed to walk you through every step of creating a resume. Whether you’ve applied for dozens of copywriting jobs or this is your first foray into the field, this guide is sure to help you create a resume that will wow your future employer.
Copywriter resume writing guide: Where to start?
A common misconception is that you should have one blanket copywriter resume that lists every relevant skill, job, and certification you’ve earned. While it’s important to show off the skills you have, you want to make sure you’re not sending a resume that overwhelms the reader.
Creating a unique resume for every job you apply for may seem tedious, but it’s a method that’s proven to make you stand out in a sea of applicants. Of course, to create a tailored resume, you need to know where to start.
Master copywriting resume
Your master copywriting resume should be the first step you take in crafting the perfect resume for job applications. A master resume is a catch-all document highlighting all of your professional accomplishments. Your master copywriter resume doesn’t need to follow a specific outline or template. Instead, it needs to be a document you can easily navigate and understand.
There are many benefits to creating your master copywriter resume. First, it allows you to look over your entire career and analyze the skills and knowledge you’ve earned. It gives you one location to see all you’ve accomplished since you began your copywriting career.
While it may seem like making a master copywriter resume will take up much of your time, it will save you time in the long run. Your master resume is your starting point for every job application you fill out. Once you’ve taken the time to put it together, you can revisit it to refresh your memory on all of your skills and experience. You’ll no longer find yourself staring at a blank resume, trying to remember that specific skill you earned in your internship eight years ago.
When putting your master resume together, set aside the time needed to evaluate your entire career. Consider skills you earned in positions that aren’t related to copywriting jobs, and see if you can connect them to the copywriter jobs you may apply for.
Again, this doesn’t have to be an official document. Instead, it can be lists of your work experience, education, and skills. The crucial part is ensuring you list everything that could be relevant to a copywriting job description.
Once you’ve completed this process, you’ll have a master resume that you will only need to refresh occasionally as you gain more experience or skills. This document will allow you a smoother process of creating a job-specific copywriter resume.
Job-specific copywriter resume templates
You’ve got your master copywriter resume taken care of, so now it’s time to start applying for jobs. When you find a position you want to apply for, you will want to create a job-specific resume to send to the hiring manager. Taking the time to make a unique resume for each job can help you stand out among other applicants, which is important in a large field like copywriting.
Creating a job-specific resume will help show that your skills meet the requirements of the job you’re applying for, which is the biggest thing hiring managers will be looking for. It can also show the hiring manager how passionate you are about the job you’re applying for. Tailoring your resume to the job posting can help you naturally implement keywords employers may be looking for on resumes.
So, how do you create a job-specific copywriter resume? There are some key steps to ensuring this is a smooth process for you. First, make sure you thoroughly read the job description that’s posted. Look for copywriting keywords in the duties or skills required in the posting, such as SEO knowledge, editing, or ghostwriting. These keywords can help you understand what skills the employer is looking for.
Once you’ve analyzed the job posting, go to your master copywriter resume and look at your skills and experience. At this point, you want to pick out items from your resume that align with what the employer is looking for. Find your most relevant experience and skills and include them in your resume.
The more your resume aligns with the job posting, the more likely it is to catch the attention of employers. Once you have your list of skills, you’re ready to put together a great copywriter resume to send for the job you’ve chosen.
Copywriter Resume Example
Consider one of our copywriter resume examples above. Notice that the resume showcases skills and experience that are relevant to the retail marketing niche of copywriting. The applicant here is utilizing the tips in this article to make their previous experience read as relevant to the job they’re applying for. When looking at copywriter resume samples, pay attention to how all the sections work together.
How to write a successful resume for a copywriter? Writing tips and examples
You have your master resume, your job-specific skills, and experience, and you’re ready to create your copywriter resume. While it may seem intimidating to create a resume that will stand out, there are sections you can break it down into to make it less overwhelming. Let’s look at these and how to make each section shine.
How to write a personal profile on a copywriter resume?
The personal profile on your copywriter resume is essentially your elevator pitch. However, instead of pitching your great idea, you’re pitching you! This section is typically at the top of your resume and is a short paragraph that summarizes your copywriting experience showcased on your resume.
