How long should my editorial CV be?

Two pages maximum. Editorial recruiters read for clarity and consistency, and a sprawling CV undercuts the very skill you are selling. If you are early-career, one page is fine.

Do I need experience to become an editorial assistant?

Not always, but the roles are competitive. Surface any publishing internship, work experience placement, student magazine, or unpaid editorial work. Frame admin experience (scheduling, inbox, minute-taking) as the timekeeping and detail skills editorial teams run on.

Should I include a photo on my editorial CV?

No. UK CVs carry no photo and no date of birth. Focus on demonstrating your editorial skills and process knowledge instead.

What certifications matter for editorial roles?

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism is the industry standard for news and magazine roles. Publishing Training Centre courses in copy-editing and proofreading are also valued. Membership of the Society of Young Publishers or PPA signals you follow the industry.

How do I tailor my CV for digital editorial roles?

Show SEO and CMS competence explicitly: keyword research, optimising headlines and copy, uploading and managing web content in WordPress, plus image sourcing and captioning. These bridge editorial judgement with the publish-button workflow online roles run on.

I am changing career into editorial. How do I show I am serious?

Foreground any transferable skills (writing, proofreading, project management), complete a short course (NCTJ, PTC), and demonstrate you follow the industry (read The Bookseller, join SYP). Volunteer for editorial work (student magazine, blog, newsletter) to build a portfolio.

Editorial CV Examples

Updated 16 July 2026

Your editorial CV is itself a writing sample. A single typo, inconsistent style, or vague claim reads as a lack of attention to detail and can sink your application before you reach interview. This guide shows you how to write a CV that demonstrates the editorial judgement, process knowledge, and meticulous standards the role demands.

Editorial CV examples

Editorial Assistant

entry

Surfaces every scrap of editorial experience (student magazine, internship, work placement) and frames admin skills as the timekeeping and detail work editorial teams run on.

Riley Sample

Editorial Assistant

+44 7700 900123

riley.sample.editorial@email.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileysample

SUMMARY

Recent English Literature graduate with six months editorial experience across student publishing and a trade-press internship. Skilled in manuscript preparation, proof marking, and author liaison. Meticulous proofreader who applies house style consistently and thrives on constructive feedback.

EXPERIENCE

Editorial Intern

Meridian Publishing Group

Jun. 2025

Sep. 2025

•

Read 120 unsolicited manuscripts from the slush pile over three months, writing reader reports and recommending two titles that progressed to commissioning review.

•

Prepared 18 manuscripts for production, marking up proofs in InDesign and applying house style to author biographies and prelims.

•

Liaised with eight debut authors to chase missing copy, coordinate author questionnaires, and schedule cover-reveal approvals, keeping all titles on track for publication.

•

Fact-checked references and quotations in four non-fiction manuscripts, identifying 12 errors and sourcing correct citations under tight deadlines.

Features Editor, The Mancunion

University of Manchester Students' Union

Sep. 2023

Jun. 2025

•

Commissioned and edited 45 features across 18 print issues, managing a team of 12 volunteer writers and hitting weekly print deadlines without fail.

•

Edited all copy for house style, grammar and factual accuracy, reducing post-publication corrections by 60 per cent year-on-year.

•

Coordinated with layout team to proof pages in InDesign, catching layout errors and ensuring consistent typographic style across the section.

•

Pitched and delivered a six-part investigative series on student housing that drove a 25 per cent uplift in print pick-up for those issues.

Administrative Assistant (Part-time)

Oakwood Secondary School

Sep. 2022

Jun. 2023

•

Managed the headteacher's diary, scheduling 30 meetings per week and coordinating with external stakeholders to ensure zero missed appointments.

•

Drafted and proofread parent communications and staff bulletins, maintaining consistent tone and accuracy across all outgoing correspondence.

•

Maintained filing systems for student records, ensuring all documentation met GDPR compliance and was retrievable within five minutes.

