If you’re an editor looking to land your next job, having a well-crafted CV or resume is essential. This article is a practical guide on how to write an effective CV for editors. We’ll cover the key elements your CV should include, how to present your editing experience, and tips for highlighting your skills. Plus, we’ll provide real examples to illustrate how these tips can be applied in practice. Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just starting out, this guide will help you create a CV that showcases your talents and catches the eye of potential employers.
Contents
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Editor Job Description Example
Job Title: Editor
Company Description: At [Company Name], we are dedicated to delivering compelling stories and engaging content across multiple platforms. As a dynamic and innovative media company, we pride ourselves on creating high-quality content that resonates with our diverse audience. We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Editor to join our editorial team.
Job Description: As an Editor at [Company Name], you will play a crucial role in shaping the voice and direction of our content. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the editorial process, ensuring the production of accurate, engaging, and high-quality content. You will work closely with writers, designers, and other team members to develop story ideas, edit submissions, and manage content schedules.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the editorial team in planning, developing, and implementing content strategies.
- Review, edit, and approve manuscripts and articles, ensuring they meet our quality standards and align with our editorial guidelines.
- Collaborate with writers to refine their submissions, providing constructive feedback to enhance content quality.
- Manage the content calendar, ensuring timely publication of articles and features.
- Stay updated with industry trends and incorporate new ideas to improve content engagement and readership.
- Work with the design team to ensure that the visual elements complement the written content.
- Oversee the SEO optimization of content to increase visibility and drive traffic.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to develop content for various promotional activities.
- Handle multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related field.
- Proven experience as an Editor in a similar industry.
- Strong command of the English language and exceptional writing and editing skills.
- Proficient in content management systems and SEO best practices.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to lead and inspire a team of creative professionals.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality content.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with digital publishing and multimedia content.
- Familiarity with the latest trends in content marketing and social media.
What We Offer:
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment where creativity is encouraged.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- A competitive compensation package with comprehensive benefits.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you are passionate about storytelling and want to contribute to a team that values innovation and quality, we would love to hear from you.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Editor Professional Summary Example
- Boasting over a decade of experience in the publishing industry, with a Master’s degree in English Literature and expertise in digital content strategy. Proficient in using Adobe Creative Suite and content management systems like WordPress to craft compelling narratives.
- Led a successful digital transformation project for Editorial Hub, which resulted in a 40% increase in online readership and a 25% rise in advertising revenue within two years, showcasing adeptness in combining editorial skills with digital marketing strategies.
- Recently managed the editorial team at Stellar Authority, overseeing the production of over 300 articles per month, successfully maintaining a 95% on-time delivery rate through efficient project management and an Agile editorial workflow.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your work duties in your CV, it’s not enough to simply state what tasks you were assigned. Instead, focus on how you excelled in those tasks. For example, instead of writing “Edited articles for publication,” you could say, “Expertly edited 30+ articles per week, enhancing readability and engagement, which contributed to a 20% increase in online readership.” This approach not only tells employers about your editing responsibilities but also demonstrates your impact and success in that role. It’s a way of showing your skills in action and the positive outcomes you achieved.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Editor CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Understand the Role and Industry
Before starting your CV, make sure you understand the specific requirements of an Editor role in your industry. Whether it’s publishing, journalism, or digital media, each has its unique demands. 📚
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Skills
Start by listing your relevant educational background, like degrees in English, Journalism, or Communication. Don’t forget to include any specific editing courses or certifications you have. 💼
Showcase Your Editing Experience
Detail your editing experience, including the types of content you’ve worked on, such as books, articles, online content, etc. Mention the genres or fields you specialize in, like technical writing, creative fiction, or academic editing. ✍️
Use Specific Achievements and Metrics
Quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you increased readership or improved content engagement. If you led projects, specify their size and scope. 📈
Mention Technical Proficiencies
Editors often need to be proficient with certain software or tools. Include your experience with industry-standard software like Adobe InDesign, CMS (Content Management Systems), or proofreading tools. 💻
Tailor Your CV for Each Application
Customize your CV for each job application. Focus on experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job description. 🎯
Keep It Concise and Error-Free
Your CV should be a reflection of your editing skills. Keep it concise, well-structured, and free of grammatical errors. A well-edited CV is a testament to your professional capabilities. 📝
Include Soft Skills
Mention any relevant soft skills, like strong communication, attention to detail, or the ability to work under tight deadlines. These are just as important in an Editor’s role. 🗣️
Professional Development
If you have attended workshops, seminars, or any other form of professional development related to editing, include these to show your commitment to staying updated in the field. 🌟
Editor CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.