9 common interview questions for writers (and how to answer them)

An interview is a discussion conducted with the aim of gathering information about an individual or group. As writers are asked questions related to their profession, this article tries to help you prepare for interviews by offering common questions which every writer should try to answer, as well as tips on how to answer them.

The first tool that can help you prepare for an interview is to take time to really think about the goals you want to achieve. How do you define success? What are your long-term goals? Be prepared for questions that will require you to describe in detail what steps you took in order to reach your current position, what challenges you faced and how did you overcome them. Your interviewer wants to see that you know what you are talking about and that you are serious about your career. That’s why successful interviewees will be able to provide numerous pieces of detailed information concerning their work experience.

The second tool is the STAR technique, which consists in answering questions with relevant stories. You simply need to structure your answer in a way that it follows the STAR pattern: “Situation or Task,” “Action,” and “Result”. It is important to provide as much detail as you can so that the interviewer feels engaged. Try to use examples from everyday life, such as an experience which was challenging for you at work.

Common interview questions for writers (and examples of how to answer them):

1. Where do you find ideas?

This is a much-asked question, and there isn’t really one standard answer. Think about it as if you were telling an anecdote: the key here is to communicate your passion for writing and detail why ideas that seem to come “out of nowhere” actually do not.

2. How would you describe your work style/work ethic?

These questions basically ask you to demonstrate that you are a reliable employee. Think about your daily tasks and responsibilities and describe their importance in order to show that you take your work seriously and always meet deadlines.

3. What is the most challenging task you have ever faced?

Again, this question wants to establish that you are able to handle difficult or stressful situations. Try to think of a story which required you to be creative and use it as an example.

4. How do you decide what stories to write?

You should not start this question with “Well, I guess it all depends”. That is not really an answer and will give the interviewer the impression that you are unsure about what you are saying. Instead, answer by describing how you approach your writing process. It may also be helpful to mention the criteria or features which make a certain story interesting or appropriate for your blog/magazine/newspaper.

5. How do you deal with writer’s block?

This is one of those questions which have many different answers. Think about a story which broke your writer’s block and use it as an example.

6. How much do you read?

Reading is a vital part of being a writer, so this question can be used to highlight that you are serious about what you do. Try to focus on the genres that you enjoy reading and mention how various authors inspire you in your own writing.

7. What are your long term goals?

Answer this question by describing what is the final destination on the route that will help you reach your goals. If there are any obstacles along the way, briefly mention them too.

8. How do you handle stress/difficult situations?

This is another question that can be answered using the STAR approach. You may also consider adding some anecdotes from your everyday life — think of a story which shows how you were able to find a quick and efficient solution to a problem.

9. How do you motivate yourself?

The answer to this question depends on what motivates you as an individual, but it is useful to think about examples from your everyday life. For instance, maybe you aim to work better by listening to music or a certain type of podcast. Whatever the case, try to focus on how your behaviour changes when you are feeling unmotivated and give a brief explanation of why these tools help you.