SKILLS

Manuscript preparation

Proofreading and copy-editing

House style enforcement

Adobe InDesign

Author and contributor liaison

Fact-checking

Slush-pile reading

Scheduling and deadline management

Microsoft Office

Ability to take constructive criticism

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts

University of Manchester

English Literature

2022

2025

•

First Class Honours. Dissertation: Narrative Voice and Unreliability in Contemporary Fiction.

•

Modules included Publishing in Practice, Editing and Textual Scholarship, and Contemporary Literary Criticism.

A-Levels

Oakwood Sixth Form College

2020

2022

•

English Literature (A*), History (A), Media Studies (A)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Languages:

English (Native)

Interests:

•

Regular reader of The Bookseller and Publishing Perspectives

•

Active member of the Society of Young Publishers

Assistant Editor

mid

Demonstrates the step up from assistant to commissioning: names the workflow stages owned, quantifies editorial output across issues shipped, and shows both print and digital competence.

Jordan Sample

Assistant Editor

Email:

jordan.sample.editor@email.co.uk

Location:

Bristol

Phone:

+44 7700 900456

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordansample

SUMMARY

Assistant editor with three years experience commissioning, editing and producing content for consumer magazines and digital platforms. Track record of managing freelance contributors, enforcing house style, and delivering 36 issues to print and web deadlines. Skilled in Adobe InDesign, WordPress CMS, and SEO-driven content optimisation.

SKILLS

•

Commissioning and briefing writers

•

Copy-editing and proofreading

•

Adobe InDesign

•

WordPress CMS

•

SEO and headline optimisation

•

House style and fact-checking

•

Deadline and schedule management

•

Freelance contributor management

•

Image sourcing and captioning

•

Content planning and publication scheduling

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Editor, Home & Garden Monthly

Cascade Media Ltd

Mar. 2023

Present

•

Commission and edit 18 features per issue from a pool of 25 freelance writers, delivering 12 monthly print issues and 140 web articles per year to deadline.

•

Manage the editorial schedule from pitch to publication, coordinating with design, production and advertising to ensure on-time delivery of all 12 issues without delay.

•

Apply house style rigorously across all copy, reducing post-publication errata by 40 per cent and maintaining consistent voice and tone across print and digital.

•

Optimise web headlines and copy for SEO, increasing organic search traffic to the Home & Garden section by 35 per cent year-on-year and lifting average time-on-page by 22 per cent.

Editorial Assistant

Riverbank Publishing

Jun. 2021

Feb. 2023

•

Prepared 32 manuscripts for production over 20 months, marking up proofs in InDesign, liaising with authors on corrections, and ensuring all titles met print deadlines.

•

Read and reported on 200 unsolicited submissions, recommending six titles that were signed and published within the following 18 months.

•

Fact-checked references, quotations and statistics in 14 non-fiction titles, catching 48 errors and sourcing correct citations to maintain editorial credibility.

•

Coordinated author events and publicity schedules for eight debut novelists, managing timelines and briefing materials that supported successful launch campaigns.

Editor, Epigram Newspaper

University of Bristol Students' Union

Sep. 2019

Jun. 2021

•

Led an editorial team of 30 volunteer writers and section editors, commissioning and editing content for 24 fortnightly print issues and a daily news website.

•

Increased print circulation by 18 per cent and web traffic by 42 per cent through improved content planning, SEO optimisation and social-media promotion.

•

Enforced house style and fact-checking protocols, reducing corrections and retractions by 55 per cent and raising editorial standards across all sections.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts

University of Bristol

English and History

2018

2021

•

2:1 Honours. Dissertation: The Evolution of Magazine Journalism in the Digital Age.

A-Levels

St. Catherine's Sixth Form

2016

2018

•

English Literature (A), History (A), Politics (B)

ACHIEVEMENTS

•

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism

National Council for the Training of Journalists

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Languages:

English (Native)

French (Intermediate, B1)

Interests:

•

Follow The Bookseller, Press Gazette and industry Twitter for publishing and media news

•

Member of the Professional Publishers Association

Senior Editor

senior

Foregrounds commissioning authority, ownership of the publication schedule, and the judgement calls that separate an editor from an assistant. Strong metrics on issues delivered, team leadership, and audience growth.