Your personal profile is your first chance to truly impress potential employers, so it’s vital that you tailor it to the job you’re applying to. Pick your biggest accomplishments and skills to go into this section. However, don’t go into too much detail, because you don’t want to give away everything that’s on your resume in the first three to five sentences.
The goal of your personal profile is to leave the reader wanting to see what else is on your resume. Use your tone of voice and complete but concise sentences to highlight the most important elements of your copywriter skills your resume consists of.
Skills to list on a copywriting resume
When it comes to listing your skills in your copywriting resume, it can be tempting to infodump and list every skill you have. While you may think that’s impressive to potential employers, it can actually be overwhelming and take up vital space on your resume. Once again, this is where the job-specific resume comes into play.
Choose skills from your copywriting skillset that the employer is specifically looking for, or ones that you know are relevant to the open position. While you may be really proud of your Photoshop skills, if you’re applying for a position that is editing school exams, that may not be the best skill to list.
Create a section specifically for your skills list. It can be a good idea to also include how experienced you are with certain skills, as we did in our example resume. However, don’t just leave the list to do the talking. Make sure you tie your skills list in with your work and education experience to show how you implemented what you know.
Some common skills that copywriter employers are looking for include:
- Blogging
- Proofreading
- SEO
- Grammar
- Publishing
- WordPress
- Target audience research
- Typography
- Image optimization
- Content planning
- HTML
- Google Suite
How to write work experience on a copywriter resume?
Most often, your work experience will make up the largest section of your copywriter resume. This section is where you’ll list out every position you’ve held, what company you worked at, and the dates you were employed. This section’s most common layout is most recent to oldest employment, going back about ten years.
Under each position you’ve held, you should add a few bullet points that showcase the relevant copywriter skills your resume entails. Again, don’t list every job duty or skill you gained in the position, only the ones that will transfer to the position you’re applying for.
Your work experience section is a great opportunity to showcase your success in measurable ways. For example, if you increased your last company’s web traffic by 125%, it’s a good idea to mention that when applying for an SEO-related position.
How to list education on a copywriter resume?
Many copywriter positions may require some form of higher education so it’s important to include your relevant school history on your resume as well. If you have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, you’ll want to put the type of degree you have, the school’s name and location, and the year you graduated.
If you have schooling that isn’t relevant to copywriting, you don’t need to list it on your resume unless the hiring manager asks for your complete education history. However, copywriting is a unique field, in that you have writing experience with almost any degree. Consider that before you skip listing your Bachelor’s degree in History.
How to list courses and certificates on a copywriting resume?
Copywriting resumes can be a great place to highlight special certifications you’ve earned outside of a traditional degree program. If you have extra courses or copywriting-relevant certifications, you’ll want to list these in their own section towards the bottom of your resume.
Let’s say you’ve worked through the Advanced SEO Certification Training through Market Motive. Listing this certification can be the extra tidbit on your resume that makes you get the job you’re applying for.
When adding a certification or course to your copywriting resume, list the name of the certificate, the organization you earned it through, and the year you completed it.
Now that you have all your resume information together, consider using the CVMaker resume building tool to create your perfect copywriter resume. All you have to do is input your relevant information and choose one of the templates provided. In return, CVMaker gives you a PDF resume that’s perfect for you to send off for the job you’re applying for.
Key takeaways on building professional copywriter resumes
Your copywriter resume is your first chance to make a lasting impression on potential employers. You want to make sure you have a resume that is well thought out, easy to read, and showcases your most relevant copywriting skills. Understanding what the hiring manager is looking for will help you tailor your resume to best fit their qualifications.
Before you sit down to complete your resume, let’s recap the important parts to consider:
- Start with a master resume that lists every copywriting skill, experience, education, and any other important information. Remember that this doesn’t have to follow a certain layout, you just need to be able to read it and pull information from it easily.
- Find the job you want to apply for and read the job description thoroughly. Look for keywords in the description that showcase the skills the hiring manager seeks. Then, crosscheck the job description with your resume to choose the relevant skills you want to promote on your job-specific resume.
- Remember that your personal profile is your first impression and the way you make a lasting first impression on a hiring manager. Choose your most impressive and relevant accomplishments or skills to showcase in your introduction paragraph, but keep them wanting more so they read the rest of your resume.
