Content Writer Resume: 2025 Writing Guide + Expert Examples
This complete guide with detailed explanations and expert tips will teach you how to write an acting resume in record time!
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As brands race to produce high-quality, SEO-friendly, and conversion-driven content, skilled writers are in more demand than ever. However, with such tough competition, your content writer’s resume needs to do more than list your skills—it needs to tell your story with clarity, creativity, and confidence.
In this guide, we will show you how to write a content writer resume that captures attention and gets real results. You’ll learn how to structure your resume for maximum impact, highlight your writing accomplishments with data, and tailor your application to fit different content roles—from SEO writing to brand storytelling.
Key Takeaways
- A content writer resume should demonstrate your writing skills through clean, engaging copy and powerful action verbs.
- It should include a portfolio section or link to showcase your published work and best writing samples.
- The resume should quantify your achievements whenever possible with specific metrics, such as traffic growth percentages, engagement rates, and content performance data.
- Entry-level writers should lean into transferable skills, relevant coursework, and any freelance projects they've completed.
- A content writer's resume should use a clean, professional format that's easy to scan for both humans and ATS software; and balance hard skills (SEO, WordPress, Google Analytics) with soft skills (creativity, research abilities, editing prowess).
What Does a Content Writer Do?
Content writers create engaging written material for digital and print media. It’s a growing job market, with employment projected to grow 4% through 2034 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To be precise, content writers research topics thoroughly, develop narratives, and shape content for specific audiences. Furthermore, they've got to be proficient in SEO principles, comfortable with content management systems, familiar with analytics tools, and savvy about social media platforms.
They often work alongside marketing teams, SEO specialists, and graphic designers to create cohesive content strategies that actually drive business results. As a content writer, whether you're working in-house, at an agency, or as a freelancer, you build brand awareness, keep audiences engaged, and turn readers into customers.
What’s Important in a Content Writer Resume?
The important thing is to understand that your resume is itself a piece of content. It needs to grab attention immediately, communicate value clearly, and encourage action (namely, an interview invitation).
Here are the five key principles for content writer resumes that you should keep in mind:
- Choose the right resume format. Most content writers should use the reverse-chronological format, which lists your most recent experience first. This format is preferred by hiring managers and works well with ATS software.
- Show, don't just tell. Instead of simply listing "excellent writing skills," demonstrate them through the quality of your resume copy, your choice of action verbs, and compelling descriptions of your achievements. Your resume should be proof of concept.
- Quantify your impact. Content writing is results-driven work. Include metrics like "increased blog traffic by 150% in six months" or "produced 50+ SEO-optimized articles achieving first-page rankings." Numbers make your accomplishments tangible and memorable.
- Tailor for ATS. Many companies use applicant tracking systems to screen resumes before human eyes ever see them. Include relevant keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume, particularly in your skills and experience sections. Don't keyword stuff—make it flow naturally.
- Keep it concise. Ironically, content writers often struggle with resume length. Aim for one page if you've got less than 10 years of experience, and never go beyond two pages. Every single word should earn its place on that page.
How to Write a Content Writer Resume?
Writing a compelling content writer resume requires the same skills you use in your daily work—clarity, engagement, and strategic thinking. It should demonstrate your writing abilities while following professional formatting standards that hiring managers expect.
Let’s examine how to write each section of your resume in more detail.
#1. Contact Information
Your contact information should include your:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- City and state (you don't need your full street address—that's outdated)
For content writers specifically, your online presence matters a lot, so include links to your LinkedIn profile, professional website or blog, and most importantly, your online portfolio.
Make sure your email address looks professional, e.g. firstname.lastname@email.com works great. Avoid anything that looks unprofessional or overly creative.
#2. Resume Summary or Objective
A resume summary (for experienced writers) or objective (for entry-level writers) is a 2-3 sentence paragraph that appears right below your contact information. This section is your elevator pitch—it highlights your most relevant qualifications and the value you bring to potential employers.
As a content writer, mention your specialization (like SEO content, technical writing, or B2B marketing content), years of experience, and a standout achievement or two. Make this section compelling because it's often the only part hiring managers read in detail during their initial scan.
