Copy editors are professionals that revise written materials, checking them for grammatical or spelling errors and incorrect facts. While most copyeditors work in journalism or marketing, it’s common to find large corporations or nonprofit organizations hiring for the position. Starting a career in copyediting involves having the proper education or professional background, but you’ve got to show that experience correctly on a resume. A strong resume lets potential employers know you’ve got the right skills for the position.
This guide will help you create the best copy editor resume possible, allowing you land the position you want.
Do you need help with your resume? Check out our guide to the top resume writing services. Then, upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database.
Copy Editor Resume Example
Juan Editor
Copy Editor
Contact
Email: juan@email.com
Phone: (305)555-0987
City: Des Moines, Iowa
Summary
Dedicated copy editor with a degree in journalism and an eye for detail. Developed a strong understanding of how to make words work together and editing work on a wide variety of topics. Additionally, I have experience in writing and researching when approving articles.
Work Experience
Copy Editor
March 2020-Present
Des Moines, Iowa
- Designed online reports using HTML and Javascript
- Handled layout and design for magazine when Managing Editor was out of office
- Identified strategies to increase traffic, specifically through SEO efforts
Medical Copy Editor
January 2013-March 2020
Ames, Iowa
- Experience with proofreading and editing for medical communications
- Adept in a variety of software including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Endnote, Adobe
- Mentored writers and developed online style guide
Education
Bachelor’s In Journalism
Join The Break Community
Rhode Island School of Design
Skills
- Understanding of content strategy
- AP Style and Chicago Manual of Style
- Digital copy editing, editing, and production experience
- Remains calm under pressure
- Communicates effectively
What Is Unique About A Copy Editor Resume?
Copy editor resumes are unique because they have to demonstrate that you can edit your own materials. As a hiring manager reviews your resume, they will look for signs that your proofreading skills are up to par. If the resume is riddled with grammar or spelling errors, it’s an indicator to them that you’re probably not the best fit for a copy editor job.
What Should Be Included On A Copy Editor Resume?
A copy editor resume will be comparable to those from careers in similar fields like publishing or other editing jobs. First, you need to pick a style of resume. A more traditional, classic style of font and graphics is best because it doesn’t detract from the writing style or grammar of the content. A chronological resume is one of the most common types of resume copy editors submit, where your education and work history are listed in order from oldest to newest.
In addition to that, there are other sections you should include in your resume. Here are some of the most important:
Contact Information
Even though you’ll probably be asked to list your contact information on a paper or digital application, it’s still important to list it at the top of your resume. Hence, it’s the first thing a hiring manager will see. Be sure to include your:
- Address
- Phone Number
- Full Legal Name (and preferred name)
If you’re submitting a resume via email or another digital format, you can also link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio website.
Education
Beginning with your most recent degree, list each phase of your education. If you have a postsecondary degree, there’s no need to put where you went to high school or before.
Each listing should include the school name, location, degree, and years of attendance. You’ll also want to write out any relevant coursework, projects, certifications, or honors you received at that school.
Professional Skills
In the skills section, you should briefly list 5-10 of your most relevant skills. These professional skills show your commitment to ongoing learning and improvement to your craft and a knowledge of why these skills are important to create quality and accurately written material.
While most resume specialists say that only hard skills belong on a resume, soft skills are also essential. However, whatever you pick, be sure they’re relevant to copy editing.
Past Copyediting Positions
The most important thing to include on your resume is your experience in copyediting. If you don’t have any, that’s okay. This section is also a great place to include internships, volunteer projects, or other professional experience related to the position you’re applying for.
Start with your most recent work experience and follow with previous jobs. Include both if you worked at two places concurrently or if the times overlapped. The more knowledge you can show, the better. However, try to avoid listing every job you’ve ever had; this can take away from the experience that hiring managers are looking for details that show them you’re a good fit for the position.
Don’t simply list your duties underneath the job title and company. Provide specific, brief details about projects you worked on, teams you managed, and your accomplishments. Include numbers or statistics as often as possible.
What Should Be Left Off A Copy Editor Resume?
Although an objective is a common section to include on a resume, consider leaving it off a copy editing resume. There’s not much subjectivity in a copy editing position, so a hiring manager won’t be looking for a summary of your experience when it’s listed in detail below.
Most positions will require a cover letter, so you can address why you’re the best fit for the job in that. It’s also a great place to show off your writing skills.
Important Job Skills For Copy Editors
Copyediting is a technical position in a creative field. Therefore, both skill sets are needed to succeed in this role. Here are some you should master before applying to copy editor positions.
- Fact-Checking. Before content is published, copy editors will fact-check it to ensure that all the information is accurate. Usually, this is completed before the piece is done to avoid any publishing errors.
- Proofreading. Detecting surface-level errors like spelling or grammar mistakes and more significant structural problems (repetitive words or phrases, incorrect tone, etc.) is the most important skill a copy editor can master.
- Adapting to Brand Voice. Copy editors in marketing should be experts in creating consistent messaging to strengthen brand identity. In other industries, adapting to brand voice also means learning an author’s style to edit the piece.
- Digital Marketing Knowledge. Most of what copy editors will review is published online. Being well-versed in search engine optimization and other digital marketing principles helps a copy editor ensure that pieces succeed online.
- Attention to Detail. By reviewing every aspect of the content, from grammar to tone, a copy editor provides that the final product is high-quality and effectively conveys the intended message.
Wondering what other things to add to your resume? Our best skills for resume guide might help.
The Bottom Line
Copy editing is a competitive field, so you’ll need a stand-out resume. If you don’t feel like creating one for yourself, here are some of the best resume-writing services that will write and format a resume on your behalf. It’s also important to stay updated on what positions are available. Check ZipRecruiter for the latest copy editor jobs!
