Crafting a distinctive CV that showcases your unique talents as a copywriter can be daunting amidst stiff competition. Our guide offers targeted strategies and examples that will help you articulate your skills and experiences effectively, setting you apart in the job market.
- Answer job requirements with your copywriter CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your copywriter CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your copywriter CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your copywriter CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your copywriter CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your copywriter CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a copywriter CV
- Professional Summary showcases your writing prowess and is a hook for the reader.
- Copywriting Experience lists relevant jobs, affirming your hands-on experience.
- Portfolio of Work provides tangible evidence of your writing skills and versatility.
- Education & Training demonstrates foundational knowledge and specialised learning.
- Core Copywriting Skills highlights specific abilities vital to a copywriting role.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Showcase your proficiency in language by using concise, compelling language that demonstrates your ability to craft engaging copy.
- Highlight your versatility in writing for various mediums such as web content, advertising, social media, and blogs, detailing the different styles and tones you've mastered.
- Provide quantifiable achievements that reflect your impact, such as increased conversion rates or improved engagement metrics due to your copywriting efforts.
- Include a portfolio link or samples of your work to give potential employers a direct insight into your writing style and quality.
- Emphasize your understanding of branding and marketing strategies, and how your content aligns with business goals to establish a consistent brand voice.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning copywriter 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 copywriter:
- Senior Digital Copywriter | SEO & Content Strategy Expert | CIM Certified | 10+ Years of Creative Excellence
- Copywriting Manager | E-commerce & Brand Storytelling | BA in Journalism | Multichannel Marketing Savvy | 8 Years
- Junior Content Creator | Bachelor's in Marketing Communications | Social Media Enthusiast | Innovative Ad Campaigns | 2 Years
- Lead Copywriter | Tech & SaaS Sector Specialist | MA in Creative Writing | B2B Content | 7 Years
- Mid-Level Copywriter | Fashion & Lifestyle Industries | Creative Content Solutions | PPC Campaign Pro | 5 Years
- Copywriting Specialist | Travel & Leisure Content Expert | Digital Nomad | SEO Certifications | 6-Year Portfolio
What's the difference between a copywriter CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your copywriter CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a copywriter job:
- Accomplished copywriter with over 7 years of experience crafting compelling content for major brands in the retail sector. Specialising in creating persuasive copy that increases customer engagement, with a proven track record of boosting online sales by 30% for a flagship e-commerce site through innovative SEO strategies and A/B testing.
- Dynamic professional with 5 years of experience in journalism now seeking to leverage exceptional storytelling skills and a passion for brand development as a copywriter. Experienced in meeting tight deadlines, conducting in-depth research, and delivering top-tier articles that increased readership by 25% for a leading national newspaper.
- Expert creative strategist with a decade in marketing communications, pivoting to copywriting to drive brand narratives. Proven ability to craft powerful messages that resonate with audiences, evidenced by leading a campaign that achieved a 20% increase in customer engagement for a high-profile tech company.
- Former public relations expert with 6 years honing persuasive communication techniques, transitioning to copywriting to empower businesses through exceptional content creation. Recognised for developing strategic communications that elevated brand presence for a luxury hotel chain across European markets.
- Eager to embark on a copywriting career, bringing forth a fresh perspective combined with a B.A. in English Literature and comprehensive understanding of content optimisation. Committed to learning and surpassing objectives, aiming to apply creative and analytical skills to produce content that captivates and converts for a pioneering digital marketing agency.
- Aspiring copywriter with a background in social media management and a fervour for crafting stories, seeks to apply a keen eye for detail and robust understanding of social platforms to create impactful copy. Eager to contribute innovative ideas and a unique voice while expanding copywriting proficiency within a dedicated and creative team environment.
Best practices for writing your copywriter CV experience section
If your profile matches the job requirements, the CV experience is the section which recruiters will spend the most time studying. Within your experience bullets, include not merely your career history, but, rather, your skills and outcomes from each individual role. Your best experience section should promote your profile by:
- including specific details and hard numbers as proof of your past success;
- listing your experience in the functional-based or hybrid format (by focusing on the skills), if you happen to have less professional, relevant expertise;
- showcasing your growth by organising your roles, starting with the latest and (hopefully) most senior one;
- staring off each experience bullet with a verb, following up with skills that match the job description, and the outcomes of your responsibility.
