Interview Questions to Consider

Sometimes an interview can completely change dynamics with one simple phrase, "Do you have any questions?"

Most of us have felt it. That sudden tenseness and the moment of panic when you realize that all of your questions that you came to this interview ready to fire off were answered during the course of the interview, and you would look like a moron if you asked them now. Well, never fear, here's a list of some questions that just might help avoid this and make you out to be an interview rock star!

What qualities are you looking for in the person you are hoping to appoint?

This might seem like a simple question, but it honestly makes sense to ask it. You go to the interview to try and demonstrate that you are the ideal candidate, and this is a chance to shine! Maybe they list a quality or two that you did not have a good chance to show that you had during the course of the interview, you can address that here. Maybe they describe you word for word and this becomes your chance to show them once again that you fit the mold! This question has the added bonus of letting you know where you stand with this interviewer.

What scope is there for personal development at your company? or Is there room for growth?

These questions show that you are career minded and are not just looking for a position to fill, but a career. Companies want someone who is a long-term investment for them, not just a time suck. This question shows that you are forward thinking and ambitious, which is a plus for a like-minded company. They want to see that you want to grow in this position, not just use it as a launch pad for a different job.

Is there anything you have seen in the other people on the shortlist that you have not seen in me? or Are there any reservations you have about my fit for the position that I could try to address?

These questions give you a chance to address any concerns that the interviewer might have about you. They also show that you are open to critical feedback and take criticism well.These questions are a bit of a gamble as you may not like the answer, but they can pay off big in the right circumstances. This question has the added fun of turning the tables on the interviewer.

What are the biggest challenges the person in this position will face? or Can you describe a typical day or week in the position?

You're not stupid or blind, a new job means new challenges and you are already thinking about them. You see yourself in this position and you want to know what to expect. These questions show that you are not just trying to land the position, but succeed at them as well. You want to be ready to face whatever the job may bring.

What would a successful first year in the position look like? or Thinking back to the person who you've seen do this job best, what made their performance so outstanding?

Whoa there partner, you're looking to actually succeed at this role? You want to do a job that contributes to the company as a whole? I hope so, because that what questions like these two demonstrate, that you realize you are part of a whole and want to be a great employee. Asking something like this will definitely get the interviewer's attention.

How will the success of the person in this position be measured? or How is the success of your employees measured?

Though similar to the previous questions, this type of question shows that you are looking to be successful. These questions allow you to get insights into the company's policies and values. It lets you know how your contributions are measured and if you are a good fit for a company that looks at you that way.

How long did the previous person in the role hold the position? What has turnover in the role generally been like? or Is there significant turnover?

Questions like these are more for your benefit than the employer's. They can alert you to pitfalls within the job like unrealistic expectations or lack of growth in a company. If the answer is yes, ask why so that you can be aware of what to expect. Use caution when using this question, however, as you can easily tread into places you should stay of out as an interviewee.

How would you describe the culture here? What type of people tend to really thrive, and what type don't do as well? or Can you describe your company’s culture?

I cannot stress the importance of this question. A job is a significant time investment in your life. You want to know that you would do well here, but so does the interviewer. Are you a good fit for this kind of environment? Is it strict and closed off, but you're more free spirited? Does the company act like a start-up but you're more used to having the same routine every day? These are the things you need to know when considering a potential position, and it also gives you a chance to show you would fit in and how.

Of course it is always good to have a fallback plan.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Most of these questions where pulled by a simple Google search for interview questions, and none of them were all that unique. My hope is that these questions help you in the interview, or at least give you a few ideas for questions to ask. Remember, the goal of an interview is to show that you are the one they are looking for. You questions and answers should all be tailor made to showing the managers you interview with that you are not a candidate, but the candidate.

Grammar, Grammar, Grammar!

As a writer, it is extremely important to check your grammar. It is easy to overlook small mistakes that can easily sneak into the work you do. I fall victim to this problem more often than I would like to admit. It is easy as a writer to forget that you make mistakes. You may not make the same mistakes that other people might make, but you still make them, and it can be hard to face that. It is increasing harder to keep your grammar skills up to par, especially in this digital age of texting and "lolspeak." I know that I am weird when it comes to text messages, but I refuse to sacrifice good grammar simply to send a text off mere seconds faster.

