How to Answer &#8220;What Is Your Desired Salary?&#8221; in a Job Interview

Climb the Ladder

How to Answer “What Is Your Desired Salary?” in a Job Interview

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

4 min read • Originally published December 13, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

4 min read • Originally published December 13, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

There’s always a point in the job process when you are asked the dreaded question: What are your salary expectations?

This might be a line to fill out in the initial application, a standard part of the HR phone interview, or a conversation with the hiring manager after the pool has been narrowed to a few candidates. Regardless of when the question arises, you need to be prepared to give an appropriate answer that won’t undervalue your worth or jeopardize your chances of advancing in the interview process.

Before you hit “submit” on that job posting, keep these tips in mind for answering the “desired salary” question whenever it comes up.

Deflect the Question as Long as Possible

Ideally, the salary discussion should be a signal that an offer is on the way. But not all companies have that perspective. Sometimes hiring managers will ask early on in the interview process for your salary expectations, perhaps even before you’ve met anyone in person. The last thing you want to do is be caught off guard and blurt out a random number, especially when you don’t really know yet what the position entails.

In reality, the best time to discuss salary expectations is at the end of the process, after you’ve had an opportunity to learn about the position and demonstrate how your experience is a good fit. If asked for your desired salary at the beginning of the recruitment cycle, you can reiterate your interest in learning more about the job before giving a concrete answer. Similarly, if your desired salary is asked on the initial job application, you can write “negotiable” or “commensurate with job expectations.”

Not to mention, it’s extremely important to reiterate how excited you are for the chance to work at the company and in the position itself. As a candidate, it’s important never to let it look as though you’re only after the money the job offers. Companies want candidates who are invested and passionate about the work, so remind hiring managers that you are!

Don’t Give Away Your Salary History

Sometimes, instead of asking for salary expectations, a hiring manager will ask you what your current salary is. Often, the tactic is to offer you a slightly higher salary than you’re currently making, but the offer might still be below market rate or what the company can actually pay. Not to mention that in some states, asking about past salary is illegal.

On the flip side, many people switch careers or industries over time, and sometimes this involves taking a pay cut. If you are moving from a more lucrative industry (like engineering or financial services) to a typically lower-paying industry (like nonprofits), you might be comfortable taking a lower salary—but the bigger numbers in your salary history could scare a hiring manager away.

To avoid these issues altogether, focus all discussions instead on the salary data you’ve collected (more on this in a minute), how your qualifications meet the job description, and what you expect your salary to be for the new position.

Be Prepared With Research

It’s not just enough to want a specific salary. You need to see how your work experience and the job itself fit into larger market trends. Online resources like Glassdoor and Salary.com provide insight into salaries for specific positions, companies, industries, and locations. You can also use one of the salary calculators offered by PayScale or LinkedIn to get a more personalized look at your worth in the job market. These will also take into account your educational experience, location, and other factors that would statistically affect your potential salary.

One additional factor you should consider is whether you will be an exempt employee (which means you are not eligible for overtime) or nonexempt employee (which means you are eligible for overtime). During the interview process, learn what your expected hours will be and whether you will be working nights and weekends. Armed with this additional information from the company itself, you will be better equipped as you conduct salary research to determine a fair wage.

Give a Range Rather Than a Single Number

So you’ve done the research, deflected the question until it’s almost offer time, and now you are ready to share your desired salary. Rather than lock yourself into a specific number ($50,000), it’s better to offer a range ($50,000–$60,000). When determining your range, the higher number can be aspirational; the company may offer you the upper range, but if not, the lower range appears more “affordable” by comparison. Of course, make sure the lower number in your range is still high enough for you to be comfortable accepting the offer.

Remember to Negotiate

If you receive an offer that’s lower than you expected, it never hurts to ask for a higher salary or to learn what additional compensation opportunities (bonuses, merit raises, commissions, etc.) are available. In addition, you might consider negotiating other benefits such as vacation time, tuition assistance, and remote working options. Remember, you can say no to an offer that does not match your desired salary, based on your industry research, work experience, and job responsibilities. The job that deserves you is out there somewhere, and it’s okay to keep looking.

Topics:

Candidates, Climb the Ladder

Interview Tips

How to Turn a Job Interview Into a Natural Conversation

An interview is an exploration of a partnership from both sides, not a scripted list of questions and answers

By Ayana Young

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published August 28, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Ayana Young

Ayana Young is a communications and PR strategist with 15+ years of experience spanning media relations, lifestyle brands, professional sports, and publishing.

4 min read • Originally published August 28, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Have you ever been in a very awkward conversation? Like, just painfully awkward? Do you also remember the feeling after walking away from that conversation?

You were probably relieved that it was over. You probably felt flustered or frustrated because it was uncomfortable, and you didn’t know if it was because of you, or because of the other person, or just the topic.

Well, unfortunately, that same type of situation can often keep you from getting a job. Aside from answers to questions, candidates are judged on their personality traits like confidence, passion, curiosity, tone of voice, perceived kindness, sense of humor and more. Another significant soft skill is the ability to maintain a smooth, productive and optimistic conversation that flows effortlessly.

Meeting a recruiter or potential supervisor for the first time can end up being very robotic and one-sided, which causes the candidate to feel like they are answering a questionnaire rather than just talking to a real person. It can trick the candidate’s brain into the trap of realizing it’s a test, increasing their likelihood to feel under pressure, rather than realizing it is really just a conversation between two people to see if there is a mutual fit.

