Relevant qualifications for web editing
When identifying someone to perform the essential work of building and maintaining a website, it is preferable to look for candidates with technical, web, and communications-related experience. In most cases, you won't need someone with a web development or programming background - these candidates tend to be in high demand, and programming experience is not necessary for using centrally-supported platforms like the WMS.
For general site building, editing, and maintenance work, a site builder, site manager, or web editor profile is best. This often includes the following qualifications:
- Experience building websites using the administration interface of tools like Drupal, WordPress, or Squarespace
- Strong understanding of web writing and usability principles
- General aptitude for learning complex user interfaces and technical tasks
- Basic understanding of HTML and CSS
- Ability to keep up with and adapt to best practices, regulatory changes, and institutional standards for site and content management
You may also wish your web editor to have experience in:
- Email marketing
- Promotional writing or editing
- Content optimization (SEO)
- Photo editing or design
Note that someone with a design profile may bring useful skills (photo editing) and a strong aesthetic sense to the job. However, web designers often expect that others will build or develop their designs. The WMS will also limit design choices (colors, headers, footers, and typography options are all pre-set), which means that many UI design competencies aren't needed. Be sure that candidates are prepared to build layouts and menus using a platform with a pre-established design.
Sample Work Study posting
15 hours per week (average) for 14 weeks of work.
Duties: We are looking for students to work part-time on McGill websites. Any experience related to websites or graphics is an asset.
The candidate should be able to:
- Research and write web content
- Edit web content for clarity and accuracy
- Crop, edit, and resize images using Photoshop or other image program
- Review Google Analytics reports and provide basic interpretation of findings
- Create web pages and layout elements using McGill's Squarespace-like site building tool (no HTML/CSS/programming necessary; training provided)
- Recruit fellow students to provide feedback or fill in surveys about site usability
Other requirements:
Strong command of written and spoken English. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Ability to contextualize and execute tasks within broader project goals. Understanding of web usability or user-focused design principles would be an asset.