28 Ghostwriter Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Ghostwriter interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. What writing project do you consider the most difficult?
How to Answer
The candidate should be honest about what kinds of writing or projects they struggle with the most. This gives the interviewer insight into where the candidate still needs to improve. The candidate should realize these improvements they may need to make and remain upbeat and positive about their abilities to fulfill the job well and improve over time.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I find fiction projects to be the hardest for me. I do well with nonfiction and factual works, and I find that I do not enjoy creating my own stories. However, over time I can find ways to enjoy it."
Written by Christina Erne
2. How are you able to ensure you get your work done in a timely manner?
How to Answer
The candidate should show that they are good at managing their time and will always get their work done on time and can juggle all that is asked of them. The candidate may talk about their organization skills and ways they ensure they get all of their work done on time so the clients are happy.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am very good at managing my time with a calendar to ensure I am staying on track with projects. I believe my ability to keep track of my projects makes me a great fit and you can trust I will never be late to deliver."
Written by Christina Erne
3. What skills make you unique?
How to Answer
The candidate should find ways of explaining why their work and their personality is the best fit for the job compared to other candidates. They should explain how they are special from other candidates based on the skills and traits they possess.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am a unique candidate because I have worked in this industry for a number of years and have learned from some of the best writers. I believe I have the unique perspective of writing in your field that others may not possess, and the energy that I bring to it sets me apart."
Written by Christina Erne
4. What will you contribute to our company?
How to Answer
The interviewer is hoping for a candidate who is looking to improve the quality of writing of the company or organization and will offer something that they were missing before. The candidate should talk about what they plan on adding to the company to help them all improve.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe that my ability to write very quickly makes me a desirable candidate who will help produce lots of writing for your company. I believe this will help your organization grow."
Written by Christina Erne
5. Are you willing to go above and beyond for the job?
How to Answer
The hiring manager is looking for someone who is constantly striving for more and to do the best work possible. Sometimes in writing, this requires the writer to work many hours overtime to produce a great piece of work. The candidate should describe what they would do while on the job to put in the extra effort.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I never want to make my employer disappointed in my work, and for that reason I will always go above and beyond whatever it takes to get the job done to the best of my ability. In the past I have worked overtime to make sure projects are done flawlessly, and I will always do this to make the company proud."
Written by Christina Erne
6. What time of day do you work best?
How to Answer
Writers are often asked to work various hours of the day, from early morning hours to late evening. The candidate should discuss when they work their best, and how they are able to adapt to various working hours based on what is asked of them.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I find I work my best in the afternoon and in the middle of the day when I am able to wake up and organize my thoughts. However, I have worked many various shifts in writing and I am able to adapt to whatever is asked of me."
Written by Christina Erne
7. How does your anonymous writing differ from the material you produce under your proper name?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, ghost writers can write about more controversial topics while anonymous, which helps the company grow their viewership yet protect those who are writing it. The candidate should discuss why they are choosing to stay anonymous in the job and how it compares to the style of work they typically write in.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I enjoy getting to be anonymous to write in my true voice. It is hard to find employers after being heavily biased in one direction, and I hope to be my true self at your company as a ghost writer."
Written by Christina Erne
8. What are your benefits expectations?
How to Answer
Sometimes, writers are given extra benefits, such as gas money, a laptop or cellphone, or other tools to get their work done, depending on the type of writing job it is. The candidate should talk about past experiences of receiving benefits and ask for what they may be given to do the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"At my previous writing job, I was given a laptop so I could do my work wherever I was. I hope to receive this at this job as well so I can keep all of my company projects in one spot."
Written by Christina Erne
9. If you did not choose to be a ghostwriter, what career path would you choose and why?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about other career paths interest them and what kind of skills it takes to perform those careers. However, the candidate should talk about why they have chosen this path as a writer and why this is the career they ultimately chose.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"If I did not want to become a ghostwriter, I would be interested in being an english teacher. I love reading and writing and helping others develop their writing skills. I believe this makes me a good teacher and mentor, which is something I may be in this job after years of working here."
