Above the Fold
Above the Fold refers to the upper half of a newspaper's front page - the part that's visible when the paper is folded and displayed on a newsstand. This term has become extremely important in digital publishing too, where it means the part of a webpage that people see first without scrolling down. When someone says they have "Above the Fold experience," they understand how to organize the most important content to catch readers' attention immediately, whether in print or digital format. It's similar to "prime real estate" in content layout, as it's the first thing readers see.
Examples in Resumes
Redesigned Above the Fold content to increase newspaper sales by 25%
Managed Above the Fold story selection and layout for major breaking news events
Created engaging Above the Fold digital layouts that increased website engagement by 40%
Typical job title: "Layout Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Layout Editors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you decide what content goes above the fold in both print and digital formats?
Expected Answer: A senior editor should discuss news value assessment, reader engagement metrics, and how they balance breaking news with planned content. They should also mention digital analytics and how they use data to make placement decisions.
Q: How has your approach to above the fold content changed with the rise of mobile devices?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of how different devices affect content visibility, responsive design principles, and how to prioritize content across multiple platforms while maintaining editorial standards.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when designing above the fold content?
Expected Answer: Should mention reader attention patterns, importance of headlines, visual hierarchy, and how they balance text with images to create engaging layouts.
Q: How do you measure the success of above the fold content?
Expected Answer: Should discuss metrics like reader engagement, time spent on page, bounce rates for digital content, and sales/pickup rates for print publications.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What makes a good above the fold layout?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic principles of visual hierarchy, importance of clear headlines, and how to organize content to grab reader attention.
Q: How do print and digital above the fold strategies differ?
Expected Answer: Should understand the basic differences between print and digital layouts, including screen sizes, scrolling behavior, and how readers consume content differently on each platform.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic layout principles
- Understanding of news value
- Simple digital content placement
- Basic photo selection
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced layout design
- Multi-platform content strategy
- Analytics interpretation
- Breaking news layout management
Senior (5+ years)
- Editorial strategy development
- Team leadership and training
- Cross-platform content optimization
- Innovation in digital layouts
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of different device layouts
- Lack of experience with both print and digital formats
- Unable to explain basic layout principles
- No knowledge of content analytics or metrics
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