How to Put Writing Skills on Resume

Writing skills are one of the most transferable, high-demand abilities across industries—from marketing and PR to technical roles, education, journalism, administration, and even software development. But many candidates still struggle with how to list writing skills on a resume, or where they fit best in the layout.

Related: How Long Should a Resume Be?

If you're wondering how to put writing skills on resume, you're not alone. This guide will walk you through where to include them, how to frame them, and what hiring managers look for in strong writing ability.

You'll also learn:

How to format writing experience in your resume skills section

What counts as examples of writing skills

The difference between technical writing, content creation, and creative writing skills

Tips for writing a resume that itself reflects professional writing tone

How to list writing-related job qualifications even if your title isn’t "writer"

Whether you're a marketing specialist, data analyst, or executive assistant, your ability to communicate clearly and effectively is a powerful asset. This guide is your all-in-one resource for showcasing that talent the right way.

Why Employers Value Writing and Editing Skills

Clear writing is clear thinking. Hiring managers increasingly prioritize applicants who can communicate well—both in speech and in writing.

Including writing and editing skills on your resume tells employers:

You can write emails, proposals, and reports professionally

You bring clarity to internal communications and external messaging

You're likely detail-oriented, organized, and persuasive

The key is knowing where to include writing skills—and how to do it without looking generic.

Related: Why Clear and Concise Writing Matters in Resume Success

Where to Highlight Writing Skills on a Resume

If you’re wondering where should I list writing skills on my resume, here are 3 ideal spots:

1. Skills Section (Top or Side Column)

Perfect for listing writing-specific skills like:

Copywriting

SEO writing

Grant writing

Blog/article writing

Editing and proofreading

Technical writing

Report generation

This section should be keyword-optimized and scannable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

2. Summary or Profile Section

Use 2–3 lines to summarize your writing-related job qualifications. Example:

"Marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in content creation, technical writing, and brand storytelling across multiple industries."

3. Professional Experience Section

Show, don’t tell. Mention your writing skills through job achievements:

“Authored 15+ technical documentation guides, reducing customer onboarding time by 20%.”

This is especially important if you're not applying for a writing-specific role but want to highlight writing skills in resume as a secondary strength.

Best Way to List Writing Skills on Resume

When thinking about the best way to list writing skills on a resume, context matters.

Avoid vague terms like "good written communication." Instead, include:

Specific writing tasks you’ve completed

Industries or formats you’ve written for (web, print, UX, academic, legal)

Quantifiable results (engagement, SEO rankings, project speed, etc.)

Here’s an example that checks all the boxes:

“Created weekly blog content optimized for SEO, increasing organic web traffic by 45% in 6 months.”

This reflects resume writing skills examples that are results-driven.

Should You Include Creative or Technical Writing on a Resume?

Yes, but be strategic. Tailor the type of writing skill to the job you're applying for:

Job Type Ideal Writing Skills to Highlight

Marketing Copywriting, content creation, brand storytelling

Software/IT Technical documentation, system reporting

Education Lesson planning, academic writing

Admin Professional communication, report writing

Journalism Investigative writing, editing, AP style

Use your resume writing section formatting to organize these clearly.

How to Add Content Writing Experience to Resume

If you've worked as a content writer—freelance or full-time—treat it like any job role. Include:

Company/client name

Your title (e.g., “Freelance Content Writer”)

Bullet points with key achievements

Metrics like reach, engagement, conversion rates

Example:

“Wrote and edited 40+ SEO blog articles for SaaS clients, increasing backlink acquisition by 30%.”

Even if content creation was only part of your role, list it under achievements to showcase writing talent on resume.

Examples of Strong Writing Skills for Job Applications

Here are some high-impact, writing-related job qualifications you can add (tailored to your role):

General

Clear and concise business writing

Grammar and spelling precision

Tone adaptation across channels

Marketing

Headline optimization

Brand storytelling

Newsletter writing

Tech

Instructional writing

API documentation

User interface text writing

These are top writing skills for resumes across different industries.

How Do You Include Writing Ability in a Resume Summary?

You can show your strong writing ability without explicitly saying “I’m a great writer.” Try this:

“Experienced communications coordinator skilled in developing press releases, internal communications, and social media content that align with brand voice and messaging strategies.”

You're showing writing expertise through context—perfect for a professional writing tone.

FAQs

How do you put writing skills on a resume professionally?

Use your skills section to list specific writing types (e.g., technical writing, content creation, copywriting). Reinforce these in your experience section with examples of writing projects and measurable results.

What are examples of writing skills for resumes?

Include resume writing skills examples like:

SEO article writing

Email marketing content

Policy and report drafting

Grammar and editing

These examples show writing and editing skills relevant to business outcomes.

Where should I list writing skills on my resume?

Include them in:

The skills section for scanning

The summary for context

The experience section to show application of skills

This approach supports resume clarity and keyword optimization.

Should I include creative or technical writing on my resume?

Yes—if they’re relevant. Creative writing skills suit marketing and content roles; technical writing for resumes is perfect for product, engineering, or analyst roles.

How can writing skills improve my job application?

They increase your value as a communicator and problem-solver. Effective writing improves internal collaboration, external branding, and documentation—critical across industries.

1. How to Describe Professional Writing Experience in Your Resume

Use phrases like:

“Authored whitepapers and long-form articles that established the company as a thought leader in fintech.”

2. Where and How to Add Writing and Editing Skills to a Resume

In the skills section:

Copyediting

AP/MLA/Chicago style proficiency

CMS tools (e.g., WordPress)

In the experience section:

“Edited monthly newsletter sent to 5,000+ subscribers with a 32% open rate.”

How to Present Strong Writing Skills for Non-Writing Jobs on a Resume

Even in roles not titled “writer,” you can say:

“Drafted all internal memos and client correspondence, streamlining communication across departments.”

That’s how you showcase writing talent on resume even if you’re in HR, admin, or operations.

Final Thoughts

If you're still wondering how to put writing skills on resume, remember this:

Choose the right sections (skills, summary, experience)

Use specific examples of writing types and achievements

Tailor content to each job application

Use metrics to quantify impact

Let your resume writing reflect your actual writing talent

Great resumes don’t just tell—they show. And few things say “I’m a good writer” more than a clean, clear, well-worded resume that earns interviews.