Editor in Chief Resume Guide
The editor in chief is responsible for the vision and overall direction of a publication. They manage a team of editors, writers, and other staff members to create content that is both informative and appealing to readers. In addition to overseeing the editorial process, they may also be involved in marketing and business decisions for the publication.
As the editor in chief, you set the standard for excellence in your field. But to get hired by a publishing company, you need to write a resume that meets their high standards.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch editor in chief resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Editor in Chief Resume Sample
Caterina Gulgowski
Editor in Chief
[email protected]
370-838-5729
linkedin.com/in/caterina-gulgowski
Summary
Enthusiastic editor in chief with extensive experience leading editorial teams and developing high-quality content. Achieved successful turnaround of XYZ magazine by increasing circulation by 20% and advertising revenues by 35%. Reinstated features sections and increased the quality of writing, resulting in a nomination for Magazine of the Year.
Experience
Editor in Chief, Company ABC
Virginia Beach, Jan 2018 – Present
- Reduced editing and production costs by 15% through process improvements and more efficient workflows.
- Oversaw a team of 30+ editors, writers, designers and support staff, providing guidance and mentorship while ensuring that all deadlines were met.
- Streamlined the content approval process by implementing new software tools and systems; this led to a 10% increase in productivity.
- Facilitated communication between different departments (such as editorial, marketing, sales) to ensure that everyone was on the same page and working towards common goals.
- Accurately proofread and edited all content before publication, catching errors that would have otherwise gone live.
Editor in Chief, Company XYZ
Salt Lake City, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Planned and executed the editorial vision for the magazine, working with writers, editors and other staff to produce a high-quality publication.
- Substantially increased circulation by developing new content strategies and expanding the magazine’s reach through social media and other channels.
- Introduced new sections and features that were well-received by readers, resulting in increased satisfaction ratings.
- Spearheaded a successful redesign of the magazine, which won several awards and helped attract new advertisers.
- Improved communication within the editorial team, leading to more efficient workflow and better overall results.
Skills
- Editing
- Blogging
- Journalism
- Copy Editing
- Writing
- Editorial
- Creative Writing
- Social Media Marketing
- Copywriting
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English and Communications
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Professional Editor in Chief
American Copy Editors Society
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
The summary or objective at the top of your resume is like a movie trailer – it provides the hiring manager with essential bits of information and, if written correctly, should compel them to read on.
The summary is where you can sell yourself; for example, you could mention the wide range of experience you have in different editing software, the awards your work has won, and how you increased efficiency in your previous role by streamlining processes.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Talented and experienced editor in chief with a proven ability to improve print and online content while also reducing costs. 7+ years of experience managing editorial teams, setting budgets, and improving workflows. In previous roles increased conversion rates by an average of 21% through A/B testing and other optimization techniques. Also cut production costs by 12% on average without sacrificing quality or quantity of output.
Amicable and detail-oriented Editor in Chief with 6+ years of experience in content curation and team management. Proven success in executing high-level editorial vision while also taking care of the day-to-day needs of a publication. At XYZ, managed a team of 5 editors and increased viewership by 24% through innovative social media campaigns. Honored with “Employee of the Month” 3 times for going above and beyond expectations.
Determined and deadline-driven editor in chief with 9+ years of experience overseeing the development and production of high-quality content. Managed a team of 15+ writers, editors, and designers while also writing articles myself. In my current role as editor in chief at XYZ Magazine, increased readership by 28% through innovative storytelling and strategic partnerships.
Professional editor in chief with experience working for a top-tier publishing house. Looking to bring my expertise in print and digital media to an organization such as ABC. At XYZ, managed a team of 50+ editors, writers, and designers while overseeing the production of 4 monthly magazines with total circulation of 2 million copies. Grew online traffic by 300% through successful implementation of SEO strategies.
Detail-oriented and experienced editor in chief with a proven track record of overseeing the production of high-quality content. Skilled at managing teams of writers, editors, and designers to produce engaging content across multiple channels. Experienced in all aspects of the publishing process, from budgeting and scheduling to editing and proofreading. At XYZ Company, increased web traffic by 42% through effective content strategy and execution.
