How to Write a Resume for a Copywriter Job

With the explosive growth of websites devoted to providing content for various commercial and informational purposes, there has been a corresponding growth in copywriter positions, in addition to positions in traditional media. A strong resume is essential in establishing suitability for such positions, both to present your experience and qualifications and as audition of your ability to write great copy about a subject with which you are obviously familiar.

Instructions

1. Lead with your name and contact information in the heading of the resume, including personal address, email and phone.

2. Create an "Areas of Expertise" heading and list topics with which you have special experience. These areas of expertise should mesh with the kinds of copywriting assignments you seek and with your prospective employer's content needs.

3. State your clearly defined objective, including the work you wish to do and the organizational setting in which you wish to work, in a single bold line to begin the body of your resume. Let the overall design of your resume determine whether you create an "Objective" heading or simply center the line and let it speak for itself.

4. Lead with your "Employment and Relevant Experience" section if you already have significant experience as a copywriter, or with your "Education" section if your experience is more general and you are beginning your career as a copywriter.

5. Organize your "Employment and Relevant Experience" section to feature your most recent relevant positions first, and include one action-oriented statement of what you accomplished as a professional writer in each position, even if the position was not expressly a writing job.

6. Supplement your copywriting professional experience, if it is slight, with positions you have held as a writer for your college paper or yearbook.

7. Display your educational achievements and distinctions under "Education," including special writing distinctions you may have earned in college.

8. Add a "Publications" section if you are a published author, with correctly displayed listings or any articles and books that you have written.

Tips & Warnings

• Write an impressive but succinct cover letter that models your professional writing talent while introducing yourself and pointing to something specific in your resume that you don't want your prospective employer to miss.

• If you are just starting out and applying for an entry-level position as a copywriter, don't let your lack of experience under the specific job title keep you from displaying your suitability for the job. Organize a list of all writing experiences where you had to deliver "copy" on any topic, gather samples and make use of the most relevant and impressive experiences on your resume. However, don't turn in your manuscript for the next Great American Novel as a sample.