Careers

If you've got what it takes, we'd like to talk to you about working for Detroit Metro Times - the largest circulation, most-read weekly in metro Detroit.

Detroit Metro Times offers a progressive work environment along with competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance and 401k.

Current Openings

Digital Content Editor

Are you someone with equal love for the Motor City and the internet? Then we’ve got a job for you.

Metro Times is hiring a digital content editor to guide the publication’s online presence. That title is maybe a bit of a misnomer — you won’t be editing so much as strategizing. You’ll be figuring out what we should cover on our website and then working with our small but mighty editorial team to do some of the writing. You’ll craft listicles aimed at helping our readers better understand Detroit. And you’ll be the captain of our social media efforts, sharing our work wherever readers may be lurking (Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, and whatever grows up to finally replace it).

Interested? We’ve got a few bullet points to help you figure out whether we’d be a good match.

The responsibilities you’ll have

• Conceiving and writing original articles and listicles to bring in readers and keep them hooked

• Commissioning photographers to cover Detroit events

• Managing social media, using platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit to connect Metro Times content with readers

• Planning daily and weekly articles to draw people to the site on a regular basis

• Addressing web, social media, and article complaints from the public in a timely fashion

• Crafting headlines for digital audiences

• Working with the editor in chief, achieving pageview, unique visitor, and other monthly goals set by the company

The skills we’re looking for

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with an understanding of the special requirements of writing for the web, such as the use of keywords, hyperlinks, navigation, and the importance of brevity

• Superior spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills

• Outstanding attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively and collaboratively

• Exceptional organizational skills

• Solid online traffic analytical skills enabling adjustment of content production based on site performance and traffic patterns

Could you be the journalist we’re looking for? Email a resume, cover letter, and three samples of published work to Editor in Chief Lee DeVito at apply@metrotimes.com. Questions are also welcome via email.

And to answer one right off the bat: Yes, our staff works from home, and we relish the flexibility in that. But we need someone who lives in the Detroit area or is willing to move there. We’re hyperlocal; you should be too.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Staff Writer

Do you know Detroit? Are you a news junkie with an opinion on everything?

Metro Times, Detroit’s alternative weekly, is seeking a full-time staff writer to join our scrappy team.

The ideal candidate is a naturally curious self-starter with their fingers on the pulse of what makes the Motor City tick — someone driven and eager to file multiple stories a day, whether it be their own reporting or adding context or commentary to the latest breaking news.

Other skills we’re looking for:

• Excellent writing skills including an understanding of best practices for writing for the web.

• A deep knowledge of Detroit, the surrounding area, and its people.

• Experience covering hard news and a good sense of newsworthiness.

• Ability to write quickly when the story warrants it.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Familiarity with the Metro Times voice and brand.

• Bonus points if you have a strong social media presence and feel comfortable talking about your stories on TikTok, though candidates from all backgrounds will be considered.

The position comes with a competitive salary and benefits that include paid time off, a 401K, and health insurance. Our staff works from home.

If you’re intrigued, please send a cover letter, resume, and clips to editor-in-chief Lee DeVito: apply@metrotimes.com.

Sales/Advertising

"Sick of working hard and making peanuts? You want to be rewarded for the effort you put in? You ready and want to engage with folks and join a really awesome company? Then stop pouring those drinks, serving that food, and get ready to sell your ass off instead!! Detroit Metro Times is looking for engaging, dynamic, and hard-working folks to join our advertising sales team! No sales experience is necessary, but is a plus; we will train the right people." Apply here.

Circulation Drivers

Deliver Metro Times every week! Metro Times' Circulation Department is looking for qualified independently contracted drivers with newspaper experience to deliver Metro Times on Wednesdays in metro-Detroit (including the city and several surrounding suburban areas). Must have a van or pick-up truck and valid driver's license and insurance. Positions available immediately. Please call Annie O’Brien, Circulation Director, at 313-202-8049, or e-mail at annieo@metrotimes.com.

Production Interns

Hours needed: 10-15 hrs per week. Hours are flexible. A commitment of twelve (12) weeks or more is required.

Mondays - 1pm-6pm
Tuesdays - 1pm-6pm
Fridays - 1pm-6pm

Duties Include:
• Assisting in all aspects of the production process.
• Checking in ads to be worked on.
• Processing emailed artwork.
• Processing pick up ads and simple ad changes.
• Cross checking ad manifests to ensure accuracy.
• Upkeep & maintenance as directed of past issue library, ad archives, production server, and ad proofs folders.
• Ad design & production.
• Producing concepts for MT events, logos, promotions, in house creative material, etc.
• Taking part in group brainstorming sessions & critiques.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for an MT production intern is a BFA candidate with the desire to learn about professional graphic design and the
production process of a weekly newspaper. The intern will learn to manage their time effectively and work within the deadline cycle. Talent and enthusiasm for art & graphic design is a must. Interns will receive art direction from the production manager, creative director and the other designers, but will also be expected to independently produce solutions to creative problems.

Required Skills:
Proficiency in Adobe CS4 software, especially Photoshop, Indesign, and Illustrator
Excellent writing & verbal communication skills
Great work ethic and time management skills
HTML & web design skills a plus

The production department at the Metro Times is a fun and challenging work environment. It is the perfect place for a design student to learn, develop their portfolio, network with industry professionals, and develop new skills that they will carry with them throughout their career. This is an unpaid internship. Students MUST receive credit for this internship.

Please email resume, cover letter and samples for review to Haimanti Germain at production@metrotimes.com.