Buzzfeed is one of the biggest websites around right now, and with good reason – over 500 million monthly active users spend hours a day there, consuming content.
If you’re looking for a stable, full-time job that pays well, you can take advantage of Buzzfeed’s growing demand for content and get in on the action. What’s more, if you’re a fast learner who is adaptable and takes pride in your work, this job can give you the chance to gain experience and prove yourself worthy of a leadership role.
How to get started? With help from a career advisor, of course! We’ll lay out the steps to take if you’re interested in pursuing a career at Buzzfeed, as well as give you some insight into what you’ll need to know if you decide to apply.
Step 1: Find The Right Tool For You
First and foremost, it’s important to find the right tool for the job. For content writers at Buzzfeed, that means sitting down with a laptop and a word processor (or switching to your phone and using one of the many online word processors available there).
You’ll need to make sure you’re equipped with the right software to write effectively. The ideal situation is to have a word processor with an online connection so that you can upload your work and revise it on the fly. Some of the more popular choices with Buzzfeed include Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Step 2: Customize Your Cover Letter
A cover letter can be an important part of your job search. Even if you’ve got a stellar resume, a lackluster cover letter can make it difficult to differentiate yourself from other candidates. A cover letter is like a mini-resume for your job application, so take the time to make sure it’s perfect.
A cover letter should be no more than 3-4 pages long. If you’re using Microsoft Word, make sure you save it as a PDF file and use the type size appropriate for a business letter (which you can access under the ‘Document’ tab in the ‘File’ menu).
Step 3: Create A PORTFOLIO
Having a portfolio is essential for any freelancer or independent contractor looking to prove their worth to a potential employer. A portfolio is essentially a collection of your work that you can use to show off your versatility and the value you bring to the table. As a content writer for Buzzfeed, you’ll be required to create a large number of written pieces, ranging from short blog posts to longer form articles. Think of a portfolio as a collection of these samples, arranged in such a way that they can be easily accessed by a potential employer.
You can create a Word document and save it in your ‘Portfolio’ folder, or you can use website builders like WordPress or Joomla! to maintain a digital portfolio online. Either way, make sure you keep a copy on your phone or on a flash drive so that you can easily access it when needed.
Step 4: Practice Testing
As a content writer for Buzzfeed, you’ll be asked to test out your work before it’s published. Even though you’ll be writing for a well-known brand, this still falls under the category of editorial work and can’t be completely relied upon for SEO purposes. For this reason, it’s important to be practicing and make sure you’ve tested how each piece you write will perform under real-world circumstances before using it in production. This is more important than you would imagine, as even the most well-written content won’t do well if it doesn’t get seen by the right people. Your job is to get the word out there, so being prepared to test your writing before giving it to the world is critical.
Step 5: Search For Work
Once you’ve created your portfolio, it’s time to start searching for jobs. It’s important to take the time to search in the right places. While it’s great to get a shout out from a well-known brand, getting in touch directly with a company is the best way to ensure you get the job. A good place to start is LinkedIn, as it’s the de facto social network for professionals. Not only will you be able to find employers that are interested in your skills, but you’ll also be able to find other professionals that can help you get started.
Step 6: Apply For Jobs
Now that you have your portfolio and are ready to start applying for jobs, it’s time to gather up those applications. Create a Word document and start entering information about yourself and your work experience. Make sure you include details such as previous writing samples, transcripts of radio shows you were involved in, anything that will make the hiring manager remember you when they’re filling out their job description. In addition, you should have received a notification email from LinkedIn with a confirmation link. Please click on that link to complete your application and be sure to follow up with a phone call if necessary. Best of luck!