Unfortunately, if the conversation is awkward as a result of being one-sided, or you don’t knock it out of the park with all 10/10 answers, it ends up reflecting poorly on you even if it’s not entirely your fault.

The best to avoid this awkward fate is to come prepared with questions of your own. Interviews are not a one-way street. They are a chance for two people to come together and explore the idea of working together.

Think of it as vetting a partnership. When both parties are doing an equal amount of talking, the candidate has more of a chance to let their personality shine and the conversation becomes more organic and productive as a result.

There are questions candidates can ask to help move the conversation along naturally. Here are a few you can take to your next interview to make sure the interviewer not only is impressed by your experience, but is blown away by how great the conversation was.

Asking About the Interviewer

These questions will start the conversation off nicely because the recruiter will definitely ask you about your current role, where you’re from and start going down your resume. Take the opportunity to break up the conversation and ask them about themselves. This will help create more of a normal conversation between two people and less of a scripted scenario.

Asking About the “Meat” of the Role

The above questions are the most important part of the interview. This is where you truly find out if you can realistically achieve the needs of the company for that particular role. You will undoubtedly be asked about experience, and you will be asked to go in depth about your past roles so that the interviewer can get a feel for what your key strengths are. Asking the above questions will bring even further depth and clarity into the conversation for both the candidate and the interviewer.

Longer Term, Bigger Picture, Higher Level Questions

The above questions will impress the interviewer because of your ability to think big picture. It will show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in the nitty gritty details of the role, showing that you’re taking it very seriously. Let your genuine curiosity come across by asking about how you’ll be working with other team members and departments, and nudge them to give you insights into their long term visions. They will appreciate the initiative and passion.

And Before You Go…

1. What is your biggest concern or reservation with hiring me for the position, based on what you’ve heard so far?

This is your one final opportunity to destroy any lingering concerns and worries. There may be something the interviewer heard that either came off the wrong way or was misunderstood. Before walking away and leaving the decision entirely in their hands, get them to let it all out while you still have a chance to defend yourself and your chances.

Remind Yourself It’s a Two-Way Street

As stated earlier, an interview is simply an exploration of a potential partnership. It is not a scripted list of questions where one person asks and one person responds. It’s a two-way street, not a one-way street. So ask questions and make it interactive. Being able to ask the right questions at the right times will add depth to the conversation and will increase your chances of having a successful interview.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder

The One Critical Mistake Even Executives Make in Job Interviews

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

5 min read • Originally published March 15, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

Scouted was a hiring marketplace that matched candidates to roles based on potential, serving clients from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies.

5 min read • Originally published March 15, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

This guest post comes to us from Argentus Supply Chain Recruiting, a boutique recruitment firm specializing in Supply Chain Management and Procurement.

Most of us at Argentus have been recruiting for at least a decade, so we’ve seen it all in terms of things people have done (and not done) in job interviews.

We’ve seen mundane, yet deadly faux pas, like the candidate who told us they were happy with a job location, only to tell the client they weren’t. We’ve seen the truly bizarre, like the candidate who felt comfortable putting their feet up on the client’s desk, or the candidate who squealed their tires and peeled out of the client’s parking lot after they kept him waiting. We’ve seen everything in between.

We’ve learned a lot over the years, but one thing is maybe more indelibly true than anything else: There really are a thousand ways to sink a job interview.

The Choreography of the Interview

A job interview is a tricky kind of social parlor game with major life implications. It can seem like a highly-choreographed dance of etiquette and enthusiasm that can bring you to the next progressive stage of your life, or can leave you walking to your car in a daze of confusion of embarrassment.

The internet is full of guides for all kinds of job interviews. A few years back, we even published a 9-part series detailing our years of accumulated interview advice. Everyone has heard the common, sometimes contradictory tips (dress one level of formality above the job you want, make eye contact, have a firm handshake, avoid fidgeting), so much that they’re clichés in a working culture that’s becoming less formal.

The One Thing You Are Forgetting

From our perspective, when you put all the choreography aside, there’s one thing a candidate needs to do in a job interview that’s so fundamental, many people forget to even consider it, and as a result, forget to even do it. It’s something that people assume they’re doing, even if they’re not.

It doesn’t matter if it’s an entry-level position or a Senior VP, we hear about candidates who fail to do this one thing that’s the most important task in a job interview, something more important even than showing your competence or coming across as someone people would want to work with:

So many candidates fail to communicate their interest and enthusiasm for the job.

Everyone thinks that their presence in an interview shows their enthusiasm, but we’ve had feedback from so many clients over the years who end up feeling “meh” about an otherwise-qualified candidate because the candidate came across as “meh” about the opportunity.

You might think that you’ve conveyed enthusiasm by dressing up, showing up, asking questions, but you can’t take that for granted. This is particularly common if you have an introverted personality type: what might seem to you like polite enthusiasm might come across as disinterest to the person doing the interview.

It seems so obvious it’s scarcely worth stating, but it’s worth putting explicitly: hiring managers want to hire people who seem like they actually want the job. Hiring is a two way street, and a human interaction. As much as a hiring or HR manager evaluates a candidate, the candidate is evaluating the company as well. Why would they extend an offer to someone who isn’t interested?