SEO-focused content writer with 5+ years creating high-performing blog content for B2B SaaS companies. Proven track record of increasing organic traffic by an average of 200% through strategic content planning and keyword optimization. Published over 300 articles across technology, marketing, and finance verticals.
Recent communications graduate with a strong academic writing background and genuine passion for digital storytelling. Completed internship creating social media content for local nonprofit, boosting engagement by 45%. Maintaining a personal blog on sustainable living, attracting 2,000+ monthly readers.
#3. Work Experience
Your work experience section is the heart of your content writer resume. Here’s what you should do when writing this section:
- List your positions in reverse chronological order, including company name, location, job title, and dates of employment
- Include 3-5 bullet points for each role, describing your responsibilities and achievements
- Focus on results, not just tasks
- Quantify your accomplishments whenever you possibly can with specific metrics—traffic increases, engagement rates, conversion percentages, number of pieces produced, or revenue generated
- Use strong action verbs like "created," "optimized," "managed," and "increased"
Let’s see a good example of work experience section on a content writer resume:
Senior Content Writer | TechStartup Inc. | San Francisco, CA | June 2021 - Present
- Created 40+ SEO-optimized blog posts monthly, increasing organic traffic from 10K to 85K monthly visitors
- Developed content strategy that generated 600+ qualified leads per quarter through gated resources
- Managed editorial calendar and mentored team of 2 junior writers
- Achieved first-page Google rankings for 25+ competitive keywords in SaaS industry
#4. Education
List your educational background in reverse chronological order. You should include your:
- Degree
- Major
- Institution name
- Graduation year
If you're a recent graduate, you can include relevant coursework, academic honors, and your GPA (but only if it's above 3.5).
PRO TIP: If you're an experienced writer, keep this section brief (one or two lines)—your work experience matters way more than where you went to school.
#5. Skills
The skills section should highlight both your hard skills (SEO, WordPress, Google Analytics) and soft skills (research, editing, time management). As a good practice, organize skills into clear categories like "Writing Skills," "Technical Skills," and "Marketing Skills."
Also, tailor this section to match the job description—incorporate relevant keywords that ATS systems scan for. However, only list skills you actually have because you'll likely be tested on them during interviews.
Top 25+ Skills to Include on a Content Writer Resume
Here’s a list of top 25+ skills to include on your content writer resume by category:
- Creative writing
- Copyediting and proofreading
- AP Style or Chicago Manual of Style
- Storytelling
- Content strategy
- Brand voice development
- Long-form content
- SEO writing
- Content management systems (WordPress, Drupal, HubSpot, Contentful, or similar platforms)
- HTML/CSS basics
- Google Analytics
- Keyword research tools (SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, or Google Keyword Planner)
- SEO tools (Yoast SEO, Surfer SEO, Clearscope, …)
- Content optimization
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Content calendar management
- Lead generation
- A/B testing
- Marketing automation
- Research skills
- Data analysis
- Competitive analysis
- Audience research
- Fact-checking
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Project management
- Communication
- Feedback implementation
Content Writer Resume Examples by Experience Level
Here you can find three examples of content writer resumes divided by experience level, which you can use to inspire your own writing. Furthermore, we examine what makes each example special, i.e. on what to focus on depending on your experience level.
#1. Entry-Level Content Writer Resume Example
As an entry-level content writer, you should focus on transferable skills, relevant coursework, internships, and any freelance or personal writing projects. Even without extensive professional experience, you can demonstrate your capabilities through academic writing, blog posts, volunteer work, or contributions to student publications.
What to emphasize:
- Strong writing and editing skills demonstrated through academic work
- Any published work, even on personal blogs, Medium, or student publications
- Relevant coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, or English
- Internships or part-time positions involving content creation
- Volunteer content creation for nonprofits or student organizations
- Certifications in content marketing, SEO, or digital marketing (HubSpot, Google, etc.)
- Genuine enthusiasm for learning and adapting to different writing styles
Here’s a good example of an entry-level content writer resume:
#2. Mid-Level Content Writer Resume Example
As a mid-level content writer (3-7 years of experience), you should showcase your growth, specialization, and measurable achievements. Your resume should demonstrate not just writing ability but strategic thinking and business results.
