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.

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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: Are you willing to relocate?
  • Question Overview: Depending on your business, you may need to hire a technical writer who is willing to relocate. This is especially true if you are a smaller business and cannot afford to pay for relocation costs.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to relocate for the right job opportunity.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to relocate

  • Question: How do you manage multiple tasks?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn more about the candidate's ability to manage their time and workload. Depending on the type of work that you do, it can be a good idea to learn more about how they manage their time.

    Sample Answer: I am very good at managing multiple tasks because I am able to prioritize my workload and work under strict deadlines.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks
    • - Ability to work under strict deadlines
    • - Ability to work with a team

  • Question: What is the difference between journalism and technical writing?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about your candidate's experience in the field. You want to see how they understand the differences between the two fields and how they would apply their skills to your business.

    Sample Answer: Journalism is more focused on the presentation of information, while technical writing is more focused on the accuracy of the information.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with different writing styles
    • - Ability to apply different writing styles to different projects

  • Question: How do you create a new piece of documentation?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn more about the candidate's process for creating a new piece of documentation. The answer should be detailed and specific, especially if they have experience with different types of projects.

    Sample Answer: When I create a new document, I always begin with a thorough outline of the content. I then move on to writing the introduction and conclusion, and then I fill in the body of the document.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A step-by-step process for creating a new document
    • - A process for collaborating with other writers
    • - A process for collaborating with SMEs

  • Question: What was your proudest accomplishment at your last position?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn more about the candidate's professional character and their ability to complete projects with a high level of quality. If they are able to highlight their own accomplishments, it can be a good sign that they are able to work independently and complete projects with a high level of quality.

    Sample Answer: My proudest accomplishment was completing a project on time and within budget. I was able to do this by working closely with my SME and researching the topic thoroughly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to complete projects with a high level of quality
    • - Ability to work independently
    • - Ability to meet deadlines

  • Question: What is your greatest achievement in life?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate's personal life and how they view their own achievements. You want to see how they view their own success, and you can use this information to determine how they will handle their professional life.

    Sample Answer: My greatest achievement in life is my ability to overcome my own personal struggles and become a successful writer.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A positive outlook on life
    • - A desire to succeed in all aspects of life
    • - A willingness to learn from mistakes

  • Question: How do you prioritize your tasks?
  • Question Overview: This question is important because it can show how the candidate prioritizes their work. You want to see that they are able to prioritize tasks according to deadlines and other factors, such as the importance of the project.

    Sample Answer: I prioritize my tasks according to deadlines and the importance of the project. If a project is due in a week, I will focus my efforts on completing that task first.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to adhere to deadlines
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks according to importance and deadline

  • Question: How do you start a doc set from scratch?
  • Question Overview: A technical writer is often responsible for creating a document set from scratch. You want to learn more about how your candidate approaches this task and how they plan their work.

    Sample Answer: I like to start by creating an outline of the project and then filling in the details. I like to use a table of contents to help me organize my work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to plan out the project
    • - Ability to create a table of contents
    • - Ability to create an engaging introduction

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question, and it is important to be honest. You want to learn more about the candidate's ability to overcome their weaknesses and how they will work with your team.

    Sample Answer: I am a perfectionist, and it can sometimes be difficult for me to let go of a project if I feel that it is not perfect.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with others despite a weakness
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes

  • Question: Have you ever had a conflict with your colleague? How did you resolve it?
  • Question Overview: Conflicts can arise in any workplace, and it is important to know how your potential candidate handles them. You want to see how they approach the conflict and how they resolve it.

    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