Determining the optimal way to showcase your diverse writing portfolio can be a perplexing CV challenge for you, as a freelance writer. By utilising our guide, you'll discover effective strategies for creating a cohesive CV that highlights your varied expertise while appealing to potential clients.
Learn how to create your next freelance writer CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Resume examples for freelance writer
Explore additional freelance writer cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Junior Freelance Writer
- Clear and structured content presentation - The CV is well-organized, utilizing sections like 'Experience', 'Education', 'Skills', and 'Achievements' that are clearly labeled to provide easy navigation and quick access to key information. Each section is concise and informative, aligning with industry expectations for a field like content editing where clarity is crucial.
- Steady career trajectory and industry commitment - Joshua Patel's career path demonstrates consistent growth within prominent media companies. Starting as an intern and progressing to a junior content editor role within a couple of years shows dedication and a clear commitment to the fashion and lifestyle sector, highlighting a strong upward trajectory.
- Proficiency in niche tools and techniques - The CV lists industry-relevant software skills such as Adobe Creative Suite, CMS Management, and SEO tools. The mention of specific courses like SEO through Moz Academy and a certification in Digital Content Creation illustrates the candidate’s technical depth and willingness to continuously improve their skills.
Senior Freelance Writer
- Clear Structure and Tailored Content - The CV is well-organized, beginning with a strong summary that concisely encapsulates George Johnson's expertise in lifestyle and consumer reviews. The clear structure with targeted headers allows for easy navigation of key points, ensuring each section effectively highlights relevant experience and skills needed for a commerce journalism role.
- Progressive Career Development - George Johnson’s career trajectory reflects a steady progression through increasingly senior roles, evident in his transition from a Product Reviews Writer to a Senior Commerce Editor. This clear career growth demonstrates not only his dedication to the field but also his ability to adapt and excel in various editorial settings, emphasizing his capability to lead larger teams and projects over time.
- Strategic Use of SEO and Affiliate Marketing - The CV delves into industry-specific skills, particularly focusing on SEO optimization and affiliate marketing. George’s successful implementation of these tools, as reflected by quantified performance boosts (e.g., 25% increase in organic search traffic), underlines a strategic approach to content creation that aligns with digital marketing and revenue-generating practices in e-commerce journalism.
Expert Freelance Writer
- Impressive career progression and industry focus - Leo's CV clearly outlines a steady career trajectory, highlighting a transition from an Editorial Assistant to a Senior Content Writer. This progression shows adaptability and an increasing depth in industries like automotive and tourism, indicating a focused career path with specialized knowledge.
- Strength in content production and strategy - The CV effectively conveys Leo's proficiency in content strategy development, evidenced by the reduction in article production time and increase in content output. This not only showcases his ability to streamline work processes but also reflects a deep understanding of targeted content creation that enhances audience engagement.
- Achievements with substantial organizational impact - Leo's accomplishments, such as a 40% increase in organic search traffic through SEO initiatives and a 25% boost in readership via expert collaborations, demonstrate significant improvements in visibility and audience growth. These achievements underline not only his hard skills in SEO but also his talent for leveraging industry connections to amplify content reach.
By Role
Freelance Content Writer
- Progressive Career Path and Leadership - Olivia Turner's career trajectory showcases a steady climb in the legal field, moving from roles as a Corporate Lawyer to a Senior Commercial Solicitor. This demonstrates her capability to take on increasing responsibilities, leading initiatives, and spearheading significant projects. Her capacity to lead teams and negotiate high-stakes contracts highlights her leadership qualities and ability to influence and drive successful outcomes in demanding environments.
- Integration of Legal Expertise with Content Creation - Olivia's dual strength in legal expertise and content creation is particularly noteworthy. Her experience in producing legal articles and newsletters, coupled with her success in optimizing content for SEO, bridges a unique gap between law and digital marketing. This not only translates to enhanced visibility for legal firms but also positions her as a versatile professional capable of adapting legal knowledge for broad distribution and understanding, thus widening her professional impact.
