About Freelance Writing Jobs in Oakland, CA
Oakland Freelance Writing Jobs Overview
Writing is vital to communication. Whether writing is for brands, blogs, newspapers, research papers, books, magazines, pamphlets, or instruction manuals, its purpose is to present important information in a clear way that's easy for the intended audience to understand. Although there are many staff writing positions within publications and on marketing and communications teams, many writers opt to go freelance to have more control over their workload, schedules, and assignments. Businesses across industries hire for freelance writing jobs during busy seasons or for substantial yet temporary projects. Freelance writers don't need any specific education or credentials—just a laptop and a love of language.
Freelance writing jobs can be long term, short term, assignment based, or contract based. Some freelance writers work from home, while others briefly join an internal team's office. As a writer, you'll choose or receive an assignment, conduct factual research, write copy, present drafts to editors, and work with editors to form the finished product.
You can expand your search for media jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Oakland, California
If you're considering applying for Oakland jobs, three things you might hear about when you move here are sea monsters, gnomes, and secret staircases. The Oak-ness Monster in Lake Merritt, the only natural saltwater lake located in a city, has remained elusive since its first spotting in the 1940s. Oakland's gnomes are a little easier to find. An anonymous resident has painted and hidden thousands of gnomes all over the city since 2012. While you're looking for a gnome, you might stumble across a secret staircase. Hundreds of shortcut staircases were built a century ago to help streetcar and bus passengers commute from their Oakland jobs to their neighborhoods without having to walk along the city's winding roads.
If you're not in the mood for a scavenger hunt, you can spend a day exploring the banks of Lake Merritt, which includes miles of walking paths, greenspace, and a wildlife refuge. Or you could spend one of Oakland's 260 sunny days a year hiking in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park just outside downtown Oakland. Ready to explore the Oakland area? You can also try expanding your job search to the suburbs of San Leandro, Alameda, and Berkeley.
Update Your Oakland Freelance Writing Resume
We know you're a great writer, but sometimes even the best battle with writer's block. Don't let the struggle to find the right words stop you from writing that outstanding resume. Instead, use Monster's resume samples and writing tips as inspiration. Although not every freelance writing job will ask for a cover letter, when they do, treat it like a writing sample. A cover letter is a chance to introduce your unique voice and show off your creativity. Triple-check your spelling and grammar—you don't want to apply to a writing job and miss simple mistakes. Check out our sample cover letters and advice for writing cover letters for help along the way.
Don't forget to assemble your best and most recent work into a writing portfolio to submit alongside your other application materials. For more tips, check out his article on how to build a portfolio.
How Much Do Freelance Writing Jobs Pay in Oakland, California?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in freelance writing jobs in Oakland, California, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median writer pay in Oakland is $29.60 per hour, which is 16% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Oakland Freelance Writing Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in freelance writing? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those freelance writing jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Oakland, how to nail your job interview, and more.