Copy Editor Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Copy Editor resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Copy editors are the gatekeepers of clarity, ensuring that everything that’s written is clear, concise, and free of errors. They’re the last line of defense against bad grammar, spelling mistakes, and misinformation. And they play a crucial role in ensuring that the tone of a piece is consistent and matches the style guide for the publication.
If you love language, writing, editing, and attention to detail, you might be ready to break into the world of copy editing. Here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a fantastic copy editor resume that will help you land your dream job.
How to Write a Copy Editor Resume
Here’s how to write a copy editor resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will read. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and skills.
But many candidates make the mistake of using generic bullet points that don’t really tell a story or provide any context about their experience.
Instead, you should use your bullet points to tell a story about your work. And you should use specific details and numbers to illustrate your contributions.
Related: What Is a Copy Editor? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a copy editor role, your resume is likely to be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This system looks for certain terms related to the job like “copy editing” or “proofreading” in order to determine whether you have the skills and experience necessary for the position. If your resume is missing the right keywords, your application might not even make it to a human recruiter.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common copy editor keywords as a starting point to help you customize your resume:
- Copy Editing
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Writing
- AP Stylebook
- Journalism
- Copywriting
- Newspapers
- Blogging
- Proofreading Skills
- Press Releases
- Creative Writing
- Publications
- Web Content Writing
- Social Media
- Fiction
- Social Media Marketing
- Press Release Writing
- Blogging Tools
- Magazines
- Content Management
- Content Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Online Marketing
- Copywriting Services
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Marketing
- Newsletters
- Press Work
- Adobe InDesign
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Copy editors use a variety of programs and systems to do their job effectively. They rely on programs like Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop to format and design documents. They also use programs like Crystal Reports and Excel to generate reports and track changes.
So if you have experience with any of these programs, be sure to list them in your technical skills section. Additionally, copy editors should be familiar with the style guides used by their publication, such as the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style.
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