And even then people make mistakes.

Yes, I know the difference between "your" and "you're;" I don't get tripped up when it comes when to use "they're," "their," or "there." I can use the Oxford comma, and I know when to use a semi-colon (or even a colon). Does that mean I'm perfect? No way. I still make some basic mistakes now and then, and some less basic mistakes when I get a bit fancy. I know that tense changes slip into my writing too often, and I sometimes slip a progressive verb in places that really don't work. Even now and then I slip and make the same mistakes that I just implied I don't make! No writer is prefect, no matter what you may think.

As I write this, I am reminded that I have submitted work that honestly needed massive revision. Too often I have waited until the last minute to get to work. Heck, I recent writing sample I put together took nearly six hours to complete with about seven total drafts passed between me and a friend of mine who works as an editor. Now, don't get me wrong, a large part of those revisions was formatting my work into APA style standards (I confess I am much more adjusted to MLA style standards and Chicago style fills me with dread).

So what is a hip young writer to do? Well, you are in luck, that is exactly what this post is all about! Here are some simple, but effective techniques you can start using today to drastically improve your writing and minimize those annoying grammatical errors and mistakes.

1. Slow Down!

If you're not careful,
you could make mistakes like this one!

That's right! Slow down. Write slower. Okay, I get it, you have so much to say that you have to just write it down before it escapes forever. Okay, but are you willing you write that so fast that you make mistakes and then you have to spend possibly three or four times more time going back and translating your "genius" into something other people can understand? Sometimes, yes, this is necessary (we'll get to that in a bit), but other times you are deluding yourself and you really need to get a reality check. You don't have to get it all out before you forget it all, because if it was really that good, you should be able to write it out without losing it like a small breeze.

Slowing down will also help you keep an eye out for typos or changing tenses. Some mistakes can easily be avoided if you take your time to carefully craft your work. Some people use the term wordsmith to describe what we do. I think that is an apt word. Similar to a blacksmith, a great piece takes time. It is carefully crafted over time, not within seconds. You might have loaded this blog post in seconds, but I promise it took much longer to write.

2. Double, Triple, and Quadruple Check Your Work!

Tideous, but effective!

Yes, I know, some of you are upset. I have now told you in two tips in a row to slow down. Why is that? because it is important. Take breaks, get your eyes away from your writing. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes on a draft to spot mistakes that you may have missed before. That's why others can spot things you missed! They haven't had their eyes glued to the work for hours at a time.

Additionally, there are times that sudden inspiration hits and, honestly, you just can't be slowed down by hunting for errors. That's okay, let the inspiration ride, but remember that it will need a bit of work to make it as polished as possible. This isn't a bad thing.

3. Have a Style Manual Ready

Personally, this is my favorite.

Yes, I know. You feel like you know so very much when it comes to grammar and stylistic choices that you don't need the rules close at hand. You are also wrong and reading this article, so I think I've made my point.  Yes, it is slower to thumb through a handbook. Yes, the tips might be very basic. Honestly, though, I don't see how one of these bad boys isn't a normal part of a lot of writers' arsenal. Heck, while we're at it, you should have a dictionary and a thesaurus within arm's reach as well.

Everyone needs help. This is an inescapable rule of life. It has been said that no man is an island unto himself. This is true. No one stands alone. Mistakes are simply a part of life. Having a plan to minimize those mistakes only makes sense. Which leads us to tip number four!

4. If Possible, Have Someone Else Edit Your Work

Red marks can save you
embarrassment later.

You miss things. It's okay; this is a judge free zone. You are not perfect, nor are you expected to be. You will miss things in your own writing. You know what you meant, and it is very likely you keep that firmly in mind when you read your work to edit it. Other people will see mistake you may easily miss. Sometime you correct the mistakes in your head as you read them. This is natural and many people have been tripped up by this.

While we're on this topic, it is important you carefully consider what has been said to you. Don't get offended at what someone suggests. You know your first (and maybe eighth) draft isn't spotless, so why are you so up in arms when the person you had edit your work points out that this or that isn't clear, or you changed tense, or whatever you did? That is what they're there for! Maybe they have a suggestion of how you could word something clearer, take that advice! Sometimes you will flat out disagree with proposed edits. That's okay too! You don't have to do everything someone else suggest, but you do have to to be gracious, or you could lose a valuable asset!