How to Convey Interest Without Seeming Desperate

But it’s a balance. You don’t want to go overboard and seem desperate, and here’s where the choreography and etiquette come back in. So how do you convey interest in a job, without going overboard?

Ask thoughtful questions: Make sure to ask questions, and not just about salary, benefit, perks, and other things that benefit you as the candidate. Prepare some thoughtful questions about the organization, its long-term goals and strategy, or even specific products or processes that genuinely interest you. Asking lots of relevant questions can help take an interview to a golden place, from the formality of a stilted back-and-forth to a genuine conversation.
Create an action plan: Further to that, work with the interviewer to develop an action plan for you in the role. Ask them what you, ideally, will have accomplished after 90 days, 3 years, or 5 years. This shows long-term interest.
Change your pronouns: Try to talk in terms of “we” and “I” instead of “the company” and “you.” This kind of aspirational speech implies that you already see yourself as aligned with the organization.
State it clearly: Simple and honest communication is key. Don’t be afraid to outright state your interest in the position in a professional way at the end of the interview. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “I just want to reiterate that I think this position aligns very well with my goals and values, and X Company seems like a great place to work.” Again, don’t assume that just because you showed up, the interviewer thinks you actually want the job.
Follow up: Send a brief follow-up note thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. But don’t send an email or a call if the interviewer hasn’t provided you with that information – especially when you’re working with a recruiter – because that can seem like you’re invading their privacy.

Maybe after an interview, you’re not enthusiastic about the job because it doesn’t fit the working culture you’re looking for. Maybe it doesn’t have the growth opportunities you want. Maybe you don’t like the office paint color.

But if you are interested in the job? Take pains to show it, or you could miss out on the opportunity.

Topics:

Candidates, Climb the Ladder

Interview Tips

Interview Body Language: Expert Tips to Project Confidence and Land the Job

See how to make nonverbal cues work for you—rather than against you

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

4 min read • Originally published July 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

4 min read • Originally published July 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

You’ve prepped for your interview—done your research, studied up on the tricky questions the recruiter or hiring manager could ask you—but is your body language going to ruin your chances of getting the job?

The old saying is true: Actions speak louder than words. To help yourself project the most positive mannerisms—and to up your chances of going from candidate to new hire—check out this expert advice from hiring managers in the media biz on what body language to adopt in your next interview.

1. Give a Firm Handshake

Whether we want to admit it or not, says Diana Marsh, EVP at marketing and tech firm The A Group, first impressions are huge in an interview. And for Marsh, it all starts with the handshake.

“If you have a weak handshake and don’t look me in the eye, I have a hard time not writing you off from the beginning,” says Marsh.

To start off on the right foot, Marsh says your handshake should be firm, and should stay consistent whether you’re shaking the hand of a man or a woman.

2. Don’t Overthink the Eye Contact

During your interview, you might have found yourself silently thinking am I staring into their eyes too much? Is this an abnormal amount of eye contact? Should I look away?

Sherrilynne Starkie, EVP of integrated communications agency Thornley Fallis Communications, says there’s no such thing as too much eye contact. So rather than worrying if you’re staring too long, or not enough, Starkie says to just relax, and not to be self-conscious about your eye contact.

“I think overall you just want to be natural,” says Marissa Grey, creative talent director at Critical Mass. “The most important thing is not to answer a question while looking away.”

3. Sit Up Straight

Mom was right about this one: Slouching is bad for your health, but it can also make you look lazy or sloppy in an interview, two traits interviewers try to avoid in employees at all costs.

“However, canny interviewers will not judge a person on his or her posture alone, but in the context of the whole interview,” says Starkie, “That said, it never hurts to sit up straight.”

4. But Don’t Be Too Rigid

Just as poor posture in an interview can work against you, so can being on the opposite side of the spectrum: Appearing too rigid.

“Concentrating on keeping straight might make it difficult to listen to questions so that you answer them fully and naturally,” says Starkie. Her advice? “Be yourself. Your best self.”

5. Lean Forward

For Marsh, the ideal way to sit at an interview is leaning in. “During the interview, leaning in shows that you are engaged in the conversation and what I am saying is important to you,” she says.

On the converse, leaning back can project the image that you are too comfortable, not interested or overconfident. “Last person I want to hire is someone that is not engaged from the beginning of the interview,” says Marsh.

6. Keep Your Body Open

It’s common wisdom—but no less true—that crossing your arms in an interview is a surefire way to send a “closed off” vibe to the interviewer, says Grey.

“The point of an interview is to have an open flow of communication,” says Grey, “your body language should reflect this.” So rather than opting for the crossed arms, check out our next tip to see the best alternative.

7. Fold Your Hands

Google “what to do with my hands during an interview” and you could get a little overwhelmed with all the contrasting advice.

“Keep your hands neatly folded on your lap,” Grey suggests. This will help you avoid talking too much with your hands, or worse, fidgeting.

8. Relax Your Voice

Our nerves can get the best of us in an interview, making our voice feel jumpy or high pitched. First of all, it’s important you don’t worry too much about this. “Most of us have been there ourselves and totally understand job interview nerves,” says Starkie.

To wrangle your nerves, Starkie recommends breathing slowly and deeply when the interviewer is talking to help you relax. And if you’re offered a glass of water, Starkie says to take it as sipping a drink can help calm yourself.

