Stop Losing Jobs Over a Bad Resume
Identify and correct the copywriter resume pitfalls that keep hiring managers scrolling past you.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
- Non‑standard headings prevent parsing
- Graphics and columns are stripped, losing information
- Hiring managers may view it as unprofessional
- Use a clean, single‑column format
- Stick to standard headings (Experience, Skills, Education)
- Save as PDF or DOCX without embedded images
John Doe Creative Copy Specialist [Graphic header with logo] Experience — Freelance Writer (2018‑Present)
John Doe Copywriter | john.doe@email.com | (555) 123‑4567 | New York, NY Professional Summary Experienced copywriter with 5+ years crafting SEO‑optimized content that drives 30% traffic growth. Experience Copywriter, XYZ Agency – Jan 2020 to Present - Developed brand voice for 12 clients, increasing engagement by 25%. - Produced 200+ web pages, averaging 1.8% conversion lift.
- Hiring managers can’t gauge impact
- ATS often scores keywords higher when paired with numbers
- Resume looks vague and generic
- Add specific metrics (e.g., % increase, revenue lift)
- Use action verbs followed by numbers
- Tie results to business goals
Created blog posts for client websites, improving brand visibility.
Created 45 SEO‑optimized blog posts per month, boosting client organic traffic by 40% and generating $120K in incremental revenue.
- Buzzwords are ignored by ATS without supporting evidence
- Hiring managers see them as filler
- Reduces credibility
- Replace buzzwords with concrete skills (e.g., "SEO copywriting" instead of "innovative")
- Show context through projects or results
Innovative team player with strong communication skills.
Collaborated with cross‑functional teams to launch 8 multi‑channel campaigns, achieving a 22% lift in click‑through rates.
- Copywriters need proof of style and quality
- Hiring managers waste time searching for work
- ATS may flag missing URL as incomplete
- Add a short, trackable URL to an online portfolio
- Place the link in the header and under Professional Summary
- Ensure the portfolio is up‑to‑date and mobile‑friendly
Professional Summary: Experienced copywriter with a passion for storytelling.
Professional Summary: Experienced copywriter with a passion for storytelling. Portfolio: https://johnDoeWrites.com (latest campaigns, SEO case studies, ad copy).
- ATS ranks resumes based on keyword match
- Recruiters search for exact skill terms
- Your resume may be filtered out before human review
- Research job descriptions for common copywriting terms
- Incorporate keywords like "SEO copywriting," "brand voice," "content strategy," "editorial calendar"
- Distribute keywords naturally across headings and bullet points
Wrote content for various clients.
Produced SEO‑focused copy for e‑commerce sites, optimizing product descriptions and landing pages, resulting in a 15% increase in conversion rates. Key Skills: SEO copywriting, brand voice development, content strategy, editorial calendar management.
- Use a single‑column, ATS‑friendly template
- Include a professional email and phone number in the header
- Add a clickable portfolio URL
- Quantify every achievement with numbers
- Insert at least 8 copywriting‑specific keywords
- Save as PDF with file name matching the naming convention
- Trim to 2 pages
- Add quantifiable results to each bullet
- Insert top copywriting keywords
- Standardize headings
- Add portfolio link