Magazine Editor Resume Example & Writing Guide

Magazine Editor Resume Example & Writing Guide

As a wordsmith, you know how to shape words and make the most of limited space and attention spans. Those skills will come in handy when writing an excellent magazine editor resume.

A magazine editor does much more than review stories written by others. Your resume should clearly convey your ability to manage magazine content and lead the direction of a magazine. You must show strong leadership skills, but also your ability to trust your writers, designers, and other contributors to the publication. You should highlight your writing skills, editorial skills, networking skills, and your passion for writing and communication. 

You have the foundation to craft an impressive resume to boost your job search. Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to boost your job search including resume examples for 350+ professions. Within this writing guide, we will help you hone your existing skills so you can: 

• Create a strong profile section that summarizes your greatest accomplishments as a magazine editor
• Highlight your highest-level abilities in your skills section
• Use strong action verbs to elevate your achievements in your employment history
• Present the package with a professional design using one of our resume templates.

Let’s get you on your way to that dream magazine editor’s job!

What does a magazine editor do?

First up, let's discuss what a magazine editor does. In this high-powered role, you will be responsible for planning, editing, and producing a publication. Your daily tasks may include creating editorial calendars, developing with feature ideas, taking pitches, working with freelancers, managing writers, and editing copy. 

Chances are, you will have worked as a journalist or feature writer prior to landing this role. Editors tend to have had experience working out in the field. For instance, you may have started out as a reporter, moved up to the position of feature writer, and then finally become a sub-editor. From there, you can reach for the full editorial role. 

How to write a magazine editor resume

Ready to put pen to paper? If you want to wow potential employers, you need to have a solid resume structure. Be sure to include the following elements in your application: 

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

It doesn't end there. You also need to tailor your magazine editor resume to suit your audience. What type of publication are you hoping to work for? Do as much research as you can before writing your resume. The more you know about the magazine — and the type of content it includes — the better your chances of getting the top job. 

Choosing the best resume format for a magazine editor resume

When applying to be a magazine editor, chances are the best format is the reverse chronological approach. That means that you start with your most recent experience and qualifications — and then work your way backward. This structure allows recruiters to quickly and easily see if you're the right fit for the job. Of course, there are other options  out there. Check out our full formatting guide for more details. 

Resume summary example: write your blurb

You know how to write, and this is your biggest chance to show that off. The rest of your resume will be bulleted items, but here you have a short paragraph of about 100 words to show off your professional personality and achievements. Get creative within professional boundaries.

A strong Magazine Editor has impressive writing and editing skills, as well as experience in managing editorial staff. Highlight your proudest career accomplishments and attributes here. Don’t be afraid to boast, but without exaggerating. This is the spot to distinguish yourself from other candidates and show off your writing style, particularly important for a magazine editor.

See example content below.

Employment history sample: telling your story

Strong action verbs that illustrate your challenges and successes are your best bet here. Employers are not looking for a list of the responsibilities you had throughout your work experiences. Instead, consider the value you added to each position, especially if you are moving up the editing ladder from senior editor to managing editor. Answer these questions for each of the jobs you list:

• What was the biggest or best story I shepherded through the editorial process?
• What changes did I make to the magazine’s look or content?
• What challenges did I face and how did I overcome them?
• Did the magazine win any awards while I was editor?

List awards within your job descriptions. Be sure to use data to enhance your claims. If you have clicks or circulation numbers of any kind that show growth, use them!

Keep in mind that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are scanning your resume for keywords and phrases and ranking all applicants’ resumes. Look closely at each job posting and tailor your resume to include frequently used skills and attributes. 

See example content below.

Magazine editor resume education example

For many magazine editing positions, a bachelor’s degree in English or journalism is required. If you have a degree in another subject, especially one that has become your editing expertise, be sure to highlight that as well.

You may also consider adding any classes you have taken that deepened or broadened your general knowledge of subjects relevant to the position. List all degrees and certifications here. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree, you may leave out your high school diploma. 

See example content below. 

CV skills example: showcase your talents

This section must be carefully crafted to show off your highest-level and most desirable skills. Busy human resources workers may only glance at your resume for a few seconds before deciding whether to grant you an interview. These five to ten skills tell them at a glance if you have the abilities they seek. It also tells them what skills you see as most important. Leave out basic skills in favor of rare skills that will help you stand out.

Think about these responsibilities as you develop your skills section:

• Decide what is published in a magazine
• Oversee the layout, style, and articles
• Monitor social media presence
• Manage copy editors, assigning editors, and line editors
• Set the overall editorial direction of the magazine
• Use social awareness, or topic expertise, to discover audience interests and choose writing subjects
• Write articles with an eye toward SEO
• Mentor staff writers and freelancers
• Work closely with the production department, carefully managing the creation of each issue.

It is best to list a mix of soft and hard skills relating to your work as a magazine editor. Soft skills are those that are necessary to work successfully as a team member, such as empathy, organization, and communication. Hard skills are those that are particular to your field.

Showcasing your aptitude for collaborating and mentoring others is a must. You want to portray yourself as a strong yet encouraging leader with a passion for the written word. You also need to display a talent for encouraging readership.

This section must also be personalized for each application to try to overcome the ATS’s ranking system. 

See example content below.

Awards and Accolades Section

If you have earned more than a couple of awards for your writing or editing, consider breaking them out under a new heading. Clear, well-labeled headings will get your achievements noticed more easily.

Do not do this if it means you have to eliminate too much white space.

Resume layout and design: first impressions

A significant part of your job as a magazine editor is to define how your publication looks. Take the same care with your resume. You know that too much type is daunting for readers and that the font must be legible. And don’t neglect proofreading!

Why not let Resume.io take it from here?

Use one of the resume templates from our Creative category to get you started (for some magazines— Professional or Modern may also be a good fit). Along with our builder tool, and the tips you learned in this guide, you will be well on your way to securing your next editor position.

The takeaway

1. Landing a magazine editor job can be challenging. However, getting a stellar resume is the first step.
2. Pepper your resume with both hard and soft skills to appeal to a recruiter.
3. Be sure to tailor your resume to suit the publication for which you're applying.
4. Take all the hassle out of designing your application by using our field-tested resume templates.