Copywriter Resume: Examples and Templates for 2026
Why Most Copywriter Resumes Get Rejected
I've reviewed over 50,000 resumes in my career, and copywriter resumes consistently surprise me—usually not in a good way. The irony is thick: professionals whose entire job is crafting compelling words submit resumes that are bland, unfocused, and identical to everyone else's.
Here's what most copywriter resumes look like: "Creative copywriter with 5 years of experience writing engaging content for various clients." That's not a hook—it's a yawn. If that sentence were a headline, would you click? Neither would the hiring manager.
The problem isn't that copywriters can't write. It's that they forget to apply their craft to their own careers. Your resume is a piece of copy with one objective: get the interview. If you understand the fundamentals of building a strong resume, you're already ahead of most applicants. For comprehensive strategies on optimizing your resume language, our professional impact dictionary covers the exact verbs and metrics for copywriting roles.
What Hiring Managers Actually Look for in Copywriter Resumes
Before we get into structure and examples, let's decode what's happening on the other side of the desk. When I recruited for marketing agencies and in-house teams, we evaluated copywriters on five criteria:
Your resume must answer all five questions immediately. If I have to dig for the answers, you've already lost to someone who made it easier.
Essential Components of a Copywriter Resume
1. The Header: Make Contact Easy
Your header should include:
Example Header:
SARAH MITCHELL
Senior Copywriter | B2B Tech & SaaS
(555) 123-4567 | sarah@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahmitchell
Portfolio: sarahmitchellwrites.com | San Francisco, CA
Notice the positioning statement under the name. This immediately tells me what type of copywriter you are. Generic is forgettable; specific is memorable.
2. Professional Summary: Your Elevator Pitch
This is where most copywriters fail. They write generic summaries that could apply to anyone. Your summary should answer: who you are, what you specialize in, and why someone should hire you.
Weak Summary:
"Creative copywriter with excellent writing skills and experience working with various clients on different projects."
Strong Summary:
"B2B SaaS copywriter with 6 years of experience turning complex technical products into compelling narratives. Formerly lead copywriter at a Series C fintech startup where email campaigns drove $2.3M in pipeline. Clients include Stripe, Notion, and HubSpot. Specializing in product launches, email sequences, and conversion-focused landing pages."
The strong summary is specific, quantified, and immediately tells me this person is qualified for a B2B tech copywriting role.
3. Work Experience: Show, Don't Tell
Your work experience section is where you prove you can deliver results. Every bullet point should demonstrate impact, not just describe tasks.
The Formula: Action Verb + Specific Task + Measurable Result
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, competition for copywriting roles is intense. Differentiating yourself with concrete results is essential.
Weak Bullet Points:
Strong Bullet Points:
Notice the difference? The strong bullets include specific numbers, business outcomes, and scope. This is how you prove you're a copywriter who understands business objectives, not just someone who can string words together.
4. Skills Section: Strategic and Relevant
Your skills section should reflect the tools, platforms, and capabilities that hiring managers search for. Think of this section as an SEO optimization for your resume—both for ATS systems and human readers scanning quickly.
Technical Skills to Consider:
Copywriting Skills to Highlight:
Don't list every skill you've ever touched. Tailor your skills section to match the job description. If they want email marketing expertise, make sure that's prominent. If you're targeting creative roles, check out specialized resume examples for your specific niche.
5. Portfolio Section: Your Proof of Work
Unlike most professions, copywriters have an advantage: we can show our work. A portfolio link is mandatory, but you can enhance your resume by calling out specific pieces.
Optional Portfolio Highlights Section:
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
📧 Email Sequence: Fintech onboarding series (28% CTR, $340K revenue)
📝 Case Study: B2B SaaS conversion case study (15K organic visits/mo)
🎯 Landing Page: Product launch page (22% conversion rate)
Full portfolio: sarahmitchellwrites.com
This gives hiring managers a preview of your strongest work without requiring them to click through immediately.
6. Education and Certifications
For copywriting roles, education is typically less important than portfolio and experience. However, relevant credentials can strengthen your application.
