Are you looking to write your perfect Copywriter CV?
Crafting a compelling CV is crucial for those aspiring to excel in the competitive world of copywriting. A Copywriter’s job entails the art of persuading and engaging through the written word, making it imperative to showcase your skills effectively on your CV.
This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide, invaluable tips and real examples to help you create an interview-winning CV. Let’s get started!
I am a creative, imaginative and resilient Copywriter with a talent for developing effective written materials including, but not limited to, corporate web content, emails, press releases, newsletter articles, blog posts and social networking site posts. My 1st Class honours degree in Advertising and my extensive experience in this field is a testament to the passion and drive I have to succeed in this competitive industry.
Achievements
1st Class Honours Degree from Babylon University
2014 DMA Awards- Shortlisted for the “Best Writing” category
Education
2009 – 2013
BA (Hons) Advertising
Babylon University
Grade achieved: [1:1]
Relevant Modules:
Decoding Advertisements
Applied Advertising Campaigns
Digital Communications
Introduction to Copywriting
Brand Meaning and Purpose
2007 – 2009 Results: English: A English Literature: B Psychology: A
A Levels
Fullerton College
2000 – 2007 Results: 9 GCSEs at Grades A-B, including Maths and English
GCSEs
Townsville School
Work experience
Jan 2014 – Present
Copywriter Absolute Adverts
Main duties performed:
Creating product descriptions to be used in advertisements
Generating content for the corporate website and maintaining the blog
Performing Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) duties; keyword research, title and description tags, keyword density, competitor analysis, backlinks, etc.
Keeping up to date with the latest news in the industry such as monitoring Google’s search quality updates
Utilising the advanced features of the Content Management System (CMS)
Maintaining the social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
Monitoring the organisation’s website traffic through Google Analytics
Conducting extensive research during the writing process
Proofreading and editing content pieces before they are published
Writing guest posts to be posted on other reputable websites
Updating old articles on the website with fresh and relevant content
Brainstorming and conceptual thinking sessions
Performing minor graphics design duties and liaising with freelance graphics designers to ensure that the text & image advertisements are visually appealing
Familiarising ourselves with clients’ products and/or services and target markets
Presenting ideas to clients for approval
Implementing approved ideas either digitally or via print
Closely monitoring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
Assisting clients with their branding needs
Assisting the Marketing Director with developing effective marketing strategies
Jul 2013 – Jul 2014
Product Marketer (Placement) Howard’s Hardware
Main duties performed:
Familiarising with the entire product catalogue
Developing compelling product descriptions for in-store and digital catalogues
Managing the company’s blog which promoted new products and offered after-sales support to existing customers
Brainstormed with the marketing department regarding new and compelling ways the business can stand out from its competitors
Qualifications
Advanced Copywriting Skills – CIM (2014)
Microsoft Office Specialist- Expert (2013)
HTML Certification (2012)
Skills
Presentation skills: Able to effectively and confidently communicate ideas to clients, superiors and colleagues without becoming nervous
Creativity: Adept at thinking outside the box to come up with new and fresh content, slogans, catchphrases and branding ideas
Writing skills: Being an avid reader and having done English Literature at A Levels has given me the ability to write in a wide range of styles on various subjects. I can touch-type at a writing speed of 74wpm (words per minute) with 98% accuracy
Research skills: Able to extract information from a variety of primary as well as secondary sources to determine the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
Computer-savvy: Able to operate both Windows and Macintosh operating systems as well as having excellent knowledge of computer programs
Hobbies and interests
When I am not busy taking the advertising world by storm, I enjoy going out and dining with my friends, family and colleagues. In addition, I also like following the latest trends in the social and digital marketing industries.
References
Mr Alex Jackson Senior Copywriter, Absolute Adverts Address: 9 Margaret Ave, Cannock, Y19 8PZ Tel: 0723 7445 9993 Email:[email protected]
Personal details: The candidate’s name and contact information are prominently displayed at the top, making it easy for potential employers to get in touch. They have also used a professional email address that includes their name. Furthermore, the candidate has correctly made their name the main heading of their CV, instead of “CV” or “Curriculum vitae.”
A strong personal profile statement: The candidate has crafted a concise and compelling personal profile that summarises their copywriting expertise and what they can bring to the table. It’s tailored to the job they’re applying for. They have mentioned that they achieved a 1st class degree in Advertising, showcasing their expertise in the field.
Structure and layout: The CV is well-structured with clear headings, bullet points and consistent formatting. It’s easy to read and navigate. This is important because research has shown that employers spend less than 30 seconds reading each CV.
Conciseness: The CV is kept to a reasonable length, not exceeding two pages. It’s comprehensive but not overwhelming. Writing a concise CV requires good effort, as Mark Twain once said, “I didn’t have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one.”