Add keywords from the job advert in your experience section, like the professional CV examples:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Highlighted succeeded in increasing client's web traffic and engagement by 30% through compelling SEO content and targeted social media campaigns.
- Played a lead role in conceptualising and executing an award-winning advertising campaign for a renowned lifestyle brand, demonstrating innovative thinking and exceptional creative writing abilities.
- Consistently delivered high-quality copy for digital platforms, with a proven track record of crafting engaging and click-worthy email marketing copy that surpasses industry-average open rates.
- Managed and delivered numerous content projects on tight deadlines, showcasing strong organisational skills and reliability as a team member.
- Effectively adapted writing style to fit a diverse range of client tones, voices, and industries, evidencing versatility and a strong understanding of brand identity.
- Actively contributed creative ideas during team brainstorming sessions which led to innovative marketing strategies and successful campaign launches.
- Designed and directed the content strategy for a start-up's online platform, resulting in a rapidly growing user base and a marked increase in brand recognition.
- Collaborated with graphic designers and multimedia specialists to produce cohesive and visually appealing content across a variety of media formats.
- Regularly conducted A/B testing for website copy and analysed data to refine and optimise content for better engagement and conversion rates.
- Spearheaded a rebranding campaign for a premier skincare line, crafting compelling copy that led to a 25% increase in online engagement within the first quarter.
- Managed a team of junior copywriters, providing guidance on brand voice, which improved the consistency of content output across digital platforms and increased content production by 40%.
- Collaborated with the marketing team to produce SEO-driven article content, resulting in a 35% uplift in organic search traffic to the company website over six months.
- Developed product descriptions and ad copy for over 500 unique items in an e-commerce catalog, leading to a 15% increase in conversion rates.
- Wrote and edited informative blog posts on industry trends that positioned the brand as a thought leader and garnered an average of 10k monthly readers.
- Liaised with graphic designers to produce visually engaging infographics that supported content messaging and were shared 500+ times on social media.
- Generated weekly email newsletters for a subscriber base of over 50,000, which enhanced customer retention by 18%.
- Assisted in crafting copy for a nationwide billboard advertising campaign that resulted in a 10% surge in brand awareness.
- Implemented A/B testing for various copy versions on landing pages, which optimized conversion rates by 22%.
- Composed daily social media posts across multiple platforms, increasing followers by over 30,000 and generating a direct ROI of 6:1 through targeted ad copy.
- Pivotal in writing scripts for promotional videos, which accounted for a 40% uplift in product demos at trade shows.
- Participated in creative ideation sessions that led to a viral marketing campaign reaching over 1 million views within the first 48 hours.
- Independently built and managed a portfolio of 10+ clients across various industries, increasing business revenue by 150% over two years through repeat engagements and referrals.
- Conducted in-depth research to produce whitepapers and case studies that established clients as experts in their respective fields, one of which was cited in a well-known industry report.
- Streamlined a client's content marketing strategy, which doubled their web traffic and created a 20% growth in their lead generation funnels.
- Conceptualized and executed an award-winning advertising campaign for a new beverage product, directly tied to a 50% increase in sales in the first six months post-launch.
- Played a key role in the editorial team for a monthly magazine, contributing 10+ articles per issue that increased subscribers by 5k during my tenure.
- Crafted persuasive sales pitch decks for B2B clients, successfully securing on average 3 high-value contracts per month.
- Authored a compelling copy for a suite of financial service products that were instrumental in customer acquisitions, resulting in a portfolio growth of £4.5 million.
- Optimized copy for the mobile app interface that improved user experience and increased monthly active users by 60% within a year.
- Engaged in mentorship programs for incoming copywriters, which improved the department's overall writing quality and reduced content revisions by 30%.
- Directed a content strategy overhaul for a major online retailer, resulting in an expanded customer base and a sustained 20% year-over-year revenue growth.
- Designed and implemented a user-generated content campaign that increased customer engagement and content by 80%.
- Cultivated a brand voice guide that was embraced company-wide, standardizing communication and increasing brand recognition within the market.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
Key copywriter 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 copywriter CV:
Content Creation
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Copywriting for Various Formats (Web, Email, Social Media)
Content Strategy Development
Market Research
Brand Messaging
Editing and Proofreading
Keyword Research
Competitor Analysis
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Creativity
Adaptability
Strong Research Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Collaboration
Communication
Persuasion
Problem-Solving
Project Management
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your copywriter CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your copywriter CV:
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your copywriter CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