- Commitment to Professional Development and Legal Specialization - The inclusion of courses like "Advanced Contract Drafting Techniques" and "SEO for Legal Professionals" demonstrates Olivia's dedication to continuous learning and skill enhancement within her specialization. This highlights her commitment to staying ahead in both legal and digital domains, ensuring her contributions remain relevant and aligned with contemporary demands. Her participation in these industry-specific courses indicates a proactive approach to refining her craft and broadening her expertise.
Freelance Technical Writer
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV's content is well-structured, providing a clear and concise overview of Eva Fisher's qualifications. Each section is segmented effectively, which allows for easy navigation and swift comprehension of her career highlights and relevant experiences.
- Consistent Career Growth in Storytelling - Eva's career trajectory demonstrates a deliberate focus on storytelling and memoir interviewing, with promotions to increasingly responsible roles such as Memoir Interviewer and Personal Historian. Her steady progression in related fields underscores a deepening expertise and commitment to personal narrative storytelling.
- Industry-Specific Methodologies - Eva uniquely employs advanced IT skills and narrative structuring techniques to enhance the quality of the memoirs she helps create. The use of specialized recording equipment showcases her technical acumen in capturing accurate and high-fidelity audio for transcriptions, which is a vital component of her industry.
Freelance Ghostwriter
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - Scarlett Murphy's CV is notable for its well-organized layout, with clearly defined sections that make it easy to navigate. Each section, from experience to education, is concise and focuses on the most relevant details, ensuring the reader quickly grasps her qualifications.
- Career Trajectory and Growth - The career trajectory illustrated in Scarlett's CV shows a natural progression in responsibility and skill, advancing from a Ghostwriting Specialist to a Senior Ghostwriter. Her shift from freelance roles to a leadership position demonstrates adaptability and career growth within the industry.
- Emphasis on Results and Impact - The CV highlights Scarlett's achievements with specific results and impacts, like a 95% client satisfaction rate and 40% increased client satisfaction. This approach not only quantifies her success but also underscores her effectiveness in achieving business-relevant outcomes.
Freelance Travel Writer
- Structured Presentation with Clear Sections - This CV stands out with its well-organized structure, beginning with a compelling summary that effectively communicates Ava Phillips' expertise and accomplishments. The subsequent sections, such as experience and education, are laid out concisely, each with targeted bullet points that enhance clarity and readability, ensuring the most important information is easily accessible.
- Demonstrated Career Growth and Industry Progression - Ava Phillips' career trajectory is marked by a steady progression through various roles in the education sector, showcasing growth from a Science Educator to a Senior Education Consultant, and eventually a Qualifications Trainer. This path highlights not only promotions but also a shift towards more specialized roles, demonstrating a deepening expertise as well as adaptability within the education industry.
- Innovative Use of Educational Technology - The CV highlights Ava's expertise in integrating educational technology, making her stand out in the education sector. She is recognized for leading digital integration efforts, significantly boosting online participation and fostering digital literacy among educators. This focus on technology showcases her ability to leverage modern tools to enhance learning experiences, aligning with current industry trends and demands.
Freelance SEO Writer
- Structured career progression in marketing management - Leo Brown's CV showcases a strategic trajectory from a Marketing Analyst at Expedia Group to a Global Marketing Manager at Airbnb. This clear advancement underscores a steadily increasing responsibility and growth in expertise, demonstrating a targeted career development in the field of marketing.
- Integration of cross-functional and international teamwork - The CV highlights significant cross-functional collaboration, especially evident in Leo's role at Airbnb where collaboration with US-based teams ensured alignment with global brand strategies. This shows adaptability and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams to achieve unified goals.
- Expert use of data-driven marketing methodologies - The CV emphasizes Leo's proficiency in leveraging data to enhance marketing strategies, with achievements like reducing acquisition costs by 20% through data-driven initiatives. This reflects a strong command of analytical tools and a deep understanding of performance metrics relevant to modern marketing challenges.
