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Writing skills are essential in most professional settings and highly valued by employers. In this article, you’ll learn how to add writing skills to your resume and find resume templates to tailor your job application and stand out from the competition.

Whether writing business emails, drafting technical reports or creating the company newsletter, we’ll show you how to feature writing skills in your application documents effectively.

Want a stronger resume? Try our resume templates. Simply edit and download. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click using our Resume Builder.

Or view our sample resumes made with our professional templates.

What Are Writing Skills?

Writing skills make it possible for you to communicate a message with clarity and organization in a text format and are among the most sought-after skills in today’s job market. Depending on the role you’re applying for, they can be considered a soft or hard skill, but almost every job requires communicating through the written word.

Understanding and showcasing the specific writing skills the job requires will increase your chances of landing an interview. For example, an editor should highlight grammar, spelling and technique in their skills section, while copywriting requires persuasive and creative language. A technical writer, on the other hand, must demonstrate their ability to explain complex processes.

Good writing skills can advance your career and foster a healthy work environment. A well-written resume with a comprehensive list of skills will increase your chances of advancement.

Top Writing Skills Examples

Here are examples of top writing skills to include in your resume.

Research

Being a valuable writing asset means reading closely, verifying your sources, having subject-matter awareness and strong attention to detail! Good writers ensure the information they use is well-sourced and accurate.

Research skills include:

  • Fact-checking

  • Google Scholar

  • Use of primary and secondary sources

  • Citation

Outlining

Outlining refers to your ability to plan and structure your message before you go through the writing process. Having a plan allows you to make adjustments before time and resources are invested into producing a polished written product.

Outlining skills include:

  • Organization

  • Consistency

  • Coherence

  • Structure

Editing

Editing skills are valuable because high-quality content is produced when you adhere to best practice standards, usage and writing techniques.

Editing skills include:

  • Proofreading

  • Clarity

  • Style

  • Grammar usage

Storytelling

Storytelling is a popular method to capture and hold a reader’s attention by creating interest. This can be a powerful tool in the world of marketing and advertising.

Storytelling skills include:

  • Persuasiveness

  • Emotional appeal

  • Engaging the audience

  • Creativity

Copywriting

The ability to write a short and engaging copy is desirable for employers in advertising and entertainment.

Copywriting skills include:

  • Assuming brand voice

  • Creative writing

  • Intentionality

  • SEO awareness

  • Attention to detail

Word choice

Word choice can make a difference in branding, community outreach, marketing, public relations, social justice and journalism.

Word choice skills include:

  • Use of synonyms

  • Tone

  • Connotation

Content management systems (CMS)

Understanding content management software is a skill that helps to format, tailor and publish your written content to a particular medium.

Content management systems include:

  • WordPress

  • Wix

  • Medium

  • Magento

Organization

Organizing the information you need to relay in bite-size and digestible ways makes communication more effective. Well-organized writing will greatly increase the strength and impact of your message on your audience.

Organization skills include:

  • Formatting to enhance readability

  • Using appropriate headings

Audience analysis

Analytical skills provide a deeper understanding of the target audience’s needs, knowledge level and expectations to help you tailor your content.

Audience analytical skills include:

  • Google Trends

  • Obtaining demographic data

  • Comprehending consumer behavior

Documentation tools

Writing and editing software proficiency will make you a valuable writing asset.

Documentation tools include:

  • Microsoft Word

  • Grammarly

  • Google Docs

  • Adobe FrameMaker

  • Markdown

Additional Writing Skills

Basic writing skills are always a valuable asset to include in any job application. Additional analytical skill examples that could boost your resume include:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Time management
  • Email writing
  • Grammar
  • Conciseness
  • Adaptability
  • Multilingual writing
  • Cohesion
  • Summarization
  • Revision
  • Transitions
  • Vocabulary
Technical skills

Add Skills With Our Builder

Write a winning resume with our Resume Builder. Our fast-learning technology preloads your resume with writing skills specific to the job you’re applying for.

Explore our featured resume examples to learn how other professionals showcase their abilities. We also provide fully customizable resume templates for every industry!

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Writing Skills FAQ

How do you list writing skills on a resume?

Including your writing skills on a resume is all about communicating your expertise to the employer. Showcase a balance of hard, soft and technical skills with specific examples of instances where you utilized those skills to give yourself an edge in the hiring process.

How would you describe your writing skills?

There are two best places to feature your writing skills when writing your resume. The first is to have a dedicated “skills” section. List six to eight total skills, and ensure they balance hard, soft and technical skills.

The second option is to mention your writing skills as part of your work experience. It is essential to provide examples of instances where those skills were crucial to the task.

On the other hand, your cover letter is meant to offer extra background that may compel the employer to ask for an interview. Illustrate your strengths by giving an anecdote about your writing skills and frame it in a problem-action-resolution setup.

Should I add a link to my writing portfolio?

Adding a link to a portfolio is recommended if you're applying for a writing-centric job. Hyperlink the portfolio in the closing portion of your cover letter. The work you feature should align with what the current employer seeks for their role.

How do I highlight my writing skills during an interview?

If you are lucky enough to be called for an interview, it will require preparation to discuss your writing skills. You need to support your claims about your writing skills with evidence that you get noticeable results.

If writing skills like copywriting are central to your job, then be prepared to discuss them! Make the case regarding how your writing skills will benefit the overall business. Don’t just mention that you’ve got top-notch writing skills; instead, focus on how your skills will solve the hiring manager’s needs.

How can you improve your writing skills?

Improving your writing skills requires constant practice, even journaling for a few minutes daily. There are online courses specializing in different writing styles, which will help you find direction and advice.

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