Feature Writer Resume Format
Top Structure & Template Guide

Creating the ideal feature writer resume format is crucial for securing interviews with leading media outlets and publishing houses. A well-crafted resume highlights your storytelling ability, research skills, and compelling writing style — the core traits editors seek. Whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned content creator, the appropriate resume format can be the difference between getting overlooked by ATS or catching the editor’s attention.

ATS-Optimized AI-Powered 4.9★ Rated

Feature Writer Resume Format Example

Below is a structured feature writer resume format sample illustrating the optimal order and style for each section to maximize impact and pass ATS checks.

JESSICA MARTINEZ

San Francisco, CA • jessica.martinez@cvowl.com • (415) 555-xxxx • linkedin.com/in/cvowl

Professional Summary

Creative Feature Writer with 7+ years crafting compelling long-form and digital stories for national publications. Known for immersive storytelling that increased online readership by over 30%. Proficient in SEO best practices, multimedia storytelling, and deadline-driven content production.

Key Skills

Feature Writing • Interviewing • SEO Content Writing • AP Style • CMS (WordPress) • Multimedia Storytelling • Content Calendar Management • Fact-Checking • Adobe InDesign • Google Analytics • Social Media Strategy • Copyediting

Work Experience

Senior Feature Writer-Urban Life Magazine

Jan 2022 – Present | New York, NY

  • Authored 15+ feature articles annually, driving a 28% increase in magazine subscriptions
  • Led interview series with influential cultural figures, enhancing audience engagement metrics by 35%
  • Coordinated closely with editorial and design teams to publish multimedia stories on deadline
  • Researched and sourced story ideas that doubled online article shares in 12 months

Feature Writer-The Daily Chronicle

Jun 2019 – Dec 2021 | Boston, MA

  • Developed in-depth profiles and human interest stories that improved page views by 22%
  • Optimized article headlines and content for SEO, increasing organic search traffic by 18%
  • Managed editorial calendar and collaborated with photographers to create cohesive storytelling packages

Education

B.A. Journalism-Columbia University, 2018

Certifications

Editorial Certificate, Poynter Institute • SEO Content Marketing Certified • Multimedia Journalism Workshop

Notice: This sample employs a clean, single-column format with standard headings. Bullets lead with strong verbs and include measurable results — exactly what ATS systems and editors look for.

What Is the Best Resume Format for a Feature Writer?

Selecting the best feature writer resume format depends on your background, writing portfolio, and the position you want. There are three main resume formats, each offering unique benefits to feature writing professionals.

Reverse Chronological

★ Most Recommended

Presents your most recent writing roles first. This is the preferred format for feature writers with at least 2 years of byline experience. Editors and ATS systems favor this layout for ease of reading. It strongly shows your career development and increasing editorial responsibility — crucial for writing careers.

Hybrid / Combination

Ideal for Career Changers

Merges a detailed skills resume with historical work experience. Perfect for journalists, content marketers, or communications professionals moving into feature writing. Emphasizes transferable storytelling and editing skills while keeping a digestible format for recruiters.

Hybrid / Combination

Use Sparingly

Centers on competencies more than dates. Generally discouraged for feature writing roles since it may confuse editors about your experience timeline. ATS tools often don’t interpret functional formats well. Useful only if you have extended breaks or career pivots to explain.

Pro Tip: More than 70% of media organizations utilize ATS to filter resumes. The reverse chronological format offers the strongest ATS compliance, making it the safest bet for your feature writer resume format.

Ideal Resume Structure for a Feature Writer

A thoughtfully organized feature writer resume format ensures the recruiter’s attention is drawn to your most compelling accomplishments. Here’s how to structure each section effectively:

Header / Contact Information

Provide your full name, professional email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and optionally your city and state. Including a link to your portfolio site or published articles greatly enhances your credibility as a feature writer.

Professional Summary

Write a concise 3–4 line summary showcasing you as a creative and deadline-driven feature writer. Tailor it for each role, mentioning years of experience, publication types, and notable storytelling achievements.