What to emphasize:
- Specific content niches or industries where you've developed deep expertise
- Leadership experiences like mentoring junior writers or managing content projects
- Significant traffic, engagement, or conversion metrics from your content work
- Experience with comprehensive content strategy and planning
- Portfolio showcasing diverse content types (blogs, white papers, case studies, ebooks)
- Advanced SEO knowledge and sophisticated content optimization skills
- Cross-functional collaboration with marketing, product, or sales teams
Let’s see a good example of a mid-level content writer resume.
#3. Senior Content Writer Resume Example
As a senior content writer (7+ years of experience), you should position yourself as a strategic leader who drives content initiatives and delivers measurable business results. Your resume should reflect your ability to influence strategy, manage teams, and impact key metrics.
What to emphasize:
- Content strategy development, execution, and continuous optimization
- Team leadership, management experience, and talent development
- Cross-functional collaboration with executive teams and department heads
- Major business impact through content initiatives with revenue attribution
- Thought leadership status and industry recognition
- Speaking engagements, published work in major publications, or industry awards
- Budget management and resource allocation responsibilities
- Mentoring and developing other writers and content professionals
Here’s a good example of a senior content writer resume:
How to Showcase Your Portfolio on a Content Writer Resume?
Here's how to effectively integrate your portfolio into your resume:
- Include a portfolio link in your contact information section. Use a custom domain if possible (yourname.com) rather than a Blogger or Wix subdomain. It looks more professional and established. Make absolutely sure the link is clickable in digital versions of your resume.
- Create a dedicated "Published Work" or "Portfolio Highlights" section. You should list 3-5 of your best or most relevant pieces here. Include the article title, publication name, and a brief description of the piece or its measurable impact. For example: "The Complete Guide to Content Marketing ROI" - Published on MarketingProfs, 5,000+ social shares, ranked #1 for the target keyword within 3 months.
- Mention specific portfolio pieces in your work experience descriptions. Instead of just saying "wrote blog posts," get specific: "wrote and published 50+ blog posts, including '10 Growth Hacking Strategies for SaaS Startups' which generated 15,000 visitors and 300 leads in the first month."
- Curate your portfolio strategically. Only include pieces that represent your absolute best work and are relevant to the position you're applying for. Quality trumps quantity every single time—5 excellent, diverse pieces are way better than 20 mediocre ones. Update your portfolio regularly and remove outdated work that no longer reflects your current skill level.
- Ensure your portfolio website is professional and user-friendly. It should be easy to navigate, mobile-responsive, and load quickly (nobody's waiting around for slow sites). Organize pieces by category (blog posts, case studies, social media) or industry (technology, healthcare, finance) to help hiring managers find relevant samples quickly.
5 Common Content Writer Resume Mistakes to Avoid
[Note: Include a visual infographic showing "Resume Mistakes" with X marks over common errors: typos, weak verbs, missing metrics, generic content, no portfolio link]
There are several resume mistakes that you should watch out for as a content writer. Let’s examine each one in more detail.
This is the absolute cardinal sin for content writers. A single typo on your resume suggests carelessness and completely undermines your credibility as a professional writer.
To avoid this common mistake:
- Proofread your resume multiple times at different times of day
- Use grammar-checking tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid, but don't rely on them exclusively
- Have someone else review your resume with fresh eyes
- Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing or missing words
Avoid weak, boring phrases like "responsible for" or "duties included." Instead, use strong action verbs that demonstrate impact: "created," "developed," "optimized," "increased," "managed," "launched," "drove," "generated."
Similarly, avoid passive voice constructions at all costs. Don't write "Blog posts were written by me"—write "Wrote 50+ blog posts monthly." Your resume should demonstrate the engaging, active writing style you'll bring to the job, not put readers to sleep.
One of the most common and damaging mistakes is listing responsibilities without showing actual results. Don't just say "wrote blog content"—specify "wrote 20+ blog posts monthly, increasing organic traffic by 180% in six months and generating 400 leads."
Include concrete metrics like traffic growth percentages, engagement rates, conversion percentages, social shares, search rankings, or number of pieces produced.
Numbers provide concrete evidence of your effectiveness and make your achievements more credible and memorable. They also help hiring managers understand the scale of your work.