9. Nod Throughout

When the interviewer is talking to you, don’t just sit there staring back motionless. Rather, nod your head along with what they’re saying.

“Nodding your head is an indication that you are listening to what I am saying—you are following me,” says Marsh. “It’s very important as I want someone who is interested in the job and is truly listening to what I have to say about the position and the company.”

10. Make a Strong Exit

So you crushed the interview, and now all you have to do is book it to the door and enjoy the day. But wait! How you leave the interview is just as important as the rest of your time there.

“Shake the interviewer’s hand—make sure it’s a strong handshake!—and let them know you enjoyed meeting with him/her,” says Grey.

Then you can confidently make your way towards the exit knowing you concluded the interview just as strong as you began it.

Topics:

Get Hired

Getting Your Resume Into Human Hands: How to Use LinkedIn & Twitter to Bypass the Black Hole

Skip past the overstuffed application inbox with these social cues

By Joel Schwartzberg

Joel Schwartzberg is a workplace communications coach, speechwriter, and bestselling author whose books include "Get to the Point!" and "The Language of Leadership," with articles published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Newsweek. He brings over two decades of senior communications and editorial leadership experience at organizations including the ASPCA, PBS, and Time Inc.

5 min read • Originally published February 5, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Joel Schwartzberg

Joel Schwartzberg is a workplace communications coach, speechwriter, and bestselling author whose books include "Get to the Point!" and "The Language of Leadership," with articles published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Newsweek. He brings over two decades of senior communications and editorial leadership experience at organizations including the ASPCA, PBS, and Time Inc.

5 min read • Originally published February 5, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

These days, simply applying via a job site and hoping for the best is like trying to get a date by slipping your phone number in with the junk mail.

Assuming you don’t already personally know someone who works at your target company, how do you get your resume past the front door and into the hands of a live human being who actually cares?

Enter social networking, where sites like LinkedIn and Twitter can help you locate an insider at your target company. One of your connections may even work there, unbeknownst to you.

Making “Friends”

First, go ahead and submit your resume through whatever front door email address or job site is recommended—you need to get into the official HR system.

Now, it’s time to get crafty. Find your target company’s official website. You can also get staff information from sites including Hoovers.com and Venture Beat Profiles.

Often these sites will have a staff page under the About Us or Contact Us section. Look for someone in the division you want to join and/or a human resources manager. If they list email addresses, consider yourself lucky. Write a pleasant email as modeled below.

If you only find names, continue to the next step. If you can’t even find a name, try typing “Human Resources Manager, X Company” into a search engine. Sometimes you’ll find a hiring announcement for the contact or a conference he attended.

Type that person’s name into Facebook or LinkedIn and see if he pops up among your existing connections. If you’re lucky enough to already have mutual colleagues or friends, ask your friend to virtually introduce you.

LinkedIn is your best bet as it shows you how professionally related you are to other members, even if that connection involves several Kevin Bacon–like degrees of separation.

If someone at the company you’re targeting is a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend, LinkedIn will show you…and it’s a start.

If you can’t find the person on those sites, just try Googling his name.

Some may find this kind of search-and-discover method annoying, so be gentle. Others may actually be impressed.

Vicki Salemi, a HR veteran and author of Big Career in the Big City: Land a Job and Get a Life in New York, says, “If you’re gunning for a job in media, what better way to show your future employer your savvy researching skills than getting on their radar screen with a little hard work and ingenuity?”

Here’s a sample note to send to this virtual job-search-guardian-angel. Remember: You’re just asking for help in the form of a referral; you’re not asking this person to personally consider you or review your resume.

Hi (Name),

I see we both know (friend’s name). I hope you don’t mind my boldness, but I noticed an opening at (your company) for which I consider myself a perfect match, given my skills and experience. Can you help me get my resume into the hands of the right person? I can be reached at (email address). Thanks so much for your help!

(If you have no mutual friends, just write the same note without the first line.)

In Good Company

If you only have the name of the company, search Facebook and filter your results by “People.” Only people who work there will bother listing it as an affiliated “network.”

If the company has a Facebook “group page” or “fan page,” become a fan or member and look at the page’s administrators or other fans for people who might list the company in their network—a sure sign of a human employee.

Roberta Chinsky Matuson, a job search mentor and the CEO of Matuson Consulting, recommends using Facebook even more broadly, but to be careful.

“Remind your friends on Facebook that you are looking to make connections,” she says. “However, if your job search is confidential, you are best off sending personal messages to limit the likelihood that your current employer will find out about your search.”

Also, make sure your own Facebook page has nothing offensive on it, or at least adjust your privacy settings to put your best public face forward. Don’t allow prospective employers or colleagues to see anything on your Facebook page that you wouldn’t want known during an interview.

Of course, there’s no guarantee your new “friend” won’t just refer you to that stuffed inbox anyway, but most of the folks I’ve contacted this way are happy to help as long as you limit their hassle.

In other words, don’t ask them for more information, to vouch for you or to consider the resume themselves. You just want their help to get your resume “into the right hands.”

Twitter Tactics

If you see a job posted on Twitter, “contact [the page administrator] and ask who the hiring manager is; it works 25 percent of the time,” says Adriana Llames, a career coach and author of Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game.

Salemi agrees Twitter is a valuable tool for job-seekers. “Most recruiters are on Twitter right now, so it’s important to start developing an online relationship with them so they know who you are,” she says.

