Interviewing for a travel writer position is an exciting opportunity to share your passion for exploring the world. However, it can also be nerve-wracking trying to predict and prepare for the questions you’ll be asked. This comprehensive guide covers the key travel writer interview questions you’re likely to encounter, along with sample responses to help you ace your interview.
Whether you’re fresh out of school looking to break into travel writing or a seasoned writer angling for a new gig, being ready to discuss your motivations, experiences, writing skills, and more is crucial. We’ll break down the types of popular interview questions for travel writers and provide tips and examples to showcase your suitability for the role.
Why Travel Writing? Understanding Your Motivations
Hiring managers want to know what drives your desire to take on the globetrotting life of a travel writer Strong candidates express a genuine wanderlust and interest in exploring new places and cultures. Interview questions may include
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What motivates you to travel? Convey your sense of adventure, curiosity about the world, and passion for storytelling Share an anecdote about a meaningful travel experience that sparked your interest.
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How have your travels affected you emotionally and spiritually? Discuss how travel has shaped your worldview, enhanced your cultural awareness, or prompted personal growth.
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What do you hope to gain from each new travel experience? Articulate your goals around expanding your perspectives, gathering inspiring stories, and connecting with local cultures.
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What is your favorite travel memory? Pick a moment that shows how well you can appreciate the beauty and details of people, places, or cultural interactions.
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How has traveling changed the way you view the world? Explain how your adventures have instilled open-mindedness, cultural sensitivity, or a greater sense of human connection.
Your Travel Experiences and Skills
People who are hiring will want to know about the trips you’ve taken and the new skills you’ve learned. Be ready to discuss:
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Destinations you’ve visited, especially those relevant to the target publication’s focus. Talk about experiences that demonstrate resourcefulness, cultural immersion, and curiosity.
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The most challenging trip you’ve been on and how you overcame obstacles. Share examples that show perseverance, problem-solving, and adaptability.
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Your foreign language skills, cross-cultural communication experience, and ability to connect with locals. Provide examples of bridging language barriers.
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Strengths in photography, videography, and social media that can visually enhance your writing. Share links to published photo essays, videos, blogs, etc.
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Logistical competencies around planning transport, lodging, budgets, etc. Highlight your organizational skills.
Your Writing Abilities and Style
Interviewers will want to understand your writing background and skills. Be ready for questions like:
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Tell me about your experience with travel writing specifically. Mention published articles, blogs, guidebooks, or other platforms where your travel writing has appeared.
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What niche travel topics do you specialize in or hope to cover? Share your areas of expertise and interest.
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Describe your writing style and voice. Characterize your tone as conversational, literary, humorous, adventurous, etc. and provide samples of your tone and style.
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How do you ensure your writing provides useful, accurate information? Emphasize your commitment to thorough research and fact-checking.
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What is your article or story idea submission process? Demonstrate that you can generate compelling pitches aligned with a publication’s needs.
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How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends? Discuss reading travel publications, interacting with influencers on social media, networking at conferences, etc.
Handling Challenging Aspects of Travel Writing
Travel writing has unique demands that set it apart from writing from a stationary desk. Be ready to address:
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Dealing with writer’s block or fatigue on the road. Share tips like changing locations, exploring the area, or interleaving writing with other activities.
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Capturing the essence of a destination’s culture and character. Discuss immersing yourself in local customs, talking to residents, observing telling details, etc.
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Writing on tight deadlines. Explain your time management discipline, being realistic in scheduling, leveraging travel downtime to write, and communicating with editors about needs.
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Staying motivated when writing about lackluster locations. Note focusing on finding hidden gems or lesser-known facets that would interest readers.
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Managing safety and contingencies when traveling solo. Share carrying emergency contact info, registering with consulates, knowing area hospitals, and avoiding risky situations.
Why You’re a Great Fit
Finally, be ready to share why you’re an excellent fit for the travel writer job at this particular publication or site. Highlight your most relevant skills, interests, and travel experiences. Express genuine enthusiasm for the brand and this role’s unique needs. Convey your motivation to grow as a writer while creating content aligned with their editorial mission.
With thoughtful preparation around these common travel writer interview topics, you can confidently convey your qualifications during the interview process. Keep your responses concise yet descriptive, weaving in engaging anecdotes and details. Most importantly, let your authentic passion shine through. Combining dedication to your craft with a sense of adventure and curiosity is the winning formula for landing your dream writing role. The open road awaits – go get the gig!
Travel Writer interview questions
FAQ
What to ask a travel writer?
What makes a good travel writer?
What questions to ask at a job interview about travel?
What are the responsibilities of a travel writer?
What questions should you ask a travel journalist?
Travel journalists often visit new places, so employers ask this question to see if you have a passion for travel. They want to make sure that you enjoy traveling and are excited about the opportunity to write about your experiences. When answering this question, try to mention some of your favorite destinations or cities.
How do you interview a travel journalist?
Travel journalists often have the opportunity to travel for work. Employers ask this question to learn more about your interests and passions. Before your interview, make a list of places you would love to visit. Explain why these locations interest you. Example: “If I had the chance to go anywhere in the world, I would choose New Zealand.
What do interviewers want to know about traveling?
Traveling can be a very personal experience, and the interviewer wants to know if you prefer to travel alone or with others. They also want to know how you interact with other travelers while on your trip. Your answer should show that you enjoy traveling alone but are willing to go with a group if necessary.
What does a travel writer do?
As their job title suggests, travel writers create content about anything and everything related to exploring the world. Whether they’re writing to help readers plan a trip or to transport them — through words — to places they may never visit, no two travel writers share the same journey through their careers.