Riley Sample

Senior Editor

Email:

riley.sample.senioreditor@email.co.uk

Phone:

+44 7700 900789

Location:

Manchester

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileysample-editor

Summary

Senior editor with eight years experience commissioning, editing and leading editorial teams across consumer magazines and digital platforms. Proven track record of growing readership, managing freelance budgets, and delivering high-quality content to tight deadlines. Skilled in strategic content planning, team leadership, and driving engagement through data-informed editorial decisions.

Skills

•

Strategic commissioning and content planning

•

Team leadership and mentoring

•

Freelance budget and contributor management

•

Adobe InDesign and InCopy

•

WordPress and Drupal CMS

•

SEO strategy and analytics

•

House style development and enforcement

•

Publication scheduling and production management

•

Stakeholder liaison and cross-team collaboration

•

Data-driven editorial decision-making

Experience

Jan. 2022

Present

Senior Editor, Lifestyle & Culture

Horizon Media Group

•

Commission and edit 240 features per year from a network of 60 staff and freelance writers, owning the publication schedule for three monthly magazines and two digital platforms.

•

Lead a team of four assistant editors and two editorial assistants, mentoring junior staff and reducing editorial errors by 50 per cent through training on house style and fact-checking protocols.

•

Grew combined print and digital readership by 28 per cent over three years through data-informed commissioning, SEO optimisation, and targeted content strategies that lifted engagement across all channels.

•

Manage a freelance budget of 85,000 pounds per year, negotiating rates, briefing contributors, and ensuring all commissioned work meets quality standards and deadlines without overspend.

Sep. 2019

Dec. 2021

Deputy Editor, Home & Garden Monthly

Cascade Media Ltd

•

Commissioned and edited 150 features per year, managing a team of two assistant editors and 30 freelance contributors to deliver 12 monthly issues without missing a single print deadline.

•

Increased print circulation by 15 per cent and web traffic by 48 per cent through strategic content planning, improved SEO, and a redesigned digital content calendar.

•

Developed and enforced a new house style guide, training the editorial team and raising consistency scores in reader surveys by 35 per cent.

•

Coordinated with design, production and advertising teams to manage the full editorial schedule, resolving conflicts and ensuring smooth handover from copy to print.

Jun. 2017

Aug. 2019

Commissioning Editor, Non-Fiction

Riverbank Publishing

•

Commissioned 18 non-fiction titles over two years, signing authors, negotiating contracts, and managing the editorial process from manuscript to publication.

•

Delivered all 18 titles to schedule and budget, with 12 titles achieving sales above forecast and three becoming category bestsellers within six months of launch.

•

Liaised with authors, agents, designers and marketing teams to ensure each title met quality standards and commercial objectives, balancing editorial vision with market realities.

•

Mentored two editorial assistants, training them in manuscript preparation, author liaison and fact-checking, with both progressing to assistant editor roles within 18 months.

Education

2016

2017

Master of Arts

University of Bristol

Publishing

•

Distinction. Dissertation: The Impact of Digital Disruption on Magazine Publishing Business Models.

2013

2016

Bachelor of Arts

University of Leeds

English Literature

•

First Class Honours.

Achievements

•

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism

National Council for the Training of Journalists

•

Publishing Training Centre Certificate in Magazine Journalism

Publishing Training Centre

Additional Information

Languages:

English (Native)

Spanish (Intermediate, B2)

Interests:

•

Regular contributor to The Bookseller on trends in digital publishing

•

Member of the Professional Publishers Association and Society of Editors

Volunteering:

•

Mentor for the Publishing Pathways scheme, supporting aspiring editors from underrepresented backgrounds

Build your editorial CV →

How to write an editorial CV

An editorial CV should be two pages, reverse-chronological, and structured to show you understand the workflow. In publishing, recruiters read for clarity and consistency, so a sprawling or generic CV undercuts the very skill you are selling.

Format and structure

Lead with contact details, then a five-line professional summary that names your experience level and the editorial discipline you work in (print production, academic publishing, digital content, commissioning). Follow with a core skills section, then reverse-chronological experience, education, and any relevant additional information. Keep it to two pages.