Example

Award-winning Feature Writer with 5+ years crafting engaging long-form stories for national magazines and digital outlets. Adept at interviewing experts, conducting in-depth research, and producing compelling narratives that boosted reader engagement by 40%. Proficient in AP style, SEO content, and multimedia storytelling.

Skills Section

List 10–15 targeted skills, grouped into relevant areas. Combine technical writing skills (AP Style, SEO, CMS familiarity) with soft skills (Interviewing, Storytelling, Deadline Management). This section enhances ATS compatibility through keyword optimization.

Work Experience

The core part of your resume. List positions in reverse chronological order. For each, include employer, title, dates, and 4–6 achievement-driven bullet points starting with strong action verbs. Quantify outcomes wherever possible.

Example

  • Produced 20+ in-depth feature articles per year for a leading lifestyle magazine, increasing web traffic by 25%
  • Conducted interviews with 50+ industry leaders, artists, and public figures to develop rich, nuanced profiles
  • Collaborated with photographers and editors to deliver multimedia stories on tight deadlines, achieving a 95% on-time publication rate

Education

List your highest level of education first. Include institution name, degree, major, and graduation year. Relevant classes in journalism, creative writing, or communications add value for feature writers.

Certifications

Include certificates such as Editorial Certificate from Poynter, SEO Writing Certification, or courses in Multimedia Journalism. These reinforce your professional expertise.

Projects (Optional)

Ideal for entry-level writers or those switching careers. Mention 2–3 noteworthy writing projects, describing objectives, tools or platforms used, and measurable impact. Personal blogs, guest columns, or writing contests are relevant here.

Key Skills to Include in a Feature Writer Resume

Your feature writer resume format should strategically incorporate these essential keywords favored by ATS. Categorize skills logically for clear readability and keyword matching.

Writing & Storytelling

  • Long-Form Feature Writing
  • Narrative Development
  • Interviewing & Research
  • Copyediting & Proofreading
  • AP Style & Grammar

Digital & SEO

  • SEO Content Optimization
  • Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal)
  • Google Analytics
  • Multimedia Storytelling
  • Social Media Content Strategy

Project Management

  • Deadline & Time Management
  • Editorial Calendar Planning
  • Collaboration with Editors & Photographers
  • Pitch Development
  • Fact-Checking & Accuracy

Communication & Interpersonal

  • Persuasive Communication
  • Audience Engagement
  • Adaptability to Feedback
  • Networking & Source Development
  • Creative Problem Solving

ATS Keyword Tip: Use exact terms from the job posting, like “digital feature writing” instead of abbreviations or alternatives, since ATS parses keywords literally.

How to Make Your Feature Writer Resume ATS-Friendly

An otherwise impressive feature writer resume format won’t matter if it’s rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems. Here’s what to do to ensure your resume is readable by both machines and human recruiters.

Do This

  • Use conventional section titles like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills"
  • Stick to a simple, single-column layout without graphics or tables
  • Integrate direct keywords from the job description throughout your resume
  • Save your file as a .docx unless PDF is specifically requested
  • Use standard bullet points (•) for clarity
  • Maintain font sizes between 10–12pt with legible fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia
  • Spell out acronyms once, such as “Content Management System (CMS)”

Avoid This

  • Avoid headers or footers as ATS often can’t read these sections
  • Don’t embed contact details in images or logos
  • Don’t use multi-column layouts or infographics
  • Don’t submit resumes in uncommon formats such as .pages or image files
  • Avoid graphical skill bars or percentage ratings for skills
  • Don’t rely on colors alone to indicate section hierarchy
  • Avoid excessive keyword stuffing as it reduces ATS and recruiter approval

Common Resume Format Mistakes for Feature Writers

Steer clear of these common pitfalls that can weaken even the most qualified feature writer’s resume.

1

Submitting a Generic Resume for All Submissions

Feature writing varies widely across magazines, newspapers, and digital platforms. Using one standard resume for every editor suggests a lack of customization and research. Tailor your summary, portfolio links, and skills to each application.