“Retweet their posts, send them friendly little tweets—nothing as blatant as “hire me” but instead, tweet an article and let them know it may be of interest to them.”

With patience, tenacity, luck and a friendly writing style, you could soon be sending your resume to a real, live human being instead of an email address.

When it comes to professional networking, keep your friends close and your “friends” closer, and soon those other job hopefuls could be eating your virtual dust.

Ready to take your resume and job hunt to the next level? Check out Mediabistro’s Career Services, where our career experts transform your resume, cover letter and social profiles into a professional package employers can’t resist.

Topics:

Get a Media Job, Get Hired, Resumes & Cover Letters

Journalism Advice

Best Websites for Freelancers: Tools for Getting Paid, Managing Projects & Finding Gigs

From finding gigs to getting paid, here are the sites you need

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

4 min read • Originally published September 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

4 min read • Originally published September 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

When you’re freelancing, a lot goes into finding freelance gigs, managing projects, invoicing clients and showcasing your future-gig-landing work samples. Fortunately, there are plenty of sites that can help—like the ones below.

So check ’em out, bookmark your favorites and take advantage of these awesome services that’ll make your freelancing life a little easier, and hopefully more lucrative.

Getting Paid

When it comes to billing the client, you want your invoices to be easy to understand, simple to track and—most important—effortless for the client. Here are a few options that offer all of that.

1. Harvest

Harvest is a time tracking and invoicing site that makes it super easy to create and send bills to clients. One great feature: You can integrate PayPal right into your invoice, so—if your clients are comfortable using PayPal—they can submit payments directly into your account.

2. Due

While Due also offers great invoicing capabilities, where it truly excels is in its digital wallet and e-payment options—including credit card payments. So if you’re looking for an easy way to manage payments, this might be the invoicing service for you.

3. Invoicera

Similar to the other invoice sites, Invoicera helps you track time and invoice clients, among other features. And if you have clients who are perpetually late on payments, you’ll love Invoicera’s late-fee feature which you can enable to help keep the cash rolling in, and on time.

Managing the Project

One thing you lose when you go freelance is that project manager to keep you on track with your deadlines, milestones and client meetings. To help, here are a couple websites that work as a quasi-project manager.

4. Trello

From a distance, it make look like a game of solitaire, but Trello is really a project management site that uses cards and lists to make it easy to visualize projects, ideas and due dates. And if you’re working on a team, you can invite others to collaborate on your Trello boards.

5. Solo

Along with invoicing and other payment capabilities, Solo offers users the ability to manage and analyze workloads. Another neat features are its client and prospect management tools, which allow you to keep tabs on who you’re working with, and where you might be able to gain more business down the road.

6. Asana

While Asana is designed more for team collaboration, it still works great as a project management tool for the solo entrepreneur. With features like tasks, projects and messaging, Asana is a great way to stay on top of your work while collaborating with other freelancers.

Showcasing Your Work

In order to gain trust and snag more clients, you’ll need a portfolio to show off your work. There are plenty of options out there when it comes to site design and hosting, but some are more user-friendly than others. Here are a few of our simple-to-use favorites.

7. Squarespace

Website builder Squarespace makes it easy to build a site that looks professionally designed. Each site is based off a Squarespace template and—good news—they have an entire section of portfolio templates. While most of the design work is already done for you, you can also go in and tweak design elements to match your tastes.

8. Wix

Wix is a user-friendly website builder based on the idea of drag and drop templates. Features include slideshows, Instagram-like image filters and a function that makes it easier for your audience to share your content across several social platforms.

9. WordPress

A staple in the industry, WordPress is a great alternative for anybody looking to get a little more hands-on with their website building. You can find portfolio themes for WordPress on its site—it currently has about 30 options—and at places like Theme Forest.

Finding the Gig

Some freelancers say you need to spend 75 percent of your time looking for gigs, and 25 percent actually doing the work. That’s where freelance sites come in.

With the ability to showcase your work, testimonials from past clients and ratings, these sites help good freelancers—like you—build on the momentum of previous work to keep the gigs rolling in. Here are a few great options.

10. Contently

Founded on the idea of telling great stories, Contently is a software company that provides organizations with quality content.

If you have some solid writing samples, all you have to do is create a portfolio on Contently and you’ll be paired with suitable projects, when Contently finds a good match.

11. UpWork

On UpWork, you can set up a client-facing portfolio, take tests to prove your skill levels, bid on writing projects and get paid. One of the best parts of UpWork is the rating system: Do enough awesome work, and new clients will see your stellar reviews. Keep at it long enough and you could earn the highly coveted “Top Rated” status.

12. Freelance Marketplace

Mediabistro’s Freelance Marketplace is where media pros go to find talent. Here you can create a portfolio, display your background and professional strengths and update as you go. Unlike other sites, where the gigs can span industries, the Freelance Marketplace has a strong focus in media, which can be great for those looking to find work within the biz.

Topics:

Go Freelance, Journalism Advice

Climb the Ladder

Video Game Writing: An Emerging Career Path for Content Creators

By Mediabistro Education

5 min read • Originally published June 19, 2023 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro Education

5 min read • Originally published June 19, 2023 / Updated March 19, 2026

In the evolving world of digital content, game writing is rapidly emerging as a thrilling and dynamic avenue for creative minds. The video game industry, already a titan in the entertainment sector, continues to grow, with new technological advancements opening up unexplored territories in interactivity and narrative design.

