Crafting a CV that stands out in a fiercely competitive job market is a significant challenge you may face. By consulting our guide, you can learn to emphasise your unique editorial skills and experience, ensuring your application captures the attention of potential employers.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche editor role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
- Creative Marketing CV Example
- Sales And Marketing CV Example
- Fashion Marketing CV Example
- Social Media Manager CV Example
- Marketing Director CV Example
- Content Manager CV Example
- Content Marketing CV Example
- Advertising CV Example
- Digital Marketing Executive CV Example
- Commercial Director CV Example
How complex should the format of your editor CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your editor CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a editor CV
- Professional Summary: Defines your editor expertise and value.
- Editorial Experience: Showcases relevant editing roles and achievements.
- Industry Skills: Highlights technical and software proficiency for editing.
- Published Works: Provides a portfolio of your edited work for credibility.
- Education & Training: Indicates qualifications specific to editing and publishing.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your command of language by providing examples of publications you've edited, showcasing your ability to enhance clarity, flow, and engagement in written content.
- Demonstrate your eye for detail by mentioning specific editorial projects where precision and attention to grammatical correctness were crucial to the success of the work.
- Include any familiarity with style guides or editorial standards, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago, to show your versatility and adaptability in editing different types of content.
- Emphasize project management skills by detailing your experience in coordinating with writers, managing deadlines, and ensuring the timely delivery of edited content.
- Showcase your technical proficiency by listing editing software you are skilled in, such as Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word's Track Changes, or content management systems.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning editor CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for editor:
- Senior Editor-in-Chief | Digital Content Strategist | MA in Journalism | 15+ Years' Experience
- Associate Editor | Specialising in Tech Publishing | Copywriting Pro | Certificate in Editing & Proofreading
- Lead Video Editor | Multimedia Production Expert | BA in Film Studies | 8 Years in Broadcast Media
- Executive Content Editor | SEO and Web Analytics | Certified in Digital Marketing | 10 Years' Editorial Expertise
- Junior Editorial Assistant | Passion for Literary Fiction | BA English Literature | Emerging Editing Talent
- Managing Editor | Health & Wellness Publications | NCTJ Qualified | 12 Years Shaping Inspiring Content
Catching recruiters' attention with your editor CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your editor CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a editor job:
- Seasoned Editor with over 15 years of experience overseeing content for distinguished publishing houses, specialising in educational materials. Proven ability to enhance readability, manage high-profile authors, and consistently deliver projects under tight deadlines. Biggest career achievement includes spearheading the editorial launch of a bestselling series.
- Dynamic Editor with a decade of demonstrated expertise in the fast-paced world of magazine publishing, possessing a keen eye for engaging content curation and a track record of increasing readership by 30% across various niche publications. Adept in leveraging advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite to bring visual stories to life.
- Accomplished Marketing Manager transitioning into the editing sphere with solid transferable skills, including 8 years of storytelling acumen, strategic brand development, and a masterful command of digital content creation tools. Leverages an MBA and fluency in Spanish and French to foster dynamic international communications.
- Former Software Developer making a strategic shift to editing with 7 years of experience in technical writing and documentation. Brings a unique perspective with a strong grasp of complex IT concepts, ensuring accuracy and clarity in instruction manuals and technical guides for non-expert audiences.
- Eager to embark on an editing career with an unyielding passion for literature and language. Recently graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in English Literature, I am determined to apply my theoretical knowledge and outstanding written communication skills to craft compelling narratives and elevate content quality.
- Aspiring Editor with a fresh perspective, aiming to leverage my Creative Writing diploma and exceptional organisational skills to meticulously edit and refine manuscripts. Enthused by the challenge of nurturing new literary talent and driven by a lifelong dedication to contributing to impactful storytelling.
How to meet job requirements with your editor CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed a team of writers and coordinated with freelance contributors to ensure timely delivery of high-quality content, while fostering a collaborative editorial environment.
- Developed and maintained the editorial calendar, effectively balancing evergreen content with trending topics to maximise audience engagement and website traffic.
- Implemented rigorous copyediting and proofreading processes to uphold high standards of accuracy, clarity, and readability in all published materials.
- Oversaw the content strategy for various digital platforms, including blogs, social media, and newsletters, enhancing brand presence and driving user interaction.
