The write stuff

[j4]

So, does anybody have any idea what sort of questions they're likely to ask me in an interview (tomorrow!) for a tech writer job? I can write (they've seen a sample of stuff I've written), and I can read stuff and suggest where it could be improved, but beyond that I can't think of much they can ask me beyond the usual "Why do you want this job?" (must not say "MONEY!") and suchlike. And it's only short-term work so they might not even bother with all that.

Oh, and out of interest, does anybody happen to know what the going rate of pay for tech writer jobs is?

Sorry to be so dozy and so last-minute-ish...

Comments

[keirf.livejournal.com]

From my experience they usually ask you to write an instruction sheet on how to make a cup of tea.

[j4.livejournal.com]

<giggle>

Cool. And that has the advantage that they can test the thing that's really the most important quality to look for in a prospective employee: can they make tea?

[(Anonymous)]

You want it because it's a challenge and is interesting; it's a job where you can use all of the members of your unusual skill set. Opportunities for growth (make sure you ask about that when they get to the bit where they ask you to ask questions). Saying that you want to proceed further in life than you are able to in your current employment sounds good, although its just Clue for Give Me More Money. Give me more money is not a bad thing to say, so long as you disguise it with clue - it makes it look like you will be malleable, given the right carrot. Make sure that when they ask you about your weaknesses, you describe weaknesses that can be strengths ie perfectionist, spend ages worrying about, and testing out, the effectiveness of writing or techiness.

[j4.livejournal.com]

Thanks for suggestions -- the interview didn't really turn out how I expected (see account on LJ...) but all this stuff is useful for other interviews as well!

[juliet]

Er - look at what the job description/person spec says & think of questions around that? (when did you demonstrate skill X, that kind of thing) You could also try to think of good/bad examples of tech writing you've seen, & what was good/bad about them. Can't think of much else either, sorry!

[j4.livejournal.com]

look at what the job description/person spec says & think of questions around that?

<grin> The job description said TECHNICAL WRITER, in the middle of an A4 sheet of paper. And, as it turned out, meant JAVA PROGRAMMER. Ho hum...

Examples of good/bad documentation etc. was a really good suggestion though, thanks -- gave me something to think about & may prove useful for other interviews if I go for other tech writer stuff!