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Staff Writer
Resume Example
4.5 / 5
Why This Template Works
This Staff Writer resume format is highly effective for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) due to its clear and structured layout that emphasizes key skills and achievements relevant to the role. The use of action verbs and quantifiable metrics showcases professional experience in a way that is easily digestible by both human reviewers and automated systems, ensuring maximum visibility. Additionally, integrating industry-specific keywords like 'AI ethics' and 'emerging tech trends' enhances the resume's SEO value within content-related job searches.
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How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Don't use unprofessional email addresses.
Real Examples
See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.
Don't
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
Do
John Doe New York, NY (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/johndoe | johndoe.com
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
02
Summary
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Staff Writer position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Do
Senior Staff Writer with 6+ years of experience in medical journalism. Authored over 50 articles on neurodegenerative diseases, reducing patient confusion by ensuring accurate information dissemination. Proficient in SEO strategies to enhance article visibility.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Technical Skills - Languages: [List] - Frameworks: [List] - Tools: [List] Soft Skills - [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Do not include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills
Don't
Java: 80%, Python: Basic, C#: Intermediate
Do
Languages: Java, Python, C#
Don't
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Do
Tools: Microsoft Office Suite (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Quick Tips
- Prioritize skills that are directly relevant to the Staff Writer position and omit those unrelated or irrelevant.
- Be clear and concise in your descriptions of technical tools and software. Provide context if necessary but avoid unnecessary detail.
- Organize skills by category, such as 'Technical Skills' and 'Soft Skills,' for better readability.
- Avoid listing soft skills like teamwork or communication separately unless they have a specific application in your work experience.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences
Don't
Responsible for writing articles on medical technology, increasing website traffic through various methods.
Do
Authored 50+ articles on medical technology, driving a 25% increase in website traffic within the first year.
Quick Tips
- Use strong action verbs such as 'authored', 'led', and 'implemented' to begin each bullet point.
- Quantify your achievements with numbers where possible; use percentages, figures, or metrics to highlight impact.
- Avoid vague statements like 'tasked with writing articles'; instead, specify the topic areas and outcomes achieved.
- Include details on projects you spearheaded or significantly contributed to, detailing specific results.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Don't
B.A., English Literature | University of California, Berkeley September 2014 – May 2018 - Completed all courses in the program. - Member of campus newspaper.
Do
B.A., English Literature | University of California, Berkeley September 2014 – May 2018 - Relevant Coursework: Creative Writing, Journalism, Literary Analysis - Member of campus newspaper - Honors: Dean's List
Quick Tips
- Start with your most recent or highest degree and work backward.
- Include only degrees relevant to the job position (e.g., B.A. in English Literature, Ph.D. in Neuroscience).
- For each education entry, highlight specific coursework directly related to the skills needed for a Staff Writer role in medical journalism.
- Use bullet points to clearly outline achievements such as honors or awards received during your academic career.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight specific challenges you solved - Link to portfolio or demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Created a basic blog using WordPress as part of an online course in 2017. No additional features were added beyond the tutorial instructions.
Do
Designed and developed a comprehensive medical news website using WordPress, integrating SEO optimization tools to improve search engine rankings. Addressed challenges like balancing scientific accuracy with reader engagement.
Quick Tips
- For each project, clearly state what you built and why it was important.
- Include specific details about the technologies used and how they contributed to the success of your project.
- Highlight any unique problems you solved or methodologies you employed that demonstrate your expertise as a Staff Writer.
- Always provide links to live examples or demo sites when possible to showcase the practical application of your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Strong writing and editing skills, knowledge of SEO, ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Highlight any relevant freelance or volunteer work during the gap period; focus on transferable skills developed outside formal roles.
Relevant journalism or communications degree, experience with CMS platforms, and a portfolio showcasing writing samples.
Include achievements such as increased responsibility, coverage of more complex topics, or successful project management in your resume summary.
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