This is a guest post by Jennifer Scott, a business developer who works in different areas of education, technology, security, and various types of online marketing. Prior to business developing Jennifer was a consultant at Deloitte who managed security services provider and developed a wide range of security solutions. You can find her on twitter.

8 Tips to Create The Perfect Writer’s Resume

Writing a writer’s resume is very different from writing a resume in other fields. There are specific types of information you should include. Not to be confused with a short bio of the kind you might include on your book’s back cover, writer’s resumes are typically used when applying for grants, residencies, and publications. They are usually short, informative, easy to read, and organized chronologically.

So how do you summarize your life as a writer in a resume? Here are 8 tips to help you:

1. Organize your Categories

Keep your resume visually appealing by organizing it into categories. They will help you stay focused and leave out any information that isn’t necessary. These categories usually include the following:

• Education – List your type of degree, location, year, list achievements and GPA if possible. If you don’t have a writing degree, list your education up top only if it relates to writing.
• Publications – Outline all your publications and writing experience. Include the authorships, the publication’s title, and where to find it.
• Residencies/workshops – Writer’s residencies and workshops you may have attended are good to include on your resume as they show motivation in your professional development.
• Recognition and awards – This is where you can list any awards you’ve received. The list should be specific to writing, so only mention other awards if they are extremely notable.

2. Keep it short

It’s important to list all of your achievements, but leave out any detailed descriptions as they can clutter the page for your reader. Only include information pertinent to your writing career. Leave out less important items such as any from early in your career.

3. Be specific

When you mention your accomplishments, be as specific as possible with numbers and figures. For example, instead of stating that you wrote some feature stories for a magazine, focus on one or two big stories read by a high number of people and state the impact they had.

4. Take Advantage of Online Tools

• Resumention – an online tool that offers resume writing and editing services to help your resume stand out.
• Best Australian Writers – this tool will help you evaluate which writing services to trust to help you with your resume writing and editing.
• ServiceScape resume editing services – hire a professional to help with your resume.
• Copy my Resume – free templates for all kinds of resumes.
• Live Career – this online tool allows you to quickly create a professional, job-ready resume. The platform also includes interview tips and career tests.
• Skills For Resume in 2019 with 100 Examples – a detailed post and Infographic with everything you need to know when preparing your resume.
• How to Write an Outstanding CV – in-depth tips and infographics with plenty of helpful dos and don’ts.

5. Proofread your document

It is absolutely crucial for writers to avoid careless mistakes. Meticulously review your resume for grammar and punctuation mistakes. Check for misspellings and typos and ask someone to double-check it to make sure it’s perfect.

6. Watch Your Format

Keep your format simple. Make sure your name and contact information are on the first page, and that your name is on every page. Minimize your use of Bold, underline, caps and Italic. You may use bulleted or numbered lists, but do so in moderation.

7. Pick One Font And Color.

Don’t get carried away with a variety of fonts or colors. Instead, pick a sober combination and use it throughout the document.

8. Check How Others Do It

One of the best ways to improve your resume is to see how other writers do it since there are many different ways of organizing your information. Many writers post their resumes on their website, so you can easily have access to them and use them to improve yours.

What you decide to include in your resume and how you decide to write it can mean the difference between getting hired or not. Use these tips to increase your chances by writing an exceptional resume, just like with any other job. The only difference is that, as a writer, your resume will actually reflect your writing and editing skills!

For a detailed guide on how to build the best resume, you can also check out the following guide: How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide (+30 Examples)!

Also, you can find a free online tool that is design-focused and fully-customizable with images, GIFS, videos, and themes to grab people’s attention here: Free employee job application online tool.

8 Tips to Create The Perfect Writer’s Resume

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