A comprehensive skills section: The candidate meticulously outlines their diverse skill set in a dedicated “Skills” section, showcasing their proficiency in various aspects of copywriting and related areas.
Utilise a clear structure:Create a CV with a clear and logical structure and format. Begin with your personal details, followed by a compelling personal profile. Then, neatly organise your qualifications, relevant work experience, skills and any additional sections. If you’re struggling, have a look at the examples presented below.
Choose an appropriate font: Opt for a professional and easily readable font such as Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Open Sans or Times New Roman. This ensures that your CV remains visually appealing and easy to scan. Employers are used to reading text in these typefaces so it will make their reading experience effortless.
Maintain consistency: Consistency in formatting is key. Ensure uniformity in font sizes, bullet points, dates and headings throughout your CV.
Use bullet points: When listing your job’s responsibilities and achievements in previous roles, use bullet points for clarity. For example, “Wrote and edited engaging blog content, increasing website traffic by 20%.” Never use long, complex sentences or big paragraphs.
Include white space: Ensure that your CV is not overly cluttered. Use adequate white space to make it visually appealing and easy to read.
Seek feedback: Before finalising your CV, seek feedback from peers, mentors or career advisors. An external perspective can help refine your CV for perfection.
Your CV’s personal details section is where you provide essential information about yourself to potential employers.
It should include your full name, contact details (phone number and email address), and your address (or location) so that employers can easily reach out to you for further communication.
However, there’s no need to include certain personal details, such as your date of birth, marital status, national insurance number, gender, passport number or religion, as these are typically not relevant to your job application and should be kept private.
Furthermore, including a photograph is not standard in UK CVs and can introduce potential bias.
The personal profile section of your CV is like the opening statement of your job application. It’s a brief but crucial introduction where you tell potential employers who you are, what you do and what you can offer to their company.
This section should include a concise summary of your copywriting expertise, highlighting your key skills and experiences.
It’s your first chance to make a positive impression, so make it count!
As an experienced Copywriter with a proven track record, I’ve crafted persuasive content that drove a 20% increase in website traffic for my previous employer. With a talent for turning complex ideas into engaging copy, I excel in creating captivating narratives and SEO-optimised content to captivate audiences. I’m ready to bring my expertise to your team and take your brand’s messaging to the next level.
Achievements
The achievements section in your CV is a place where you can showcase your proudest moments and key wins.
You should include things like awards, promotions, significant projects, impressive results (such as exceeding targets), certifications and any other achievements that demonstrate your skills and capabilities.
Your achievements tell the employer that you’ve not just done the job but excelled in it.
They provide evidence of your skills and dedication. For instance, if you’ve received awards for crafting captivating ad campaigns, consistently exceeded content engagement targets, earned recognition for creating persuasive product descriptions, or achieved top ratings for your written content, these accomplishments give a tangible sense of your capabilities as a copywriter.
Example:
Graduated with First-Class Honours in English and Creative Writing.
Successfully revamped a client’s website, resulting in a 30% increase in user traffic.
Consistently exceeded monthly content engagement targets by 25%.
Improved email click-through rates by 20% through compelling email marketing campaigns.
Assisted in doubling social media followers for a start-up in just six months.
Collaborated on an award-winning ad campaign that drove a 40% sales increase for a client.
Employment and work experience
The employment section of your CV is where you detail your work history and experience.
To write it effectively, start with your most recent job and work backwards. Include the job title, the name of the company, the dates you worked there, and a brief but impactful description of your key responsibilities and accomplishments in that role.
July 2022 – Present
Copywriter CreativeWords Ltd.
Main duties and responsibilities performed:
Crafted compelling web content, resulting in a 25% increase in website traffic.
Collaborated with the marketing team to develop persuasive email campaigns that consistently achieved a 30% open rate.
Led the creation of a highly successful ad campaign that contributed to a 40% boost in product sales.
Achievements: Spearheaded a content marketing strategy that significantly improved brand visibility and engagement, leading to a 20% growth in social media followers within the first year of employment.
Content creation: Crafting engaging and persuasive written content for various digital and print platforms.
SEO optimisation: Conducting keyword research and incorporating SEO best practices into written materials to enhance online visibility.
Brand messaging: Developing and maintaining consistent brand messaging and tone across all written materials.
Proofreading and editing: Ensuring grammatical accuracy, style consistency, and error-free content.
Research: Conducting in-depth research to gather relevant information for content development.
Audience analysis: Identifying and understanding the target audience to tailor content accordingly.
Content strategy: Collaborating with marketing teams to create content strategies aligned with business objectives.
Social media copy: Crafting engaging copy for social media posts to increase audience engagement.
