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Table of contents

Freelance writer resume examples
How to format a freelance writer resume
How to write a freelance writer resume in 5 simple steps
Show off your writing skills with a cover letter
Key takeaways for your freelance writer resume
FAQs from job seekers

You’ve made a career out of putting words on paper. Yet, when it comes to writing your own resume, the writer’s block never seems to go away.

Remember, even the best writers need a break. That’s where we come in.

Let us guide you through the resume-writing process so you can highlight the qualities that make you a standout freelance writer and emphasize the skills you’ve developed over the years.

This guide covers:

Top freelance writer resume examples.
Tips for a professional-looking resume design and format.
A step-by-step guide on writing a great resume.
Guidance on crafting a complementary cover letter.

Ready to make a freelance writer resume? Our AI Resume Builder is here to assist you. It’s user-friendly and includes templates specifically designed for your profession, ensuring your resume and application truly stand out.

Freelance writer resume examples

Resume sample for a beginner

Resume entry level example freelance writer

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Here’s why this beginner resume works:

Simple, organized design
You want to let your accomplishments shine, and this resume removes the fuss so the recruiter can focus on one perfectly structured bullet point after another.
Skills galore
This applicant wisely uses a functional resume, an effective way to highlight skills when you don’t have a long work history to rely on.
Categories with bold headers
Even better, this applicant uses headers like “content writing” and “time management” to break down their skill set into clear buckets, making it easier for hiring managers to glean her strengths.

Resume sample for an experienced writer

Resume experienced example freelance writer

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Here’s why this resume hits the mark:

Touches on major achievements
The career summary opening the resume touches on the sheer volume of articles published (100+) as well as three full-length books that put him on the map.
Employment history is robust
From major, ongoing clients like the Springer Publishing Company to a three-year period of full-time self-employment, this freelance writer’s work history is impressive. It rightfully takes up a large portion of the resume.
Covers a variety of skills
This resume includes a mix of hard skills, such as book publishing and specialized knowledge in the romance genre, and soft skills, such as problem-solving and inventiveness.

Browse other popular samples

How to format a freelance writer resume

Picking the right resume format is a big step toward making a great resume.

The best format for most freelance writers is the combination resume.

This format is perfect for anyone with a variety of skills and a diverse portfolio of work. You can highlight your key skills upfront while also providing a chronological list of your work experience. Since your work is project-based with varying lengths and clients, a combination format allows you to present this varied experience in a cohesive manner.

There are two other formats to consider:

Chronological resume: This format lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It’s ideal if you have a steady work history with clear progression. For freelance writers, this format works well if you’ve held long-term positions or have a consistent list of clients that showcase your career development over time.
Functional resume: This format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It’s suitable if you are new to the field, have gaps in your employment or are changing careers. For freelance writers, it can highlight your writing skills, technical proficiency and any specific expertise without focusing on specific dates or job titles

For more tips on resume formatting, check out our resume-formatting guide.

Now, let’s explore how to design your resume.

Picking a resume design

Create your resume

At this point, you should pick a resume template. Think of it as picking the cover for your next book.

In creative professions like writing, a more creative resume template is quite fitting. Don’t be afraid to play around with the design, but be careful not to make it messy or overloaded in your quest to be unique. Excessive features can cause issues with hiring software, so keep it balanced.

Follow your heart, though. Simple designs are totally acceptable as well. The point is — be yourself.

The time has come to talk about your resume’s content.

How to write a freelance writer resume in 5 simple steps

Creating a resume for a freelance writer role can be streamlined with a few focused steps. Here’s how you can capture the attention of potential clients and employers.

Step 1

Optimize your resume

As a freelance writer, you’re already accustomed to serving clients and understanding their needs. This skill makes you well-suited to master the art of reading job descriptions for valuable clues.

Start by identifying the specific abilities and experiences highlighted in the listing, such as strong storytelling, SEO proficiency and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

These highlighted skills are your keywords. Use these keywords throughout your resume to show your thorough understanding of the role and to help it pass through any applicant tracking systems (ATS) the employer might use

By aligning your experiences with the job requirements detailed in the posting, you’ll effectively present yourself as the ideal candidate for the position.

Step 2

Write a compelling summary

Now it’s time to shine! This is a great opportunity to showcase your writing skills and provide a real-world sample of your work.

Open your resume with an engaging introduction that captures attention. Depending on your background, you can start with either a professional summary or a resume objective.

If you have some experience, a professional summary is your best bet. This brief section at the top of your resume outlines your key qualifications, experiences and achievements, tailored to show you are suitable for the target role.

However, if you’re new to freelance writing or transitioning from another field, an objective statement can highlight your career goals and show how they align with the responsibilities of a freelance writer.

Here’s how you could write these:

Professional summary example:

Seasoned freelance writer with over five years of experience crafting engaging content for various industries. Proficient in SEO writing, content marketing and technical documentation. Known for delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines and enhancing client engagement through compelling storytelling. Eager to bring my expertise and creativity to new projects and clients.

Resume objective example:

Aspiring freelance writer with a strong background in journalism and a passion for storytelling. Committed to applying my skills in content creation and SEO to help clients achieve their communication goals. Motivated to develop a diverse portfolio and build lasting relationships with clients through exceptional writing services.

Step 3

Highlight relevant nursing skills

The skills you list on your resume will show that you have the right abilities for the tasks and challenges in freelance writing.

As a freelance writer, you need a mix of hard skills and soft skills. Skills like SEO writing, content creation and editing are as important as communication, time management and adaptability.

If you’re transitioning from another field, highlight transferable skills such as critical thinking, attention to detail and effective communication. These skills demonstrate your ability to manage the varied demands of writing projects while meeting client expectations.

