Editorial Assistant Resume Example
Starting a career as an editorial assistant gives you the chance to gain experience in proofreading and editing and managing CMS tasks. For a successful editorial assistant application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll discuss how to create an editorial assistant resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your editorial assistant applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn tips from Jobseeker's careers experts, that will show you how to demonstrate your creative mindset and skills in your resume.
Main elements of an editorial assistant resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with an editorial assistant resume being no different.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
A editorial assistant resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Scarlett Stewart
scarlett.stewart@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/scarlett–stewart123
Resume Objective
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for editorial assistant roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as an editorial assistant, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. See below for some great examples of how to approach your editorial assistant resume.
Good example:
Editorial Assistant with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and extensive experience as an Editorial Coordinator. Proven skills in content management, editorial planning, and manuscript preparation. Adept at coordinating between authors, editors, and production teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality publications. Strong attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and proficient in various editorial software tools
Bad example:
Worked in editing with some background in English literature. Did tasks related to managing content and planning editorial work. Helped with preparing manuscripts and worked with different people to make sure things got done on time. Paid attention to details and communicated with others. Used some tools for editing work
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your editorial assistant resume summary.
Work History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an editorial assistant position. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to editorial assistant roles.
A successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in an editorial assistant resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Editorial Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Inkwell Editorial Services, Mesa
- Coordinated the successful publication of 50+ articles monthly, enhancing workflow efficiency by 30% through strategic planning and resource allocation
- Implemented a new content management system, reducing editorial errors by 25% and streamlining the review process
- Led a team of 10 editors, resulting in a 40% increase in publication speed and a 20% boost in reader engagement
Bad example:
Editorial Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
Inkwell Editorial Services, Mesa
- Assisted with various tasks to improve team productivity and efficiency
- Supported the editorial team in achieving goals and objectives
- Contributed to enhancing the publication process and workflow
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Portfolio
It's a great idea to show examples of your work, including any successful projects or campaigns you've worked on. This might include a portfolio, a website or other work samples you can share to show your editorial assistant skills.
Including a portfolio with evidence of your previous work is most effective for creative roles. You could add a link to a standalone website or portfolio in your resume header, or create a separate section with links to published work. Conversely, those working in non-creative sectors may still have examples of their work published online. If you do, add links to this section to boost your chances of success.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to editorial assistant roles.
Opportunities as an editorial assistant and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your proofreading accuracy or copy editing proficiency.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, 2017 - 2020
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for editorial assistant jobs. These could be SEO best practices, MS Office proficiency or various other relevant skills. Again, refer to the editorial assistant job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to include hard skills on your editorial assistant resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for editorial assistant jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in editorial assistant roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for an editorial assistant resume.
- Copy editing proficiency
- Content management systems
- AP style expertise
Adding soft skills to your editorial assistant resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for an editorial assistant resume.
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Excellent communication abilities
Expert Tip:
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to editorial assistant jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for an editorial assistant resume:
- Copyediting Certificate, 2022
- Proofreading Certification, 2022
- SEO Certification, 2022
Additional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for an editorial assistant resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for editorial assistant jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Volunteer Experience
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for editorial assistant roles beyond your main employment history. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
Although it's rare to include references on an editorial assistant resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in an editorial assistant resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Edit
- Proofread
- Coordinate
- Organize
- Research
- Draft
- Compile
- Manage
- Review
- Communicate
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of an editorial assistant resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your editorial assistant resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
scarlett.stewart@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/scarlett–stewart123
Dynamic and detail-oriented Editorial Assistant with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and prior experience as an Editorial Coordinator. Skilled in manuscript review, content editing, and project management. Adept at coordinating between authors, editors, and production teams to ensure timely and high-quality publication. Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking abilities. Proficient in various editorial software and tools. Passionate about literature and committed to fostering impactful and engaging content
Editorial Coordinator
2020
-2022
InkWell Editorial Services (Sacramento)
- Successfully managed and coordinated the publication of over 50 articles per month, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to editorial standards
- Implemented a new content management system, reducing editorial workflow time by 30% and increasing team productivity
- Spearheaded a cross-departmental project to enhance editorial quality, resulting in a 25% increase in reader engagement and retention
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
2017
-2020
Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)
Copy editing proficiency
Content management systems
AP style expertise
Attention to detail
Time management skills
Excellent communication abilities
Copyediting Certificate
Proofreading Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for an editorial assistant resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Add key skills throughout your resume that match the job description, along with a dedicated 'skills' section.
- Make your editorial assistant resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Use action words that show how you've made an impact in different editorial assistant jobs (e.g. proofread, draft, review).
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your editorial assistant resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When you're writing your editorial assistant resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions about an editorial assistant resume
It's not typically a good idea to add a personal photo to your resume. A photo can help your resume to look more visually engaging, but it also risks introducing unwanted bias into the recruitment process.
Circumstances where it may be necessary to include a personal photo in your resume tend to be for creative roles that require public appearances. This could be appearing on camera, acting, modelling, meeting with clients or public speaking engagements.
After writing your editorial assistant resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the editorial assistant role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write an editorial assistant resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience.
If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for editorial assistant positions at first glance. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Editorial Assistant Seeking Growth Opportunities
- Meticulous Editorial Assistant with Expertise
- Senior Editorial Assistant Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your editorial assistant resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Careers for creative people, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/creative-careers.htm
(2) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Craft and Fine Arts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
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