How to Write a Writer CV | Free Guide with Examples

Writing is more than typing words; it's about connecting with the reader and giving them the necessary information. When writing a good CV, think of it like solving a puzzle. Plan and execute carefully for a good result.

This guide aims to help students, those seeking career change, and experienced professionals create a professional writer CV. It also provides practical examples of similar roles. See our best tips and examples below to help you navigate the UK job market successfully.

Are you worried AI might swipe your writer's hat? AI like ChatGPT and automated content on the web have raised concerns about the future of content writing jobs. Still, the need for human-generated content is in high demand, and machines cannot entirely replace our creativity. Your mission is to captivate, inform, and establish a strong bond with your target audience.

See our matching writer cover letter example to help you streamline your application.

Writer CV example

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This Content Writer CV sample features Kai Grey, a Senior Content Writer seeking a director’s role within marketing. The work and education sections demonstrate that he is a qualified candidate. He has a strong track record of leading teams, creating style guides, and consistently delivering high-quality content. Kai's interest in writing is evident in the additional sections, such as languages and additional (freelance) experience. These qualifications make Kai a good fit for the next job.

Explore our matching writer cover letter example for more tips and examples on how to make your application shine amongst the competition.

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What to include in writer CV?

Crafting a successful writer CV in the UK involves integrating key sections. Enhance it with a strong portfolio and list of top publications to help you stand out more. Lastly, customise your CV for each job you apply to. Your text should be clear and brief, with bullet points to show achievements and maybe examples of your work. Doing so increases your chances of getting an interview.

A CV for writers includes the following must-have sections:

• Personal details

• Personal profile

• Work experience

• Skills

• Education.

You can complement your CV with the following additional sections:

• Courses and certificates

• Language skills

• Hobbies and interests

• References

• Achievements.

For example, if you are applying for a content creator role, emphasise SEO skills and showcase related published articles. To be an editor, show you can find mistakes and adapt to different writing styles and tones. Lastly, focus on your long-form storytelling and world-building for a novelist role. By effectively showcasing these key sections, you can position yourself as a qualified candidate poised to excel in your next role.

Finally, create a CV that is applicant tracking systems (ATS) friendly. Include the correct keywords, technical skills, and qualifications. This shows the recruiter that you have put the right effort and time into the application. See how to improve your CV for more details.

For more information on how to tailor your CV for a job description, refer to our blog article on the difference between a master and job-specific CV.

How to write your personal profile for a writer CV

Your personal profile, also known as a personal statement, offers a brief glimpse into your qualifications and experiences. It shows your key achievements, like an interesting hook that tries to catch the reader's attention. Summarise your expertise and experience in 4-6 lines that match the company's goals. Keep it clear and concise without giving too much information while focusing on the job’s requirements.

Incorporate soft skills, such as:

• Creativity

• Leadership

• Adaptability.

State your career goals, such as:

• Deliver high-quality and flawless work.

• Drive business growth through data-driven content strategies.

• Enhance brand awareness and engagement rates.

See our travel agent CV example if you want to learn more strategies to tailor your job for the tourism industry.

How to write work experience for a writer CV

Structuring your work experience section is crucial for showcasing your relevant skills and achievements effectively. List your job roles and dates in reverse order with official titles to show the timeline of your career. Start with your most recent positions and work backwards, providing your company names and years of employment. 

Examples of work experience for a writer's CV:

Freelance Travel Writer, Upwork, 2022-Present

Create engaging, concise, and SEO-friendly content for website pages, cooking blogs, and print ads. Liaise with creative directors, content team, and digital marketing specialists to improve content strategies and brand awareness, aligning the company’s goals. Assist with social media campaigns and adhere to the deadlines of multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery.

• Write 70+ articles for a travel blog, boosting monthly website traffic by 50% within six months.

• Designed and executed a content strategy, resulting in a 25% rise in social media engagement, as measured by likes, shares, and comments on Instagram and TikTok.

• Created style guides that led to a 40% increase in affiliate marketing revenue. 