Seasoned editor in chief with a decade of experience in content curation, team management, and brand development. Proven success in independently managing projects from conception to completion while maximizing efficiency and quality. Achieved a 4% increase in web traffic month-over-month on average by spearheading the creation of innovative digital content strategies. Recently recognized as one of “10 Up-and-Coming Editors to Watch” by Industry Publication.
Diligent editor in chief with experience working for both print and digital publications. Skilled at commissioning articles, editing content, and managing a team of writers and editors. At XYZ magazine, increased pageviews by 62% month-on-month after taking over as editor in chief.
Energetic and experienced editor in chief with a proven track record of 7+ years in overseeing the content strategy and editorial team of a major online publication. In previous roles, increased web traffic by 31% via SEO-optimized content and grew social media following by 35%. At ABC, managed a team of 15 writers and editors to produce high-quality, engaging content that resonated with readers.
2. Experience / Employment
The work history/experience section is where you provide information about your previous employment. It’s generally written in reverse chronological order, which means your most recent job is listed first.
When writing this section, it’s best to stick to bullet points. This allows the reader to quickly scan and digest the information you’re providing. When crafting the bullet points, aim to be detailed and include quantifiable results whenever possible.
For example, instead of saying “Edited articles,” you could say, “Edited 10+ articles per week for grammar, style, and content accuracy; oversaw a team of 5 junior editors.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Hired
- Trained
- Edited
- Wrote
- Published
- Researched
- Investigated
- Coordinated
- Assigned
- Monitored
- Directed
- Oversaw
- Budgeted
- Planned
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Hired and managed a team of 35+ editors, writers and interns; increased productivity by 25% through optimized workflows.
- Thoroughly edited all content for grammar, spelling, syntax and style before publication; reduced errors by 50%.
- Expedited the editing process without compromising quality; cut down on turnaround time by 2 days on average.
- Optimized editorial calendar to ensure timely delivery of monthly/weekly issues; maintained a 96% on-time delivery rate.
- Published 100+ articles per month across various digital and print platforms; increased readership by 10%.
- Monitored and coordinated the work of subordinate editors, reporters, and other staff members to ensure that publication deadlines were met.
- Investigated and prepared stories on a wide variety of topics such as politics, local news, human interest stories, and investigative pieces.
- Successfully increased readership by 15% through innovative marketing campaigns and social media outreach initiatives.
- Demonstrated excellent leadership qualities in times of crisis, making quick and effective decisions that minimized negative impact on the publication.
- Maintained high standards of journalistic integrity and ethical conduct at all times, setting an example for other members of the editorial team to follow.
- Trained 5 new editors in company style guide, house grammar rules and editing software programs.
- Assessed the work of 15+ reporters on a daily basis, providing feedback and mentorship to help them improve their writing skills.
- Edited stories for content, clarity, conciseness and accuracy before sending them to be published in the newspaper; increased reader satisfaction ratings by 3%.
- Utilized excellent multitasking abilities to handle a high volume of work while meeting strict deadlines; completed an average of 10 stories per day.
- Competently managed a team of 20+ editors, writers and support staff, delegating tasks and ensuring that all deadlines were met.
- Revised and edited articles written by a team of 20+ reporters, ensuring that all content met the publication’s high standards for grammar, style and accuracy.
- Researched potential story ideas and pitched 3 new article concepts to senior editors each week; 2 out of 3 pitches were accepted and greenlit for development.
- Structured editorial meetings, managed workflow and assigned stories to reporters on a daily basis while also editing at least 5 articles per day myself.
- Mentored 4 junior reporters in proper research techniques, effective writing styles and AP guidelines; 2 out of 4 mentees went on to be promoted to senior reporter within 6 months.
- Confidently made decisions regarding which stories should be published in each issue, based on newsworthiness, timeliness and public interest; increased print readership by 10% over the course of 1 year as a result.
- Assigned stories and articles to writers, edited content for grammar and style, and oversaw the production of a monthly magazine with a circulation of 50,000+.
- Effectively communicated with clients, vendors and business partners on behalf of the publication.
- Represented the company at industry events and networked with other professionals to generate new leads.
- Developed editorial calendar each month in order to plan ahead and ensure timely delivery of content.
