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Writer, Beauty & Personal Care

The New York Times
Full-time
On-site
New York, United States
✍️ Copywriting & Content Writing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Writer, Beauty & Personal Care

πŸ”Ή Company: The New York Times

πŸ”Ή Location: New York, NY

πŸ”Ή Job Type: On-site

πŸ”Ή Category: Journalism & Writing

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 10, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 2-5 years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Writing in-depth guides and articles on beauty and personal care products
  • Conducting rigorous testing and research to evaluate products
  • Collaborating with team members and editors to create content
  • Attending industry events and building contacts
  • Adhering to journalistic standards and ethics

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the beauty and personal care industry, as well as excellent writing and research skills. The ideal candidate will be passionate about beauty products and have a critical eye for marketing claims.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Research, report, and write long-form guides and short-form posts on beauty and personal care products

βœ… Request and process product samples for testing

βœ… Call experts, review academic journal articles, and scan user reviews to gather information

βœ… Collaborate with editors to conceive new content and move ideas from pitch to publish

βœ… Collaborate with photo, video, and illustration departments to produce visuals

βœ… Partner with discovery and audience teams to identify trends and outside experts worth profiling

βœ… Respond to reader feedback and questions, and work with affiliate and operations teams on product orders and testing plans

βœ… Attend trade shows and product news events to build contacts and expertise

βœ… Perform related work as assigned

βœ… Demonstrate support for the company's mission and journalistic independence

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of independent research and collaboration with team members. The writer will spend a significant portion of their time researching, testing, and writing, but will also need to work well with others to bring ideas to life.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related field

Experience: 2+ years of professional writing experience

Required Skills:

  • Excellent writing and research skills
  • Firm grasp of the beauty and personal care product landscape
  • Strong understanding of industry trends
  • Ability to apply a skeptic's eye to marketing claims
  • Comfortable with detailed research and data organization
  • Knowledge of SEO from an editorial perspective
  • Ability to work through multiple rounds of edits

Preferred Skills:

  • Inherent skepticism of marketing claims and commitment to reporting, accuracy, and ethics

ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, equivalent experience and a strong portfolio may be considered. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of writing about beauty and personal care products and a passion for the industry.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,316.80 - $82,000 USD per year

Benefits:

  • Competitive benefits package
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Employee discounts on New York Times products

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's pay transparency statement. However, the actual salary may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Newspaper Publishing

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 1851

Company Description:

  • Founded in 1851, The New York Times is a leading global news organization
  • Committed to independent journalism and seeking the truth
  • Offers a wide range of products and services, including print and digital news, magazines, and events

Company Specialties:

  • Journalism
  • Content creation
  • Digital media
  • Event planning

Company Website: http://www.nytco.com/careers

ASSUMPTION: The New York Times is a well-established and respected news organization with a strong commitment to journalistic integrity. This role offers the opportunity to work for a prestigious company and contribute to its mission of seeking the truth and helping people understand the world.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Editorial Director

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to advance to senior writer or editor roles
  • Opportunities to work on special projects or events
  • Chance to develop expertise in a specific area of beauty or personal care

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and development within the company. With strong performance, the writer may have the chance to take on more responsibilities or move into a management role.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office

Office Location(s): 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018, US

Geographic Context:

  • New York City is a major global hub for media and entertainment
  • The office is located in Midtown Manhattan, near Times Square
  • The area offers a wide range of cultural, dining, and entertainment options

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The office environment is professional and collaborative, with a focus on open communication and teamwork. The location in Midtown Manhattan offers easy access to public transportation and a wide range of amenities.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application and resume submission
  • Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
  • In-person or video interview with the editorial director and other team members
  • Writing test or assignment
  • Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Writing and research skills
  • Industry knowledge and passion for beauty and personal care
  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently
  • Alignment with the company's mission and values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
  • Include examples of your writing on beauty and personal care products
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to researching and testing products
  • Show enthusiasm for the role and the company's mission

ATS Keywords: beauty, personal care, writing, research, journalism, New York Times, product testing, collaboration, content creation

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and qualifications through a writing test or assignment. The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's writing and research skills, as well as their fit with the company's culture and mission.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Google Workspace
  • Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
  • SEO tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs)
  • Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

ASSUMPTION: The writer will use a variety of tools and technologies to conduct research, create content, and engage with readers. Familiarity with these tools is preferred, but not required.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Independence
  • Quality
  • Integrity
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation

Work Style:

  • Fast-paced and dynamic
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Focused on delivering high-quality journalism
  • Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you have a strong understanding of the beauty and personal care industry and a passion for writing about it?
  • Are you comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment?
  • Do you share The New York Times' commitment to independent journalism and seeking the truth?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be a strong writer and researcher with a deep understanding of the beauty and personal care industry. They will be comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and share The New York Times' commitment to independent journalism and seeking the truth.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Working on tight deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously
  • Keeping up with the latest trends and products in the beauty and personal care industry
  • Balancing journalistic integrity with commercial considerations
  • Navigating a large and complex organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work for a prestigious news organization and contribute to its mission of seeking the truth and helping people understand the world. However, it also presents challenges related to working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects, and navigating a large organization.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is similar to other writing and reporting positions in the journalism and media industries
  • However, it is unique in its focus on the beauty and personal care industry and the opportunity to work for a prestigious news organization
  • Career paths for this role may include advancing to senior writer or editor positions, or moving into a management role

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other writing and reporting positions, it is unique in its focus on the beauty and personal care industry and the opportunity to work for a prestigious news organization. The career path for this role may include advancing to senior writer or editor positions, or moving into a management role.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Writing an in-depth guide to the best skincare products for oily skin
  • Creating a roundup of the latest and greatest beauty products for a specific season
  • Writing a feature story on the science behind a popular beauty trend

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of writing and research opportunities available in this role. The writer will have the chance to work on a variety of projects, from in-depth guides to shorter feature stories.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • What are the most important qualities you're looking for in a candidate for this role?
  • How does this role fit into the broader editorial strategy for Wirecutter?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the beauty and personal care industry today, and how can this role help address them?
  • How does The New York Times support the professional development and growth of its writers?
  • What is the team's approach to collaboration and feedback?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help the candidate better understand the role, the team, and the company's priorities. They will also demonstrate the candidate's interest in and enthusiasm for the role.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through http://www.nytco.com/careers
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
  • Prepare examples of your writing on beauty and personal care products
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to researching and testing products
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.