Freelance Sports Writer
- Well-structured and concise format - The CV is organized efficiently, with clearly designated sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This helps in quickly grasping the essential information, making it easier for recruiters to evaluate the candidate's fit for the job.
- Progressive career trajectory with upward mobility - Amelia’s career path exhibits steady growth, moving from a Marketing Executive at Tesco PLC to a Senior Marketing Strategist at Unilever. This indicates increased levels of responsibility and recognition, reflecting her capability to adapt and excel in higher stakes roles.
- Emphasis on cross-functional leadership and adaptability - The CV highlights Amelia’s ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects, such as launching rebranding initiatives and coordinating global product campaigns. Her capacity to collaborate across departments demonstrates versatility and strategic competence.
Freelance Resume Writer
- Clear structure and relevant sections - Ethan Palmer's CV presents well-defined sections, including experience, education, skills, courses, and achievements, which allow for easy navigation. This structure ensures that a potential employer quickly finds all necessary information regarding his qualifications and professional history relevant to estate planning and legal advisory roles.
- Consistent career growth in legal services - Ethan's career trajectory shows a steady growth in expertise and responsibilities, from a Legal Advisor to an Estate Planning Advisor, demonstrating his drive and capability in the legal services sector. His promotions reflect increased complexity in roles and his adaptability to remote environments as well as leadership in will writing and estate planning.
- Engagement in community and continuous learning - The CV highlights Ethan's dedication to both professional development and community involvement, evident through his participation in legal education workshops and community volunteering. The addition of specific courses like the "Estate Planning Masterclass" display his commitment to enhancing his technical expertise and offering up-to-date legal advice.
Freelance Grant Writer
- Progressive Career Advancement - Sophia's career trajectory illustrates a steady progression from a Content Strategist to a Content Lead. Each role indicates increased responsibilities and leadership capacities, particularly in health-focused digital environments, which align with her passion and expertise.
- Integration of Technical Tools and Methodologies - The CV reveals adeptness in utilizing advanced SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, crucial for implementing strategic SEO strategies specific to the HealthTech sector. This technical depth is crucial as it showcases her ability to harness technology to enhance content visibility and engagement.
- Robust Adaptability and Cross-Functional Collaboration - Sophia's experience illustrates her ability to seamlessly integrate cross-functional collaboration into her roles. By working effectively with medical, product, and analytics teams, she ensures content accuracy and relevancy, which is crucial in a dynamic industry where stakeholder engagement is key to successful content strategy execution.
Freelance Medical Writer
- Content Presentation - The CV is structured with clear sections that promote easy navigation, allowing each segment to speak directly to the candidate's strengths. The formatting clearly delineates between professional experience, skills, and education, aiding in quick identification of relevant points, such as a strong history in medical writing and scientific communication.
- Career Trajectory - Alexander’s career path shows a clear upward trajectory from a scientific writer to a senior medical writer, illustrating growth and increased responsibilities. This progression indicates not only industry expertise but also adaptability and leadership, showcasing how Alexander has evolved in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
- Achievements and Business Relevance - The CV highlights notable achievements that are coupled with explicit impact on business metrics, such as increasing readership outreach by 20% and improving departmental publication outputs by 25%. These accomplishments are critical in demonstrating how Alexander’s contributions are directly beneficial to company goals and objectives.
Freelance Financial Writer
- Comprehensive and Structured Presentation - The CV is exceptionally well-organized, with structured sections clearly delineating education, professional experience, skills, and achievements. This clarity benefits the reader by ensuring key information is easily accessible and coherently presented, supporting a clear understanding of the candidate's career scope and expertise.
- Diverse and Progressive Career Trajectory - Harper Webb's career shows a clear trajectory from Associate Solicitor to Senior Solicitor, indicating professional growth and increasing levels of responsibility. The progression from an associate focusing on financial litigation to leading significant projects at Linklaters LLP illustrates a strategic career development within business law and financial services.