Example of a balanced skill set for a freelance writer:

Hard Skills

Content writing
Keyword optimization
Copywriting for advertisements
Technical documentation

Soft Skills

Clear and effective communication
Strong time management
Ability to meet deadlines
Adaptability to different writing styles

Skills section example for a freelance writer resume:

Proficient in creating SEO-optimized content.
Skilled in writing persuasive copy for various platforms.
Effective communicator with clients and team members.
Strong time management skills, able to handle tight deadlines.

Pro tip

If you have a broad range of skills, consider organizing them into categories. For example, you could have sections for “writing and editing,” “technical skills” and “communication skills.”

Step 4

Showcase your work experience

Your work experience is the core of your freelance writer resume, showcasing your practical experience and skills.

Demonstrate your ability to adapt to different writing styles, industries and client needs. This versatility is a key strength for freelancers.

Consider this — instead of listing all your freelance work under a single job title, break it down by project or client. This approach highlights the diversity of your experience.

Since potential clients or employers often scan resumes quickly, present your experience in clear, concise bullet points, starting with your most recent work and moving back in time.

Example of a work experience section for a freelance writer resume:

Freelance Writer | Self-Employed
January 2018 – Present

Client: Tech Innovations Inc.
Role: Technical Writer
Key Points:

- - Created user manuals and technical guides for new software products.
  - Enhanced user understanding, reducing support tickets by 20%.
  - Collaborated with engineers to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Client: Green Earth Blog
Role: Content Creator
Key Points:

- - Wrote SEO-optimized blog posts that increased organic traffic by 35%.
  - Researched and wrote articles on sustainable living and eco-friendly practices.
  - Engaged with readers through comments and social media, boosting interaction by 50%.

Client: Marketing Solutions Agenc
Role: Copywriter
Key Points:

- - Developed compelling copy for email campaigns, social media and advertisements.
  - Contributed to a campaign that increased client conversions by 25%.
  - Worked closely with designers to create cohesive marketing materials.

Pro tip

Start each bullet point with action verbs such as “created,” “enhanced” and “developed” to emphasize your proactive role and the positive outcomes of your work.

Step 5

Highlight your education and certifications

Later in your career, your job prospects live or die based on your portfolio, but early on, your education and certification will play a bigger role.

While work experience is important, listing your education and relevant certifications can significantly boost your professional appeal. Try to get the formatting right.

How to present your education:

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in English
University of Writing Arts, City, State
Graduation: May 2020

Certifications:

Content Marketing Certification – HubSpot Academy
SEO Certification – Google
Advanced Copywriting Course – Udemy

Optional sections for a freelance writer resume

Portfolio

Showcasing your best work samples can demonstrate the range and quality of your writing. If you are sending your resume directly to a hiring manager as a PDF, you will hyperlink your work in the email’s body — or attach your samples in the provided space if you’re submitting an online application.

How to format your portfolio (with hyperlinks):

Content Marketing Blog Post
SEO-optimized Article on Sustainability
Technical Manual for Software Application

Recent publications

Listing your recent publications can highlight your experience and authority in your field.

How to format your publications:

“The Future of Digital Marketing,” Published in Marketing Today, April 2023.
“Effective SEO Strategies for Small Businesses,” Published on SEO Insights Blog, January 2023.
“Content Creation for E-commerce Websites,” Featured in E-commerce Magazine, November 2022.

Professional affiliations

Mentioning professional affiliations shows your commitment to your profession and your engagement with the writing community.

How to list your affiliations:

Member, Freelancers Union
Member, Society of Professional Journalists
Member, American Writers & Artists Inc. (AWAI)

Awards and recognition

Highlighting honors and awards can distinguish you as a dedicated and successful freelance writer.

How to highlight your awards:

Best Blog Post Award, Content Marketing Awards, 2023.
Honorable Mention, Short Story Competition, Writer’s Guild, 2022.
Excellence in Copywriting Award, Copywriters Association, 2021.

Volunteer experience

Including relevant volunteer work can illustrate your commitment to community engagement and your passion for writing.

How to format your volunteer experience:

Volunteer writer: Created engaging blog content for the local animal shelter’s website, raising awareness about pet adoption, Animal Shelter, 2022-Present.
Community newsletter editor: Edited and published a monthly community newsletter, ensuring timely and accurate information, City Community Center, 2021-2022.

Show off your writing skills with a cover letter

Create your cover letter

While not always required, submitting a cover letter along with your resume is a great idea. A well-crafted cover letter serves as an additional writing sample, allowing you to showcase your writing skills and create a compelling narrative about your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

To ensure your cover letter makes the strongest impact, review cover letter examples tailored for freelance writing roles. Pay attention to how these examples highlight the candidate’s skills and experiences.

If you aren’t sure where to start, consider using a cover letter builder to help create compelling content. These tools can provide customizable templates you can quickly fill with generated content that highlights your expertise.

Your cover letter shouldn’t repeat your resume — it should complement it by delving deeper into your professional experiences and telling the story of your career. Recruiters will be impressed if you write a good one.

Key takeaways for your freelance writer resume

Review the job description

Be sure that your resume includes keywords and phrases that align with the freelance writer job posting. This helps tailor your application to the specific role you’re applying for.
A combination layout is best for many

A combination resume is ideal for freelance writers because it allows you to highlight your key skills upfront while also providing a chronological list of your work experience.
Choose a creative design

Select a resume template that reflects your creativity but remains professional. A creative template can help your resume stand out while ensuring it’s still easy to read.
Represent a range of skills

Include a mix of technical skills, such as SEO writing, content creation and editing, alongside soft skills like effective communication, time management and adaptability.
Your portfolio is key

Include links to your best work samples. Your portfolio should showcase a variety of writing styles and types of content to demonstrate your versatility and expertise.

FAQs from job seekers

Last Updated: May 23, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.