Editor Interview Questions & Answers
Editors plan, review, and revise content for publication.
Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Writing skills
- Creativity
- Good judgment
In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Editor positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!
Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.
Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates
Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.
Creativity
Why interviewers are interested in your creative skills:
Editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics. Some editors must regularly come up with interesting content or story ideas and attention-grabbing headlines.
Attention to detail
Why interviewers are interested in your attention to detail:
Editors must be meticulous to ensure that the material is error-free and matches the style of a publication.
Good judgment
Why interviewers are interested in your judgment:
Editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them.
Interpersonal skills
Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:
In working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work.
Learn more about interpersonal skill interview questions and how to answer them!
Writing skills
Why interviewers are interested in your writing skills:
Editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Editors must be able to write clearly and logically.
(source: bls.gov)
Editor Job Interview Questions & Answers
During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:
- Employment history
- Skills and abilities
- Accomplishments
- Job qualifications
- Educational background
- Career goals
- Personality
Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.
Examples Of General Editor Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What interests you about this position?
- Walk me through your resume.
- What motivates you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Describe your work ethic.
- What is your greatest strength?
- How does your experience qualify you for this job?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
- What are your expectations for this position?
- What are your career goals?
- Why should we hire you?
- What did you like most about your last position?
- What did you like least about your last position?
- How do you handle stress?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!
Examples Of Specific Editor Behavioral Interview Questions
Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.
- What is the most challenging project you have worked on as an editor? What made it such a challenge? How did you handle it?
- Give me an example of how you plan, organize, and prioritize your workdays as an editor.
- What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as an editor? Why?
- Give me an example of your approach to determine if a piece of writing is of good quality.
- Tell me how you ensure you meet the deadlines set for editing work. Can you give me an example?
- How do you deal with criticism or negative feedback? Can you give me an example?
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake working as an editor. What happened? How did you fix it?
- How would you deal with a colleague or client not liking your edit and argued with you? What would you do?
- Give me an example of a time you suggested specific content improvements to an author or superior. How did they respond?
- Describe your approach when you receive a document to edit.
Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.