ProTechWriting LLC

101QuestionstoAsk
When YoureHiring
a Technical Writer
By Larry Czaplyski

PROTECHWRITING LLC

ProTechWriting LLC
2700 Wrexham Ct., Herndon, VA 20171
Phone: 703-391-0415; http://protechwriting.com/ E-mail: 1protechwriting@gmail.com
2011, Larry Czaplyski. All rights reserved.

101 Questions to Ask When

You're Hiring a Technical
Writer
While technical writers work in many different technologies and write
many different types of documents, there is overall a consistency to the
actions they perform to do their jobs.
And when its time to interview a technical writer, you may be so busy that
you dont have the time to come up with all the questions you might want to
ask.
What follows are 101 questions that apply to the technical writing work
experience. Use them to complement your own favorite questions!

1. Who have you worked for before?

2. What kind of writing did you do there?
3. Why did you leave or why do you want to leave?
4. What kind of references can you provide?
5. Do you know anyone who works here?
6. How are you different from other tech writers?
7. How can you prove that difference?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Do you do other types of writing?
10. How technical are you?
11. Whats your technical background?

12. What is more important, the ability to write or the ability to understand
technology?
13. Do you like writing?
14. What do others say about your technical writing abilities?
15. What do you say about your technical writing abilities?
16. What do you like better, technology or writing?
17. What kind of technologies are you familiar with?
18. You have no experience with X technology; why do you think you can
write what I need?
19. What kind of documents have you written in the past?
20. How do you like to work with subject matter experts (SMEs)?
21. Whats your best experience working with an SME?
22. Whats your worst experience working with an SME?
23. What kind of review cycles do you prefer?
24. Have you worked with editors?
25. How do you like working with editors?
26. Do you work with technical specs?
27. How are you with deadlines?
28. What kind of tools have you used to create documentation?
29. Which versioning tools are you familiar with?
30. Have you maintained any documentation web sites?
31. Tell me the steps involved in a documentation project from start to
finish?
32. What do you need from other employees in order to be successful at
your job?
33. What do you need from me to be successful at your job?
34. Whats the best thing to do about incomplete specs?

35. How do you handle a document reviewer who doesnt provide reviews
on time?
36. Have you ever attended a live review where SMEs went through your
document?
37. Is your present documentation hard copy or online?
38. What do you think about online copy only?
39. How often are your documents revised?
40. Do you follow any ISO 9000 rules for your documentation process?
41. How familiar are you with the software development process?
42. How familiar are you with documenting hardware projects?
43. Have you worked as part of a team to create a document?
44. Do you do your own illustrations?
45. Have you worked with an illustrator?
46. Do you think technical expertise in an area is necessary to write about
it successfully?
47. Did you publish your own documents or use a publishing tool?
48. How are you with rush jobs?
49. Are you familiar with DITA?
50. What do you like most about technical writing?
51. What do you like the least about technical writing?
52. Do you typically attend engineering meetings?
53. Have you worked with release notes?
54. Have you used a documentation standards guide?
55. Can you create a template if necessary?
56. What do you see as the value of technical writing?
57. Have you worked as a lead on any projects?

58. Have you managed any writers?

59. Can you provide references?
60. Have you written any online documentation?
61. Are you familiar with any type of documentation defect tracking
system?
62. Whats your favorite strategy for getting a busy SME to talk with you?
63. Is there a technical document type that you especially like to write?
64. Is there a technical document type that youd prefer not to write?
65. Can you read code?
66. Do you think its necessary for a technical writer to read code?
67. Do you recall any particularly bad examples of technical
documentation?
68. Why were these examples bad, in your opinion?
69. In general, do you find specs to be written well and provide you with the
information you need to do your job?
70. Whats the best way to locate specs?
71. In your capacity as a technical writer, have you worked with other
departments?
72. How did that collaboration turn out?
73. What kind of experience do you have with desktop publishing?
74. Whats the most important skill for a technical writer?
75. Do you think technical writing should be formal or informal?
76. What do you think about telecommuting?
77. How long does it typically take you to learn a new tool?
78. Do you see any difference between technical marketing
communications and technical documentation?
79. Have you ever done any contracting?

80. Are you a quick learner?

81. How do you get along with other people?
82. Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Society for
Technical Communication?
83. How has your education helped you as a technical writer?
84. Do you know what a FOG index is?
85. Are there ever too many meetings in a week?
86. Are technical writers valued contributors in your present company?
87. Do you think engineers make good writers?
88. How wordy should a technical document be?
89. Can you do flow charts?
90. Have you used video in your documentation efforts?
91. What about incorporating Web 2.0 tools with documentation?
92. Have customers ever commented on your documentation?
93. How important do you think it is that you have experience in my
industry in order to write about it?
94. Where do you see yourself next as a technical communicator?
95. How important is the role of technical writer to a company?
96. In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of the documentation
cycle?
97. In some writing groups do you find that some writers contribute more
than others?
98. What do you see as the managers role in a documentation group?
99. Have you ever worked as the only writer at a company?
100. Have you ever been overwhelmed by a project?
101. If youre a Dilbert fan, do you think Tina the Tech Writer sets a good
example?

About Larry Czaplyski

With over 24 years of professional writing experience, I've written about
personal computers, mini computers, local and large area communication
networks, satellite earth stations, shipboard communications, flight
simulators, wireless mobile communication networks, telecommunication
platforms, cellular networks, and accounting systems.
I'm the co-author of The Homeowners Property Tax Relief Kit (McGraw
Hill July 92) and a contributor to The McGraw Hill Real Estate Handbook,
2nd Edition. Credits include The Foreclosure Listing's Guide To Buying
Foreclosures for Gregoriou Publishing, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, Florida Hotel
and Motel Journal, Business Today, Executive Update (Greater Washington
Society of Association Executives), Physician's Management, and
Independent Business, America's Small Business Magazine.
I've worked with small start-ups, mid-sized companies and large companies
like Cisco Systems (from where I took advantage of an early retirement
package).

The Next Step

For information on my technical and business writing services, call me at
703-391-0415 or email me at 1protechwriting@gmail.com. I'll get back to
you promptly.