Resume Writing Tips for Editorial Manager

Introduction

An editorial manager’s resume is more than just a list of job duties. It’s your personal marketing document, showcasing your ability to lead editorial teams, manage content strategies, and drive measurable success in publishing projects. With publishing and media industries becoming more competitive, a strong resume tailored to reflect your unique leadership and analytical skills can set you apart. From creating engaging summaries to quantifying achievements with metrics, every element matters when positioning yourself as the ideal candidate for editorial management roles.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your first impression—a powerful snapshot of your experience, skills, and leadership style. Focus on your editorial expertise, team management, and proven success in increasing readership or engagement. Keep it concise yet impactful, highlighting your value proposition.

Example: "Strategic Editorial Manager with 8+ years of experience leading content teams for top-tier publications. Proven track record in boosting audience engagement by 40% and streamlining editorial workflows to improve publication speed by 25%. Expert in cross-functional collaboration, digital content strategy, and data-driven decision making."

2. Key Skills

Highlighting relevant key skills is vital for ATS optimization and catching recruiters’ attention. Editorial managers must demonstrate a blend of editorial prowess, management acumen, and technical savvy. Include both hard and soft skills.

• Content Strategy Development
• Editorial Team Leadership
• Project Management
• Copyediting & Proofreading
• SEO & Keyword Optimization
• Audience Analytics
• Digital Publishing Tools
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Budget Management
• Quality Assurance & Standards
• Deadline Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Creative Direction

3. Achievements

Recruiters want to see what you have accomplished, not just what you did. Focus on results-driven achievements with quantifiable metrics instead of generic job responsibilities. For example, instead of "Managed editorial team," write "Led a team of 12 editors and writers, increasing monthly output by 30% while maintaining 98% content accuracy."

Use numbers wherever possible—percentages, follower growth, revenue impact, speed improvements, etc.—to demonstrate your concrete contributions.

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each editorial manager job application. Study the job description carefully and mirror relevant keywords, skills, and required experiences. Tailoring not only helps with ATS ranking but also signals your genuine fit for the specific role. Highlight relevant niche expertise such as B2B publishing, digital media, or technical writing if applicable.

5. Tools

• Adobe InDesign
• CMS (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
• Google Analytics
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• SEO Tools (e.g., SEMrush, Moz)
• Project Management Software (Asana, Trello)
• Grammarly and Style Guide Software
• Social Media Management Tools (Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Mailchimp or Email Marketing Platforms
• Content Collaboration Platforms (Google Docs, Slack)
• Photo Editing (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)

6. Metrics

• Increased readership by X% over Y months/years
• Reduced content production time by X%
• Boosted social media engagement by X%
• Grew newsletter subscriber base by X
• Managed editorial budget of $X effectively
• Achieved X% improvement in SEO rankings

7. Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field
• Certification in Content Strategy, Project Management (PMP), or Digital Marketing (optional but valuable)

8. Format

• Use a clean, easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica) sized 10-12 pt
• Apply consistent section headings with bold styles and enough white space for clarity
• Use bullet points to break up dense content and improve scanability
• Maintain a maximum of two pages to respect recruiters’ time
• Include keywords naturally for ATS optimization without keyword stuffing
• Avoid images, graphics, or unusual fonts that ATS may not parse

9. Concise

Be succinct without sacrificing clarity. Hiring managers skim resumes quickly, so prioritize high-impact information. Remove redundant phrases or outdated experiences. Focus on the last 10-15 years of relevant work history and keep bullet points to one to two concise lines each.

10. Bonus

• Include Professional Affiliations: Memberships in organizations like the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) or Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) can signal commitment and ongoing professional growth.
• Link to Portfolio or Published Work: Add a URL to a digital portfolio, LinkedIn, or notable articles to provide tangible proof of your editorial expertise.

Examples

• Achievement-driven bullet: "Coordinated a cross-functional editorial initiative that increased monthly online readership by 35%, surpassing engagement KPIs within 6 months."
• Skill-focused bullet: "Implemented SEO best practices, resulting in a 20% boost in organic search traffic and increased article visibility across key demographics."

Conclusion

A strong editorial manager resume must showcase your leadership capabilities, editorial expertise, and analytical skills through measurable achievements. Clear and targeted summaries, tailored skills, and quantifiable results prove your ability to drive content success. Remember, your resume is your opportunity to not just tell but show hiring managers the impact you’ve made and your potential to lead editorial teams effectively into the future.