Additionally, you could make them mad.

Ultimately the best advice I can give is to keep at it. Yes, it will take time. Yes, you might fail more times than you succeed. If you are really serious, then treat those times as learning experiences, get up on the horse, and ride again my friend!

Content Ahoy!

About a month ago I was in the process of applying for a content writer position that I really wanted. I sent in my resume, a strong cover letter tailored to the position and company, plus the four writing samples they had asked for. It was a position that didn't require experience and I thought that was my in. I was thrilled when they asked for an additional writing sample. In fact, I was on Cloud 9! They were taking me seriously! That's when things fell apart.

I sent in the writing sample. I was told I would be contacted. I kept sending weekly reminders. Silence was my only reply. I didn't know what to do. In fact, I nearly gave up on the job completely.

That's when it happened. This same company reposted the content writer job. The exact same job that fell through for me appeared again. I was unsure at first. Should I take that leap again into the arms of a company that had just recently left me hanging? The answer was yes.

The contact person had changed for this opening. I had thought that maybe the original contact person had become too busy to actively recruit for this job.When I carefully read the description again, I saw that the contact person was not the same person as before. So, throwing caution to the wind, I applied again!

This time they were only asking for two writing samples, so I sent what I believed to be my strongest sample, plus the one I created for them before. I decided to be a bit more aggressive this time. I sent a follow-up e-mail stating that I had already been through a portion of this process already, who my contact was, and what had happened. I seriously want this job, so I am serious about how I apply and pursue this job.

It seemed to pay off, I got a reply. This reply, however, was unexpected due to the content. I was again asked for a writing sample, with the exact same details as before. I could have taken the easy route and simply replied that I had already done this, and whatever, but I didn't. I wrote a new sample from scratch. I took the time, made sure the new sample is was as polished as possible.

This is when I took yet another calculated risk. When I submitted the new writing sample, I let my new contact know I had already submitted one for the other contact, but this one was brand new. I'm actually rather proud of this one, I think it is a lot better than the original.

Pictured: #Winning

Then I went for the kicker. I went there, in person, with three new writing samples I wrote just for them. I was confident. I was pumped! I was rejected. 

And repeat...

That's right. I went through all that time, effort, and energy to simply be shot down quicker than frat boys by a bar waitress. They kindly took my new samples* and sent me on my merry way. I walked away feeling a bit down.

So what's an unemployed, creative writer-type to do? I kept my head high and moved on. So this one company doesn't hire me. Someone will or freelancing with go on to be something more than it is now. Heck, my networking is already paying off and I should have new contacts with a major company within the week, so, sweetness!

Also, looking a pictures of
puppies helps. Here's one!

All in all, I say it was a good experience. Sure, I am still unemployed, but oh well, I don't have to stay that way forever and I learned from this. I gained confidence from this. I learned that tenacity pays off, even if it doesn't land you the job. I got a company to take me seriously. If anything, I took a major step forward. And so can you.

On a happier note, I've been pairing up with City Union Mission a bit recently. Most of what I do is some minor editing, but I also wrote a little something for them.

*I had physical copies which had, and I quote, "great formatting." 

Some Leaps Just Have To Be Made

Well, I did it. I pilled the trigger. I am actively looking at freelance writing and editing work. I have sent out some feelers, I have created a profile on ELance, I have used some of the resources on Freelance Writing Jobs. I am making this official. It is a big step, but I am going to plunge ahead. I already did some volunteer editing for City Union Mission, editing some posts on their "Letters From Camp" blog. Specifically, these posts three saw revisions from me. I'm not saying that I've already found a whole lot of anything. In fact, I am writing this post after sending off a batch of inquiries into possible freelance work.

I am taking my own advice from my last post; I'm working on building my portfolio, and I am going to continue working with City Union Mission. That, I hope, will be a valuable resource for me. I will be looking at other possible avenues to help promote me as a writer. I've also consulted a friend of mine in the Public Relations field. She suggested engaging other bloggers and having insightful and thought things to say, not just the typical "nice post!" If my time on LinkedIn has taught me anything, it that networking is always a plus.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on finding full-time work completely, but I also realize that having been thinking teaching and not writing when I was going to college, I am at a definite disadvantage when it comes to looking for work in my field. Additionally, I have lost most of my schoolwork to various moves and accidents, and all the quality stuff is just plain gone.