- Unique Proficiency in Legal Assessment Design - A standout element is Harper's expertise in legal assessment design, which is niche within the legal profession. The ability to increase exam pass rates by 25% demonstrates deep technical understanding and the use of specialized methodologies, emphasizing a unique contribution to the education and legal sectors.
Freelance Science Writer
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is presented with clarity and organization, showcasing key sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements, ensuring easy navigation for the reader. The concise bullet points under each experience entry articulate the candidate's responsibilities and accomplishments effectively.
- Diverse Career Trajectory - Ava Phillips' career progression illustrates significant growth within the tech writing and digital media sector, moving from a Content Writer to a Technology Writer. This trajectory highlights her enhanced responsibilities at each new position, demonstrating her capability to adapt and thrive in the tech industry.
- Technical Depth in Industry-Specific Tools - The CV emphasizes Ava's expertise in utilizing analytical tools and content management systems. This technical depth, combined with her automotive science knowledge and image and video rights management skills, elevates her as a well-rounded technology writer with a solid grounding in industry-specific methodologies.
Freelance Legal Writer
- Strategic Career Development - Sienna West’s career trajectory demonstrates strategic growth in the legal field, building on roles that increasingly focus on content creation and strategy for legal sectors. Her progression from Legal Content Researcher to Dispute Resolution Solicitor highlights a well-mapped journey aimed at mastering content that serves legal and business needs.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Results - The CV is rich with achievements showcasing significant business impact, like boosting website traffic by 30% and improving reader satisfaction rates by 50%. Such metrics not only underline Sienna's capability to enhance digital presence but also demonstrate her effectiveness in aligning content with strategic business goals.
- Adaptability Across Roles and Functions - Sienna shows impressive versatility by seamlessly blending her legal background with content creation. Her ability to deliver high-quality, legally-accurate content while collaborating with marketing teams underscores her cross-functional aptitude, essential for a Freelance Legal Content Writer role.
Freelance Proposal Writer
- Comprehensive and Well-Organized Presentation - The CV showcases a well-structured format, where each section is distinctly labeled and logically arranged, making it easy to navigate. Concise bullet points in the experience section emphasize key responsibilities and achievements, reflecting the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and precisely, which is crucial for proposal writing roles.
- Progressive Career Growth in Bid and Proposal Management - The career trajectory reveals a clear progression from Bid Coordinator to Bid Writer/Tender Manager, indicating sustained career development and increasing responsibility. This trajectory highlights the candidate's dedication to their field and their capability to handle more complex and significant projects over time.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Results - The achievements section is noteworthy for showcasing impactful contributions such as a 25% increase in bid success rates and contributing to a 20% business growth. These achievements emphasize not only the candidate's effectiveness in their role but also their significant contribution to their employers' financial and strategic objectives.
Freelance Blog Writer
- Impressive Career Advancement - Isabelle Reed's CV highlights a progressive career path from Data Science Writer to Senior Content Specialist, demonstrating consistent growth in responsibility and expertise. This upward progression is coupled with increasing impact, such as a 35% rise in engagement during her time at Kaggle, showcasing her ability to adapt and excel in evolving roles within the data science and AI space.
- Advanced Technical Proficiency - The CV effectively showcases Isabelle's proficiency in critical industry-specific tools and programming languages, such as Python, R, SQL, and AI tools like DALL-E. This technical depth allows her to produce high-quality, cutting-edge content that resonates with both technical and non-technical audiences, which is crucial for tutorial writing in data science.
- Strategic Content Development - Isabelle's achievements underline her strategic capability in content creation, with a notable 40% growth in organic traffic due to innovative content strategies. By keeping abreast of the latest industry trends and employing AI tools to enhance content visuals, she ensures that her work not only attracts but retains a growing audience base, thereby achieving significant business outcomes for her platforms.
Freelance News Writer
- Well-structured and comprehensive content presentation - The CV is organized in a way that offers a clear view of the candidate's professional journey, highlighting key roles held, educational background, and achievements. Each section is structured concisely, ensuring that the reader can easily navigate through the candidate’s accomplishments and skillsets. The summary effectively encapsulates the candidate's expertise, passions, and career focus.