Editorial Assistant, The Literary Chronicle, Liverpool, UK, 2019-2023

Proofread and copyedited articles, adhering to grammar rules, style, and formatting. Coordinated with authors, literary editors, and publication managers, ensuring a seamless manuscript submission and review process. Managed content scheduling and content calendar, ensuring consistent article flow within deadlines. Collaborated with graphic designers and layout artists to optimise article presentation and repurpose content for social media. 

• Wrote and published 200+ articles, consistently upholding high-quality standards and meeting tight schedules.

• Implemented an efficient editorial tracking system, improving manuscript processing.

• Initiated an author feedback loop, fostering manuscript improvement and engagement.

Technical Writer, TechSolutions Inc., Swansea, Wales, 2018-2022

Worked with software developers, product managers, and quality assurance teams to define technical requirements, ensuring smooth communication between teams. Simplified complex technical processes into easy-to-understand documents, such as user guides, API references, and weekly updates. Developed company style guidelines, ensuring accuracy and consistency. 

• Led engaging workshops on feedback and documentation practices, elevating content quality for all stakeholders.

• Received 30% more user engagement with technical content, based on user feedback and Google Analytics 4 reports.

• Streamlined documentation creation and review, reducing review cycles by 25% and ensuring an average turnaround time of 48 hours.

If you need more inspiration, see our digital marketer, graphic designer, and project manager CV examples. 

How to craft a writer CV with no experience

If you have no experience, focus on education and transferrable skills. Opt for a skills-based CV, as this format allows you to show your experience through projects from university, relevant skills, and additional experience, such as volunteering.

On-the-job training, volunteering, freelance work, internships, and a good portfolio are often as important as your degree. Employers often appreciate candidates who can demonstrate their ability to research, write, and report effectively through their work samples. Take advantage of relevant projects and commitment to learn and showcase them on the CV. Refer to the librarian CV example for more inspiration.

Example of no work experience for a writer CV:

Writer Intern, Creative Words Ltd., London, UK, 2022-Present

Generate original and engaging content for the company blog, demonstrating a commitment to creativity and storytelling. Assist in proofreading and editing, ensuring articles meet high-quality grammar, style, and formatting standards. Attend editorial meetings, offering fresh ideas and insights to contribute to the content strategy.

• Increased weekly blog views by 20% through creating engaging articles and working closely with the social media team to enhance content visibility.

• Implemented a keyword optimisation strategy resulting in a 15% increase in organic search traffic to the blog, expanding the audience reach and improving the company's online visibility.

• Successfully repurposed blog content for social media platforms, contributing to a 25% increase in engagement and brand visibility within the first three months.

See how to write a CV with no experience for more information.

How to add education to your writer CV

You don't need special education or good grades to be a writer. Writing is a skill that you can improve with practice and commitment. Build a strong portfolio demonstrating your writing prowess and link to it in your content writer or copywriter CV. Begin with your highest degree name, institution, and graduation date using a reverse chronological order.

• Academic degrees strengthen your chances of success and are one of the most reliable proofs of your qualifications. Highlight your higher education in English, journalism, or creative writing. Additionally, you can add relevant courses or any awards you have received in bullet points.

• Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience and mentorship, enhancing your writing skills while facilitating networking for future collaborations.

• Internships bridge theory and practice, refining your writing abilities, building a diverse portfolio, and exposing you to different writing styles and industries.

• Hobbies and interests show your passion for attending events or workshops and submitting articles for the magazine. You could also list conferences or recent publications.

See the academic CV for more details regarding publications and research experience.

Structure:

[Degree] in [program name], [institution/school name], [Location], [date range, year of graduation, or in progress]

Examples of education for a writer CV:

Master of Arts in Creative Writing, University of Edinburgh, 2023-Present

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Oxford, 2023

Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Media, Cardiff University, 2022

To learn more about this section, see our article on adding the education section to a CV.

How to list skills for a writer CV

Although writers have different personality traits and writing styles, what binds them together are their creative abilities and curiosity through words and ideas. When it comes to adding skills, it is quite straightforward. You should balance them out between soft, hard, and transferable skills. For more technical roles, such as a technical writer or SEO copywriter, explain technical skills by listing specific tools and software in a separate section.

For more details, refer to the blog article on how to add skills to a CV.