At the heart of this expansion is the role of the video game writer, a profession steadily gaining recognition for its integral contribution to game development. This article provides an overview of the role, the skills needed to excel, and a practical guide for those seeking to enter the field.

Understanding the Role: From Concept to Postproduction

A video game writer plays a significant role throughout the game production process, encompassing conception, preproduction, production, and postproduction.

Conception

In the earliest stages of game development, video game writers partner with design teams to shape the game’s genre and structure. The writing scope varies greatly, with narrative-intensive genres like role-playing games requiring considerably more writing input than action games. Thorough research and creative brainstorming become fundamental in this phase to set the groundwork for the narrative.

Preproduction

Once the game type is established, writers delve into crafting character backgrounds, overarching storylines, and level overviews. They also create intricate flowcharts outlining possible actions and different story paths, setting the stage for a multifaceted gaming experience.

Production

During production, video game writers create dialogue for cutscenes, quest text, and other writing materials. In narrative-centric games, they often collaborate with directors and voice actors during recording sessions, further influencing the game’s storytelling.

Postproduction

The postproduction phase involves meticulous proofreading and game walkthroughs by the writer to ensure narrative coherence and gameplay satisfaction. Changes or additions may be made to the text to allow iterative refinement before the game’s release.

Essential Skills for Video Game Writers

To excel in this field, you must possess certain skills beyond a passion for gaming.

Writing: A strong foundation in narrative storytelling and creative writing is crucial. It shapes the game’s immersive experience and can often be the difference between a good and a great game.
Game Playing: Understanding gameplay mechanics and player behavior is key. A good video game writer should anticipate player decisions and responses, enabling them to weave interactive and engaging narratives.
Collaboration: Unlike conventional scriptwriting, video game writing is collaborative. Writers must be comfortable working in a team, merging their creative vision with that of designers, artists, and programmers.
Coding: Basic coding knowledge and/or familiarity with game design processes can be immensely beneficial. This skill bridges the gap between the narrative and technical aspects of game development.

How to Become a Video Game Writer

Many successful video game writers begin their careers as freelancers before securing full-time positions at game studios. To build a rewarding career in game writing, follow these steps:

Pursue Relevant Education: A bachelor’s degree in scriptwriting or creative writing can provide a solid foundation. Coursework in game design or coding can supplement your skills.
Build a Portfolio: Demonstrate your writing prowess by publishing short stories or creating your own games and storyboards. A strong portfolio showcases your creative range and ability to apply it to the gaming medium.
Network: Establish connections within the industry. Attending events such as the Game Developers Conference or joining associations such as the International Game Developers Association can provide valuable insights and opportunities.
Gain Hands-on Experience: Look for entry-level positions or internships in game-related fields. Working on indie games with small teams can offer valuable hands-on experience and insights into the entire game production process.

The realm of game writing offers many opportunities for aspiring content creators. As the gaming industry continues to explore new frontiers of interactive storytelling, video game writers play a vital role in shaping these narratives and providing players with unforgettable experiences.

Developing Your Style

As with any form of writing, developing a unique and compelling voice is integral in game writing. Whether you’re writing an epic fantasy adventure, a chilling horror mystery, or an introspective indie game, your voice sets the tone and mood. Dive into various genres, experiment with dialogue and narrative forms, and continually refine your style.

Understanding Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is as crucial in game writing as in any other medium. Knowing what your players want, their expectations, and their gaming habits can significantly influence your storytelling style. Is your audience seeking a light-hearted, casual gaming experience or a profound narrative that provokes thought? Your narrative should cater to these expectations while providing enough surprises to keep them engaged.

Embrace Interactivity

The interactive nature of video games sets them apart from traditional media. Leverage this to create more engaging stories. Give your players choices that impact the storyline, craft compelling characters they can relate to, and design worlds that they will want to explore. Embrace the medium’s interactivity and let your players become active participants in your narrative rather than passive recipients.

Continual Learning and Adaptation

Video games are a rapidly evolving medium. New technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) continually reshape the landscape of possibilities for game narratives. Staying up to date on these trends and learning to adapt your writing to them are crucial for a successful career in game writing.

Wrapping Up

Game writing is an exciting and challenging domain. The writer’s role in the video game industry is a blend of creativity, technical skill, and a deep understanding of the medium and its audience. With the industry’s ongoing expansion, now is an opportune time for content creators to delve into this vibrant field.

The journey to becoming a successful game writer requires dedication, continuous learning, and an undying passion for games. Yet the reward—the opportunity to create complex, engaging worlds that players can experience and interact with—is unparalleled.

The future of game writing is full of possibilities, and for those ready to embrace its challenges, it offers a compelling arena for creativity and storytelling. It is more than just an emerging domain for content creators; it’s a field that’s ripe with opportunities to redefine the boundaries of narrative and interactive experiences. So, are you ready to play?

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Resumes & Cover Letters

6 Things Every Cover Letter Should Have to Land the Interview

Make your intro to employers count with these tips from HR experts

By Alisha Tillery

@Nicole8151

Alisha Tillery is a freelance journalist, essayist, and PR agency director whose work spans culture, lifestyle, business, and women's issues. She has written for ESPN, ESSENCE, EBONY, and AARP, and brings 15 years of storytelling experience to her work with small businesses, nonprofits, and education clients.

