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.
- 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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.
- 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.
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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:
SEO Knowledge
Content Creation
Copywriting
Technical Writing
Research Proficiency
Social Media Management
Editing and Proofreading
Keyword Research
WordPress Proficiency
HTML Basics
Creativity
Time Management
Adaptability
Self-Motivation
Communication
Client Relationship Management
Organizational Skills
Attention to Detail
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving
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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.
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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.
