1. Why do you want this job?
2. Why do you want to leave your present employer?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
4. How long have you been doing this type of work?
5. What kind of training do you have?
6. What kinds of tools have you used?
7. Tell me about how you handled a specific problem in your job?
8. What would you do if . . . ? (this is designed to see how you respond under stress.)
9. When can you be ready to work?
10. What are your salary requirements?*

*The salary requirements and history questions can be the hardest if you don't know what you're worth. Attend a local STC meeting and find a copy of the the latest STC Salary Survey.

Three basic rules for salary negotiations:

• Do not discuss salary in a preliminary interview.
• Make them tell you what they will pay—many people accept much less than the company is willing to offer!
• Never be afraid to negotiate—and don't forget to check out the benefits package.

1. Who would I be working with?
2. What kinds of work will I be assigned when I first start?
3. How many tech writers do you have?
4. In general, how is the relationship between the SMEs and techwriters?
5. At what point are technical writers brought into the development process?
6. What is the best thing about the technical publications department?
7. What kinds of tools do you use?
8. What is the growth potential for this position?
9. On a scale of 1–10, what would you rate the maturity level of document management in this company?
10. Some specific questions—I see you (company) provided an enterprise solution to XX corp., did you work on this project?