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: 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 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 would you do if you witnessed an employee in a secure area without their badge or visitor's badge?
  • Question Overview: This question is meant to gauge the candidate's ability to follow security protocols. You want to hire someone who is not only aware of the rules but also willing to follow them.

    Sample Answer: I would ask the employee for their badge and escort them out of the secure area.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to follow security protocols
    • - Ability to follow instructions from supervisors

  • 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 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 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 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: 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: 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 do you think you can bring to this company?
  • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it allows you to learn more about the candidate's professional goals. You can also learn more about their personal goals, which can be a good indicator of their work ethic.

    Sample Answer: I think that I can bring my experience in technical writing to your company and help you achieve your goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Professional goals
    • - Personal goals

  • Question: What type of management style do you prefer to work under?
  • Question Overview: Depending on the size of your business, you may have to work with a variety of different management styles. You want to make sure that your candidate is comfortable with the management style that you use.

    Sample Answer: I prefer a management style that is open and honest about the expectations of my position.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with a variety of management styles
    • - Ability to work well with a team
    • - Ability to work independently

  • 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: Can you give me an example where you had to learn something new, although you were not previously prepared to do this task?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate's ability to learn new skills and adapt to new situations. You want to see how they handle the unexpected, especially in a professional setting.

    Sample Answer: I once had to learn how to use a new software program for a project, and I was able to complete the task in a timely manner.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to learn new skills quickly
    • - Ability to adapt to new situations

  • Question: Can you handle working on multiple projects simultaneously?
  • Question Overview: Depending on the size of your business, you may need to have a writer who can work on multiple projects at once. You want to make sure that your candidate is able to handle the workload, especially if they are new to the field.

    Sample Answer: I have worked on multiple projects at once before, and I am used to handling several tasks at once.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with multiple projects and deadlines
    • - Dedication to proper research for the task
    • - Experience in your specific field of focus

  • Question: What hands on experience do you have?
  • Question Overview: You want to make sure that your candidate has experience in the field of technical writing. You can learn more about their specific experience by asking them to describe their work history.

    Sample Answer: I have worked as a technical writer for over five years, and I have experience with a wide variety of projects.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with different projects and deadlines
    • - Dedication to proper research for the task
    • - Experience in your specific field of focus

  • 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: Why are you leaving your current job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a bit of a catch-all for any potential problems that the candidate has had with their previous employer. You want to be sure that they have a good reason for leaving, and you can learn more about their character through their response.

    Sample Answer: I am leaving my current job because I want to expand my knowledge of the field and work in a new location.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire for more responsibility
    • - A desire to work in a different industry
    • - A desire to work in a different location

  • Question: How did you feel about the writing assignment?
  • Question Overview: This question is meant to gauge the candidate's attitude towards their work. You want to see that they are dedicated to their work and that they take pride in their projects.

    Sample Answer: I was excited about the writing assignment because it allowed me to learn more about the field of technical writing and apply my research skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude towards the project
    • - Enjoyment of the work
    • - Dedication to the project

  • 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