- Notable career advancements and industry experience - George’s career trajectory demonstrates significant growth within the gaming journalism domain, moving from content writing to features writing across reputable platforms like IGN and Kotaku. This progression indicates skill enhancement and expertise development, showcasing his adaptability to evolving industry trends and his commitment to role elevation.
- Achievements highlighting tangible business impact - The CV effectively communicates business relevance through the candidate’s achievements, such as enhancing viewership and developing innovative content strategies. By providing detailed statistics, like the 40% increase in viewership, George illustrates his direct contributions to business objectives, thereby highlighting his critical role in driving audience expansion and engagement.
Freelance Social Media Writer
- Progressive Career Growth - Harper Webb's career trajectory showcases a clear path of growth and responsibility within the journalism industry. Starting as a Content Writer at The Manchester Evening News, Harper advanced to a Senior News Writer position at The Guardian, a prestigious publication. This progression highlights their ability to adapt and excel in increasingly demanding roles within top-tier media organizations.
- Strategic Impact on Audience Engagement - The CV highlights substantial achievements in driving audience engagement and brand growth through innovative storytelling and media strategies. For example, Harper successfully led social media campaigns that resulted in a 40% increase in follower engagement and introduced new content strategies with year-over-year subscriber growth. This illustrates a keen understanding of audience dynamics and strategic communication.
- Leadership and Mentorship Skills - Harper demonstrates strong leadership abilities, particularly through mentoring and guiding junior writers. By leading a team of five and boosting their article submission rate by 25%, Harper showcases a commitment to fostering talent and enhancing team productivity. This capability of nurturing future talent is critical in dynamic newsroom environments.
Formatting your freelance writer CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional freelance writer CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional freelance writer CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a freelance writer CV
- Professional Summary showcases your writing expertise in a nutshell.
- Writing Portfolio section demonstrates your tangible project results.
- Work Experience reflects your relevant background in writing roles.
- Skills Snapshot highlights your writing-specific and related abilities.
- Education and Training showcases formal qualifications and writing courses.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight a diverse portfolio of writing samples, including articles, blog posts, and content pieces across various niches to showcase your versatility and ability to write for different audiences.
- Investigate your achievements by mentioning the successful impacts of your work, such as increased website traffic, higher engagement rates, or prestigious publications where your work has been featured.
- Emphasise your proficiency in SEO, keyword research, and digital marketing tools if relevant, since these skills are highly valued in freelance writers by clients aiming to improve their online presence.
- Include testimonials or references from previous clients to add credibility and give potential employers insight into your work ethic and the quality of your writing services.
- Present your unique value proposition by indicating how your writing stands out, such as specialising in a certain industry or having expertise in a type of content, like whitepapers, e-books, or grant writing.
Recommended reads:
How to present your contact details and job keywords in your freelance writer CV header
Located at the top of your freelance writer CV, the header presents recruiters with your key personal information, headline, and professional photo. When creating your CV header, include your:
- Contact details - avoid listing your work email or telephone number and, also, email addresses that sound unprofessional (e.g. koolKittyCat$3@gmail.com is definitely a big no);
- Headline - it should be relevant, concise, and specific to the role you're applying for, integrating keywords and action verbs;
- Photo - instead of including a photograph from your family reunion, select one that shows you in a more professional light. It's also good to note that in some countries (e.g. the UK and US), it's best to avoid photos on your CV as they may serve as bias.
