- How do you plan and prioritize your work? …
- How do you determine if a piece of writing is good? …
- How would you suggest content improvements to senior managers or well-known authors? …
- Describe a time when you were fact-checking and found conflicting information.
Content Editor Interview Questions
Example: “I first read through the piece of writing to get an overall sense of what it’s about. Then I check for grammatical errors like misspellings, incorrect word usage and punctuation issues. After that, I look for spelling errors and typos. Finally, I proofread the piece one last time to make sure there are no other errors.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in their role. They may ask this question to see how well you understand what a content editor does and whether your skills match up with those duties. To answer this question, think about which skills are most important for a content editor’s job. Consider looking at the job description to see what skills the employer is looking for.
Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Word for years and find it very easy to navigate. I also have experience with Google Docs, which is free and has many of the same features as Word. I’m always open to learning new software, so if there are other programs you prefer in the office, I’d be happy to try them out.”
Social media engagement is an important part of content marketing. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience increasing social media shares for their company’s articles. In your answer, explain how you would increase the number of people who share a piece of content on social media. Explain that you would do this by creating engaging and interesting content that readers want to share with others.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of proofreading is accuracy. I always make sure to read each sentence carefully, checking for spelling errors, grammar mistakes and inconsistencies in style. In my last role, I was working on a project with tight deadlines when I noticed a few instances where the same word was spelled differently within the same paragraph. This could have been overlooked if I hadn’t taken the extra time to check for these types of errors.”
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In some circumstances, you might not need an experienced editor and may be willing to hire a strong writer who is ready to increase their responsibilities. Or, you might be looking for a senior editor with a long track record of professional success. Perhaps you are looking for an editor with a specific industry background (e.g. healthcare, academia). Digital-only publications may want an editor with a strong digital portfolio and relevant skills such as SEO and social media. For best results, tailor your questions carefully to the role or add some of your own.
For editorial roles, as with any creative role, use a portfolio of work samples to jumpstart the conversation. You’ll get the most out of your interviews if you can see how their previous work is aligned with the kind of work you want to produce. Editors are also project managers. It is therefore useful to get candidates talking about how they would go about producing an editorial calendar, how they go about delegating tasks, and how thoroughly they understand your audience and business goals.
This Editor interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions.
FAQ
How do you prepare for an editor interview?
- What books/publications/content inspires you?
- How has your work experience prepared you for this role?
- How do you stay motivated with repetitive tasks like proofreading, fact-checking or source-checking?
- What are the top social media platforms for increasing content reach?
Why do you want to be a content editor?
Most people become professional editors because they’re intrigued by language. They enjoy finding just the right word to convey a point, making sense of a complicated piece of information and working with text until it flows smoothly. They have a passion for detail and accuracy.
What questions should I ask in a content writer interview?
- What is an Oxford comma and when might you use it? …
- What skills, education and experience qualify you for a job as a content writer?
- Which methods do you use to determine who your target audience is?
- How do you begin your research, and how do you decide which sources are credible?
What does a content editor do?
