Staff Writer, Shortlist

As a Staff Writer at Shortlist, you will be responsible for sourcing, writing, and editing stories on a range of men's lifestyle topics, ranging from tech and fashion to entertainment and gaming. Your duties will include creating both engaging short-form news and informative listicles, while adhering to SEO best practices to ensure our content reaches a wide audience.

Essential skills for a Staff Writer at Shortlist include excellent writing and editing capabilities, a keen understanding of men’s lifestyle topics, and savvy knowledge of SEO best practices. Additionally, experience in news gathering from various sources, including social media and PR contacts, is crucial. Familiarity with newsletter publishing and eCommerce editorial can also give you an edge.

At Shortlist, we foster a dynamic and collaborative working environment. As a Staff Writer, you’ll enjoy a hybrid role, working three days in our London office and two from home, allowing for a flexible work-life balance. Our culture emphasizes creativity and inclusivity, encouraging all team members to share their ideas and perspectives.

Shortlist is committed to supporting your professional development. We offer ongoing training and opportunities for advancement within our organization. Additionally, our bonus structure enables Staff Writers to share in the company’s success, motivating you to contribute actively to our goals.

As a Staff Writer at Shortlist, you'll write a diverse range of content, including timely articles about trending men's lifestyle topics, in-depth listicles, and evergreen features. Your writing will aim to engage our readers with exciting information about what to see, buy, wear, watch, and drink.

At Shortlist, you’ll benefit from a host of incredible perks, including uncapped leave, profit-sharing bonuses, and the opportunity to buy shares in Future through our Share Incentive Plan. Wellbeing support is also available through our Colleague Assistant Programmes, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

Shortlist stands out as a fantastic workplace for a Staff Writer due to its commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and professional growth. Our vibrant media environment and focus on men’s lifestyle topics allow for exciting story development while maintaining a supportive culture that values each individual’s contribution.

In preparing to answer this question, focus on your methods for researching news stories. Discuss your use of diverse sources—such as social media, independent websites, and PR contacts—emphasizing your ability to identify trending topics and relevant content that resonates with your audience at Shortlist.

When addressing this question, you should detail your understanding of SEO principles. Mention specific techniques you employ, such as keyword research, incorporating meta tags, using engaging headlines, and structuring articles to enhance readability. Discuss how you continuously adapt to SEO trends to keep your content high-ranking.

To effectively answer this question, highlight your past experiences writing listicles, explaining why they engage readers through concise, digestible formats. Discuss the elements that make listicles successful, like catchy headlines, informative content, and visuals, while demonstrating an understanding of your audience’s preferences.

When asked about maintaining evergreen content, focus on your strategies for ensuring longevity, such as regular content updates, revisiting statistics, and aligning topics with ongoing trends. Mention any tools or best practices you implement for monitoring the relevance of your pieces over time.

In answering this question, emphasize your prioritization techniques, such as creating to-do lists based on urgency and importance. Discuss your time management skills, possibly mentioning any tools or software you use to stay organized, while demonstrating a commitment to consistently meeting deadlines.

Prepare to discuss specific topics within the men’s lifestyle realm that excite you, such as grooming, fashion trends, or gaming. Explain why these topics interest you and how your passion translates into engaging content that resonates with the Shortlist audience.

Highlight your methods for staying informed about trends, including following industry news, subscribing to relevant newsletters, and engaging with communities on social media platforms. Discussing your curiosity and dedication will show your interviewers that you are well-equipped to produce timely content at Shortlist.

This question provides an opportunity to showcase your knowledge of newsletter strategies. Discuss your familiarity with audience analysis, content curation, and performance tracking. Highlight any specific successes in past roles where your contributions led to increased engagement or subscriptions.

Demonstrating your commitment to diversity and inclusion can set you apart in this question. Discuss how varied perspectives enhance media content and connect with broader audiences. Share your belief in the importance of creating an inclusive workplace and how it leads to more enriching storytelling at Shortlist.

In answering this question, express your enthusiasm for contributing original ideas and high-quality content to Shortlist. Outline specific strategies or topics you believe can elevate the brand’s presence, ensuring you underscore your alignment with the company’s values and goals.