Copywriter Resume Sample
· Keith Kwai
A copywriter’s CV is the one piece of writing in the hiring process that is explicitly judged on writing quality. A copywriter with a CV that reads like everyone else’s has failed the first brief.
What makes a strong Copywriter CV
The CV itself is a writing sample
Every line on a copywriter’s CV is assessed for craft: word choice, sentence rhythm, clarity under constraint. Make it read well. Not creative for the sake of creative — clear, precise, and good.
Show industry range or depth, not both
Either you are a specialist in a category (fintech, FMCG, tech) or you are a versatile generalist. Either is valuable. Neither is the combination of claiming both without evidence.
Demonstrate format range
Long-form, short-form, digital, direct response, brand, product — different formats require different muscles. If you can move between them credibly, your CV should show that. If you are best at one, lead with it.
Client or brand work requires confidentiality, portfolio requires evidence
Most senior copywriting work cannot be published publicly. Make it clear which work is available and how — and ensure your portfolio or work samples are genuinely accessible.
What to do
- Write a personal profile that demonstrates your voice, not just your career history
- Be specific about the type of copy you write best — do not claim to do everything equally well
- Show work that converted: response rates, click-throughs, campaign results where available
- Include brief-handling experience — taking a brief well is half the job
- Mention brand guidelines, tone of voice frameworks, or style guides you have worked with
What to avoid
- Write a CV in corporate HR English if you are applying as a copywriter — it signals you cannot adapt your voice
- List every brand you have worked for without describing what you wrote for them
- Describe your own work in superlatives — ‘award-winning,’ ‘world-class copy’ — without evidence
- Ignore editing and proofreading as skills — they signal precision
- Submit a CV with any typos, grammatical errors, or awkward constructions
What a weak CV looks like
- A profile that says ‘passionate storyteller’ in a world where every copywriter claims the same
- Client list without work samples or outcomes
- No indication of format specialisation or industry depth
- Copy that is technically correct but flat — a writing sample that shows nothing
Knowing the principles is one thing. Applying them to your specific background, role, and target market is another. That is what we do at GetThatJob. See how we can help.