Imagine Learning Technical Writer Interview Questions
& Process

So, this hiring interview was a bit longer than I thought it would be. In total, there were 6 different interviews. It started with a quick phone call with HR. After that, I had to complete a 2-hour writing test, which was pretty tough, mostly because of the time constraint. They actually make the test really long to force you to prioritize. My test included questions on grammar, editing, technical writing, business writing, and layout. Then, I met with the whole writing team. They had a marked-up copy of my resume and asked me about my experience and some technical stuff. Following that, I had a chat with the Director of Creative Teams. That was brief and mainly about the company, mostly him answering my questions. Then I met with the manager of the writing department. That lasted about an hour and was basically a list of questions about my work habits, like how long I take to finish tasks and how I work with people. The meeting with the VP of Operations was also pretty short, around 20 minutes. He asked about how I handle failure and how I can contribute to the company. Lastly, I had informal meetings with two team leads. They mostly just wanted to hear about my background. The last part of the process was a tour of the office and a meeting with the VP of operations, along with two team leads from teams I'd be working with.

HR reached out by email asking for writing samples first. Then I had to do an online application where I put in my work history, education, salary needs, strengths and weaknesses. After that, HR scheduled a quick 30-minute screening call to go over the job details and make sure we were on the same page. Then I was asked to come in for a 2-hour technical writing test. It was mostly written, with one typing part. It covered grammar, spelling, editing, rewriting for clarity, explaining technical diagrams, and comparing/improving writing samples. I got an email the next day saying I did well. The next interview was a 2-hour session. The first hour was with the hiring manager, who asked about my application, resume, and cover letter, clarifying my experience. She also asked about my preferences in a manager, my weaknesses, how I stay organized, what my past managers would say, and what I wanted her to remember about me. The second hour was with three team members who went into more detail about the job and my experience. They focused on communication skills, dealing with stress, mediating conflict, and cross-functional work. I noticed some people checked my LinkedIn profile beforehand. I felt good about it, even without direct tech writing experience, because I had related experience and a solid technical background. Apparently, I was a top candidate, but they didn't select me. If they had, there was one more interview with a senior manager or VP, likely behavioral. The atmosphere seemed relaxed and professional, and the team seemed to like their manager and coworkers.

Applied online and received an email the next week to come in for a writing test. Completed the test, which was pretty straightforward. A week later, got an email indicating I did well and was asked to complete an application and return for an interview. The interview was lengthy; I had brief meetings with the head of HR, the Writing Team lead, and then met the team while getting a short building tour. The interview was very thorough, covering all aspects of my resume and application in detail. I was later informed the position was offered to another candidate. Despite not getting the job, it was a positive experience, with everyone being polite, professional, and friendly. I felt the interview was fair due to its detailed nature and left with a positive impression, though I may not have been the most qualified candidate.