What to Include:
Example:
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
B.A. English, Creative Writing | University of California, Berkeley
Conversion Copywriting Certification | CopyHackers
Google Analytics Certification | Google
HubSpot Content Marketing Certification | HubSpot Academy
Copywriter Resume Example: Full Template
Here's a complete example resume for a mid-level copywriter:
ALEX RIVERA
Conversion Copywriter | E-commerce & DTC Brands
(555) 987-6543 | alex@email.com | linkedin.com/in/alexrivera
Portfolio: alexriveracopy.com | Austin, TX
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
E-commerce copywriter with 5 years of experience crafting conversion-focused
copy for DTC brands. Generated over $4M in attributed revenue through email,
landing pages, and ad campaigns. Clients include Warby Parker, Allbirds, and
three Y Combinator startups. Specializing in product launches, retention
marketing, and brand voice development.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WORK EXPERIENCE
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SENIOR COPYWRITER | BrandBoost Agency | 2022–Present
• Lead copy for 12 DTC clients with combined $50M annual revenue
• Developed email flows generating $1.2M in monthly revenue across clients
• Created product launch copy for 8 campaigns, averaging 18% conversion rates
• Train and mentor team of 3 junior copywriters on voice and conversion strategy
COPYWRITER | Startup Studio Co. | 2020–2022
• Wrote landing pages, emails, and ads for 15+ early-stage startups
• Increased email open rates by 34% through subject line testing program
• Developed brand voice documentation for 8 companies at various growth stages
• Managed content calendar and coordinated with design team on creative assets
FREELANCE COPYWRITER | Self-Employed | 2019–2020
• Built freelance practice serving e-commerce and SaaS clients
• Wrote website copy, product descriptions, and email sequences
• Maintained 100% client retention rate with referral-based growth
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SKILLS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Copywriting: Email marketing, landing pages, ad copy, product descriptions,
brand voice, UX writing, A/B testing, conversion optimization
Technical: Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Shopify, WordPress, Google Analytics,
Figma, Notion, Asana
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
B.A. Marketing | University of Texas at Austin
Conversion Copywriting Certification | CopyHackers
Email Marketing Mastery | Klaviyo Academy
Tailoring Your Resume for Different Copywriting Roles
Agency Copywriter Resume
Agency work requires versatility and the ability to handle multiple clients. Emphasize:
In-House Copywriter Resume
In-house roles value deep expertise in one brand or industry. Emphasize:
Freelance Copywriter Resume
Freelance resumes should showcase your business acumen alongside writing skills:
SEO Copywriter Resume
For SEO-focused roles, technical skills matter as much as writing:
Common Mistakes on Copywriter Resumes
After reviewing thousands of creative resumes, I see the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoid these to stand out:
Mistake 1: Being Too Creative at the Expense of Clarity
Yes, you're creative. But if your resume is so unconventional that it's hard to read, you've failed the first test of copywriting: clarity. Creativity should enhance communication, not hinder it.
Mistake 2: No Quantified Results
"Wrote compelling copy" tells me nothing. "Wrote email sequence that generated $200K in revenue" tells me everything. If you haven't been tracking your results, start now—and estimate conservatively for past work.
Mistake 3: Missing Portfolio Link
I'm genuinely shocked how often copywriters submit resumes without portfolio links. Your resume can only say so much. The portfolio is where you prove you can deliver. For tips on showcasing your work effectively, consider how to highlight accomplishments that matter to employers.
Mistake 4: Generic Skills Dump
Listing "Microsoft Word" as a skill is insulting. Listing every software you've ever opened is overwhelming. Be strategic: include skills that differentiate you and match the job requirements.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the ATS
Many copywriters use creative formats that ATS systems can't parse. Use a clean, single-column format for online applications. Save the creative layouts for when you're submitting directly to humans. Understanding how AI and ATS systems evaluate your resume can give you a significant advantage.
Formatting Best Practices for Copywriter Resumes
Length: One page for most copywriters. Two pages only if you're senior with 10+ years of experience.
Font: Clean, professional fonts like Inter, Roboto, Lato, or Georgia. Size 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for headings.
Margins: 0.5" to 1" on all sides. Avoid cramming content with tiny margins.
File Format: Submit as PDF unless specifically asked for Word. Name the file professionally: "Alex_Rivera_Copywriter_Resume.pdf"
Design Elements: Minimal but polished. Use consistent spacing, subtle dividers, and strategic bold text. A touch of color in the header is fine, but keep the body clean and scannable.
Optimizing Your Copywriter Resume for ATS Systems
Even creative roles use Applicant Tracking Systems. Here's how to pass the ATS while maintaining your personal brand:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a copywriter resume with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills from other roles, relevant coursework, personal projects, and spec work (sample campaigns you've created). Include any writing experience—blogs, social media management, or content creation—and consider freelance work or internships to build your portfolio.
Should I use a creative resume template?
For online job applications, use a clean, ATS-friendly format. For direct submissions to creative agencies or when networking, a more designed resume can showcase your visual taste—but never sacrifice readability for creativity.
How many samples should my copywriting portfolio include?
Quality over quantity. Include 6-10 of your strongest, most relevant pieces. Organize by type (email, landing pages, ads) or industry. Each piece should include context: the objective, your approach, and results if available.
What if I've only worked on confidential client projects?
Describe the work without naming the client: "Email sequence for a Series B fintech startup" is acceptable. You can also create spec work or personal projects that demonstrate your capabilities.
Should I include social media metrics on my resume?
Yes, if they're impressive and relevant to the role. "Grew LinkedIn following from 500 to 15K in 18 months with 8% average engagement rate" demonstrates real-world content marketing skills.
Final Thoughts: Your Resume Is Copy
Remember: your resume is the first sample of your work that any hiring manager will see. If it's bland, unfocused, or full of generic language, you're telling them exactly what to expect from your copy.
Apply the same principles you use in your professional work:
Your resume should make hiring managers think: "If they can write a resume this good, imagine what they'll do for our brand."
Now go write a resume worthy of a copywriter.
