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Technical Writer Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Technical Writer interview questions and answers.

  1. What motivated you to start a career in technical writing? See answer
  2. What do you consider to be the most vital qualities needed by a technical writer? See answer
  3. Do you prefer to work alone or in a team for technical writing projects? See answer
  4. From your experience, can you describe the day-to-day duties of technical writers? See answer
  5. Describe the common challenges you encounter as a technical writer when gathering information. See answer
  6. What is topic-based authoring? Do you have any experience using it? See answer
  7. What do you understand by call-outs? What is its relevance during technical writing? See answer
  8. Describe the most challenging project you undertook at your previous job. See answer
  9. Describe a recently completed technical writing project and walk me through how you did it.
  10. What are the types of citations you’re familiar with and do you have a preferred style?
  11. Describe a time you experienced challenges working with an expert on a subject. How did you resolve these challenges?
  12. Are there are any differences between a white paper and a blog? If yes, can you describe these differences?
  13. What are the differences between Adobe Framemaker and MS Word? Describe the appropriate time to use both tools. 
  14. What is the document development life cycle? Can you describe the steps it entails?
  15. Is there any technical writing certification you have that allows you to deliver optimal results?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Technical Writer Interview Questions and Answers

What motivated you to start a career in technical writing?

This question also allows you to assess a candidate's passion for technical writing. You can also determine how a candidate remains motivated to achieve impressive results within the field. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Passion for writing 
  • Understanding of the role
  • Ability to motivate themselves

Example:

 “My interest and motivation in technical writing are due to my passion for presenting technical information in simple and clear terms. I understand that access to information is incomplete without understanding such information. So, I look toward delivering complex information concisely and clearly to aid decision making among individuals and companies."

Describe a recently completed technical writing project and walk me through how you did it.

This question allows you to assess a candidate's ability to handle long-term projects and their approach to them. You can also determine a candidate's expertise or experience handling some types of projects. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Experience handling various projects and meeting deadlines 
  • Experience in a specific field 
  • Ability to research

Example:

“At my last workplace, I headed the team that completed a massive catalogue order for new supplies. I carefully researched each item on the list with the help of reliable SMEs. This ensured that I was able to avoid unnecessary errors and complete the order in record time.”

What do you consider to be the most vital qualities needed by a technical writer?

This allows you to assess a candidate's understanding of the job description and requirements. You can determine whether a candidate understands and possesses the qualities required to deliver when employed. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Attention to informational and stylistic detail 
  • Ability to complete a practical and broad research
  • Ability to meet deadlines and comply with instructions 

Example:

“I believe one of the most important qualities needed from a technical writer is a sense of responsibility to meet deadlines and deliver quality work. Beyond this, a technical writer must also possess impressive research skills and organisational ability in technical papers, especially during referencing.”

What are the types of citations you're familiar with and do you have a preferred style?

Referencing is an essential aspect of technical writing. The question aims to determine a candidate's ability to reference technical websites and academic papers. You can also assess whether a candidate has experience using a specific referencing style. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Experience with MLA and APA citations
  • Knowledge of the application of different referencing style 
  • A preferred style for different projects

Example:

“I have considerable experience using MLA and APA citations within my work. However, I prefer the Chicago style for some projects. This is because I get to skip some style formalities while maintaining a unique tone across the task.”

Do you prefer to work alone or in a team for technical writing projects?

Technical writers need to work in a team, especially where the project is large. This allows you to assess a writer's capacity for workplace collabouration. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Experience delegating tasks 
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Ability to develop apt intro and conclusions 

Example:

“While I have no problem working alone on a project, I prefer to work as a member of a team. This is because it usually ensures diversity of perspective and a touch of expertise in the final delivery. Beyond this, I love collabourating on tasks with others because it allows me to learn new things and challenge myself.”

Describe a time when you experienced challenges working with an expert on a subject. How did you resolve these challenges?

Technical writers sometimes need to work with subject-matter experts. You can assess a candidate's ability to work with these professionals and manage difficulties that might arise. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Experience working with subject-matter experts
  • Adaptability overcoming likely scheduling or potential issues 
  • Ability to demonstrate creativity gathering industry-specific data

Example:

“During my last job, I encountered scheduling problems during a project that required an SME. However, I recognised that it was part of the job. As such, I took the initiative and changed my contact hours to favour completing my project. This ensured I could deliver on my task while still maintaining a professional relationship with the SME.”

Are there any differences between a white paper and a blog? If yes, can you describe these differences?

Technical writers usually create different content, such as white papers and blogs. This question allows you to assess a candidate's experience producing various technical content that the company may need. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • In-depth understanding of content creation 
  • Knowledge of the content needs of the company
  • Flexibility and adaptability

Example:

“A blog is usually a write-up that expresses an opinion on a non-technical or technical issue. It often expresses a company's thoughts on a matter. On the other hand, a white paper is a write-up that delivers technical facts about an issue to business or professional audiences.”

