Content Writer Resume Example That Passes ATS Screening

Marketing & Communications · Entry Level · Updated 2025-03-20

Breaking into content writing is tricky because everyone thinks they can write, and most entry-level resumes look interchangeable. The candidates who land interviews are the ones who treat their resume like a content piece itself: clear, specific, and backed by evidence that their writing actually drives results. This before-and-after example shows how to transform a generic early-career writing resume into one that gets callbacks.

Common Content Writer Resume Mistakes

Hiring managers reviewing Content Writer resumes flag these problems repeatedly. Each one can knock your ATS score or land your application in the rejection pile.

• Saying 'passionate about writing' instead of showing writing output and results
• Not including any metrics, even basic ones like article count or traffic numbers
• Listing 'Microsoft Word' as a skill when employers expect WordPress, HubSpot, and SEO tools
• Omitting student journalism or campus publication experience that is directly relevant
• Using a creative or heavily designed resume format that confuses ATS systems and annoys hiring managers who just want to read
• Writing the resume in a style that contradicts the job: if you can't make your own resume clear and compelling, why would a hiring manager trust you with their brand's content?

Section-by-Section Writing Tips

Professional Summary

At the entry level, focus on your output volume, the types of content you write, and one standout metric. Don't try to sound like a VP of Content. Be straightforward about your experience level while showing you understand what matters: traffic, engagement, and conversions.

Experience Section

Include every legitimate writing experience, including campus publications, internships, and freelance work. For each role, quantify your output (number of pieces, traffic generated, engagement metrics). Even if the numbers are modest, having them at all puts you ahead of most entry-level applicants.

Skills Section

Separate writing skills from SEO/analytics tools from content platforms. Hiring managers want to see that you know the tools of modern content marketing, not just that you can write. If you know Ahrefs, Semrush, or HubSpot, say so explicitly.

Education Section

A journalism, communications, or English degree is relevant and should be listed. If you have a minor in business or marketing, include it since B2B employers like seeing that combination. Student publication work can go in either education or experience, but experience is stronger.

ATS Keywords for Content Writer Resumes

ATS systems scanning Content Writer applications look for these terms. The resume above weaves them in naturally rather than listing them outright.

Full Resume Sample

Why This Resume Works

Volume and output cadence are stated clearly. Writing '8-10 blog posts per month' and '60+ articles' tells hiring managers this person can produce at a professional pace. Entry-level candidates often forget that content writing is partly a volume game, and managers need to know you can keep up.

SEO results are specific and time-bound. Instead of 'wrote SEO content,' the resume says 'ranked on page 1 for 12 target keywords within 3 months.' This shows the candidate understands that writing for the web means writing to be found, not just writing well.

The student newspaper experience is relevant, not filler. Rather than hiding college writing experience, it's presented with concrete outputs (40+ articles, editing 6 writers, an award). For entry-level candidates, this kind of experience is legitimate and should be included with the same rigor as professional roles.

B2B context is established early and reinforced throughout. The summary and every role mention B2B specifically. Content writing jobs vary wildly between B2B and B2C, and being clear about your lane makes it easy for recruiters to see the fit.

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