Technical writers simplify complex information and improve the overall user experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for technical writers will increase by 4% between 2023 and 2033. Technical writers are fundamental to several industries, including IT, health care, finance, marketing and telecommunications.
Our guide provides top interview questions to help you find the best technical writers who'll benefit your organization by adapting to new technologies and industry trends.
Using the STAR Format
The STAR interview format assesses candidates' responses to behavioral questions by focusing on four key elements — situation, task, action and result. Open-ended questions in this format often begin with prompts such as "Can you give an example of when you had to take charge in your previous position?" or “Tell me about a time when you faced a tight deadline. How did you manage it?" or "Have you ever set specific goals for yourself at work? How did you meet your objectives?"
The STAR method allows you to evaluate how candidates managed real-life situations relevant to the role, helping to identify their skills, experience and suitability for the position.
Here are 7 top interview questions to help you find the best technical writing talent:
1. Can you explain your process for creating technical documentation from start to finish?
Technical writers must be knowledgeable of the technical writing process and best practices for each stage.
Why You Should Ask This Question
This question helps assess a candidate's proficiency in tools commonly used for technical writing, such as Document360, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe RoboHelp - Help Authoring Tool, Microsoft Word, Notepad++, Google Docs, SnagIt, Adobe Photoshop and Grammarly.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should highlight their knowledge of the writing process and the commonly used technical writing tools.
2. How do you ensure your technical documentation is accurate and up-to-date?
Studies show that workers can spend up to 2.5 hours daily searching for information. This highlights the importance of well-organized and up-to-date documentation. Statistics also show that 69% of customers want to solve their own problems, which indicates the need for accurate self-service documentation.
Why You Should Ask This Question
This question is important because technical documentation is crucial for all organizations. The candidate should understand the importance of accuracy and clarity in all documents related to internal policies and procedure manuals, invoicing requirements, consumer product assembly instructions and quality standard documentation.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should provide examples of best practices for maintaining accurate documentation and demonstrate knowledge of popular version control systems used in technical writing, such as Git or SVN.
3. Describe a time when you had to write about a topic you weren't initially familiar with. How did you approach this challenge?
The ideal candidate would have the skills to produce content on a wide variety of topics and to write consistently to maintain momentum.
Why You Should Ask This Question
A good technical writer can learn new topics by reading extensively from reputable sources, writing and publishing content to reinforce learning, and using visuals to enhance understanding. They must also have the skills to simplify complex topics to ensure clarity.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should provide an example of how they approach learning about a new technology or product and the research techniques they use to familiarize themselves with new topics.
4. How do you adapt your writing style for different audiences and types of documentation?
There are several types of technical documentation, including:
- Product documentation: Product manuals, repair manuals, user guides, API documentation, SDK documentation
- Process documentation: Project plans, business standards, test schedules
- Sales and marketing documentation: Market requirements documentation, white papers, case studies and proposals
Why You Should Ask This Question
This quesiton can assess whether the candidate understands the different types of technical documents and has the ability to adapt their writing style accordingly.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should provide examples of how writing styles might differ for various types of technical documentation, such as user manuals, API documentation, and technical reports and demonstrate ability to analyze and understand different audience needs.
5. What tools and technologies are you proficient in for technical writing?
Technical writers can use different tools and technologies to create documents.
Why You Should Ask This Question
This question can assess a candidate's proficiency with technical documentation tools and technologies.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should explain the tools and technologies they are proficient in for technical writing. They should also be familiar with emerging technologies and trends in technical writing tools, such as AI-assisted writing or augmented reality documentation.
6. How do you handle conflicting feedback from different stakeholders on your documentation?
Technical writers have to fulfill the requirements and expectations of different stakeholders. They must be able to handle conflicting feedback and have the necessary skills to resolve conflicts.
Why You Should Ask This Question
This question will help assess whether the candidate has the ability to understand the root cause of the issue, communicate their point-of-view effectively and achievie a long-term solution.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should provide a detailed example of conflicting stakeholder feedback and how they navigated it. They should also present different strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution in a professional setting.
7. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in technical writing?
A good technical writer must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
Why You Should Ask This Question
This question will help assess the candidate's motivation and ability to stay up-to-date with best practices and trends in technical writing.
What to Expect from the Candidate
Candidates should provide specific examples of popular technical writing resources, such as influential blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, online communities and other learning resources. They should also highlight the industry conferences they find helpful and certifications that are valuable for technical writers.
Main Takeaways
The technical writing field will continue to experience growth in the years to come, with demand increasing across most industries, including IT, health care, finance, and telecommunications. The new breed of technical writers will also have proficiency in technologies such as AI, augmented reality and the internet of things, as these will shape the future of technical writing.
Top-quality technical writers should:
- Have the required technical and soft skills
- Be proficient in traditional technical writing skills
- Be able to adapt to new tools and technologies
Organizations favor technical writers who commit to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends. Contact our team today to find the best talent in technical writing.
