Top Technical Writer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Technical Writer interview by going through these most asked Technical Writer interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate's interest in your company. You want to see that they have done their research and understand the company's mission and goals.

    Sample Answer: I have been interested in your company for some time. I have read about your history and have been impressed with your dedication to customer service. I would like to work for you because I would like to be a part of your team.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company's history
    • - A desire to work with the company's products or services
    • - A desire to work for a specific department

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it can give you a good idea of the candidate's long-term career goals. It can also help you to see how they plan for their future.

    Sample Answer: I would like to continue working in the field of technical writing and eventually become a technical writer for a major publication.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to grow within the company
    • - A desire to work in the same field
    • - A desire to expand their skill set

  • Question: What are your thoughts on telecommuting?
  • Question Overview: Depending on the nature of your business, you may want to know more about the candidate's thoughts on telecommuting. This can help you determine whether they are a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with telecommuting, and I prefer it to working in an office because I can complete my work without interruptions.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work independently
    • - Dedication to deadlines and specific instructional requirements

  • Question: What is the first word that comes to your mind when you think about yourself?
  • Question Overview: This question is a simple way to learn more about the candidate's personality. You want to see how they present themselves and what they value in their own character.

    Sample Answer: When I think about myself, I think of dedication and passion.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence
    • - Dedication
    • - Passion

  • Question: How do you work with SMEs who are not co-located in the same space?
  • Question Overview: Working with an SME who is not co-located can be a challenge for a technical writer. You want to make sure that your candidate has experience with this type of collaboration and can explain how they overcame any difficulties.

    Sample Answer: I have worked as a part of a team before, and I prefer it to working alone because I enjoy collaborating on projects with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good interpersonal and communication skills
    • - Experience with task delegation
    • - Ability to establish clear introductions and conclusions for other writers

  • Question: What can you do for this company?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it can help you learn more about the candidate's goals and how they plan to achieve them. You can also learn more about their professional character, especially if they have a specific plan for your company.

    Sample Answer: I can help this company by improving its online presence and making it easier for customers to find the information they need.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Goals for the company
    • - Specifics on how they plan to achieve them

  • Question: What else can you do other than writing?
  • Question Overview: Technical writers are often required to perform other tasks, such as editing, proofreading, and formatting. You want to make sure that your candidate is well-rounded in their abilities and can handle any task that comes their way.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with editing and proofreading, as well as formatting documents. I have also worked on other writing projects in the past.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with editing and proofreading
    • - Ability to format documents
    • - Experience with other writing projects

  • Question: What are your plans to get up to speed with these new technologies?
  • Question Overview: As a technical writer, you will often be required to learn new technologies and software. You want to make sure that your candidate is willing to learn and is not afraid of new challenges.

    Sample Answer: I have been learning more about the latest in software and technology for the past few years. I am always willing to learn more about new programs and how they can be implemented in my work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn new technologies quickly
    • - Experience with different software programs
    • - Willingness to learn new technologies

  • Question: What is your expected salary?
  • Question Overview: This is a tricky question to answer, especially if you are just starting out. You want to be honest about your expected salary, but you also want to be realistic. If you are just starting out, it is okay to say that you are looking for a salary in the range of $30,000 to $40,000.

    Sample Answer: I am looking for a salary in the range of $30,000 to $40,000.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Salary expectations

  • Question: Why did you choose to be a technical writer?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question because it allows you to learn more about the candidate's professional history and their motivations for entering the field. You can also learn more about their interests and how they have developed over time.

    Sample Answer: I have always been interested in writing and technology, so I decided to pursue a career as a technical writer.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Interest in the field
    • - Familiarity with the industry
    • - Previous experience in the field

  • Question: What is the easiest thing about programming?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about programming. You want to see if they have a clear understanding of the basics of programming and the concepts that are easy to grasp.

    Sample Answer: The easiest thing about programming is the ability to create a program that does exactly what you want it to do.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Basic knowledge of programming
    • - Ability to understand basic concepts

  • Question: What is your background?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn more about the candidate's background and how it relates to the position. It is important to know if they have experience in your specific field of focus.

    Sample Answer: I have a degree in technical writing from a local university and have worked in the field for over three years.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in your specific field of focus
    • - Education
    • - Experience with similar positions

  • Question: What is your experience with following procedures you didn't agree with?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to learn more about the candidate's ability to work with a team. You want to see how they handle themselves in a situation where they are not in complete agreement with the company's procedures.

    Sample Answer: I have worked as a part of a team before, and I prefer it to working alone because I enjoy collaborating on projects with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good interpersonal and communication skills
    • - Ability to establish clear introductions and conclusions for other writers

  • Question: How do you deal with difficult people?
  • Question Overview: Difficult people are a part of the workplace, and you want to know how the candidate will handle them. A good answer will demonstrate that they are able to work with difficult people in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I am always willing to work with difficult people, especially when it comes to my job. I believe that everyone has their own unique perspective on a project, and I am always willing to listen to their ideas.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good interpersonal and communication skills
    • - Ability to establish clear introductions and conclusions for other writers

  • Question: What is your writing style?
  • Question Overview: A technical writer's writing style is often a reflection of their personality and their ability to present information in an engaging fashion. You want to learn more about the candidate's experience with different writing styles, especially if you're looking for someone to write content for a specific audience.

    Sample Answer: My writing style is professional and engaging. I am able to adapt my writing style to fit the needs of my audience.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to write in a professional tone
    • - Ability to write in a casual tone
    • - Ability to write in a technical tone

  • Question: If you saw an injustice in the office, what would you do?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn more about the candidate's moral compass and how they handle conflict. If they are not willing to stand up for what they believe in, then you may have a problem with them in the future.

    Sample Answer: If I saw an injustice in the office, I would try to resolve it by talking with my supervisor and other employees involved.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Ability to handle conflict
    • - Ability to work with a team

  • Question: Give an example of a time when you have volunteered to do extra work.
  • Question Overview: Volunteering for extra work is a good way to show your dedication to the job. You want to see that your candidate is willing to go the extra mile for their work.

    Sample Answer: I volunteered to take on a project that was not part of my job description because I wanted to help out my coworkers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Dedication to the job
    • - Willingness to go the extra mile

  • Question: Tell me about a difficult writing project you've worked on.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how the candidate reacts to difficult situations. You want to see how they handle the pressure of a project and how they deal with the stress of a deadline.

    Sample Answer: I once had to write a technical paper for an important client, and I had to do so in only two days. I was able to complete the project on time by working with my team and SME.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with a team
    • - Ability to work with a SME
    • - Ability to work under pressure

  • Question: How would you write a clear error message?
  • Question Overview: Technical writers should be able to write clear and concise error messages. This is especially true for software and other digital products. You want to make sure that your candidate is familiar with the proper format for these messages and can provide examples of their work.

    Sample Answer: The first step in writing a clear error message is to identify the problem. Then, you want to make sure that you are as clear as possible in your language. For example, "An error has occurred" is a vague statement that does not provide any information about the problem. Instead, you want to be more specific in your language, such as "The file you are trying to open is corrupted."

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with error message writing
    • - Familiarity with different types of software and digital products
    • - Ability to adhere to specific guidelines