What do other industry professionals include in their CV header? Make sure to check out the next bit of your guide to see real-life examples:
Examples of good CV headlines for freelance writer:
- "Heath & Wellness Columnist | NCTJ-Certified | Interests: Mental Health, Nutrition | 3+ Yrs Experience"
- "Senior Tech Writer & Editor | Specialisms: AI, Cybersecurity | B2B Content Expert | 8+ Yrs Industry Insight"
- "Junior Travel Blogger | Passion for Cultures & Adventure | BA in Journalism | Under 2 Yrs Professional Writing"
- "SEO Content Strategist | Digital Marketing Guru | Financial Services Focus | 5 Years' Writing Success"
- "Lead Fashion Journalist | Luxury Brands Correspondent | Masters in Creative Writing | 10 Years Vogue Writing"
- "Freelance Science Reporter | PhD in Biochemistry | Environment & Technology Columnist | Over 4 Yrs Experience"
Catching recruiters' attention with your freelance writer 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 freelance writer 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 freelance writer job:
- With a decade of experience in content creation, SEO optimisation, and a proven track record of increasing online engagement by 40% within a year, this self-driven freelance writer specialises in crafting compelling travel narratives that inspire and inform readers across the globe.
- Experienced freelance writer with over 15 years in journalism, skilled in storytelling, and with multiple awards for investigative reporting, aims to bring a wealth of experience and an eye for detail in producing high-quality, fact-driven content for a range of publications.
- Former marketing executive with substantial brand management experience now pivoting to freelance writing, bringing a unique blend of persuasive copywriting skills, a knack for engaging social media content, and a passion for creating impactful, consumer-focused narratives.
- Accomplished software developer seeking to transfer a rich career background into freelance writing, equipped with a strong aptitude for technical documentation and a flair for explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner to educate and engage tech-savvy readers.
- As an aspiring freelance writer with an impassioned commitment to storytelling, I am eager to craft original and thought-provoking content that resonates with readers, drawing upon an extensive background in literary studies and a voracious appetite for current affairs and global cultures.
- Embarking on a freelance writing career with fresh creativity and a dedication to detail, I am motivated to contribute valuable insights through research-driven articles and blogs, leveraging a strong foundation in English literature and a personal enthusiasm for health and wellness topics.
Narrating the details of your freelance writer CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your freelance writer CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrate versatility by listing a diverse range of writing projects, including articles, blog posts, eBooks, and marketing copy. Detail the various niches or industries covered, showing depth of knowledge and adaptability.
- Highlight your ability to meet tight deadlines, emphasising time management skills and reliability. Give examples of when you delivered quality content under pressure, meeting or surpassing client expectations.
- Include metrics where possible, such as increased website traffic or higher engagement rates as a result of your written content. Quantifiable results help to show the impact of your work on client objectives.
- Mention any long-term projects or ongoing relationships with clients to illustrate commitment and the trust clients place in your work. Detail the progression of the project or partnership over time and any milestones achieved.
- Showcase your proficiency in SEO and keyword integration to create content that is not only engaging but also effective in driving organic traffic. Include details about your experience with SEO tools or strategies you've employed successfully.
- Cite your experience with content management systems and other relevant software, like WordPress or Adobe Suite, to demonstrate technical competence. Clear knowledge of these tools indicates you're able to work efficiently and adapt to clients' technical requirements.
- Emphasise your communication skills, recounting instances where you collaborated with clients, editors, or content teams. Effective collaboration is vital, so sharing examples of your teamwork and interpersonal skills is key.
- Point out any accolades, awards, or recognitions received for your writing to establish credibility and distinction. Such accomplishments can set you apart from other candidates and show a commitment to excellence.
- Include testimonials or quotes from previous clients as social proof of your writing quality and professionalism. Positive feedback from clients can serve as persuasive endorsements of your skill set.
Freelance Content Writer and Strategist
Freelance Content Writer and Strategist
HubSpot & Various Startups
06/2019-Ongoing
- Authored an average of 20+ high-quality articles and blog posts per month for digital marketing platform HubSpot, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement.
- Developed and executed content strategies for B2B tech startups, increasing their web traffic by 40% and conversions by 25% within the first year.
- Led a ghostwriting project for a tech CEO's thought leadership articles, securing publication in Forbes and The Huffington Post.
