Although the COVID pandemic has caused unemployment to rise and opportunities to fall, one industry that’s booming is content writing. From blogs to whitepapers to technical writing, companies have a need for quality content. This skill has become even more in-demand as COVID forces more people to shop, learn, and interact online. But even the best writers can’t land gigs or secure employment in this highly competitive market without making a great first impression. And this starts with your resume. By turning a mundane, ho-hum content writer career objective into an eye-catching professional summary, you can boost your chances of getting hired for an exciting new writing gig.
Content Writer Job Outlook
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook and job growth for content writers sit at an average about even to the rest of the American job market. However, these statistics take into account book authors and other types of writers falling out of demand. Still, statistics show the job growth rate varying between -2% and 7% over the next 10 years. This equates to more opportunities if you can find your niche and your voice. Furthermore, PayScale shows that content writers earn an average salary of $46,636 annually. But what really stands out as a content writer is that nearly all of the positions are 100% remote, giving you flexibility and the work-life balance you crave.
However, amateur writers, professional writers, and those looking to take their expertise and pivot to writing can create a cutthroat job market. Thus, you’ll need to craft a resume that’s formatted to pass applicant tracking systems, well-written, and includes updates common to the modern-day resume. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll need to change your content writer career objective into a professional summary. This summary not only introduces you to your employer but also provides some depth into what you can offer. So if it’s your first time writing a professional summary, don’t stress. Using your natural writing talent and these tips and examples, you can put together an intriguing summary that makes you a must-hire in the content writing industry.
What’s the Difference Between a Content Writer Career Objective and a Professional Summary?
A resume objective and a career summary have two distinct differences:
- Length: A resume objective consists of one or two sentences that concisely highlight your experience, qualifications, and the social media position title you are seeking. In contrast, a professional summary is longer, allowing for more opportunity to expand on your background and include specific examples.
- Perspective: While a resume objective focuses on the job you are looking for, a professional summary is tailored to presenting the value you bring to your potential employer.
Tips to Help You Write a Quality Professional Summary
To successfully turn your content writer career objective into a professional summary for a resume, adhere to these tips:
- Take a glance at the job listings for the positions you want. Then, identify the minimum requirements and the job duties or qualifications that most closely match your background. The most effective content writer summary consists of three to four short sentences.
- Start your content writer summary with an overview of your background and other qualifications. Target this sentence to illustrate that you meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the positions you are applying for. This sentence will usually include your current or desired job title and a brief job description. Don’t include your years of experience in the summary as this practice is becoming outdated.
- Include a brief highlight of your skill set. Focus on the ones that you identified in the job listing and include numbers if appropriate. Also, use industry terminology or the words found within the job listings to comply with or meet ATS (applicant tracking system) applications standards.
Content Writer Professional Summary Examples
Transitioning your content writer career objective into a professional summary requires a change in mindset. Rather than telling the employer what you want out of the job or what you’re searching for, switch this idea to appeal to what the employer is looking for. This may also entail putting in specific information about your writing niches, what publications you’ve written for (if they’re well-known), and other relevant writing experience. Furthermore, you may also want to add in any concrete stats that highlight the success of your writing, such as the percentage increase of blog readership or interactions on social media.
Below are some content writer professional summary examples that should guide you to the perfect one. Keep in mind that you’ll need to tailor these to fit your specific skill set or a particular voice. But don’t forget. While some people struggle with the professional summary, you should have a distinct advantage thanks to your writing background and appreciation of the written word.
Results-driven content writer with six years of experience in technical writing for a variety of industries. Highly skilled writer with additional talents in marketing and collaborating with remote teams.
Content writer with seven years of experience in e-commerce and B2B writing, leading content teams, content creation, and freelancer management. Also possesses knowledge of content management systems, meeting deadlines, and excellent written and online communication skills.
Content writer with four years of experience in travel blogging and writing guides. Has increased readership and social media reach by 11% and 24% since writing regular assignments as both an employee and a freelancer. Also has experience in WordPress, Canva, and various SEO platforms to improve the user experience, conversions, and overall content quality.
Over 10 years experience as a Senior Content Writer. Highly skilled at managing a team of in-house writers and editors, content creation, attention to detail, and putting together successful blogs and campaigns to attract readers. Adept at Google Analytics, SEO, Google Adwords, and Hubspot software to optimize content for driving engagement, increasing organic traffic, and improving the overall user experience.
Some Extra Tips to Optimize Your Content Writer Professional Summary
Using the tips and examples above should turn your content writer career objective into a successful professional summary. But you should also make sure to follow these other suggestions to improve clarity and draft a better overall product.
- Pay attention to grammar, syntax, and spelling. Your professional summary doesn’t always have to read like a book but make sure you avoid any of these mistakes. Remember, you’re applying to be a writer. Any errors here could automatically disqualify you from employment.
- If possible, use industry-specific words and phrases. In the case of writing, this will usually consist of digital marketing terms, search engine optimization, and so on.
- Make sure to include what verticals (topics) are in your niche. If you’re trying to branch out into a vertical you haven’t written before, find some relevant coursework or past experience that may relate to what type of work you want to do.
- Don’t overdo it. Yes, you’re a writer. But when you’re busting out every eight-syllable word you know in the span of a few sentences, it doesn’t say much for your taste and writing style. Less is almost certainly more.
- When in doubt, construct your professional summary toward your perceived target audience.
- Add descriptions and details to iron out your profile, but don’t go wild.
- Edit, revise, and cut out the unnecessary. This should enable you to keep things concise and to the point.
Many employers in the digital forum search for those with a multifaceted approach to digital marketing. So if you’re a content writer who also has some skill in social media, combining your skill sets is probably a sound idea. Check out the article below for some in-depth ideas on how to do it.
How To Turn a Content Writer Career Objective into a Professional Summary When You Don’t Have Relevant Experience
If you’re a new graduate or in the midst of a career change, experience as a content writer isn’t your strong point. You may not have a portfolio or a byline that employers often look for when hiring a content writer. However, you can still put together a strong professional summary by making some tweaks to your existing career objective. In general, use these tips to help you put one together:
- Highlight any education or coursework that’s specifically relevant to the job (business writing class, English classes, etc.)
- Use any examples from school or other projects (master’s degree dissertation, a high-grade essay, or term paper)
- Don’t dwell on the past—instead, add some information on how you can contribute to the job or fit with the work culture
- Reassert that the job is entry-level when writing the summary (if the job is entry-level)
Just One Piece of the Puzzle
Turning your content writer career objective into a cohesive, succinct, and eye-catching professional summary may seem like a difficult task. But don’t dwell on it too much. It’s just one piece of the puzzle in putting together the perfect resume, cover letter, and job application. So what does that mean for you? Let the ideas flow freely. If you’re coming down with a case of writer’s block or becoming easily frustrated, walk away. Come back a few hours or a day later to avoid the frustration and clear your mind.
Once you get a free flow of ideas, you’ll be able to highlight your best qualities—those that are sure to make your resume and your profile stand out from the pack. And like with almost any other type of writing, you probably won’t get it right the first time. So put together an outline, make a draft, and fine-tune. The more effort you put into your professional summary, the more likely an employer will put that time back into looking at your application as a whole. So focus on your skills and why you’re the perfect person for the job. If you believe it, chances are your future employer will as well.
Do you have any tips on how to rewrite a content writer career objective into a professional summary? Did you find a proven method that worked or any other suggestions that made the job easier? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and questions. We’d love to hear from you!
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