Writers and Authors
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
At a Glance
Writers and Authors earns a median of $72,270/yr with +3.6% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: English Language, Writing, Written Expression.
$72,270/yr
+3.6%
13
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (11)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Knowledge (5)
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Abilities (9)
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Technology (29)
Work Activities (13)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Marketing Managers
Management · 223 shared skills
Producers and Directors
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · 220 shared skills
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Business and Financial Operations · 220 shared skills
Web Developers
Computer and Mathematical · 216 shared skills
Software Developers
Computer and Mathematical · 215 shared skills
Public Relations Specialists
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · 215 shared skills
Fundraising Managers
Management · 215 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 213 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
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