- Analysed performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics to adjust editorial strategies, resulting in a 20% increase in reader retention over a 12-month period.
- Conducted regular content audits to identify gaps and opportunities, leading to a more robust and diverse range of articles that catered to the target demographic.
- Maintained an in-depth understanding of SEO best practices and integrated them into editorial guidelines to boost organic search rankings and visibility.
- Collaborated with the marketing team to align editorial content with promotional campaigns, increasing cross-platform consistency and message coherence.
- Navigated sensitive and controversial topics with tact and due diligence, ensuring all content adhered to journalistic ethics and legal standards.
- Spearheaded the editorial strategy for a leading lifestyle publication, increasing monthly web traffic by 45% through engaging content development and SEO enhancements.
- Managed a team of 10 editors and freelance writers, improving team productivity by 30% through the implementation of a new editorial workflow system.
- Led the editorial calendar planning, ensuring a 25% increase in content output while maintaining a consistent quality that exceeded industry standards.
- Contributed vital editorial decisions for a top tech-focused magazine, growing the subscriber base by 20% within the first year of taking the role.
- Oversaw the transition from print to digital, which expanded the magazine’s reach by including multimedia content resulting in a 50% increase in online engagement.
- Curated and edited a prominent yearly industry report, which became a cited source for tech trends in mainstream media outlets.
- Directed the editorial team for a prominent business news portal, leading to a 35% growth in B2B audience share through targeted content campaigns.
- Developed a network of expert contributors, enhancing the portal's credibility and diversifying the types of content provided to our readers.
- Implemented a data-driven approach to content selection, increasing the publication's relevance and timeliness, which directly impacted a 40% rise in daily readership.
- Cultivated a revamped digital presence for a historic literary journal, resulting in a tripled online subscription rate within two years.
- Led a successful rebranding initiative that modernized the journal's image and attracted a broader, younger readership demographic by 30%.
- Optimized content distribution across various platforms, streamlining efforts that effectively reduced the time-to-publish by 20%.
- Orchestrate the content direction for a multinational media conglomerate, overseeing 50+ publications and ensuring content quality and brand consistency.
- Piloted a digital transformation project that integrated AI-driven analytics for content performance, boosting user engagement metrics by 60%.
- Negotiated high-profile partnerships with content creators and influencers, significantly raising the profiles of multiple key publications within our portfolio.
- Coordinated exclusive feature articles for a renowned fashion magazine, which were recognized with two National Magazine Awards for excellence in reporting.
- Built a collaborative network with industry insiders that generated a 50% increase in exclusive story leads.
- Enhanced multimedia feature presentations on digital platforms, which boosted social media sharing by 80% per feature article.
- Enforced strict editorial guidelines for a leading national newspaper, improving overall content accuracy by 25% and reducing retractions.
- Trained a team of copy editors in advanced grammar and style techniques, significantly elevating the writing quality across the publication.
- Collaborated with the investigative journalism team to fact-check and refine complex reports, enhancing the newspaper's reputation for reliability.
- Transformed the online presence of a traditional news outlet, increasing its digital audience by 100% through strategic content and platform optimization.
- Launched a successful social media campaign that virally engaged millions, positioning the outlet as a leading source for breaking news.
- Developed a contributor program that doubled the outlet's content volume, providing more diverse viewpoints to the audience.
- Enhanced team efficiency by introducing robust editorial standards and processes, cutting down production time for feature articles by 30%.
- Played a key role in launching a new editorial section that captured an untapped market segment, leading to a 20% increase in ad revenue.
- Executed a streamlined peer-review system, which heightened the credibility and accuracy of the journal's published research.
- Overhauled the content strategy for a floundering online platform, pivoting to a video-first approach that tripled user interaction rates.
- Integrated consumer data analysis into content creation, leading to personalized user experiences and a 40% increase in content retention times.
- Forged strategic partnerships with content distribution networks, amplifying reach by 100% and driving substantial growth in ad revenue.
How to ensure your editor CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
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If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your editor CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your editor CV:
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Grammar and Punctuation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Fact-Checking
AP Style
Video Editing
Image Editing
Project Management
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Time Management
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Leadership
Teamwork
Problem-Solving
Decision Making
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your editor CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your editor CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
