How to hire a writing internship

How to hire a writing internship, step by step

Here's a step-by-step writing internship hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a writing internship job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new writing internship
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a writing internship job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a writing internship, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a writing internship to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a writing internship that fits the bill.

   This list presents writing internship salaries for various positions.

   Type of Writing Internship	Description	Hourly rate
   Writing Internship	Public relations specialists create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. They design media releases to shape public perception of their organization and to increase awareness of its work and goals.	$14-21
   Media Consultant	A media consultant is responsible for coordinating with different people and groups to boost brand awareness and promote the brand image to the public through media communication. Media consultants work closely with the marketing or public relations team to conduct press releases, develop media campaigns, and advise executives with their speech during interviews and other related public appearances... Show more	$15-42
   Public Relations Coordinator	A public relations coordinator is responsible for developing brand awareness for the organization's brand image. Public relations coordinators work closely with the marketing department to manage marketing campaigns, mainly social media platforms and events, promoting the organization... Show more	$16-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Web Content
   • Writing Intern
   • Press Releases
   • SEO
   • News Articles
   • Content Writing
   • Twitter
   • Writing Articles
   • Content Marketing
   • Alumni
   • Sketch
   • News Stories
   • Feature Stories
   • Fiction

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a website using basic knowledge in HTML.
   • Update website daily, manage Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram accounts.
   • Coach mainly in the areas of poetry, short fiction, and memoirs.
   • Workshop with other interns and program directors to critique and edit fiction, nonfiction and poetry pieces.
   • Conduct interviews with researchers, students, and various faculty members to write articles for biannual alumni magazine.
   • Research new and interesting bands-Write news articles about band profiles and new music releases-Incorporate SEO into articles to improve site optimization

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your writing internship job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A writing internship can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, writing interns' average salary in florida is 41% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level writing interns 33% less than senior-level writing interns.
   • Certifications. A writing internship with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a writing internship's salary.

   Average writing internship salary

   $37,250yearly

   $17.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level writing internship salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a writing internship job description

   A good writing internship job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a writing internship job description:

   Writing internship job description example

   The Rock Family of Companies is made up of nearly 100 separate businesses spanning fintech, sports, entertainment, real estate, startups and more. We're united by our culture - a drive to find a better way that fuels our commitment to our clients, our community and our team members. We believe in and build inclusive workplaces, where every voice is heard and diverse perspectives are welcomed. Working for a company in the Family is about more than just a job - it's about having the opportunity to become the best version of yourself.
   
   Rocket Central is a centralized hub that delivers thoughtful and innovative solutions for Rocket Companies . We are the center of operations, technology, marketing, HR, legal, strategy and more that propels our companies forward. Here, we'll give you the opportunity to launch your career and work with various companies, spanning multiple industries from fintech, to auto and real estate. We offer you the tools you'll need to succeed, no matter what stage you're at in your career. You'll be able to master your craft here by working on complex problems in a collaborative culture and challenging yourself to make a real impact.
   Apply today to see all that Rocket Central has to offer!
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   Degree or pursuing degree in Journalism, English, Creative Writing preferred Experience writing long-form, researched content preferred or must demonstrate ability to execute on required tasks using appropriate brand voice, style and tone Self-directed approach Ability to communicate effectively Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word
   
   Job Summary
   Interns at the Rock Family of Companies gain priceless hands-on experience. Here, they learn how it feels to be in the workplace, participate in events and become a valuable member of our team.
   As a Publishing House writing intern, you'll be responsible for writing long-form articles assigned on a monthly basis for various learning centers across Rocket Companies. You'll also work with the editorial team, project manager, SEO team and outside vendors to research, write and deliver articles by deadline. Interns are expected to shadow all members of the Publishing House Team and you will need to the ability to work on additional projects within the team, including participating in personal development opportunities.
   
   Responsibilities
   Learn about our business by attending meetings, huddles and trainings
   Share creative ideas that will help improve our business
   Deliver reports, analyze metrics and summarize information to help drive our team forward
   Assist in creating materials and/or presentations for meetings
   Take notes during meetings and provide recaps
   
   Who We Are
   Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based company made up of businesses that provide simple, fast and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions. The name comes from our flagship business, now known as Rocket Mortgage , which was founded in 1985. Today, we're a publicly traded company involved in many different industries, including mortgages, fintech, real estate, automotive and more. We're insistently different in how we look at the world and are committed to an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard. We're passionate about the work we do, and it shows. We've been ranked #7 on Fortune's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2022, as well as ranking #1 for Fortune's Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance List in 2021.
   
   Disclaimer
   This is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position. As with everything in life, things change. The tasks and responsibilities can be changed, added to, removed, amended, deleted and modified at any time by the leadership group.
   
   We are proud equal opportunity employers and committed to providing an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all candidates and team members. Employment decisions, including hiring decisions, are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law.
   
   The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in any hiring or employment practices. The Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in completing the application and/or participating in the employment application process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Team, The Pulse, at 1-800-411-JOBS.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right writing internship for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your writing internship job on Zippia to find and attract quality writing internship candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as pr news job board, pr council, prsa job center, hoojobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit writing interns, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new writing internship

   Once you've selected the best writing internship candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new writing internship. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a writing internship?