Ad copywriting: Writing persuasive ad copy for online advertising campaigns.
Content performance analysis: Monitoring and analysing the performance of written content to make data-driven improvements.
Educational background
In the education section of your CV, you should list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
Include your university degree(s) with the full name of the university, the type of degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts), and the subject studied.
Additionally, you can also mention other qualifications like A-Levels, GCSEs, diplomas or any relevant certifications that could add value to your application.
2016 – 2018 Results: English Literature (A), History (B), Media Studies (A).
A-Levels
Brighton College
Professional training and qualifications
This section of your CV includes details of your professional qualifications, certifications and any vocational training, providing a snapshot of your expertise and ongoing industry-relevant learning.
For a copywriter, this section can include qualifications such as a diploma in copywriting, certification in content marketing or training courses in SEO writing, showcasing your proficiency in key areas of the profession.
Example:
Level 6 Diploma in Professional Copywriting – College of Media and Communication
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature – University of London
Level 4 Certificate in Digital Marketing – British Institute of Marketing
Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) Certification
Level 5 Diploma in Creative Writing – The Writers’ Academy
Skills and competencies
In this section, you should highlight your specific abilities and attributes that make you a strong candidate for the role.
Include a mix of both hard and soft skills. For example, you might mention your proficiency in content creation, SEO and social media management, alongside your creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines effectively.
Review the job’s ‘Essential skills’ in the personal specifications to understand precisely what the employer is seeking in the ideal candidate for this role. Tailoring your CV to match these requirements will make you a stronger contender.
Content creation: Proficient in crafting engaging and informative content for various platforms, resulting in a 25% increase in website traffic for a previous client.
SEO expertise: Experienced in optimising content for search engines, leading to a 30% boost in organic search traffic in my previous role.
Team collaboration: Effective team player, having collaborated with designers and marketers to create cohesive content strategies and campaigns.
Content creation: Proficient in producing high-quality written content for various platforms, from blog posts to social media updates.
Digital marketing: Knowledge of digital marketing strategies and the ability to create content that aligns with marketing goals.
Editing and proofreading: Meticulous attention to detail and expertise in grammar, punctuation, and style.
Creative writing: The ability to craft compelling and persuasive narratives to engage and captivate readers.
Audience analysis: Understanding the target audience to create content that resonates with their interests and needs.
Brand voice: The skill to adapt and maintain a consistent brand voice across different content pieces.
Headline writing: • Crafting attention-grabbing headlines to increase click-through rates and reader engagement.
Time management: Efficiently managing workloads and meeting deadlines while maintaining quality.
Research skills: Conducting in-depth research to gather accurate information and insights for content creation.
Email marketing: Writing effective email campaigns to engage subscribers and drive conversions.
Hobbies and interests (optional)
The hobbies and interests section of your CV offers a glimpse into your personality and can help you connect with potential employers on a more personal level.
It should contain activities that reflect your interests and qualities that are relevant to the job.
For example, mentioning your passion for creative writing, blogging or reading can highlight your dedication to the field and your commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the world of words. Furthermore, mentioning teamwork-oriented activities like team sports or group projects showcases your ability to collaborate effectively.
Although this section is optional, including relevant hobbies can make you a well-rounded and engaging candidate.
Example:
Passionate about creative writing and literature, I maintain a personal blog where I share my thoughts on the latest trends in content and storytelling. I’m also an avid member of a local writers’ group, fostering my passion for collaboration and refining my craft.
Professional references
The references section of your CV contains details of individuals who can vouch for your professional character, typically including their names, job titles, contact information, and a brief description of your relationship with them.
Utilise clear and concise language: As a copywriter, you’re expected to be good with words. Craft your CV with the same precision you use in your writing. Ensure your language is clear, concise, and free from jargon to make it reader-friendly.
Showcase your diverse skills: Highlight a range of copywriting skills, from SEO and social media writing to creative storytelling, to demonstrate your versatility.
Quantify your achievements: Use specific numbers to quantify your accomplishments, such as “Increased website traffic by 40% through SEO optimisation.” Research has shown that CVs containing facts, figures, numbers and percentages are more likely to be shortlisted for interviews.
Professional online presence: In your “Personal details” section, include a link to your professional website or portfolio to showcase your work and establish your online presence. Like they say; show, don’t tell!
Emphasise published work: Mention any articles, blogs or publications where your copywriting has been featured, giving credibility to your expertise.
Written by Sobhan Mohmand Sobhan is a qualified Careers Advisor and Professional CV Writer with over 10 years of experience in helping job seekers get a job. He is a Member of the Careers Development Institute (CDI) and is listed on the official UK Register of Career Development Professionals. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (QCF).