- When listing your job duties from previous jobs, only highlight ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. It’s best to list them in a bulleted list and keep them concise.
- Don’t forget to include any relevant education or certifications you’ve earned that may help land you the job you’re looking at.
You have the copywriting skills for a perfect resume. Pair that with this knowledge and the CVMaker resume building tool, and you’re ready to land your next job.
Next Steps?
Now that you’ve got all the information on creating the perfect copywriter resume, there’s nothing left to do but put the knowledge into practice. Are you still feeling overwhelmed by the idea of putting your copywriter skills into a resume? Don’t hesitate to utilize CVMaker’s resume writing service for extra help. This team of professionals can give you tips and guidance in real-time as you create your resume. They can help you through every step of the process until you’re happy with your resume.
FAQs
Still have some questions about creating your perfect copywriting resume? Keep reading for more information!
How do you create a freelance copywriter resume?
Not all copywriters hold a conventional job but all copywriters will need a resume at some point. If you’re creating a freelance copywriter resume, the steps are much the same. However, you don’t want to list every client you’ve worked with as a freelance client.
Instead, you’ll create a single area in your work experience to showcase your freelance work. You’ll list your position and then you’d put the company you do your work through. Many freelancers use companies like Upwork to find jobs, which you can list. If you have your own company, you can list the name of your LLC as your employer.
The job description is where you can highlight specific skills or jobs you’ve completed as a freelancer. Don’t worry about naming the companies or people you wrote for. Instead, focus simply on what niches, skills, and projects you’ve excelled at that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
How do you create an entry-level copywriter resume?
Are you new to copywriting and have little to no experience? Creating an entry-level copywriter resume can feel overwhelming when you don’t have a list of copywriting skills for your resume. However, it’s important to think about all of your professional and educational experiences to create the best copywriter resume possible.
Instead of showcasing copywriting accomplishments in your personal profile, consider explaining what type of position you’re looking to be hired for. Then, you may want to showcase some soft skills or any writing-related accomplishments you’ve had in school.
It’s also common for entry-level copywriters to list their education experience above their work experience. This approach will allow your most relevant experiences to be at the top of your resume, assuming you’ve gone to school for journalism, communication, or other fields.
While your resume may not have all the same accomplishments as a senior copywriter resume would, it’s important to remember your end goal: you want to sell the skills you do have in a way that will make a company want to get you started in the copywriting field.
Are there certain keywords that should be in my copywriter resume?
There are common keywords that you’ll find in copywriting job descriptions. The best way to decide what keywords you should include in your resume is to pay close attention to the job posting. The job description will give you an idea of the duties and skills required in the position you’re applying for. From there, you can find keywords to include in your resume that showcase your skills and experience.
You want any keyword usage to flow naturally in your resume. Don’t merely list key terms in hopes of catching the employer’s attention. Instead, work them into your skillset, job descriptions, and personal profile.
Again, the keywords for your resume may differ from one job to another. However, there are some common keywords to look out for, including:
- Copywriting
- SEO
- Social Media Marketing
- Copy Editing
- Blogging
- Creative Writing
What’s the best format for your copywriting resume?
Most employers are looking for a copywriter resume that showcases your most recent experience at the top, otherwise known as reverse chronological format. You’ll also want to make your sentences concise but detailed, or opt for bullet points to fit the most information possible.
For most copywriters, your resume should only be a page long. The exception to this is if you’re applying for a senior role or have an extensive list of relevant achievements. Don’t be afraid to be picky about the skills you showcase on your resume to ensure you’re sending the best copywriter resume for the job available.
With copywriting, even the writing style of your resume is up for evaluation. After all, this is the employer's first glance at the writing voice you will provide for the company. Stay true to your personal voice while keeping a professional tone. Having your resume be too general could hurt how the reader views your writing abilities.
Finally, ensure your resume is sent over as a PDF. PDFs are easy to send and open on any device, allowing for a seamless transfer from you to your future employer.
If the idea of formatting your copywriter resume is still overwhelming you, don’t hesitate to use the CVMaker resume building tool. Simply follow the guided steps, fill out the information, and you’ll have a perfectly formatted resume to send with your next job application.