From your experience, can you describe the day-to-day duties of technical writers?

Technical writers perform a variety of functions. This question allows you to assess a candidate's understanding of their function as a technical writer. You can also determine a candidate's experience performing daily functions. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • In-depth understanding of a technical writer's duty
  • Experience performing these duties
  • Professionalism

Example:

“I begin each day by creating a documentation strategy that includes the writing expectation and requirements. After this, I prepare a questionnaire and interview the SME. This allows me to gather relevant information to create the first draft. I then complete edit requests from the editor. I can then submit the document for publication.”

Describe the common challenges you encounter as a technical writer when gathering information.

Information gathering requires considerable skills because of the challenges involved. This question allows you to assess a technical writer's ability to solve problems associated with information gathering. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Knowledge of challenges during information gathering
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail

Example:

“I recognise that there are various issues associated with gathering information such as unclear expectations, untrustworthy sources, ill-defined products, improper reviews, and failure to set clear deadlines. As such, I ensure I focus on credible sources, request clear instructions on deadlines, and understand the manager's expectations while following up on feedback to ensure effective delivery.”

What are the differences between Adobe Framemaker and MS Word? Describe the appropriate time to use both tools.

Technical writers use word processing tools to complete their tasks. This question allows you to determine whether a candidate recognises the relevant word processing tools based on their needs. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Experiencing using word processing tools
  • Knowledge of relevant tools based on needs
  • A clear and concise answer

Example:

“I understand both tools are word processing tools. However, they're different based on their application. Generally, MS Word is useful for processing smaller data, while Adobe Framemaker works with complex and large data. For instance, MS Word is more suitable for simple and small word documents, while Adobe Framework works better with web applications.”

What is the document development life cycle? Can you describe the steps it entails?

Clarity is a crucial element during technical writing. This question is vital because it allows you to determine a candidate's knowledge of critical processes that improve clarity in writing. You can also identify a candidate's experience using these processes. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • A clear and concise answer
  • Understanding of processes key to clarity in writing
  • Experience applying DDLC to projects 

Example:

 “Document development life cycle involves developing documents while focusing on improving comprehension and clarity. At my previous job, DDLC was a core part of our projects. It involved requirement analysis, designing stage, creating the content, proofreading or editing, publication, and maintenance of the post.”

What is topic-based authoring? Do you have any experience using it?

This question allows you to determine a candidate's knowledge of the core techniques needed to function as a technical writer. You can also assess their experience using these techniques to deliver results at work. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Understanding of content development techniques
  • Experience applying these techniques
  • Flexibility

Example:

“Topic-based authoring is now a common phenomenon during technical writing. It's a segmental method of content writing and development. Over the last six months, it's been a huge part of my projects, as I develop my content based on certain topics. I've also found it helpful because it allows me to apply my content across various contexts.”

Is there any technical writing certification you have that allows you to deliver optimal results?

This question allows you to determine a candidate's commitment to continuous learning. You also get to identify a candidate's past actions that demonstrate a commitment to staying relevant and updated on new practises. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Dedication to improvement and growth
  • Willingness to learn
  • A clear and concise answer

Example:

“I understand no field is static, so I'm constantly looking to improve myself. I've already taken two technical writing courses from leading institutions in our province. I also constantly attend seminars, workshops, and conferences, allowing me to continually learn something new about technical writing. My commitment to career advancement through continuous learning is unwavering.”

What do you understand by call-outs? What is its relevance during technical writing?

Technical writing involves communicating to a professional audience. This question allows you to determine a candidate's ability to achieve this. You also assess their knowledge of relevant procedures to improve readers' comprehension. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Knowledge of techniques to enhance comprehension
  • Experience applying these procedures to tasks
  • Communication skills

Example:

 “A call-out involves an explanation within a specific part of an image or example. For instance, it provides an explanation to a description using a line, arrow, or number. They are relevant to provide lengthy explanations to multiple labels on an image. Likewise, I often use it to provide clarification to manuals, books, technical specifications, and technical publications.”

Describe the most challenging project you undertook at your previous job.

This helps you assess a candidate's ability to convert complex information into an easily understandable document. You should consider a candidate's experience handling complex tasks and delivering optimal results. What to look for in a successful answer:

  • Attention to detail
  • Creativity 
  • Problem-solving skills

Example:

“The most challenging project I worked on recently was when I had to create a manual from a medical brochure that was over a thousand pages. What made this project even more challenging was the timeline for completion. However, I completed the task by dividing it into parts. Afterward, I identified the relevant information in each part and wrote them out clearly. I eventually appreciated the project, as it improved my research and organisational skills.”

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