Independent Technical Writer and Editor
Independent Technical Writer and Editor
Adobe & Various Tech Firms
01/2016-12/2018
- Produced over 50 technical manuals and user guides for software companies such as Adobe, enhancing user comprehension and reducing support calls by 20%.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create clear and concise technical documentation that adhered to company and industry standards.
- Coordinated with subject matter experts to update instructional materials that led to a 15% improvement in training effectiveness for new employees.
Self-Employed SEO Copywriter
Self-Employed SEO Copywriter
Freelance for Various Agencies
04/2014-07/2015
- Constructed SEO-enriched web content for over 70 clients across multiple industries, elevating client Google rankings to first-page results in 90% of projects.
- Trained in advanced SEO techniques and analytics through Moz Academy and applied these to content creation, delivering a 50% increase in organic traffic for clients on average.
- Crafted email marketing campaigns for e-commerce clients, which resulted in an average open rate of 25% and a click-through rate of 10%, significantly above industry norms.
Contract Healthcare Writer
Contract Healthcare Writer
WebMD & Pharmaceutical Companies
02/2013-03/2014
- Researched and wrote over 200 articles and white papers on medical topics, contributing to a 35% increase in the readership for healthcare portal WebMD.
- Interviewed industry professionals and conducted in-depth analysis of healthcare trends for authoritative reports that reinforced the brand's reputation as a leader in the medical community.
- Simplified complex medical jargon into patient-friendly educational material for pharmaceutical companies, improving medication adherence rates by 18%.
Digital Media Copywriter
Digital Media Copywriter
Freelance for Marketing Agencies
05/2011-01/2013
- Innovatively penned engaging copy for social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter for global brands, contributing to a 25% increase in online brand visibility.
- Conceptualized and wrote scripts for video advertisements that averaged 250,000 views on YouTube, effectively enhancing brand recall and customer acquisition rates.
- Worked closely with graphic designers to create visually appealing infographics that were shared widely, resulting in a 40% increase in traffic to clients' websites.
Freelance Creative Writer
Freelance Creative Writer
Independent Publishers & Educational Companies
08/2009-04/2011
- Crafted compelling narratives and dialogue for indie video games, helping one title to achieve a top-100 ranking on the Steam marketplace.
- Contracted by publishing houses to ghostwrite fiction and non-fiction works, one of which became a national bestseller within six months of release.
- Delivered imaginative content for children's educational programs, with stories and activities proven to increase engagement and learning outcomes by over 40%.
Freelance Journalist and Feature Writer
Freelance Journalist and Feature Writer
The Guardian & The Independent
11/2016-06/2018
- Established a portfolio of over 30 feature articles for well-regarded publications including The Guardian and The Independent, driving discussions on key societal issues.
- Enabled lesser-known subjects to gain spotlight through in-depth investigative journalism, some of which led to policy amendments and governmental scrutiny.
- Received a regional award for outstanding reporting on environmental conservation efforts, resulting in increased public awareness and fund-raising for local initiatives.
Freelance Business and Finance Writer
Freelance Business and Finance Writer
Bloomberg & Corporate Clients
03/2012-05/2015
- Authored analysis and opinion pieces on economic trends for Bloomberg, influencing investor perspectives and triggering discussions on financial forums.
- Commissioned by Fortune 500 companies to create annual reports and press releases, leading to a refined corporate message and better-informed shareholders.
- Conducted interviews with industry leaders and synthesized findings into compelling case studies, helping client companies to demonstrate their expertise and thought leadership.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Key freelance writer CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your freelance writer CV:
HARD SKILLS
SEO Knowledge
Content Creation
Copywriting
Technical Writing
Research Proficiency
Social Media Management
Editing and Proofreading
Keyword Research
WordPress Proficiency
HTML Basics
SOFT SKILLS
Creativity
Time Management
Adaptability
Self-Motivation
Communication
Client Relationship Management
Organizational Skills
Attention to Detail
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
Listing your university education and certificates on your freelance writer CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional freelance writer CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