How to add relevant courses and certificates for a writer CV

If you've completed any certificates or specialised training programs related to writing, such as content creation, journalism, or copywriting, highlight them in a separate section called ‘Courses and Certificates’. This strategic approach showcases your dedication to self-improvement and positions you as a proactive and curious candidate, ready to evolve in the dynamic publishing field.

See the article on how to add courses and certificates to a CV for more inspiration.

Examples of courses and certificates for a writer CV:

• Copywriting with ChatGPT: The secrets of AI powered copy, Udemy

• Content Marketing, Hubspot Academy

• Content-Led SEO with Brian Dean, Semrush

• Copywriting, Udemy

• Freelancer Writing 101, Skillshare

• How to Build a ChatGPT Freelance Writing, Skillshare

• Business Writing Skills 2, British Council 

• Foundation Journalism, National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

How to list your language skills for a writer CV

In today's interconnected world, language skills are valuable to any writer. Display your linguistic versatility and proficiency in multiple languages, especially if you’re applying for an international company. They enrich your writing and demonstrate your interest in different cultures and critical thinking. Your language skills further showcase that you connect and communicate well, which helps you to stand out in the eyes of a recruiter.

See how to list language skills on a CV for more information on the importance of applying you knowledge to the job.

Key takeaways

By applying top tips and creative flair, you can outshine your competitors. Harness this knowledge to open new doors to your career and prepare yourself for future job interviews. Success hinges on tailoring your CV to specific jobs, highlighting relevant sections and aspirations. Furthermore, understanding how to create an ATS-friendly CV and navigate the job market boosts your chances of landing job interviews. Equip yourself with a CV that tells your story and helps you chase your dreams and leave your mark in the world with words.

Next steps?

Explore our services below to help you get started, create from scratch or improve your CV within a few seconds:

• CV Builder: create a tailored and well-formatted CV using our easy-to-use builder.

• Cover Letter Builder: apply with a matching cover letter template with a clear layout so you can easily personalise and adjust to your career goals.

• CV Writing service: connect with one of our experts to receive feedback and get quick, professional advice on tailoring your CV to a specific job. 

• Blog: see our guides and brief articles to educate yourself on the best strategies to improve your job prospects. Additionally, check out our blog on how to start a cover letter to further enhance your writing skills. 

We wish you all the best with your writer job search!

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FAQ

What is a job role of a writer CV?

Like any standard CV, it is a brief career summary that provides a concise overview of your key areas of expertise, experiences, and achievements. The main difference is that it focuses on your writing skills and portfolio with relevant literary work. Creating this document makes it easier for recruiters and employers to assess your application and decide if you fit the role.

Discover the diverse writing roles:

• Freelance Writer

• Copywriter or Content Creator

• Novelist

• Screenwriter

• Editorial Assistant 

• Editor 

• Journalist

• Technical Writer.

How do you introduce yourself as a writer?

Present your personality by mentioning professional experience crafting engaging content across 5 years in the media industry and writing role. Highlight noteworthy achievements and showcase your ability to captivate readers with your storytelling skills.

"Accomplished screenwriter with 5 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Well-versed in translating brand vision into compelling scripts that fuel engagement and drive revenue for both established corporations and startups. Proficient in every facet of story development, script writing, character creation. Natural leader with exceptional communication skills, adept at training and mentoring junior screenwriters."

How do you put writing skills on a CV?

List your proficiency in skills like content creation, editing, and research. Illustrate these skills through relevant achievements, such as published works and successful projects, demonstrating your capacity to deliver impactful written content.

What are content writer skills?

The key content writer skills include strong writing, SEO foundations, market research, creativity, adaptability, adherence to grammar and style guides, collaboration, and meeting client deadlines.

Where do writers work in the UK?

Regardless of where you stand on the career ladder, the sectors writers can work in include but are not limited to:

• Traditional Publishing

• Marketing and Advertising

• Media and Journalism

• Entertainment and Screenwriting

• Technical Writing 

• Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs)

• Education and E-learning

• Public Relations (PR)

• Corporate Communications

• Travel and Tourism.

See National Career Services for UK requirements and job opportunities.