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A standout sub-editor CV strategically highlights your proofreading expertise, technical skills, and editorial achievements to pass recruiter screening and secure interviews. The most effective CVs are tailored to the job description, using industry-specific keywords and a clean, professional format to demonstrate your attention to detail—a non-negotiable skill for any sub-editor.
A sub-editor CV is a professional document that summarizes your qualifications, skills, and work history specifically for roles in editing and publishing. It's your first opportunity to demonstrate the very skills you'd use on the job: clarity, accuracy, and conciseness. Based on our assessment experience, recruiters often receive hundreds of applications, and a well-crafted CV is essential for making a positive first impression and progressing to the interview stage. For roles involving search engine optimization (SEO)—a process of optimizing content to rank higher in search engine results—your CV must also show familiarity with relevant digital tools and keywords.
Understanding the role is key to tailoring your CV. A sub-editor ensures published content meets high standards of quality and style. While similar to an assistant editor, a sub-editor's primary focus is on the technical aspects of editing rather than content ideation. Key duties include:
Follow these eight steps to build a CV that showcases your suitability for the role.
1. Analyze the Job Description and List Your Skills Before writing, carefully review the job advertisement. Identify keywords (e.g., "proofreading," "SEO," "CMS") and required skills. Create a master list of your own skills and attributes, then align them with the employer's needs. Using the same language from the job description helps your CV resonate with recruiters and pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—software used by companies to filter and rank job applications.
2. Insert Clear Contact Information Place your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location (city/town) at the top. Include a link to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile. Ensure all details are current and your email address is professional.
3. Craft a Powerful Professional Summary This 2-3 sentence summary at the top of your CV should be a snapshot of your value proposition. Mention your years of experience, key skills, and a notable achievement. For example: "Detail-oriented sub-editor with 5+ years of experience in digital publishing, specializing in SEO optimization and fact-checking to enhance content quality and audience engagement."
4. Detail Your Work Experience in Reverse Chronological Order List your current or most recent job first. For each position, include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and 3-5 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify results where possible.
| Achievement | Before | After (Quantified) |
|---|---|---|
| Edited Articles | "Responsible for editing articles." | "Proofread and edited 15+ articles per week, improving readability scores by an average of 20%." |
| Fact-Checking | "Checked facts in stories." | "Implemented a rigorous fact-checking process that reduced factual errors in publication by 95%." |
5. Showcase a Relevant Skills Section Create a dedicated section for your skills. Combine hard skills (teachable abilities like software knowledge) and soft skills (interpersonal traits). Essential sub-editor skills include:
6. Include Your Educational Background List your highest qualification first. A degree in Journalism, English, or Communications is typical. Include the degree name, institution, and graduation year.
7. Add Professional Certifications Certifications from recognized bodies like the Editorial Institute demonstrate a commitment to professional development. List the certification name, awarding organization, and completion date.
8. Proofread Meticulously A sub-editor CV must be flawless. Read it aloud, use spell-check, and have a colleague review it. Any error can undermine your application.
Here is a template and an example to guide your writing.
CV Template
[Your Name]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [City, State]
**Professional Summary**
[Two to three sentences highlighting your experience, key skills, and major achievements relevant to a sub-editor role.]
**Experience**
[Job Title] | [Start Date] – [End Date]
[Company Name], [City, State]
* [Achievement-oriented bullet point using action verbs].
* [Quantifiable result or impact of your work].
* [Description of key responsibility relevant to the target job].
**Skills**
* **Technical:** [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3]
* **Editorial:** [Skill 4], [Skill 5], [Skill 6]
**Education**
[Degree Name] in [Major]
[University Name], [Graduation Year]
**Certifications**
[Certification Name], [Issuing Organization] - [Year]
Example CV Section
Sarah Jones
(555) 123-4567 | s.jones@email.com | London, UK
**Professional Summary**
Experienced Sub-Editor with over 4 years in fast-paced digital newsrooms. Expertise in SEO-driven editing, fact-checking, and using CMS platforms to prepare content for publication. Successfully managed the editorial workflow for a section receiving over 1 million monthly pageviews.
**Experience**
Sub-Editor | May 2020 – Present
News Corp Online, London, UK
* Edited and proofread 20+ daily news articles for a major online publication, ensuring adherence to house style.
* Wrote compelling meta titles and descriptions, increasing organic click-through rates by 15%.
* Collaborated with writers and senior editors to maintain a consistent tone and voice across all content.
**Skills**
* **Technical:** WordPress, Google Analytics, Basic HTML, Adobe InCopy
* **Editorial:** Proofreading, Copyediting, SEO, Fact-Checking, Attention to Detail
**Education**
BA (Hons) in Journalism
City University London, 2019
**Certifications**
Certified Proofreader, Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SEP) - 2021
To build a CV that gets noticed, focus on tailoring content to the specific role, quantifying your achievements, and demonstrating an impeccable command of language. This approach significantly increases your chances of landing an interview.