2

Listing Job Duties Instead of Results

Saying you "wrote articles" isn’t impactful. Instead, highlight measurable successes like "Produced 10+ features increasing readership by 25%." Every bullet should show what you accomplished and its effect.

3

Overuse of Industry Jargon

While terminology is important, your resume is often first viewed by HR or administrative staff. Strike a balance between professional writing terms and clear language that anyone can grasp.

4

Skipping the Professional Summary

Many feature writers omit the summary or write generic objectives. This prime space needs to highlight your unique voice and key achievements to capture attention within seconds.

5

Poor Formatting and Visual Clutter

Dense paragraphs, inconsistent bullet styles, or overly artistic layouts hinder readability. Use clear headings, uniform bullets, white space, and logical flow to enhance scanning and ATS compatibility.

6

Including Outdated or Irrelevant Jobs

A part-time position from a decade ago or unrelated summer job distracts from your writing credentials. Concentrate on recent and pertinent writing or editorial roles that showcase your skills.

7

Ignoring ATS Keywords

If the job listing uses “digital storytelling” and you write “online writing,” your resume might be overlooked. Always mirror the job description’s keywords and phrases exactly to improve ATS recognition.

What Our Users Say

Join thousands of feature writers who've built winning resumes with our platform.

4.9 / 5 — based on Google reviews

"Awesome resume! The first impression of the resume is fabulous! Thank you for such a professional resume. I never thought my resume could look this remarkable! CV Owl did a tremendous job highlighting my qualifications and skills in all the right places."

Sarah Jay

Feature Writer • IT Startup

"CV Owl was instrumental in helping me win interviews, reshaping my old resume. One of those opportunities led to a recent job offer. The resume turned out great! I am amazed by the wonderful job you did, and the fast response. I really love it."

Serina Williams

Associate Feature Writer • B2C Company

"The AI resume optimizer caught keyword gaps I completely missed. After reformatting my resume with CV Owl's templates, I started getting callbacks from companies that had previously ghosted me. Landed a senior feature writer role within 6 weeks."

Rahul Kapoor

Senior Feature Writer • B2B SaaS

"As someone transitioning from engineering to product management, I struggled with resume formatting. CV Owl's structured templates helped me present my transferable skills effectively. Got 3 interview calls in the first week after updating my resume."

Priya Menon

Product Lead • Fintech Startup

Frequently Asked Questions

Common inquiries about building the perfect feature writer resume format.

The reverse chronological format is generally the most effective for feature writers. It clearly documents your career progression and showcases your portfolio chronology. If you’re transitioning from another writing field or communications, a hybrid resume that emphasizes your skills upfront can work well.

For feature writers with under 10 years of experience, aim to keep your resume to a single page. Experienced writers and editors with over a decade in the industry can extend to two pages, but only if all content is relevant and impactful. Conciseness reflects your editorial judgment.

Functional resumes are usually not advised for feature writing roles. Editors prefer to see clear timelines to gauge experience and growth. Functional layouts can confuse ATS parsing. If you have gaps, briefly explain them in your cover letter rather than the resume.

ATS may not outright reject resumes but can misread complex formats, making your resume unreadable to hiring teams. Avoid tables, multi-column designs, headers/footers, images, and unusual fonts. A simple, straightforward layout with standard headings is the best practice.

In markets like the US, Canada, and the UK, do not include photos to avoid bias and ATS issues. Some countries expect photos, so research norms in your target market. When in doubt, it’s safer to omit your portrait.

Refresh your resume at least every 3 to 6 months. Add recent publications, accolades, and new skills to stay prepared for unexpected opportunities and keep your portfolio current.

Ready to Build Your Feature Writer Resume?

Stop guessing about the right format. Use our AI-powered resume builder to create an ATS-optimized, recruiter-approved product manager resume in minutes — not hours.

Free to Start AI-Powered Optimization ATS Score Checker