Post to 100+ job boards and hire in days, not weeks.
Indeed Platinum Partnership Sales & Support: +1 (480) 360-6463

Creative Writer job description template

If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.

Free job description below
Median pay
$54,875per year, about $26 an hour
Range$34,000 to $77,000 a year
Hourly$17 to $37 an hour
Also calledFiction Writer, Writer, Blogger
DepartmentAdvertising, Arts, and Media
The role

What is a Creative Writer?

Creative Writers bring their imagination and creativity to their writing.

They might write short stories, poems, or novels.

They might also use their writing to express themselves creatively through song lyrics or blog posts.

What to screen for

The top Creative Writer skills.

Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.

SkillWhy it matters
ImaginationA robust imagination is vital for a Creative Writer as it serves as the bedrock for generating unique and engaging narratives. It enables the conception of original characters, plotlines, and settings that are compelling enough to captivate readers and keep them immersed in the story.
CreativityCreativity is essential as it allows writers to present known ideas or concepts in fresh, engaging ways. This helps in maintaining reader interest and in distinguishing their work from others in a crowded literary field. A creative writer can turn an ordinary story into an extraordinary one.
WritingHaving strong writing abilities is essential to ensuring that concepts are communicated in an engaging, clear, and efficient manner. Excellent command over language, grammar, sentence structure, and style allows a writer to create compelling stories that resonate with the reader and convey the intended message effectively.
CommunicationGood communication skills are necessary for writers to effectively share their ideas and thoughts with editors, publishers, and audiences. It also plays a significant role in receiving, understanding, and effectively implementing feedback, leading to continual improvement in their craft.
ResearchResearch skills are important for authentic and credible storytelling. Whether it's portraying diverse settings, historical time periods, or nuanced characters, well-conducted research enables writers to create believable narratives that resonate with readers while enhancing the overall quality of their work.
Free template

The job description, ready to post.

Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.

Creative WriterAdvertising, Arts, and Media · Free to use and edit

We are hiring a skilled and expert Creative Writer to join our growing company. The Creative Writer will be responsible for bringing their imagination and creativity to their writing and working with editors, publishers, and others in the publishing industry. They must have excellent writing skills, communication skills, and research skills. The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills, be able to think outside the box, and be able to work independently.

If you are an experienced Creative Writer, we invite you to turn your passion for writing into a fulfilling career with us!

Duties and responsibilities

  • Write original content for blog posts, articles, and other forms of writing.
  • Generate ideas consistently to create engaging stories or poetic works.
  • Edit existing content as needed and suggest improvements.
  • Create unique storylines that capture readers’ attention.
  • Research topics related to assigned projects with accurate data sources.
  • Work together with fellow team members during the creative process.
  • Stay abreast of current trends in the Creative Writing industry.
  • Develop concepts and ideas for new projects, working with clients or supervisors to get approval.

Requirements

  • Possession of a degree in creative writing or a field related to it.
  • Strong writing and editing skills.
  • Knowledge of current trends in the creative writing industry.
  • Familiarity with style guidelines.
  • Capability to function autonomously and demonstrate initiative.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency with editing software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, or Illustrator is a plus.
Add your pay range, benefits, and location before you post. Postings with a stated range get significantly more finished applications than the ones that leave it out.

Take the template with you

Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.

Education

What education this role needs.

The educational requirements for a Creative Writer vary depending on the position, but most jobs require a degree in creative writing or a related field.

Strong writing and editing skills and familiarity with current trends in the creative writing industry are essential.

The ability to work independently and take the initiative is also essential.

After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a Creative Writer.

Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.

Personal
  • How did you get interested in creative writing?
  • What are some of your recent writing projects?
  • Do you have any experience working with clients or supervisors?
Human Resources
  • What are your favorite writing genres?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses as a Creative Writer?
  • What do you think the most important skill for a Creative Writer is?
Management
  • How comfortable are you working independently?
  • What do you think makes a great Creative Writer?
  • How do you stay current on current trends in the creative writing industry?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • What is your editing process like?
  • How would you go about researching an unfamiliar topic?
  • What techniques do you use to come up with creative ideas and concepts?
Pay

How much to pay when hiring.

Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.

10th percentile$34,000
25th percentile$44,000
Median$54,875
75th percentile$62,000
90th percentile$77,000

Hourly equivalents run from $17 at the 10th percentile to $37 at the 90th.

Related job titles

Candidates may apply under a different name.

Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.

Same work, different title

Three titles, one description.

Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.

Fiction Writer

Writer

The definition of a Writer can go in many different directions since versatility is what makes this position so unique.

$62,236 median

Blogger

$50,000 median
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What type of writing projects can a Creative Writer expect to work on?

As a Creative Writer, the scope of projects can be wide and varied depending on the company and its needs.

This can range from writing and editing marketing and advertising copy, creating content for websites, blogs, and social media, to scripting for video content and podcasts.

Creative Writers may also be involved in crafting narratives for brand campaigns or developing written materials for internal communications.

What skills are most important for a Creative Writer?

Besides excellent writing and editing skills, a Creative Writer should have a strong creative mind, enabling them to develop engaging and compelling narratives.

They should also have excellent research skills to understand the audience they're writing for and the topics they're writing about.

Communication and collaboration skills are essential, as they often work with various departments.

Understanding SEO principles and digital marketing trends can also be beneficial.

Lastly, the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines is a crucial aspect of this role.

What is the typical schedule for a Creative Writer?

The typical schedule for a Creative Writer varies depending on the position, but most jobs require working hours between 9 am and 5 pm.

Depending on the project deadlines, some positions may require working weekends or evenings.

How can someone improve their chances of becoming a Creative Writer?

The best way for a person to improve their chances of becoming a Creative Writer is to develop strong writing and editing skills and a familiarity with current trends in the creative writing industry.

It is also necessary to work independently and take the initiative.

Experience writing for various materials, such as website content, brochures, and email campaigns, can also be helpful.

How can I find a qualified Creative Writer?

One of the ways to find a qualified Creative Writer is to search online job boards or consult with a staffing agency that specializes in the placement of creative professionals.

Reviewing the writer's portfolio to get a sense of their skills and experience is crucial.

Additionally, the implementation of applicant tracking software can accelerate the recruitment process by ensuring efficient management of job postings with simultaneous dispersion across various job boards.

This approach greatly conserves time and energy, simplifying your endeavor to find the most fitting candidates for the position.

More in finance

Other job description templates.

Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.

Writer

The definition of a Writer can go in many different directions since versatility is what makes this position so unique.

$62,236 median

Author

The terms Authors and Writers can sometimes be used interchangeably.

$70,270 median

Content Writer

$84,151 median

Copywriter

A Copywriter is a professional writer who creates persuasive, engaging, and brand-aligned text, or "copy," for marketing and advertising purposes.

$76,412 median

Junior Copywriter

A Junior Copywriter is an entry-level professional who works in advertising, marketing, or other content-driven fields to create written content.

$44,876 median

You have the description. Now go find the person.

Paste this template into AvaHR, publish to 100+ job boards in one click, and screen every applicant in one pipeline. Free to start.

You'll never hire alone.