This has nothing to do with this post,
I just wanted to add a caption!

Starting from scratch is not fun, especially in the professional world. I have yet to start a professional "freelance" blog, and I realize that my past of whining about not posting and my otherwise silly posts on this blog will turn a few noses. Unfortunately, as I am trying to get a lot of things off the ground and blocking time especially for freelance work, a new blog is not in the cards, and I really shouldn't spend that time creating a new blog, especially not with the plans I have for when that blog gets off and running. Perhaps when I have the time, I will create a freelance/portfolio blog. Honestly, I've been slowing using this blog to test out some things to be better prepared once I can get that other blog off the ground. In a way, this blog is becoming a public experiment in making a professional looking blog.

Pictured: The Internet
(Yes, this is a The IT Crowd reference.)

One of the feature you might notice is the use of pictures in this blog. I didn't always use pictures and I have been slowly experimenting with that feature. The addition of captions is something I will be trying in this and future posts. The features are simple, but I have never played with them. I hope to get a camera of my own soon that I might be able to generate my own images instead of leeching free/generic stuff found all over the Internet. Also, I will be able to make my own graphics like a boss.

Seven Writing Portfolio Building Ideas

I doubt that I'm working on anything new or groundbreaking here, but I thought I would take some time and detail some of what I have been learning about portfolio building. Notably, I'm not an expect, nor do I expect you to listen to me. I will say this, however, you ignore my advice at your own risk.

Yes, I'm a newbie at all of this, but that is why I have insight. I don't have a portfolio that has been netting me jobs for some time and is established. I'm building from scratch, just like some of you might be. This is not a how-to; this is a list of ideas that I have gathered about doing exactly what many of us struggle with, building a decent writing portfolio.

1. Keep Writing

When looking for work, especially when unemployed, the temptation becomes to not write anything new. Excuses range from "lack of time" to just simply being unsure what employers (or clients if your are going the freelance route) might be looking for.

Don't be afraid to keep writing and polishing what you write! You could try branching into new places with your writing, and try out new styles. Experiment, have fun. Why should anyone hire you if you're not comfortable with your craft? Why should anyone hire you if you don't write?

2. Blog It

Blogs provide a great way to create an online portfolio. You could even create a section tailored just to that feature! This could be risky if you have some random blog that you have posted things that employers might frown upon. Yes, sorry, Awesome Corp X couldn't care less what Mr. Fluff-n-Stuff did. No, Great Job, Inc. doesn't want to know how great you think spray cheese is.

To counter this, I highly recommend you have a professional blog with a semi-professional look to it. Many blog sites have features that can assist you in this, and a quick Google search can provide some tools to help make your blog shine!

3. Volunteer

Organizations are always looking for people to write for them. Yes, it pays nothing, but some of these organizations are willing to allow you to have a small bio attached to your work. If nothing else, it could be something to add to your portfolio, and could pay off in the long run.

I get it, AnimalsArePeopleToo.org may be a bit off their rocker, heck, they may even remind you of your creepy uncle, but you aren't exactly the Stephen King of whatever field you're in, so suck it up!

4. Submit, Submit, Submit!

I hope you're prepared for rejection, because you're going to get more than a 1980's band geek with braces.* 

Yes, you may need to look for lower paying jobs. Yes, you may need to work for squat and never get called again like some awkward one night stand, but you won't regret it once the real jobs come and you can drown your sorrow and shame in the cash you will then be rolling in.**

This advice goes double for those of you thinking about freelancing as a career move. Seriously, take a moment to Google freelance writing and rejection, I'll wait. Heck, AboutFreelanceWriting.com fully expects you to get rejected. To quote this article from Freelance Writing Jobs:

If you receive rejection, don’t despair. Consider yourself part of a special club. Every single writer receives rejection at one time or another. Let it roll off your back and get back to work.