What to include in each section

Section	What to include
Professional summary	Experience level, editorial discipline (print/digital/academic), key strengths (e.g. house style, commissioning, InDesign), and the type of role you are targeting.
Core skills	Hard skills (Adobe InDesign, WordPress, fact-checking, house style enforcement) and named soft skills (ability to take constructive criticism, deadline management).
Experience	Spell out the editorial-process tasks you have done: reading slush, manuscript prep, marking up proofs, liaising with authors, chasing copy to deadline. Quantify output and impact.
Education	Relevant degrees (English, Journalism, Publishing) and any editorial or publishing modules. Include A-Levels if you are early-career.
Additional	Certifications (NCTJ, PTC), memberships (Society of Young Publishers, PPA), and evidence you follow the industry (The Bookseller, Press Gazette).

Tailor to the specific list

Show you know the publisher or publication. Name the imprints, titles or sections you would work on, and reference reading The Bookseller or following the publisher on social media. Generic "passionate about books" copy fails against candidates who demonstrate they actually track the industry and understand the brief.

Personal statement examples

Strong

Weak

Hard-working and passionate about books and writing. A good team player with excellent communication skills looking for an editorial role where I can use my skills and grow. I love reading and am a creative person who pays attention to detail.

Writing your experience

Editorial work is process-driven, so spell out the workflow stages you have actually done: reading the slush pile, manuscript preparation, marking up proofs, liaising with authors, chasing copy to deadline. Vague "supported the team" lines lose to bullets that name the task and quantify the output.

The result-plus-metric pattern

Every bullet should follow the pattern: action verb, the task, the result, and a number. Editorial output is quantifiable (issues shipped, articles edited, manuscripts prepared, errors caught), so turn soft work into evidence.

Before and after examples

Before (vague): Supported the editorial team with various tasks and helped to ensure deadlines were met.

After (specific): Prepared 18 manuscripts for production, marking up proofs in InDesign and applying house style to author biographies and prelims.

Before (duties only): Responsible for commissioning freelance writers and editing their copy.

After (output and impact): Commissioned and edited 45 features across 18 print issues, managing a team of 12 volunteer writers and hitting weekly print deadlines without fail.

Before (generic): Proofread articles and checked for errors.

After (process and result): Edited all copy for house style, grammar and factual accuracy, reducing post-publication corrections by 60 per cent year-on-year.

Action verbs for editorial roles

Use verbs that signal editorial judgement and process ownership: commissioned, edited, proofread, fact-checked, marked up, liaised, coordinated, enforced, optimised, briefed, managed, delivered, sourced, scheduled.

Show you can take constructive criticism

Editorial is iterative and collaborative. List "ability to take constructive criticism" and being edited yourself as a genuine strength. It signals you will fit a team where copy gets reworked and red-pen feedback is the norm.

Key skills & ATS keywords

Hard skills

Adobe InDesignAdobe InCopyWordPress CMSDrupal CMSProofreading and copy-editingHouse style enforcementFact-checkingManuscript preparationSEO and headline optimisationImage sourcing and captioningPublication schedulingCommissioning and briefing writers

Soft skills

Ability to take constructive criticismAttention to detailDeadline managementAuthor and contributor liaisonTeam collaborationTime managementOrganisational skillsAdaptability under pressure

ATS keywords

Adobe InDesignWordPressCMSproofreadingcopy-editinghouse stylefact-checkingmanuscript preparationSEOcommissioningfreelance managementpublication schedulingNCTJslush pileauthor liaison

Education & certifications

Most editorial roles expect a degree in English, Journalism, Publishing, or a related humanities subject. If you studied something else, foreground any editorial experience (student magazine, internship, work placement) to show you understand the workflow.

For entry-level roles, include your A-Levels and any relevant modules (Publishing in Practice, Editing and Textual Scholarship). For mid-level and senior roles, drop A-Levels unless space allows.