5 min read • Originally published August 1, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Alisha Tillery

@Nicole8151

Alisha Tillery is a freelance journalist, essayist, and PR agency director whose work spans culture, lifestyle, business, and women's issues. She has written for ESPN, ESSENCE, EBONY, and AARP, and brings 15 years of storytelling experience to her work with small businesses, nonprofits, and education clients.

5 min read • Originally published August 1, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

There are only two focal points in a cover letter: the position and you, the applicant. So, if you want to land the job, you better clearly state the connection between your experience and the employer’s requirements. Merely swapping out greetings and company names with each submission doesn’t cut it.

“If you can’t write a cover letter, I don’t want to meet you,” says Jane Turkewitz, founder and chief talent officer at .comRecruiting. “I really think that a well thought out cover letter says a lot about your work ethic, your thought processes and your ability to market yourself.”

The key is showing that you don’t simply want a job, you want this job. Here are six crucial tips to proving you’re the best person for the company and the position, by way of your cover letter.

1. Use a Skill-Based Template

Sure, it can get a little tedious writing new cover letters and resumes for every position. Instead of relying on canned form letters (which, by the way, recruiters hate), Turkewitz suggests creating templates, which allow applicants to pull information and tailor a cover letter for any employer.

Create sections of your templates that include your qualifications, experience or why you would be a fit for the position. This helps to avoid common pitfalls, such as sending letters to incorrect hiring managers or company addresses.

“If you can’t take the time to write a custom letter,” Turkewitz says, “the hiring manager or recruiter will not think that you are serious about their job.”

2. Tailor Your Message to Your Audience

You can take this method a step further by organizing your templates for each of your strengths or fields of interest.

For example, if you’re a journalist who excels in new media and sports reporting, you might create one cover letter that focuses on your reporting and editing skills for a newspaper position, another that highlights your Twitter know-how for digital companies and still one more that’s sports-specific for a basketball blog.

Then, instead of starting from scratch each time you’re applying, you already have a custom framework based on the requirements of the position.

3. Craft a Strong Lede

Writing a cover letter is no different than writing a news story — it should hook your reader early. “Open up, draw me in. Make me want to read you,” says Turkewitz. “My biggest pet peeve is reading, ‘Oh, I heard you had a job open.’ Okay, we know that; you’re applying for the job. Let’s start with a really strong opener that really sells who you are.”

Opening your cover letter with a statement about your experience and accomplishments says much more than merely stating your name and where you reside. Be original in how you project yourself, especially if the position calls for some creativity.

4. Know the News

Hiring managers in the media business want to know that you’re up on the latest happenings in the industry. So, whether you’re applying for a position as a graphic designer or SEO whiz, convey your knowledge of the company or organization.

Are there recent press releases or news reports about the business? If so, refer to those developments in your cover letter, and relate them to how your skills and experience can contribute to the company.

“Company news alone wouldn’t compel me to read someone’s resume,” says Sharlyn Lauby, author and publisher at the HR Bartender. “What would stand out is if a candidate can connect it to the position they are applying for or how they can use it to bring value to the company.”

5. Give ’Em What They Want

Your cover letter is your place to sell yourself for the job, but it also needs to include other vital information the employer has requested in the application, such as salary or location requirements.

“Candidates need to provide a recruiter what they ask for,” explains Lauby. “It not only helps the process, but it demonstrates that the candidate is thorough and can follow instructions.”

“You need to explain that, ‘I realize that I am in Dallas, but I am willing and able to get to New York for interviews as needed, and willing and able to relocate quickly and at my own expense should an opportunity arise,’’’ says David Gaspin, senior director of talent and human resources for tech consulting firm InRhythm. “If I don’t see that, I think you’re looking for a job in Dallas.”

If a job posting requests your minimum salary and you leave it out, you might not get the interview. Similarly, if you live in another city and make no reference to relocation, hiring managers may be reluctant to even consider you. It’s up to the applicant to use the cover letter to express sincere interest in the position, even though it could be thousands of miles away.

6. Cite Relevant Experience

It’s critically important to align your strengths with the duties listed in the job description. If the posting requires knowledge of CSS, you might say “I designed blog layouts and built websites using CSS. I used Dreamweaver regularly in my previous position and am a whiz at HTML.”

If they want “an ability to write great display copy for magazines,” explain how you wrote heds and deks for your previous employer’s print pub and website. Just be careful not to overdo it.

“This can be tricky, especially if the candidate has experience in many areas but is a little light in others,” says Lauby. “Focusing on strengths versus doing a laundry list comparison might present the candidate in a better way.”

If you’d like your cover letter to stand out even more, consider getting the help of a pro. Mediabistro’s Career Services offer everything from a quick cover letter edit to several sessions of career counseling to tackle your cover letter, networking skills, career transition and more.

Topics:

Get a Media Job, Get Hired, Resumes & Cover Letters

Interview Tips

What It Takes to Ace a Video Interview: Tips for Setup, Prep, and Presentation

These tips will ensure your screen time gets you closer to that job

By Brittany Taylor

Brittany Taylor is an enterprise marketing manager and content strategist with over a decade of experience in B2B content marketing, brand building, and ghostwriting, with bylines in SELF, Teen Vogue, and Mediabistro. She currently leads content and branding across multiple brands at HireQuest Inc.