5. Have Fun

You've heard the saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."*** If this is really where you want your career to go, have some fun with it. Writing shouldn't be a chore to you, but a joy! I've taken time out of my job search to just write this article because I love it! Writing is my passion, so I'll put off a couple of leads to get some time in with words.

6. Expand Your Horizons

Writers who are not able to adapt will die in this market. There are thousands of competitors out there. If you can only right one thing really well, you better hope there is a lot of jobs in that one thing, otherwise, good luck to you.

Learning to have different styles can be difficult, but the boarder your range, the more work you can do, and it will show possible employers or clients that you can fit any need they might have, even if the project suddenly needs to be in a different style. I don't honestly know how often that would happen, but look at it this way, who would you hire? The guy who can only help you in one situation, or the guy who can help you in five?

7. Proofread

I have some bad news! Nothing kills an otherwise great writing sample than mistakes. Grammar errors like wrong tenses, misplaced commas, and other mistakes. Don't confuse "they're" with "their," or "your" with "you're." Check to make sure you didn't mistype a word or use the wrong form of a work. Clean up confusing sentences and make corrections to the more confusing parts of what you write.

No writer is perfect, and the "edit as you go" method will still miss things. Maybe you need to add something, or maybe a section needs cut! Don't be afraid to get a second pair of eyes on a draft. Maybe you just need to take a break and go back over your work with a fresh look. Grammar and style manuals can be helpful if they are quality and mostly up-to-date. We all need our work edited, so don't feel bad.

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In the end, these are just suggestions. Sure, I'm new to this, but I've done my homework. I can't recall all that I've read, but these are the steps I'm taking with this. Sure, time will tell if this pays off, but, oh hey, what do you know? I just expanded my portfolio options by one.

Looking for Work, or an Exercise in Insanity?

Normally this is the part where I whine and complain about how I haven't maintained a blog, and blah, blah, blah. I've decided that this blog is going to cease to be that kind of blog. Why? I'm getting serious about the serious business of writing.

You see, a lot of us writers do this. We say that we want to freelance or whatever (commit to a book, poem, whatever currently tickles our fancy). We make bold claims and a whole lot of nothing is the result. So I asked myself, aren't you tired of that? The simple answer was yes, so I committed to looking for work in the writing industry. And that is when I discovered one small hiccup in my otherwise brilliant scheme, my portfolio is sad.

I am weep into your cocoa, cuddle up with a puppy, and watch some generic sappy movie sad. The sad that drives poets to poesy sad. It's not that I don't have writing samples, I do, and they even display my range as a writer and how I'm all multifaceted. But as a lot of writing jobs are in marketing and I have nothing that shows how I could blow people away in the field, I spend a lot of time sending in my stuff, only to get laughed at. (I assume this at least; to date, no one has actually called me to laugh at me, but it wouldn't surprise me.)

So, some of you ask, "What are you doing about all this? Quitting? I would, but then again, I'm not you so you wouldn't take my advice." You're right random person that I made up, I'm not. I'm still plugging away. I keep searching for jobs, even ones not in my field. I've started building a LinkedIn profile, and I am working on generating new, exciting writing samples, as well and brushing up my writing skills and taking the leap into freelance writing. I'm building myself up and taking risks.

I was, admittedly, trying the same tactics for far too long. Using the same samples, not taking risks, and even not writing, but what is the point? Writers and supposed to be creative and I confess to be one of their lot, so creativity is something I should have. (I do have that spark, by the way, at least according to others and a class I took in college.)

Finding work in the freelance world is not easy, but not impossible, at least according to Tom Ewer at Leaving Work Behind. I've actually found his article "Freelance Writing: How To Find Your First Job" interesting and informative. I will be following his tips. One thing that I have as an advantage is that my current living situation allows me to not need a steady income right now, so I do have some time to build up a portfolio this way. He also lists 7 mistakes that I will definitely be looking to avoid.

I would hate to live where Tom lives, though, he says $40,000 a year is not enough to pay the bills, and I would disagree, that would be a blessing beyond compare for me and there would be plenty of opportunities for me to live off of that.

Normally, this is the part where I promise to write more and maybe even announce what will come next. The truth is, I don't know what is next, nor do I care. Life is too fluid sometimes and we all have a lot to learn. So, no, I won't make promises like that. What I say is I will write when I have something to say, and possibly even before that.