A creative writing CV is a compact document that provides the reader with essential information about you as a creative writer. This information can be used to determine whether or not you are the right fit for the job, and it will affect how you are perceived by the employer. If you are unfamiliar, a creative writing CV is different from a regular CV in that it focuses more on your freelance writing work rather than your previous jobs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1 in every 4 jobs is currently related to writing. Thus, it is not surprising that so many people write their CVs. However, if you aim to become an in-house creative writer, building a strong freelance writing portfolio is only one part of the puzzle. Moreover, you will need to consider various other factors as well, such as education, training, and even personal story. In this article, we will discuss how to write a strong creative writing CV that will get you the job you want.
The Most Important Sections Of A Creative Writing CV
In order to write a strong creative writing CV, you will need to include several key sections that provide your potential employers with a complete picture of your strengths and weaknesses. In this section, you will want to include a summary of your work history. Be sure to highlight all your relevant experience in a narrative format.
For example, you might want to start by talking about your education and training. You should include your bachelor’s degree if you have one, and you should also include your professional degrees (e.g., Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.). Finally, you should include information about any specialized or creative training you have undertaken. For instance, if you are a published writer, you could include a short bio about you or a sample of your published work. This will give your potential employer a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as acquaint them with your relevant experience.
Speaking of which, one of the most important things you will need to include in your creative writing CV is a brief description of your work history. To begin with, you will need to include your age, and you should also provide your gender. After that, you should explain what you did before becoming a writer. Was it journalism or literature classes in college that sparked your interest in creative writing? Were you an English major or a Communications major? What was your previous job before you became a writer? These are all important questions, and they will affect how your potential employer views you. A good starting point is to write a short note explaining what you did before you became a writer. You could then expand on this in your work history section.
If you are still in school, you can start by focusing on your graduation year. You should include the name of the school you graduated from, the major you studied, and the name of your university or college. You can then move to the next section and include a short note on your thesis or dissertation. Be sure to include a reference to the chairperson of your committee if you have one. This will show prospective employers that you have the academic ability to undertake research and that you are capable of carrying out independent analysis.
The next section of your CV should include a summary of your work experience. Start by including your age, and then provide your gender. After that, you can talk about the following:
- Your education (bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, etc.)
- Your previous jobs (If you have had any previous jobs, this is the place to put them)
- Any professional or specialized training you have undertaken (optional)
- Your interests (If you are passionate about something, such as literature, you can include a short note about it here)
- Your hobbies (If you have any, these can be interesting to include but beware of going too far — it might seem a bit arrogant)
- How much you want the job (If you are still looking for work, put the amount you are seeking)
- How to get in touch (If you want to get in touch with the hiring manager, include your email address here)
- How to apply (If you have a specific job application, include the URL here)
- References (If you want to include references, here is where you list them)
If you have had previous jobs, you can include a summary of your work experience in the preceding format. However, if you are still in school, you can include a summary of your coursework in the following format:
A summary of your coursework should include the following: