Career guide
Content Writer Job Description: Template, Duties and Skills
A content writer job description should say what the writer will produce, for which audience and channels, who briefs and edits the work, how much they'll write, and how success is measured. Below is a template to adapt, the main duties, how marketing, SEO, technical and agency content writer roles differ, and how candidates can read a posting.
Key takeaways
- A content writer job description should name the content types, the audience, the expected volume and who briefs and edits the work.
- Content writers turn briefs and research into articles, web pages, emails and other pieces; content strategists decide what gets written and why.
- Marketing, SEO, technical and agency content writer roles share a title but differ in audience, research depth and how results are measured.
- Most postings now mention AI tools; a good one says how the team uses them and where a writer's own research and judgment are expected.
- Candidates should send samples that match the posting's content type and audience, and say what their part was in each.
What does a content writer do?
A content writer researches and writes the articles, web pages, guides, emails, newsletters and other pieces a company uses to attract, inform and keep its audience. They usually work from a brief, interview experts, follow a style guide, and update older pieces as well as writing new ones.
Content writers differ from copywriters mainly in length and purpose: content writers write longer pieces that inform and build trust over time, while copywriters write shorter lines meant to drive an action. Our copywriter vs content writer guide covers the overlap.
Content writer job description template
Copy this and replace the [brackets]. Be specific about volume: “four long articles a month” and “fifteen pieces a week” are very different jobs.
Job title: Content Writer, [Focus: e.g. SEO, B2B, Healthcare, Ecommerce, Lifecycle] About [Company] [Two sentences: what the company sells, to whom, and what content does for the business.] About the role We're hiring a Content Writer to write [content types: e.g. blog articles, guides, web pages, email newsletters, case studies] for [audience]. You'll report to [title: e.g. content strategist / content marketing manager / editor] and work with [SEO / subject-matter experts / design / product marketing]. You'll write about [volume: e.g. [number] pieces a [week / month]], from briefs and your own research. What you'll do - Research topics using sources, data and interviews with [experts / customers / our product team]. - Write clear, accurate, original content in our voice for [channels]. - Follow briefs, outlines and the style guide, and suggest better angles when you see them. - Optimize pieces for search: headings, questions people ask, internal links and metadata. - Update and improve existing content when it's out of date or underperforming. - Edit your own work and take feedback from [editor / reviewers]. - Track how your content performs and use what you learn in the next piece. What you'll bring - [X]+ years writing [content type] for [audience or industry], or equivalent freelance or editorial experience. - Published samples that show research, structure and a clear voice. - Comfort interviewing experts and turning technical detail into plain language. - Working knowledge of SEO basics. - Experience with [tools: e.g. a CMS, Google Docs, an SEO tool, an AI writing assistant]. - Reliability with deadlines and volume. Nice to have - Knowledge of [industry or subject]. - [A specific skill: e.g. email, video scripts, data journalism, editing others.] How we'll measure success - [Metric 1: e.g. pieces published on schedule] - [Metric 2: e.g. organic traffic or rankings for assigned topics] - [Metric 3: e.g. sign-ups, downloads or other actions from content] - [Metric 4: e.g. editing rounds needed per piece] Pay and benefits [Salary range], [benefits], [location / hybrid / remote].
Notes for hiring managers using it:
- State the volume and length. It’s the clearest signal of what the job really is.
- Say who briefs and edits. A writer with a strategist and editor needs different skills from one who plans their own topics.
- Be honest about AI. Say how the team uses AI tools and where original research and expertise are expected.
- Include the pay range. A growing number of US states require one; Cooley’s summary of state pay transparency laws is a good place to check.
What are a content writer’s main duties?
| Area | What the writer does |
|---|---|
| Research | Sources, data, expert and customer interviews |
| Writing | Articles, pages, guides, emails, case studies, scripts |
| Search | Headings, questions, internal links, metadata, updates |
| Editing | Self-editing, style guide, working through feedback rounds |
| Improvement | Updating older content, learning from performance |
What kinds of content writer jobs are there?
| Type | Audience and work | What postings ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing content writer | Prospects and customers: blog, guides, case studies, email | Voice, storytelling, product knowledge, conversion awareness |
| SEO content writer | People searching for answers: articles and pages built around search demand | Topic research, structure, updating content, search basics |
| Technical content writer | Developers or specialists: tutorials, docs, explainers | Subject knowledge, accuracy, working closely with engineers |
| Agency content writer | Several clients across industries | Range, speed, adapting voice, billable time |
| Freelance content writer | Clients who brief by project | Pitching, reliability, managing your own pipeline |
Agency writers juggle more voices and deadlines; our guide to billable hours explains how agency time works.
How do AI tools show up in content writer job descriptions?
Many postings now mention AI writing tools, and they vary widely: some expect writers to use them for research and drafts, others limit them. The useful thing to look for is how the team guards quality. Google says its ranking systems are designed to prioritize helpful, reliable information created to benefit people, so postings that care about search usually ask for original research, expert input and accuracy whatever tools you use.
How should a candidate read a content writer posting?
Look for four things: the content types, the audience, the volume and who edits. Then send samples that match.
- Match your samples. If the posting is B2B guides, lead with B2B guides, not lifestyle blog posts.
- Say what you did. Note whether a sample was edited heavily, co-written or yours from brief to publish.
- Show a result if you have one. Traffic, rankings, sign-ups or a client renewing all help.
- Tailor your resume. Our content writer resume guide has bullet examples, and the content writer cover letter page has templates.
When you write the cover letter or your intro note, write it the way you’d write your best piece: in your own voice, for this reader. It’s the first writing sample they’ll read, so let it sound like you rather than like the posting.
Recon can tailor your resume to a specific posting line by line, using only facts already on your resume.
FAQ
What qualifications does a content writer need?
There’s no required qualification. Many postings ask for a degree in English, journalism, communications or marketing, but strong published samples often matter more.
How many articles does a content writer write per week?
It depends on length and research depth. A posting should say; if it doesn’t, ask in the first interview, because it tells you more about the job than the title.
What’s the difference between a content writer and a content strategist?
A content writer produces the pieces. A content strategist decides what to make, for whom and why, writes the briefs and measures the results.
Is content writing a good career?
It can be, especially as a route into content strategy, content marketing, SEO or UX writing. Writers who can research well, work with experts and show results usually have the most options.
What should a content writer portfolio include?
Five to ten samples that match the jobs you want, each with a line on the audience, your part and any result. Our marketing portfolio guide covers how to put one together.