- Advised management on trends within the publishing industry and suggested ways to improve the magazine’s overall performance.
- Demonstrated excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills by producing error-free copy for a range of print and online publications.
- Reorganized the editorial team to improve workflow and communication, resulting in a 15% increase in productivity.
- Directed all aspects of the editorial process, from story pitches and assignments to reviews and final publication.
- Independently managed relationships with freelance writers, contributing photographers and other external vendors.
- Presented innovative ideas for improving content strategy at monthly meetings with senior management; successfully implemented 3 new initiatives that boosted web traffic by 25%.
- Formulated and wrote editorials, articles, and stories while maintaining the company’s voice and style guidelines.
- Compiled a monthly newsletter by sourcing articles from various departments, editing them for clarity and concisence, and ensuring that they adhere to the company’s editorial standards.
- Diligently edited all copy for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and style errors before sending it off to be published.
- Participated in weekly story meetings with department heads to discuss new ideas, potential feature stories and other topics of interest.
3. Skills
The skills required for an editor-in-chief will vary depending on the company, publication, or website they are editing for. However, there are some skills that are essential for all editor in chief positions such as excellent writing and editing skills, managerial ability, multitasking capability etc.
In order to stand out from other candidates it is important to tailor the skills section of your resume specifically to the job you are applying for. This means specifying relevant skills such as ‘line editing’ if you are applying for a position at a publishing house or ‘SEO knowledge’ if you are applying for a web content editor role.
It is also important to remember that many employers use applicant tracking systems which analyze resumes and sort them according to certain keywords. Therefore, including specific keywords related to the job you want will increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Blogging
- Copy Editing
- Copywriting
- Creative Writing
- Digital Media
- Editing
- Editorial
- Feature Articles
- Journalism
- Magazines
- News Writing
- Press Releases
- Proofreading
- Publications
- Publishing
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Networking
- Storytelling
- Web Content
- Writing
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume is not necessary if you have plenty of relevant work experience to showcase. However, if you are just starting out in your career or do not have much work experience, including an education section can be helpful.
If you include your education, mention courses and subjects related to the editor in chief role you are applying for. Examples may include “Courses included Editing & Proofreading Techniques, Advanced Grammar & Punctuation, and Writing for Different Media” and “Researched and wrote a 5,000 word report on best practices for copy editing.”
Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, English and Communications
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are not always necessary, but they can show a potential employer that you have taken the initiative to stay up-to-date in your field. If you are certified by a well-known organization, such as the American Copy Editors Society, this could give you an edge over other candidates.
Including your certification in this section of your resume will allow hiring managers to easily see what qualifications you possess.
Certified Professional Editor in Chief
American Copy Editors Society
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Caterina Gulgowski, this would be Caterina-Gulgowski-resume.pdf or Caterina-Gulgowski-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter as part of your job application is a great way to give potential employers a more complete picture of who you are and what you can bring to the table.
A cover letter typically consists of 2-4 paragraphs, and includes information that isn’t already mentioned in your resume. It’s an opportunity for you to elaborate on your skills and experience, as well as introduce yourself on a more personal level.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Abagail,
As an experienced editor in chief with a proven track record of success in managing editorial teams and overseeing all aspects of the publishing process, I am confident I will make a significant contribution to your organization. In my current role as editor in chief at [company name], I manage a team of 15 editors and writers while also handling high-level responsibilities such as budgeting, strategic planning, and business development. Under my leadership, the company has seen consistent growth year over year, with our most recent annual report indicating double-digit revenue growth.
In addition to my experience leading successful editorial teams, I have also been directly responsible for some of the most successful projects in the history of our company. Most notably, I oversaw the development and launch of our flagship publication, which quickly became one of the most popular magazines on newsstands nationwide. Other notable achievements include increasing subscription rates by 20% and launching several highly successful digital products that have generated millions of dollars in revenue.
I am confident that I can bring this same level of success to your organization as editor in chief. With my proven ability to lead editorial teams, oversee all aspects of the publishing process, develop innovative new products, and generate significant revenue growth, I am certain that I would be a valuable asset to your team.
I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity soon so that we can discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your organization. Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
[Your name]