Thanks to the fast-growing global competition in the job markets, the ability to write feature stories would be an added advantage that makes a candidate a cut above the rest. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the field; you’ve still got to be able to construct nice feature = stories and shows in your resume. In this article, we will discuss how to draw attention to one’s writing skills when developing a resume.
While crafting a resume, there are specific areas to consider
The first thing that a prospective freelance feature writer should do before marketing their writing talent is to write an excellent resume summary or objective statement. It is essential that this section be placed at the top of the resume and include a view of skills (in the form of experience, achievements, etc.) that are related to the job. Even in a few lines, you must prove your ability to write feature stories and explain why an employer should hire you out of numerous applicants.
When writing your summary or objective, be sure to:
- a. If you have any experience in feature writing, make sure you mention your years of experience.
- b. Anything you may have specialized in, investigative journalism, human interest stories, or even commercial articles.
- c. When writing your skills and achievements, do not use weak action verbs in long sentences.
- d. When writing your summary, always try to modify it to the job position you are applying for or the industry that interests you.
Example:
- A journalist with almost 9 years of experience in feature writing with passion in the investigative and human-interest categories.
- Research experts, interview players, and write articles that grab the audience’s attention.
- Apply good writing and communication skills to write good feature stories at XYZ Company.
Examples and measures.
Another approach to the application of writing feature stories is in assessment using examples and quantification on the resume. Do not just provide a chronology of your writing experience, but discuss in detail the writing projects which you have done and the effort and achievement made by you.
When discussing your previous writing experiences, consider including the following:
a. In the context of the above topic, the title and genre of the feature story should be
b. The authors of the articles, their target audiences, and the choice of publications/platforms
c. The diffusion or the influence of the story (e.g., readership level, shares on social platforms, and number of awards).
d. What access you have had to the writing process, including research and interviews or writing/editing the text
You achieve this by having some examples accompanied by measurements; by doing this, it is easy for the employer to understand the worth you will bring to their company whenever you write feature articles.
Example:
A feature writer for XYZ Magazine, writing feature articles for the magazine focusing on People’s interests and business issues. Conducted over 50+ interviews for a story on the local charity’s effect on the community, which led to a 30% increase in the charity’s donations and receiving the title for the year’s top performing article.
Stressing On Your Special Literary Voice
Your ability to write in a certain particular manner is also considered part of your toolset when it comes to producing quality feature stories. Managers and potential employers like to see that you provide a specific perspective on the dilemmas that can be valuable to the company or the organization.
In your resume, highlight your:
- a. It includes skills in a narrative (the skills for creating a good story with appropriate dialogue, Description, and exciting vocabulary).
- b. Special skills are required in writing articles that are full of information, backed by study and research, and must be free from errors.
- d. Ability to write stirring articles that will make others want to share their content with other people. Can make comments or interact with the content in any way.
It will also be easier for employers to appreciate what you can offer them by following concrete examples and simple language.
Example:
Quality feature writer who has the ability and the input to create engaging, heartwarming ideas that help sustain reader’s interest. Applying research and interviewing techniques to generate data-driven, insightful articles on various topics for readers. Possesses good observation skills as far as possible stories distinct approaches and themes, which would make the readings interesting for readers.
Using Specific Vocabulary of the Industry
Even further, to show that you’re well knowledgeable with feature stories, ensure you use some of the features in your resume. Additionally, it’s valuable because not only do you show that you know the terminology used in a particular industry, but you also show that you understand what it will be like to work or search for work in that sector.
When using industry-specific terminology:
- a. The Five W’s and One H analysis should also include a pronunciation guide for any acronym or highly technical phrase used in the actual story for the benefit of the readers who may have no clue what the terms used to mean.
- b. When preparing your resume or CV, make sure to emphasize your skill to convey dull information or complicated ideas into content that can easily be understood.
- c. You should also establish that you know about current industry trends, as well as adversity and opportunities, by using and availing topics or issues in your writing samples.
Including such terms in your content is the best way to show that you understand what it takes to present market-related information to readers in a specific industry.
Example:
Journalists specialise in the technology field with writing skills to generate articles that give insights into current issues, new developments, and problems affecting this industry. Has experience in translating topic ideas that are generally technical in nature to everyday language to make the readership knowledgeable and relevant to current advances in the field.
Skills in Storytelling and Narration
Since a feature writer is tasked with having to write articles, it is important to be able to use different forms of storytelling and narratives. It appears that employers of writers want to see candidates being able to write stories that are actually alive, full of energy.
To showcase your skills in storytelling and narrative techniques, include examples of:
- a. How have you been able to use frames, characters and conflict as a tool to build a story arc?
- b. How your work involves telling stories that give different sides or facets of any question, providing both the needed details and a fair overview of the matter at hand.
- c. Description and realistic portrayal of your story by incorporating what the reader is able to feel or see as well as the discourse between characters.
In a sense, telling specific examples of narrative approach is a way of proving that you’re capable of producing feature stories that actually deliver information, but don’t bore the reader.
Example:
An experienced feature writer capable of using utilising various features of storytelling to produce desired reader interest. Quite skilled in developing arguments and considering a number of aspects of the investigated problem, which allows for presenting a thorough analysis of the materials. Using nouns, verbs, adverbs, and other forms to make characters and locations realistic as well as to take the reader directly into the story.
Therefore, it is recommended to demonstrate employers that you are capable of producing feature stories in your resume. To write good feature stories and show value of your work to the readers, and your employers, you can come up with good features such as creating a summary or an objective of the feature stories, explaining briefly how they will be beneficial to the readers, using real life examples and concrete figures in the feature stories, infusing your writing style and voice, and incorporating industry specific language or terminologies, and how you shall have developed good storytelling and narrative skills. Using these strategies, you will be well prepared to market your abilities as a writer and get the position you want.
John Smith
Introducing John Smith: Your Expert Resume Writer, Cover Letter Specialist, and Career Coach. Meet John Smith, your dedicated partner in crafting the perfect resume, compelling cover letter, and charting your career path to success. With a passion for helping individuals reach their professional aspirations, John brings a wealth of expertise to the table as a resume writer, cover letter specialist, and career coach.
