How to Be Features Editor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 26, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Steps How to Become

Obtain a college degree in English, journalism, or a related field. Having a degree in a related field is often a requirement of employment for a Features Editor.
Gain experience writing features or other types of articles by freelancing or interning at a newspaper or magazine. This will give you valuable experience and help you build your portfolio.
Network with professionals in the field to make connections and learn about potential opportunities.
Apply for jobs as a Features Editor. You can look for openings at newspapers, magazines, and online publications.
Once youve been hired as a Features Editor, create relationships with writers, photographers, and other professionals in the industry.
Create a plan for how the features section will look and what type of stories will be featured each week or month.
Edit and proofread articles before they are published.
Work with the design team to ensure that features are visually appealing and engaging to readers.
Monitor feedback from readers and make adjustments accordingly.
Develop relationships with publicists and other sources to ensure that your features section remains up-to-date with the latest news and trends.

Having the skills and capabilities to succeed in any endeavor is an essential part of achieving success. To be skilled and capable, one must commit to learning and expanding their knowledge, practicing regularly, and staying motivated. Learning involves acquiring new information, understanding how to apply it, and applying it in real-world situations.

Practicing is important because it helps to refine and refine existing skills while developing new ones. Finally, staying motivated is key, as it helps to keep the person focused and driven to reach their goals. When all three components are combined, a person has the potential to become highly skilled and capable in any field.

You may want to check Development Editor, Production Editor, and Assignment Editor for alternative.

Job Description

Responsible for planning, developing, and editing content for the magazine
Collaborate with internal teams and external contributors to create content for print and digital media
Maintain editorial standards, ensure accuracy of information, and ensure that the magazine meets deadlines
Develop content ideas that are consistent with the magazines mission and goals
Research and write feature stories, interviews, and other content for the magazine
Manage editorial workflow, coordinate with design and production teams, and meet deadlines
Source images and artwork to accompany editorial content
Manage editorial budget and track invoices
Monitor press releases, industry news, and other sources for potential story ideas
Stay up-to-date with industry trends and newsworthy stories

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of magazine industry trends and best practices
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple deadlines and prioritize tasks
Ability to develop creative story ideas and concepts
A keen eye for detail
Knowledge of layout, design, and editing software
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Strong problem solving and decision making skills
Ability to accept constructive feedback
Understanding of the publications target audience

Good communication skills are essential to be an effective editor. Editors must be able to communicate their ideas and visions clearly and concisely to other members of the editorial team. They must also be able to listen carefully and objectively to feedback in order to make informed decisions.

editors must be able to effectively collaborate with other members of the team in order to create the best possible outcome. Furthermore, the ability to think critically and analytically is key in order to be able to make sound judgements on what content is most appropriate for the publication. Lastly, editors must be highly organized in order to manage the workflow and ensure deadlines are met.

All of these skills are necessary for an editor to be successful in their role; without them, it would be difficult for them to effectively work with a team and create high quality content.

Editorial Strategist/Editor-in-Chief, Science Editor, and Developmental Copy Editor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in features writing and editing?
How would you approach creating a feature article?
What kind of research and fact-checking methods do you use when working on features?
How do you handle tight deadlines?
What experience do you have in managing digital content?
How do you ensure that all content meets the publications standards of accuracy and quality?
How do you manage multiple projects simultaneously?
What strategies do you use to engage readers and build an audience for feature articles?
What kind of feedback do you seek when editing a feature article?
How do you stay up to date with changes in technology, media trends, and the publishing industry?

Common Tools in Industry

Text Editor. A software program used to create and edit text documents (eg: Microsoft Word, Notepad++).
Image Editor. A software program used to create and edit images (eg: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP).
Video Editor. A software program used to create and edit videos (eg: Adobe Premiere, iMovie).
Content Management System (CMS). A system used to store and manage website content (eg: WordPress, Joomla).
Style Guide. A document used to maintain a consistent style across content (eg: Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook).
Social Media Platforms. Software used to build an online presence for a brand (eg: Facebook, Twitter).
SEO Tools. Tools used to optimize content for search engine results (eg: Yoast SEO, Google Search Console).
Analytics Platforms. Software used to measure traffic and engagement on websites (eg: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics).
Wireframing Tools. Software used to create basic layouts for websites and mobile apps (eg: Balsamiq, Sketch).
Collaboration Tools. Software used to facilitate communication between team members (eg: Slack, Asana).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
The Association for Talent Development (ATD)
International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM)
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Project Management Institute (PMI)

We also have Magazine Assistant Editor, Copy Chief/Managing Editor, and Copy Desk Chief/Editor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Editorial Calendar. A document that outlines the content to be published during a certain period of time.
Content Plan. A plan outlining topics, angles, distribution channels, and other elements of content to be produced.
Story Pitch. A brief description of an article idea, typically sent to an editor for consideration.
Copy Editing. The process of revising and correcting written material to ensure accuracy and readability.
Proofreading. The process of checking written material for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
SEO Optimization. The process of optimizing content to be more visible in search engine results pages.
Social Media Promotion. The practice of using social media channels to increase the reach of content.
Fact Checking. The process of verifying the accuracy of facts included in content before publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Features Editor?

A Features Editor is a type of editor responsible for the content of a publication's feature articles which may include news, lifestyle, and opinion pieces.

What responsibilities does a Features Editor have?

The primary responsibility of a Features Editor is to conceptualize, write, and edit feature stories for a publication. They are also responsible for assigning articles, setting deadlines, and maintaining editorial standards.

What qualifications are required to be a Features Editor?

To become a Features Editor, you should have a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field as well as several years of experience in editing and writing. Strong communication and organizational skills are also important.

What is the average salary range for a Features Editor?

The average salary range for a Features Editor is typically between $45,000 and $70,000 per year.

What other roles might a Features Editor take on?

In addition to writing and editing feature articles, a Features Editor might also manage freelancers, create content strategies, and attend industry events. They may also be responsible for coordinating with other departments and managing budgets.