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Freelance Writer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
Last Updated:
November 25, 2024
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Freelance Writer Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- How To Write a Freelance Writer Resume
- How To Pick the Best Freelance Writer Resume Template
- Freelance Writer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Frequently Asked Questions: Freelance Writer Resume Examples and Advice
- Check Out Related Examples
Freelance Writer Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
- Freelance Writer
- Beginner Freelance Writer
- Freelance Content Writer
Freelance Grant Writer Resume Example
A good freelance writer resume focuses on your relevant skills like copy editing, time management, or independent research. Give examples of your past success as a freelance writer or in similar roles, and show your knowledge base by citing any technical training or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume showing your best freelance writer qualifications.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section – this helps you focus your resume so it positions you for the freelance writer role.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “created,” “researched,” or “enhanced.”
- Spell out the results of your past work as a freelance writer. Describe how your efforts helped clients and readers.
How To Write a Freelance Writer Resume
Using a template can help you write an effective freelance writer resume. Your freelance writer resume should usually include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
Before starting work on your resume, jot down your preferences for your target job duties or industry. These notes will help you determine and emphasize your best career details as you develop each section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your current contact information so employers can reach you for an interview.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, State Abbreviation Zip Code | LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five primary reasons you can excel as their next freelance writer. These key selling points may include your:
- Main strengths or specialties
- Work style or approach (efficient, diligent, collaborative…)
- College degree(s) or certifications in your field
Example
Freelance writer with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor in English and journalism from UCLA and Columbia University respectively. Created high-quality content for renowned companies like Adobe Systems, Walt Disney Company, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, significantly increasing web traffic, engagement, and search engine rankings. Expert in client communication, self-promotion, and using search engine optimization (SEO) best practices, with professional writing, content marketing, and grant writing certifications.
3. Add a compelling section featuring your freelance writer experience
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success in writing roles similar to the one you’re after. For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points in this section.
Example
Freelance Writer, Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA | December 2022 to present
- Created high-quality content for blogs, websites, and social media, increasing online visibility by 20%
- Conducted thorough research to produce accurate and engaging articles and blog posts, increasing reader engagement by 25%
- Used SEO techniques to optimize content, increasing organic search traffic by 15%
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Use relevant performance data and metrics to show the results you’ve achieved as a freelance writer. Hard numbers put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your scope and impact.
Do
- "Created and edited original, engaging content for various platforms, helping increase social media followers by 25%"
Don’t
- "Created and edited original, compelling content for various platforms, helping increase social media followers"
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
For each job posting you respond to, note any details about the hiring organization’s size, industry, customer base, or products and services. How do these areas compare to your recent experience? You can make a stronger first impression on the hiring manager by citing these similarities in your profile.
What if you don’t have experience as a freelance writer?
Don’t worry. As long as the job posting doesn’t strictly require it, you don’t need direct work experience to write an effective resume. The trick is focusing on your transferable skills, which can come from various areas such as your past jobs, internships, volunteer positions, or college courses. By detailing these areas in full on your resume, you can ensure it helps you get interviews for your target job.
4. Include education and certifications relevant to freelance writer
With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Cite any credentials you’ve earned that speak to your abilities as a freelance writer. The following templates help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant coursework or honors]
Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of California, Los Angeles, CA | 2015
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Professional Writer (CPW), National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
5. List freelance writer-related skills and proficiencies
A separate skills section lets you quickly display the (possibly various) ways you can assist readers, clients, or colleagues. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Cloud | Client service and relations |
| Content creation | Copy editing |
| Fact-checking | G Suite |
| Grant proposal writing | Independent research |
| Microsoft Office Suite | Project management |
| Proofreading | Reporting and documentation |
| SEO | Time management |
| Videoconferencing (Skype, Zoom) | Writing and editing |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show the varied nature of your experience.
The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your freelance writer resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Brainstormed | Conceptualized |
| Created | Decreased |
| Developed | Drafted |
| Edited | Enhanced |
| Fostered | Generated |
| Grew | Improved |
| Increased | Introduced |
| Lowered | Managed |
| Prevented | Proofread |
| Ranked | Reduced |
| Researched | Streamlined |
| Updated | Won |
| Wrote | |
How To Pick the Best Freelance Writer Resume Template
A resume is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted accordingly. Choose a clear and straightforward template, and avoid any with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and update your work history.
Freelance Writer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Melissa Anderson
Miami, FL 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | LinkedIn
Freelance writer with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor in English and journalism from UCLA and Columbia University respectively. Created high-quality content for renowned companies like Adobe Systems, Walt Disney Company, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, significantly increasing web traffic, engagement, and search engine rankings. Expert in client communication, self-promotion, and using SEO best practices, with certifications in professional writing, content marketing, and grant writing.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English
University of California, Los Angeles, CA
May 2015
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Columbia University, New York, NY
December 2016
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
May 2017
Key Skills
- Independent research
- SEO
- Writing and editing
Professional Experience
Senior Content Writer, Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA | January 2018 to present
- Develop and manage content for various digital platforms including blogs, websites, and social media, increasing web traffic and engagement by 30%
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand content needs, leading to the creation of targeted and effective content
- Use SEO best practices in content creation, helping to improve search engine rankings by 20%
Freelance Writer, various clients, Los Angeles, CA | May 2015 to December 2017
- Created and edited high-quality content for various clients including Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks Animation, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Maintained regular communication with clients to understand their content needs and make necessary revisions, resulting in high client satisfaction
Professional Development
- Certified Content Marketer (CCM), Copyblogger
- Certified Grant Writer (CGW), American Grant Writers’ Association
- Certified Professional Writer (CPW), National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
Why this freelance writer resume example is strong:
This resume uses dynamic verbs to express how the applicant has delivered quality work for clients and organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Freelance Writer Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a freelance writer job posting?
First, look closely at the job post text and note any repeated or emphasized words. Compare these phrases to the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, seek ways to align your resume language with the job posting while not copying phrases or misstating your background.
For example, if the organization seeks someone collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the company has many non-English speaking customers. Cite your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.
What is the best freelance writer resume format?
Most freelance writers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.)
A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history and projects – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section enables you to display your career highlights at the top, whether they’re from that work history or another part of your background.
As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. This format gives hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths so they can decide to call you for an interview.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter can enhance your job application. To write a standout letter, get specific. Tell the hiring manager why you’re interested in their organization and the freelance writer role they hope to fill.
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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