5 min read • Originally published June 2, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Brittany Taylor

Brittany Taylor is an enterprise marketing manager and content strategist with over a decade of experience in B2B content marketing, brand building, and ghostwriting, with bylines in SELF, Teen Vogue, and Mediabistro. She currently leads content and branding across multiple brands at HireQuest Inc.

5 min read • Originally published June 2, 2015 / Updated March 19, 2026

Some people are naturally great at job interviews. They pull out their most confident smiles, ensure they’ve got the firm handshake down and practice their best answers to the trickiest of questions.

If it’s a phone interview, they make sure they’ve nailed their most professional yet conversational tone. But if it’s a video interview, things get a bit more complicated. Even the best interviewees among us get a little queasy at the thought of Skyping their way to their next job.

But hey—we’ve got you covered.

Read on for our experts’ best tips for acing the ultimate interview test.

Set yourself up for success.

Sometimes interview opportunities crop up unexpectedly and you’re scrambling to be as prepared as possible for that next-day chat. Still, it pays to set aside the time to research the company and the person you’ll be interviewing with, and to run through your responses—more so, when you’ve got ample notice of an appointment.

And when it comes to interviewing with the help of technology, it’s essential to test the audio and video as far in advance as you can to avoid any glitches that might interrupt the actual interview.

Most of the time, you don’t need any special equipment, as long as your computer has a functional microphone and webcam. However, do consider wearing headphones to cut out on background noise, and test the clarity, volume and connection strength of your equipment by video calling a friend or two beforehand.

To set the scene appropriately, pick a backdrop that isn’t cluttered or busy, advises Daniel Waas, director of marketing for GoToMeeting. If you’re interviewing from your bedroom, for example, make darn sure your bed is made (if it’s in view) and hide your teddy bears or framed pictures of you on spring break for the duration of the call.

Dress as if you were interviewing in person, from head to toe. Trust us, it will help you feel more professional if you swap your sweatpants for slacks. And check the lighting. If you sit with a lamp or a window behind you, it’ll cast an unflattering shadow over your face.

Cut out distractions.

Want to make it onto an interviewer’s worst-ever list? Easy: Keep the door to distraction wide open, says career coach Kolby Goodman, founder of The Job Huntr, whose most awkward interview moment is one for the dogs. “The interviewee had an unruly dog that kept barking and coming into the room,” he shares. “The individual kept having to pause the conversation and take the dog back outside.”

To prevent such intrusions, pick a spot you can control. You want a small room (to eliminate echoes) that you can close off. During a test call with a friend, observe how loud your A.C. unit or overhead fan is, and adjust accordingly. And ask anyone you share your space with to avoid disturbing you and keep the volume down during your interview timeslot.

Of course, no matter how much effort you put into making your side of the interview totally zen, stuff happens. When it does, the best thing you can do it laugh, apologize and quickly move on. Waas says he’s had his own embarrassing moment while hiring for a role.

“I have three framed art posters in my office and I had used double-sided tape to hang them,” he recalls. “In one of my last interviews [of the day], one of the pictures came crashing down right behind me.” Both he and the candidate shook it off, and, he adds, “It even ended up having a positive impact on the interview. The candidate was more at ease afterwards and the conversation benefitted from that.” Phew!

Troubleshoot like a pro.

Having technical difficulties? First, ditch WiFi in favor of an ethernet connection, suggests Josh Tolan, CEO of Spark Hire, a video-interviewing platform. Then, close out of any programs that are using the Internet—this means shutting them down completely.

Also be aware of any other people who might be using your connection. For example, if your roommate is on a Netflix binge, Tolan says, it’ll slow down your Internet, making it difficult for your interviewer to see and hear you. When you have an awesome job opportunity on the line, you’ll want to avoid at all costs a “Can you hear me now?” situation.

If the worst happens, and the video call is a no-go, advises Goodman: “Make sure you have a direct phone number of the person you are interviewing with. That way you can immediately reach out and try to remedy the situation.” Resist the urge to hit “reply” on your email chain and pick up your phone instead.

“Treat the technical issue as if your car broke down on the way to the interview,” adds Goodman. “Explain the situation and see when you can reschedule.” Finally, he says, “make sure, above all else, the second interview goes smoothly. Many employers can understand one issue, but two in a row is hard to swallow.”

Treat this like an in-person interview.

During a phone interview, you have the luxury of checking your notes and having your interviewer be none the wiser. For a video interview, though, you need to be just as prepared as you would be for an in-person interview. That way, you can take advantage of visual cues, says Robert Hosking, executive director of staffing service OfficeTeam.

Use the opportunity to maximize your body language, expressing your enthusiasm and passion for past projects and future possibilities rather than shifting your eyes to reference materials or hunching over your desk, which are both less-than-confident moves.

To truly hit it out of the park, you want to make a connection. “While it’s tempting to look at the screen [when answering questions], you should actually look at the camera, so it appears you’re speaking directly to the employer,” says Hosking.

And focus on the screen, rather than the inset image of yourself, while your interviewer is speaking. Be sure to smile, gesture with your hands and loosen up. This is an interview, not The Inquisition.

So open up your laptop, answer the call and repeat after us: “Yes I can.”

Looking to hone those skills to perfection? Consider getting the help of a pro. Mediabistro’s Career Services offer everything from a mock interview to several sessions of career counseling to tackle interview and networking skills, career transition and more.

Topics: