Content designer recruitment task instructions

We gave candidates an editing task to do at home. We wanted to see if people could follow instruction and learn new skills, then use them to make content better.

The task is designed to be transparent. The instructions are the mark scheme. We tested the instructions before we advertised the entry-level role.

Introduction

Edit the content to:

• make it easy to read and understand (Hemingway grade 7 or lower)
• delete as much as you can: make it shorter and keep the original meaning
• correct any spelling or grammar errors: if there’s more than one right way to do something, check it’s consistent
• format it in an accessible way: check headings, bullet points and links

Word processor

Use Microsoft Word if you have it. If you do not, Libre Office is free on Windows or MacOS.

If you are using a phone or tablet, you can use Google Docs.

Easy to read and understand

Hemingway editor will show you bits of the text that are harder to read and understand. It will give you a reading grade number. Aim for grade 7 or lower in this task.

The A to Z of alternative words (Plain English campaign) will help you to swap complicated words for simple ones that mean the same thing.

List of metaphors (BBC Bitesize) to help you to find the ones in the text and remove them.

Accessible formatting

Accessible Word Documents (Web Aim) shows you how to format your document with accessible:

• heading styles
• bulleted lists
• link text

Accessible formatting in Word video (YouTube)

Accessible formatting in Word video transcript (Google Drive)