Avoid vague statements like "experienced writer seeking opportunities" or "hard worker with good communication skills." These phrases mean nothing and could apply to literally anyone.
Be specific about your specialization, target industries, and unique value proposition. Generic resumes get lost in the pile, while focused resumes that clearly articulate your expertise stand out immediately to hiring managers.
Never submit a content writer resume without a link to your online portfolio. This should be automatic. Hiring managers want to see your actual work, not just read descriptions of it.
Make your portfolio link prominent in your contact information and ensure it's actually working before sending your resume anywhere.
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Final Thoughts
Writing an exceptional content writer resume requires the same skills that make you successful in your career—clear communication, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to tell a compelling story. Your resume should demonstrate your writing abilities while effectively marketing your unique value to potential employers.
Remember that your resume is a living document that should evolve as you gain new skills, complete new projects, and achieve new milestones. Update it regularly (at least quarterly), tailor it thoughtfully for each application, and always pair it with a strong portfolio that showcases your best work.
Content Writer Resume FAQ
#1. What should I include in a content writer resume?
A content writer resume should include contact information with your portfolio link, a professional summary or objective, relevant work experience with quantified achievements, education, and a comprehensive skills section. Make sure to emphasize results-driven accomplishments, your skills and specializations, as well as proficiency with content management systems and analytics tools.
#2. How long should a content writer resume be?
Content writer resumes should be one page for entry-level to mid-career professionals with less than 10 years of experience. Senior writers with extensive experience can use two pages, but never exceed two pages regardless of experience level. Quality and relevance matter way more than length.
#3. Should I include a portfolio link on my content writer resume?
Yes, absolutely—this isn't optional. Your portfolio link should be prominently displayed in your contact information section at the top of your resume. Ensure your portfolio website is professional, easy to navigate, loads quickly, and showcases your best and most relevant work.
#4. What skills should I list on a content writer resume?
List both hard skills and soft skills relevant to content writing. Also, tailor your skills section to match the job description, but only list the ones you actually possess.
#5. How do I quantify achievements on a content writer resume?
Use specific metrics like traffic increases (percentages or absolute numbers), engagement rates, social shares, search rankings, conversion rates, number of pieces produced, or revenue generated. Numbers make your accomplishments tangible and credible.
#6. What's the difference between a content writer and copywriter resume?
Content writer resumes emphasize long-form content creation, SEO knowledge, thorough research, and audience engagement—typically for blogs, articles, white papers, and educational materials. Copywriter resumes focus on persuasive, conversion-driven writing for marketing materials, advertisements, product descriptions, landing pages, and sales collateral. However, many writers do both types of work, and skills often overlap significantly in today's market.
#7. Should I include writing samples directly in my resume?
No, don't include full writing samples or large excerpts in your resume itself. Instead, include a portfolio link in your contact information and optionally create a "Published Work" section listing 3-5 key pieces with brief descriptions and impact metrics.
#8. How do I make my content writer resume ATS-friendly?
Use standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills), avoid tables and text boxes that confuse software, include relevant keywords from the job description naturally throughout, use a simple format without graphics, and save as .docx or PDF format. Include both acronyms and full terms (e.g., "SEO (Search Engine Optimization)"). Test your resume with online ATS checkers before submitting.
#9. What resume format is best for content writers?
The reverse-chronological format works best for most content writers, listing your most recent experience first and working backward. This format is ATS-friendly, familiar to hiring managers, and clearly shows your career progression.
#10. Should I include freelance writing work on my resume?
Yes, definitely include freelance work, especially if it's relevant and substantial. List it like any other job with your business name (or "Freelance Content Writer"), dates of operation, and bullet points describing notable clients, projects, and measurable achievements.
#11. Do I need a different resume for each content writing job?
Yes, you should tailor your resume for each application—it makes a significant difference. Customization shows genuine interest and significantly improves your chances of getting interviews.
#12. What action verbs should I use on a content writer resume?
Use strong, specific action verbs that demonstrate impact: created, developed, wrote, optimized, increased, managed, launched, published, researched, edited, collaborated, analyzed, strategized, generated, etc. Avoid weak phrases like "responsible for," "duties included," or "worked on." Every bullet point should start with a powerful action verb that shows what you accomplished.


