The Answer Key to 30 Common Writer Interview Questions
Nervous about an upcoming interview for a writing position? Learn what key things to say when asked these common questions.
Best way to beat your nerves is to practice and prepare your answers. While you may not get asked all of these questions, you’ll likely run into several.
In this post, we’ll go over how to best answer 30 common questions that may come up during an interview or discovery call. For insights about why an interviewer is asking these questions, click here.
How to Answer 30 Writer Interview Questions Like a Pro
Even though we try to be as specific as possible in this answer key, there will always be some nuances between niches, specialties and your specific skills.
Each answer has a section called “Important Things to Mention in Your Answer.” Use that as an outline and expand upon each of those bullet points, if you can.
Question 1: What experience do you have that is similar to this project or role?
The answer: Keep your answer as succinct and relevant as possible. If you don’t have a lot of similar experience, think about projects you worked on that had similar goals, audiences, challenges or niches.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Goal of the project
What you were tasked to do
Target audience
Your strategy for success
Results (if available)
Question 2: How are you different from other writers?
The answer: You never want to put other people down or sound cocky, but it’s okay to highlight the areas where you outperform. Your answer could be about your writing skills, work ethic, discipline or passion to name a few.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Willingness to learn
Ability to adapt
Open-mindedness
1-3 specific qualities
Question 3: What are your strengths?
The answer: Again, don’t feel like you have to keep it to just your skills as a writer. Think about your strengths as a whole person or, at least, as a whole professional. The interviewer may be open to hearing about strengths related to how you work with others, how fast you turn in projects and other non-writing things.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
How your strengths are an asset to the company
How your strengths are an asset to the position
How your strengths will help the day-to-day operations
Question 4: What are your weaknesses?
The answer: It’s up to you if you want to stick with professional weaknesses (like lack of experience in a skillset) or also operational weaknesses (like working at a slower pace). The main thing is to show honesty and integrity.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Willingness to improve
Willingness to learn
Your plan to overcome these weaknesses
Question 5: Why are you interested in this position or project?
The answer: Try to demonstrate that you did your homework researching this company prior to the interview. Even if you have 20 interviews or discovery calls lined up, make them feel like they are the only one on your mind.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Details about the position
Details about the company
How you are a good fit for the position
How you would be an asset to the company
Question 6: What has made your work successful?
The answer: You need to show that you have a strategy when approaching a project. Even if you haven’t had big successes, you can mention how happy previous clients were or how well you were able to meet project goals.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Specific projects (if applicable)
Specific tactics and strategies
Industry best practices that you use
How you think and work through projects to make them the best they can be
Question 7: How do you measure success in your work?
The answer: If you can, familiarize yourself with writing industry jargon and notable metrics. This will showcase that you know how to analyze your work, not just write it.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Results of your work (if applicable)
What previous clients or teammates have said about your work
Metrics related to your writing (if applicable)
What things you look for when analyzing the success of your work
How you go about analyzing performance
Question 8: What skills does a strong writer possess?
The answer: Whatever skills and qualities you mention, try to tie it back to how you fit the bill. To take it a step further, talk about how these qualities or skills will benefit the company or team.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Which qualities you possess
Specific writing skills
Qualities outside of writing skills
Your willingness to adapt and improve
Question 9: How do you stay up to date with writing practices?
The answer: The more specific you can be with influencer names and book titles, the better. Keep a short list of resources on hand. Remember titles and what specific information was helpful to you.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Courses you’ve taken
Certifications you’ve received
Books you’ve read
People you follow on social media, email lists, etc.
Question 10: What writer do you idolize and why?
The answer: Aside from another writer, you could also be asked “What marketing professional/industry leader do you idolize?” Regardless, try to be as specific as possible.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Specific names of writers
Why you idolize them
How they’ve been successful
How you strive to emulate them
Their shortcomings and how you want to avoid them (if applicable)
How you stay engaged with the writer and/or the industry
Question 11: What books on writing have you read, and which was the most helpful?
The answer: Books, podcasts and even courses might be fair game here. Always keep a list of helpful resources you’ve read or used.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Specific titles
Specific details
How each resource helped you in a unique way
What you took away from these resources
Question 12: Why do you think you are a good fit for our company?
The answer: Showcase how much research you did about this company. Make it sound like you spent a long time combing through their stuff.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
How your strengths are an asset to them
Specifics about the company
Specifics about the position
Notable projects that the company worked on
How these projects mesh well with your skills
How company values align with your own
Word-for-word concepts and keywords that were used in the job post
Question 13: How do you work best?
The answer: Try to make it clear that the way you work will jive well with how the company works. You’re entering their world, so try to be flexible.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Willingness to adapt
Your flexibility
Your ability to work on a team
Your ability to get your work done
How you don’t need hand-holding and/or babysitting
How you stay on top of tasks
Strategies for staying focused (if applicable)
What you need from the company or team to succeed
Question 14: Who do you follow in the industry?
The answer: Try to showcase that you are constantly learning new things and stay up to date with writing best practices. This is a good place to reiterate your open-mindedness.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Industry leaders (perhaps in their industry)
Writing industry leaders
Your willingness to learn
Your willingness to stay open-minded
Specific things you’ve learned from industry leaders
Question 15: What are some of your favorite ads, campaigns, books, etc?
The answer: Again, it’s important to talk about how you are constantly learning and how you like to learn from others. Your answer should also reflect your ability to identify and define industry tactics and best practices.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Specific companies
Specific ad campaigns, books, etc.
Why you appreciate them
Why they worked so well
What insight you gained from them
How you emulate those tactics in your work
Specific projects the company worked on (if you can be authentic)
Question 16: What is your ideal work environment?
