4 Editorial Resume Examples & Writing Guide

A strong resume is essential for landing editorial jobs. But putting together a resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience can be a challenge. How do you highlight your writing and editing abilities, attention to detail, and knowledge of style guides in a way that grabs a hiring manager's attention?

This guide breaks down the key elements of a winning editorial resume. It provides practical tips for structuring your resume, choosing the right words, and tailoring your content to the job description. You'll also find four editorial resume examples that show these tips in action.

By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what it takes to create an editorial resume that stands out from the competition. Whether you're an experienced editor or just starting your career, you'll find valuable insights and inspiration to help you land your next editorial job. Let's dive in!

The first few lines of your resume, known as the summary or objective section, arguably hold the most power in securing you that initial interview. As an Editorial professional, it's your task to succinctly weave your experience, skills, and aspirations into a few brief yet impactful sentences that intrigue, not overwhelm, the reader.

The summary provides a snapshot of your expertise and demonstrates the unique qualities you bring to the table. It needs to express your professional identity and value proposition in a way that captivates the reader and encourages further reading of your resume.

Accuracy Is King

The importance of precision in an Editorial role cannot be understated and this needs to reflect in your summary. Accuracy and brevity are required to ensure your resume passes the initial few seconds of scanning.

Avoid fluff and make each word count. Using relevant keywords without straying into the realms of jargon demonstrates industry knowledge without confusing or alienating the reader. Everything you include in this section must be relevant to the job at hand.

Show, Don't Tell

Resist the temptation to tell prospective employers that you are talented or accomplished. Instead, demonstrate this by showcasing achievements that offer tangible evidence of your skills and competence. If you've increased viewership or edited content for a renowned publication, this is the place for it.

Remember, numbers stand out: percentage increases, readership numbers, or any other relevant statistic can lend validity to your statements and underscore your potential value to the role.

What's Your Purpose?

The summary or objective statement is the perfect place for you to once again demonstrate precision by stating your career trajectory or goals, particularly if they align well with the role applied for. This shows intention and ambition, not to mention aligning neatly with the demands of the role.

Skip the generic and vague objectives. Instead, pin-point the role's requirements and illustrate how your trajectory aligns with it.

Draft, Edit, Repeat

Writing an effective summary requires time and patience. Invest time in drafting the initial statement and then give it a proper Editorial combing. Prune words, rectify omissions, and ensure you're saying exactly what needs to be said.

Remember, in your role as an Editor, your summary statement is also a demonstration of your editorial skills, rendering it even more vital to get it just right.

This powerful block of text is what potential employers first lay eyes on. A well-crafted resume summary could be the difference between your application being placed in the interview pile or being cast aside. Make it one that's too engaging to overlook.

Landing yourself the perfect job begins with presenting a strong resume, and a crucial part of any resume is the work experience section. This is where you showcase not just where you've worked, but what you've accomplished. It's your chance to tell your unique professional story. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the details, but with a few strategies, you can put your best foot forward on your resume.

Getting Started with Your Work Experience Section

Your work experience section should include all of your relevant positions and the responsibilities you've had at each one. It should show progression and illustrate how you've leveraged your skills, knowledge, and expertise to make tangible contributions in your past roles.

Start with the job title, then list the company name, the location, and dates of employment (months and years). This information assists potential employers to understand your career trajectory better.

Showcasing Accomplishments

Next, you'll want to paint a clear and concise picture of each role. While you could just list your duties, employers too are interested to know how you performed and what value you brought to your previous companies. Hence, instead of writing “Responsible for content editing,” say something like, "Edited and refined an average of 20 pieces of content per week, ensuring grammatical accuracy and adherence to industry style guides."

The goal is to provide quantifiable achievements wherever possible. Metrics are hugely important, as they offer concrete evidence of your potential value to a potential employer.

Pick Out the Relevant Information

Even though it’s important to have comprehensive information in your resume, remember to only include relevant job experience.

As someone in the editorial field, focus on roles and achievements that highlight your skills in this area. If you worked at a fast-food restaurant during college, for instance, and you're now ten years into an editorial career, it's best to leave that out. Concentrate more on your internships, freelance work, and your progression within the editorial industry.

Use Strong and Clear Language

The language you use to present your work experience does matter. Make use of the active voice, and opt for strong action words such as ‘implemented’, ‘managed’, ‘led’, and ‘developed’. This activates the reader’s senses and gives them a much clearer and engaging understanding of what you’ve accomplished.

Additionally, evade the use of excessive industry jargon. It's essential to ensure your accomplishments are understood by anyone who might review your resume, including recruiters or hiring managers who may not be as familiar with industry-specific terms.

Lastly, thoroughly proofread this vital section of your resume. Mistakes and typos can communicate carelessness and detract from your professionalism.

Adapt Your Resume for Each Application

Finally, while maintaining a master resume with all your professional experiences is beneficial, tailoring each application you send is equally crucial. This doesn’t imply rewriting your entire work background each time you apply for a new position. Instead, emphasize different aspects of your experience based on what each individual employer is seeking.

Crafting a great work experience section is all about strategically portraying your professional story. Highlighting relevant experiences, achievements, and showcasing how your individual contributions made a difference will help grab the employer's attention. So push past the overwhelm, take it one step at a time, and get started on creating that standout work experience section that portrays your full potential.

To add your education and certificates to your resume, start by creating a section titled ‘Education’ or 'Qualifications'. List each degree or certificate, starting with the most recent. Include the institution’s name, location, the dates you attended, and field of study or certification type. If you received honors or have a high GPA, you can list that as well. Make sure to prioritise relevant qualifications for the job you are applying for.