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Staff writer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Judy Sanders,

Thomas Reynolds

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical staff writer skills. We ranked the top skills for staff writers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.8% of staff writer resumes contained feature stories as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a staff writer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 staff writer skills for your resume and career

1. Feature Stories

Here's how staff writers use feature stories:

Compose feature stories for faculty/staff and students Assist in editing/formatting newspaper for timely release
Generated feature stories regarding local residents, businesses, organizations and events.

2. News Stories

News Story is a term that is quite self-explanatory as it refers to all the information that is recorded either in writing or as an interview and aims to inform the public about any particular matter, event, idea or mishap. A news story can be very short as well lengthy depending on the type and quantity of content and consist of relevant facts and figures.

Here's how staff writers use news stories:

Conducted interviews to gather information needed for composition of news stories covering current events of interest to university students.
Composed and edited news stories pertinent to the university community regarding student government and entrepreneurship.

3. Event Coverage

Event coverage involves traveling to different locations to witness and provide news coverage about various events and incidents, such as elections, conferences, meetings, parties, parades, festivals, and even accidents or calamities.

Here's how staff writers use event coverage:

Contributed weekly album and live event coverage Researched and developed long-form story ideas
Write event coverage, interviews, and editorial on a wide array of subjects for both print and web editorial.

4. News Articles

Here's how staff writers use news articles:

Covered both domestic and international conferences, penning breaking-news articles on immediate deadlines in a high-stress environment.
Create original entertainment news articles, focused on delivering engaging fan-based stories.

5. SEO

Here's how staff writers use seo:

Highlight: Creating engaging relevant consumer-facing content to maximize SEO rankings and advertising revenues.
Utilize SEO practices to produce millions of views on the website and social media shares across multiple platforms.

6. Photography

Here's how staff writers use photography:

Generated ideas and articles for the environmental and legislative beats, including some photography
Implemented a digital photography program that reduced costs by eliminating traditional physical photos.

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7. Press Releases

Here's how staff writers use press releases:

Copy edit press releases covering a variety of industries, improving clarity and eliminating marketing jargon.
Scrutinized press releases and conducted interviews with PR representatives.

8. Web Content

Here's how staff writers use web content:

General assignment and investigative reporter Skills & Expertise Storytelling Magazines Feature Articles Non-fiction Freelance Writing Journalism Web Content Copy Editing Blogging
Contribute highly engaging and informational web content, articles, stories, and personal testimonies regarding black women's hair.

9. Twitter

Here's how staff writers use twitter:

Handled social media responsibilities, updated the Facebook page and coordinated Twitter activity.
Provided editorial content circulating over social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.

10. Conduct Interviews

Conduct interview is the ability of an individual - the interviewer, to communicate formally or face to face with someone from whom the interviewer is gathering information. The interviewer controls the order of the questions and can ensure that all questions are answered. The purpose of conducting interview is to be able to assess the suitability of the candidate being interviewed for a specific position.

Here's how staff writers use conduct interviews:

Composed and edited informational articles as well as conduct interviews.
Conduct interviews with faculty members active in the entertainment industry

11. Student Life

Student life refers to the way of living of a student in college, school, or any other educational institute. It involves managing friendships and other relationships, extracurricular and sports activities, and education.

Here's how staff writers use student life:

Covered news, took photographs, and assisted with editing of stories related to student life in campus newspaper.
Covered news for all corners of Queens University campus life - sports, student life, academics.

12. Adobe Indesign

Here's how staff writers use adobe indesign:

Designed publication layout materials, including articles, graphics, pictures and blurbs using Adobe InDesign and Illustrator.
Assisted in layout and design process in Quark and Adobe InDesign for magazines, ads and newsletters.

13. Writing Articles

Here's how staff writers use writing articles:

Staff Content writer for cultural and musician magazine writing articles, interviews, record reviews and concert chronic.
Organize the Living section (arts & entertainment), writing articles and assigning to others.

14. Instagram

Here's how staff writers use instagram:

Managed the company's social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Google Plus.
Help manage Cooking Panda's Instagram and Facebook Pages.

15. Editorials

Here's how staff writers use editorials:

Assisted the Editor and General Manager in long-term planning which resulted in significant editorial and design improvements.
Produced award-winning photographs and stories in regional and U.S. Army editorial competition Professional Experience (Continued)

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What skills help Staff Writers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on staff writer resumes?

Dr. Judy Sanders

Chair, Austin Community College

Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

What staff writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Thomas Reynolds

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota

Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.

I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.

What type of skills will young staff writers need?

Roselyn Costantino Ph.D.

Professor of Latin American Studies, Pennsylvania State University Altoona

English Degree: Your degree enables development/expertise in the what are the essential skills in so many professions and businesses: the ability to write critically, be persuasive, and communicate with clarity. Write papers or articles and submit to publications. Start blogs and share ideas with people in your similar situation. Encourage professionals to participate and add advice.

If speaking in public is difficult, take courses. Afraid? Practice starting with children by volunteering or offering free classes for kids. Work up to older children, then work with adults. Build confidence and skill. But importantly, don't underestimate the value of this ability.

What technical skills for a staff writer stand out to employers?

Aaron DeRosa Ph.D.

Associate Professor, 20th/21st C. American Literature, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

English majors find homes in every major industry because they are trained to think about the precision of language and its impact, to critically think through problems and imagine the implications of the projects they work on, and to conduct sound research while being critical of the material they encounter. They do this whether the field is technical writing, advertising, law, journalism, publishing, teaching, retail, or whatever new positions arise in the years to come.

What soft skills should all staff writers possess?

Jason Whittaker Ph.D.

Head of School of English & Journalism, Lincoln University

Among the key skills for graduates, some of these remain the same as before, particularly in terms of being able to communicate clearly, analyse information, and engage creatively with problem solving. The past year, however, has really brought to the fore the importance of resilience in our students, especially as they will need to be even more flexible as their careers develop in the future. We spend a considerable amount of time working on building confidence among our students, so that rather than being overwhelmed by rapid change they see this as a challenge and opportunity.

Do you want to know more?

List of staff writer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a staff writer resume and required skills for a staff writer to have include:

Feature Stories
News Stories
Event Coverage
News Articles
SEO
Photography
Press Releases
Web Content
Twitter
Conduct Interviews
Student Life
Adobe Indesign
Writing Articles
Instagram
Editorials

Blog Posts
Opinion Pieces
Real Estate
Adobe Photoshop
Local Government
Local Events
Editorial Content
Book Reviews
Human Interest Stories
YouTube
Community Events
Hard News
Local News
HTML
Press Conferences

Article Ideas
PowerPoint
County Government
Law Enforcement
News Coverage
Game Stories
NFL
City Government
Student Body
Clips
Local Businesses
Quark
Press Association
Community News
News Releases

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Staff Writer Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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