Certifications that matter

Editorial recruiters filter on named qualifications and memberships:

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism – the industry-standard qualification for news and magazine journalism, covering house style, law, and shorthand.
Publishing Training Centre (PTC) courses – short courses in copy-editing, proofreading, and magazine journalism.
Society of Young Publishers (SYP) – membership signals you are serious about the industry and networking within it.
Professional Publishers Association (PPA) – for mid-level and senior roles, membership shows you follow industry trends and standards.

List these in an Achievements or Additional Information section, with the issuing body named. If you are working towards a qualification, state "in progress" and the expected completion date.

Show you follow the industry

Editorial recruiters want to see you track publishing and media news. Mention that you read The Bookseller, Press Gazette, or Publishing Perspectives, or that you follow publishers and imprints on social media. This is especially important for entry-level roles, where generic "passionate about books" copy fails against candidates who demonstrate they actually know the market.

Common mistakes to avoid

Listing duties instead of output ("responsible for proofreading articles").
Show the result and scale: "Proofread 120 articles across 12 monthly issues, reducing post-publication corrections by 40 per cent."
Generic "passionate about books" personal statement with no evidence of industry knowledge.
Name the imprints, titles or sections you would work on, and reference reading The Bookseller or following the publisher. Show you know the specific list.
Vague "supported the team" bullets that do not name the editorial workflow stage.
Spell out the task: "Read 120 unsolicited manuscripts from the slush pile, writing reader reports and recommending two titles that progressed to commissioning review."
Omitting hard skills like Adobe InDesign, WordPress, or house style enforcement.
List the tools and processes you have used. Editorial design and production software proficiency is a hard skill recruiters filter on.
Failing to quantify editorial impact ("improved content quality").
Use numbers: "Increased organic search traffic by 35 per cent year-on-year through SEO-optimised headlines and copy."
Submitting a CV with typos, inconsistent formatting, or style errors.
Your CV is a writing sample. Proof it cold, read it aloud, and get a second pair of eyes on it. A single error can sink your application.

Junior vs senior: what changes

Aspect	Junior	Senior
Professional summary	Leads with degree, internship, and student magazine experience. Emphasises willingness to learn and foundational skills (proofreading, house style).	Leads with years of experience, commissioning authority, and team leadership. Emphasises strategic content planning and audience growth.
Experience bullets	Focuses on tasks completed under supervision: reading slush, preparing manuscripts, liaising with authors. Metrics on volume (e.g. "prepared 18 manuscripts").	Focuses on ownership and decision-making: commissioning writers, managing budgets, leading teams. Metrics on impact (e.g. "grew readership by 28 per cent").
Skills section	Hard skills (InDesign, proofreading, house style) and named soft skills (ability to take constructive criticism, deadline management).	Strategic skills (content planning, freelance budget management, SEO strategy) alongside advanced technical skills (InDesign, CMS, analytics).
Education and certifications	Degree and A-Levels prominent. Any editorial modules or student publishing roles highlighted. NCTJ or PTC courses if completed.	Postgraduate qualifications (MA in Publishing, NCTJ) and professional memberships (PPA, Society of Editors). A-Levels dropped.
Evidence of industry knowledge	Mentions reading The Bookseller, following publishers on social, or membership of Society of Young Publishers.	Contributions to industry publications, speaking at events, mentoring schemes, or leadership roles in professional bodies.

Editorial CV Examples

Editorial CV examples

Editorial Assistant

Assistant Editor

Senior Editor

How to write an editorial CV

Format and structure

What to include in each section

Tailor to the specific list

Personal statement examples

Writing your experience

The result-plus-metric pattern

Before and after examples

Action verbs for editorial roles

Show you can take constructive criticism

Key skills & ATS keywords

Hard skills

Soft skills

ATS keywords

Education & certifications

Certifications that matter

Show you follow the industry

Common mistakes to avoid

Junior vs senior: what changes

Frequently asked questions

How long should my editorial CV be?

Do I need experience to become an editorial assistant?

Should I include a photo on my editorial CV?

What certifications matter for editorial roles?

How do I tailor my CV for digital editorial roles?

I am changing career into editorial. How do I show I am serious?