The answer: Sure, you can state how you work best, but also keep in mind that this company may have existing systems in place. Emphasize your ability to slide into their operations without much disruption.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Your willingness to adapt
Your ability to be flexible
How you work best in a team environment
How you work best when working alone
Question 17: What information do you need to know before starting a project?
The answer: Show them that you completely understand what you need to create a successful piece. The more thorough and systematic you seem, the better!
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Industry and project-related jargon (if applicable)
Details about what you need
Details about how specific things need to be
When you need this information
Ideal way to receive this information (via email, via a brief, etc.)
Question 18: What are your turnaround times?
The answer: While you shouldn’t lie, you need to make it seem like you are efficient and able to keep things moving. Faster turnaround times are a better service, as long as the work remains high quality (and you don’t overstress yourself).
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Estimated turnaround times, depending on the project
What happens if they need a rush order
Rush fees (if applicable)
What information you need before you can begin writing
Question 19: Can you explain your writing process from start to finish?
The answer: Be detailed but concise. Show them that you know how this whole process works. They’ll probably want more than, “I write the blog and then submit it to you.” Your answer here is particularly important if the company or client has never worked with a writer. They may have no clue how writing projects go.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
A step-by-step process
How you gather all the necessary information
When the actual writing starts
How you go about revisions
How you communicate with clients or teammates during the process
How you know when a project is 100% complete
Payment methods and timelines
Question 20: What is your editing process?
The answer: Reassure the interviewer that you are a total professional. Sure, revisions will need to be made, but make it clear that they won’t be editing spelling or grammatical errors in your work.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
How your writing will be spotless, even from the “first draft”
How easy the editing process is
How fast you can turnaround revisions and edits
What edits the client or company will likely be requesting
What edits the client or company will not be requesting (they won’t be fixing spelling or stupid mistakes)
Question 21: How do you find credible information?
The answer: Even if your process to find credible information is quick and simple, make it sound like you take it seriously.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Your vetting process
Your criteria for high-quality citations
Specific trusted companies, sites and sources (if applicable)
Question 22: How do you know how to resonate with the right audience?
The answer: It’s important to be able to tell the interviewer what information you need and how you typically get that information. If you have previous experience with this target audience, you could mention that as well.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Specific facts you know about the target audience
Specific things you know that work
Specific things you know that don’t work
How you modify your writing to fit the audience
How you gather information
Question 23: How much work are you able to take on at one time?
The answer: You need to be honest. While you want to prove that you are efficient, you don’t want to overpromise and underdeliver.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Projects may take more time in the beginning
Once you’re comfortable with the process and material, projects may become quicker
How you meet demands (staying organized, prioritizing projects, etc.)
A comfortable number of simultaneous projects for you
A comfortable turnaround schedule
Willingness to adapt
Question 24: What writing training, education or certifications do you have?
The answer: Try to reassure the interviewer that you know what you’re doing. Or at least, that you have the resources to successfully do the job. If your training or skills are a little thin, you could mention your willingness to learn, grow and adapt.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Formal education or training (if applicable)
On-the-job experience
Related projects you’ve worked on
Related non-writing skills you possess
How your skills, experience and education are an asset to the position
Question 25: How do you ensure your work is error free?
The answer: Reassure the interviewer that you’re not some lazy, sloppy writer. Even if you tend to be sloppy, talk about how you clean up your work prior to sending the piece.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Your editing process prior to submitting the work
Editing tools you use (if applicable)
Attention to detail
Willingness to provide high-quality work
Willingness to provide a seamless and productive workflow
Question 26: How do you juggle simultaneous projects?
The answer: Make it clear that multiple projects won’t lessen the quality of your writing. Be honest with how much work you can realistically take on, but reassure them that it can be handled.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Tools you use to stay organized
How you go about planning your day, week or month
What happens when they come to you with a new project
A systemic writing process that you follow
Question 27: How do you incorporate feedback into your work?
The answer: Reassure them that the feedback process will be smooth and productive. Try to talk about how you will balance what the client wants with what you think is best to make the work successful.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Preferred way to receive feedback
Estimated turnaround time for revisions
How you are willing to provide rationale for your choices
How you are focused on creating an effective piece of writing work
Question 28: What happens if you don’t agree with certain feedback?
The answer: Talk about how you strive to strike a balance between giving the client what they want while still writing something that effectively achieves the project goals. Emphasize that you are able to provide rationale for every part of your writing.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
You value their opinion
You want the writing to be effective and perform well for them
There is a reason behind every word, every sentence, etc.
Willingness to find common ground
Question 29: How do you capture a brand’s tone or voice in your writing?
The answer: Explain that you will ask all the questions you need to deliver the kind of writing they’re looking for.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Similar projects you’ve worked on and what you did
Willingness to learn about the brand
Willingness to emulate current company writing (if applicable)
Question 30: How do you keep a reader engaged with your writing?
The answer: Even if you’re a pro, make it clear that you approach every new project with the same desire to succeed. Talk about your willingness to analyze company competitors and metrics to determine how to create an engaging piece of content.
Important Things to Mention in Your Answer:
Paying attention to the target audience
Specific methods you know work well with the target audience (if applicable)
Similar projects you’ve worked on
Things to Remember When Answering Questions in a Writer Interview
If you’re nervous during an interview, it’s okay. But you may feel way better if you take the time to write down your answers to these questions, rather than just go through them in your head.
In your next interview, you may get asked all of these questions or none of them, but preparing these answers will prime your mind with thoughtful, tailored responses.
I hope this answer key empowers you and makes you think about how to stand out. Good luck on your interview!
