At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce and edit engaging stories while optimising for SEO to drive traffic.
- Company: Join News UK, a leading media business with iconic brands like The Sun and The Times.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a vibrant team culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic newsroom that values creativity and diverse perspectives.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced writing, understanding of SEO, and familiarity with CMS tools required.
- Other info: Evening and weekend shifts are part of the role; perfect for adaptable candidates.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Sun Online is one of the biggest digital newsbrands in the UK and now the fastest-growing news site in the US. The Sun’s multi-award-winning Audience department sits at the heart of our newsroom, with our talented journalists publishing the best coverage of news, sport, TV and showbiz, lifestyle and family value. Our hugely successful SEO team sits at the core of our publishing operation and is constantly evolving, driving search traffic, growing new audiences, and building engagement and loyalty with our readers.
The role: The Sun is looking for a talented individual to support the development of The Sun’s SEO traffic. You will be responsible for producing and editing stories for The Sun with SEO principles baked into every story we produce. Our SEO journalists work on a rota so some evenings (usually one week a month) and weekends (usually once a month) are essential.
Day to day you will:
- Be confident in identifying search trends and making recommendations
- Optimise the home page making sure all headlines are search friendly and there are plenty of links in every story
- Write stories on a variety of topics
- Ensure all stories are grammatically correct and well-edited
- Able to conduct in-depth research to keep our readers informed and entertained
- Contact sources/PR executives for further information on stories when required
- Communicate with the newsroom on big breaking stories
- Have a thorough knowledge of the IPSO Code of Conduct, media law and ethical considerations
What we are looking for from you:
- Experience writing to a deadline in a fast-paced environment
- Understand The Sun Online audience
- Work in an editorial setting - preferably a newsroom
- An understanding of SEO
- Familiar with SEO tools for example Google Trends
- Experience using Wordpress or similar CMS system to build content digitally
We are News UK: One of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio, TalkTV and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local radio stations across Ireland. Our world-famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month.
Life at News: Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information. To do this, we believe our employees must represent different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We strive to maximise and encourage every individual’s potential and ensure everyone feels valued. We support this through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, which focuses on three main priorities - attracting talent from a wider, more representative pool, developing equity programmes to drive better representation in our leadership, and ensuring diversity and inclusivity in our workforce as well as the journalism and content we produce.
We also currently have 12 employee led networks and groups that support our strategy and connect like-minded employees socially. We want to ensure that everyone we meet has the opportunity to perform to their best when applying for a role. Please let us know, at any stage, whether you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, and we will do our best to accommodate.
SEO Journalist - Casual employer: The Sun
Contact Detail:
The Sun Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SEO Journalist - Casual
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with The Sun's style and tone. Read through their articles to understand what resonates with their audience, and think about how you can incorporate similar elements into your writing.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends in SEO and digital journalism. Follow industry leaders on social media and subscribe to relevant newsletters to ensure you're aware of the latest tools and techniques that can enhance your work.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the field. Attend journalism and SEO events or webinars where you can meet others in the industry. Building connections can lead to valuable insights and potential job referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview by practising how to discuss your experience with SEO tools like Google Trends. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these tools to drive traffic or engage audiences in your previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace SEO Journalist - Casual
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an SEO Journalist at The Sun. Familiarise yourself with their audience and the type of content they produce.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in journalism, particularly any work related to SEO and writing under tight deadlines. Make sure to include any familiarity with tools like Google Trends and CMS systems such as WordPress.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for journalism and SEO. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully driven traffic or engaged audiences in previous roles.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Include links to your published articles or samples that demonstrate your ability to write engaging, SEO-optimised content. Ensure these pieces reflect your understanding of the target audience and current trends.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Sun
✨Showcase Your SEO Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your understanding of SEO principles during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied SEO strategies in your previous work, and mention any tools you are familiar with, like Google Trends.
✨Demonstrate Your Writing Skills
Since the role involves producing and editing stories, bring samples of your writing that showcase your ability to create engaging content under tight deadlines. Be ready to explain your writing process and how you ensure grammatical accuracy.
✨Research The Sun's Audience
Familiarise yourself with The Sun Online's audience and the type of content they engage with. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you understand their needs and preferences.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle breaking news or trending topics. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully identified trends and produced timely content, as this is crucial for the role.