How To Hire A Writer

A writer is someone who writes professionally, for a range of different purposes. The main purpose of a writer is to create written content that informs, entertains, or persuades readers.

The value a writer brings to an organization is creating high-quality written content that helps the organization establish its brand, communicate its message and connect with its audience.

This article will highlight the critical skills and abilities to look for in a writer. It will discuss the importance of effective communication, creativity, attention to detail, adaptability and time management skills.

Additionally, the article will provide suggestions on how to test for these skills, using a range of different tests.

What should a writer be able to do?

A writer has a range of tasks within their role, however, there are common tasks for all writers. Conducting research to obtain factual information and authentic detail is an essential skill all writers should be able to do. Developing written content that is clear, concise and engaging to readers is also essential.

Writers should also have the ability to review and revise written work to ensure accuracy and adherence to style guidelines, collaborate with other writers, editors and clients to develop content that meets their needs and expectations as well as adapt written content to different formats, such as print or digital media, as needed.

It is also important that writers follow ethical and legal standards for written content, such as avoiding plagiarism and respecting copyright laws in addition to managing their time effectively to meet deadlines and balance multiple projects.

Skills to look for in a writer

A writer is responsible for creating written content for various mediums, such as books, magazines, websites, social media and other digital platforms. They are essential in crafting a company's brand voice and message, providing valuable information to an audience and driving engagement through compelling storytelling.

• Communication: a skilled writer can help establish a company's reputation, build trust with customers and improve overall communication.

• Creativity: a writer needs to have a creative mind and the ability to develop original ideas that can captivate the target audience.

• Research: it is a critical aspect of writing. A writer needs to conduct thorough research on the topic they are writing about to produce accurate and informative content.

• Time Management: writers often work on multiple projects with tight deadlines. The ability to manage time efficiently and prioritize tasks is crucial for a successful writing career.

• Technological Skills: technology is an essential tool for writers, the ability to use various software and online tools to enhance their writing skills, conduct research and collaborate with others is essential in today's digital age.

Useful abilities for a writer

In addition to skills, there are also useful abilities writers should have. The most important ones include written expression, fluence of ideas and originality.

• Written Expression: communicating ideas and information in written form, including proper grammar, punctuation and formatting. Writers need to be skilled at expressing themselves through words to engage and inform their readers effectively.

• Fluency of Ideas: generating a variety of ideas or solutions to problems. Writers need to have a wide range of ideas and be able to put them together coherently to create compelling content.

• Originality: coming up with unique and creative ideas that are different from what has been written before. Originality helps writers stand out and capture their audience's attention.

Which soft skills tests could I use to hire a writer?

As well as the skills and abilities mentioned above, a writer must have a range of soft skills. There are a lot of soft skills tests you could use when hiring a writer.

• Time Management: one test which would be useful when hiring a writer is time management. It is important that writers are able to manage their time, stick to deadlines and not fall behind on any tasks they have been set.

• Communication: writers must have strong communication skills both written and verbal. Besides writing, they spend a lot of time with their editors and team where communication skills are essential.

• Problem Solving: problem solving is also an important skill for a writer to have. Writers will face different issues throughout their career, which means they need the skills to understand and address issues in a productive manner.

• Adaptability: adaptability is an essential skill. When writing there may be different opinions between writer and editor, it is important that the writer has a strong level of adaptability within their team.

Which technical or aptitude tests could I use to hire a writer?

As well as soft skills tests, there are also technical and aptitude tests which could be used when hiring a writer. A few of these tests are outlined below.

• Microsoft Word: test assesses the writer's competency on Microsoft Word, a key piece of software used when writing. Other word processing tests could also be used such as google docs.

• Error Checking: checks the writer’s ability to identify errors and make the appropriate changes. This is a useful test for a writer as they will need to be able to identify errors in their writing and fix them accordingly.

• Emotional Intelligence: analyzes an individual’s ability to manage their emotions as well as understand the emotions of someone else. Writing can often be very personal and when an editor critiques their work, it is important the writer can manage their emotions appropriately.

Our recommended test battery for a writer

Our recommended test battery for hiring a writer includes:

• Time Management: a time management test assesses someone’s ability to manage their time, stick to deadlines and ensure they work at the appropriate speed without falling behind. This is a crucial skill for a writer.

• Communication: communication is crucial for writers because it enables the effective expression of ideas, connects with readers, conveys emotions, fosters clarity and understanding and allows writers to engage, persuade and captivate their audience.

• Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word is essential for writers due to its ability to streamline document creation, editing, formatting and organization, facilitating efficient writing processes and enabling professional presentation of written work.

To learn more about how pre-employment testing can enhance your hiring process, check out our content writer test.