Q1 : What are the different tools used by a technical writer?
A : There are many tools and software’s which help the technical writers to create error-free documents. They help the writers to create documents in different formats and provide easy edit and customization facilities. These software ensure that the content is unique.
Here are some of the commonly used software packages:
i.) Adobe RoboHelp – It helps to create interactive content in multiple formats.
ii.) WordPress – This helps the writers if they are looking to have technical documentation of their product in the form of blogs.
iii.) Notepad++ – To learn the basics of HTML programming.
iv.) Microsoft Visio – This is a popular diagramming tool which helps the writers to create flow charts, software designs, electrical circuit diagram, etc.
v.) Powtoon – Technical writers need to be creative. This tool helps the writers to create animated videos which help to capture user attention in an engaging way.
vi.) MadCap Flare – This is another help authoring tool that enables the technical writers to personalize the content and it also allows repurposing as per the audience.
vii.) Windows Snipping tool – This tool enables the writers with screen capture options.
viii.) Camtasia – This software helps the readers to create, record and edit videos.
Q2 : What are the best practices followed by efficient technical writers?
A : Here are some of the best practices followed by effective writers:
i.) They plan the scope of their content to prevent straying.
ii.) They believe in researching the topic/ product/ technology well.
iii.) They always rewrite to reach the final draft.
iv.) They understand and agree with what they write.
v.) They are open to feedback and suggestions & do not take criticism personally
Q3 : What are the basic principles a technical writer should always bear in mind?
A : Some of the important principles that a writer needs to bear in mind are:
i.) Be open to feedback and suggestions from readers.
ii.) Test all the instructions you have provided in the content.
iii.) Focus on content. Avoid getting stuck up with publication.
iv.) Have a mix of content and visual in your document. Flow charts, graphs, illustrations, screenshot, etc. help a lot.
v.) Always try to give examples to explain complicated concepts.
vi.) Technology is always evolving. Keep yourself updated.
Q4 : How do you plan and prioritize your work?
A : It is extremely easy for a writer to get strayed and realize later that what they have written is out of the scope of the project. I always scope my project well based on the readers and what I’m targeting with that particular content. Based on this scoping, I draw and over all schedule and break it into a daily to do list, as first thing in the morning. I then prioritize the task and work as per the schedule. I ensure that I do not get distracted by distractions such as mobile phones. Efficient time management helps me to improve my productivity.”
Q5 : What are the challenges faced by the technical writer at work?
A : As a technical writer, you will have to face certain challenges at work. Some of them are as follows:
i.) Knowing the audience and their knowledge level at times becomes very difficult for the writer.
ii.) The SMEs may not have the time to explain to the documentation team about the product or process. This makes it difficult for the writers to get the correct information.
iii.) Also, SMEs find it difficult to review and provide feedback on the document.
iv.) Sometimes writers find it difficult to incorporate the suggestions received from various sources which lead to personality clashes.
v.) Very little or no information about the product or service makes the work of the technical writer more difficult.
vi.) Limited access to the product or service
vii.) Computer or software issues.
viii.) Last minute changes make the writers work more challenging.
ix.) Short deadline makes it difficult for the writer to deliver quality work.
Q6 : What steps do you use to write a user manual?
A : A user manual which is also known as a user’s guide is a document which guides or gives assistance to the user to use a particular product or system. It is a book-length guide containing both text and images. It has instructions on installations, process of using or troubleshooting a product or service.
The steps to write a manual include the following:
i.) Know your product correctly and completely.
ii.) The writer needs to know the reason why they are writing the manual.
iii.) Before writing the actual manual, the writer needs to conduct an audience analysis. To understand who they are writing the manual for.
iv.) The next step is to decide on the table of contents, index, actual content with explanatory images, and appendix.
v.) Actual writing process of the manual.
vi.) Editing and proofreading of the manual.
vii.) Publishing.
Q7 : What is topic-based authoring?
A : Topic-based authoring is a modular approach to writing, where you write a text containing one or two paragraphs on one topic. These topics can be combined to create a page in a PDF document and also can be organized to create an online Help system. They are reusable topics across the different document and can be published in different media. This approach helps the technical writer to write more clearly as each topic is mostly about a specific subject and has a recognizable cause or purpose.
Q7 : What is the difference between active voice and passive voice?
A : The technical writers need to write so they are expected to know certain grammar rules. With this question, the interviewer is trying to check your knowledge of grammar that makes content meaningful and readable.
i.) Active Voice- describes sentence where the subject performs the action as stated by the verb.
ii.) Passive Voice- the subject undergoes the action of the verb.
Q8: Are you ready to change your own thinking with end users feedback?
A : To answer this question you can say something like: “I have a good independent thinking ability but I am also open to feedback, negative as well as positive. A feedback helps me to understand what has been done correctly and what can be improved. It is a valuable information which helps me to build and maintain communication with the end users. It helps me to improve my documents and make them more user friendly”.
Q9 : Explain SDLC and DDLC.
A : SDLC – Software Development Life Cycle is a software development process. It is a framework which explains the tasks performed at each step of the software development process. It gives a detailed plan for the development, maintenance and replacement of specific software.
DDLC – Document Development Life Cycle is a documentation process which goes through the software development process. DDLC is a process that helps to maintain, design, develop, edit and publish a document for the product development lifecycle.
Q10 : What are the important skills required to be a technical writer?
A : In order to be a successful technical writer the skills required are as follows:
i.) Clear and Concise Writing Skills
ii.) Ability to quickly understand the technology
iii.) Knowledge of tools that help in producing various kinds of documents.
iv.) Interviewing skills to extract the required information from the SMEs
v.) Excellent listening skills to capture the right information.
vi.) Effective designing skills to produce good graphics and illustration skills.
vii.) Testing skills to ensure that the product works as documented.
Q11 : Why do you choose to be a technical writer?
A : A technical writer is a person who creates a document to make technical information easy to understand. He/she researches, creates and presents the information in an organized, user friendly manner. With this question, the interviewer would want to know what encouraged you to be a technical writer.
Q12 :What is collaborative writing and what does a collaborative writing plan include?
A : As the name suggests collaborative writing refers to writing a document collectively with a group of people rather than writing the document alone.
The collaborative writing plan should include the following:
i.) Explanation of the final project.
ii.) Outline of the content.
iii.) Assignment of responsibilities of content.
iv.) Schedule for finishing the assigned part.
v.) Editing Strategy
vi.) Reviewing Strategy
vii.) Production information.
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