Written by Christina Erne
10. How would you describe yourself in three words?
How to Answer
The hiring manager is looking to learn more about the candidate's personality traits that may not be able to be seen in just an interview. The candidate should choose words or descriptions that truly represent their personality and give a window into the type of person they are while on the job and behind their writing.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I describe myself as energetic, insightful, and playful. I am energetic both outside of work and inside as I am always ready to get work done, I am insightful because I like to think hard about my work before getting started, and I am playful because I am always trying to find unique ways of writing that will surprise the readers and interest them."
Written by Christina Erne
11. How do you deal with confrontation with a manager or client and how do you resolve it?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they manage issues while on the job. They should convince the interviewer that they are someone who resolves issues quickly and is ultimately respectful of those in managerial positions.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I find that the best way to deal with issues while on the job is to talk to the client or manager about it directly and quickly before any more issues arise. I find that this is the most professional way to move forward."
Written by Christina Erne
12. How do you describe your communication skills?
How to Answer
Ghostwriters have to communicate with managers and clients based on what they are writing and what is expected of them. The candidate should discuss how their communication skills are and how they deal with confrontations, good and bad, with others in the office and above them.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I communicate very well with others and am sure to contact someone directly when I have a question or an issue. I feel I am able to resolve issues without hesitation so I can continue producing work."
Written by Christina Erne
13. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what they hope to make in compensation based on a range of salaries. Depending on the company and prior experience, a ghost writer may make $20,000-$30,000 per year.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe I would like to make between $25,000-$27,000 to begin here as a ghostwriter."
Written by Christina Erne
14. How does this job fit into your career plans?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their prior experience, what has lead them to this position, and where they hope they will be able to go in the future. The candidate should discuss ways they will improve in this job and skills they will gain to help them achieve even greater things in the future.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have always wanted to pursue a job as a writer, and I believe this is the first step to achieving great things as a writer. I hope to gain many skills in this job to put me on my way to someone who writes for a newspaper."
Written by Christina Erne
15. Why do you want to be a ghostwriter?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about what has motivated to apply for this type of job, and why they believe they are a good fit for it. They may talk about past experience in the writing industry and why they want to keep their name removed from their work for the benefit of the company.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I want to be a ghostwriter because I find I am the happiest and most creative when I am writing, and I want to help your company improve and grow through my writing."
Written by Christina Erne
16. What is your favorite project to date and why?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss the projects in their past they are most proud of and why these best represent the kind of work they can do. This should show why the candidate is the best choice for the job based on their skills.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite project I have ever worked on is an investigative piece for a newspaper that took me nearly 2 months to complete. While it took me a long time to complete it, it made a great difference into the lives of those in the community. I believe my dedication to stories will benefit your company."
Written by Christina Erne
17. Do you consider yourself an organized person?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what qualities of organization they possess as it may help them in the job. If they are considered organized, they may talk about why this is an important and useful trait to have in this profession. If the candidate is not typically an organized person, they should talk about the ways in which they are able to do the job with the skills they have.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I consider myself a very organized person. I am the best candidate for the job because of my skills to juggle many projects at once and get them done early."
Written by Christina Erne
18. What is your typical work flow like?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their work flow and how they go about completing projects to show that they are able to get work done on time and have some organizational skills.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"On a typical day, I begin with a project by organizing my thoughts and writing down drafts of what I may include. Throughout the day, I write a copy, be sure to edit it and check for errors, check it with a manager, and submit it. I find that my work flow is very efficient and I get a lot done each day."
Written by Christina Erne
19. Do you prefer to work full time or as a freelancer?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their career needs, and whether they want a full time position or are hoping to be a freelancer and working whenever necessary. The candidate should discuss how this fits into the job opening and why this is the best position for them to take.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe I would work best as a full time worker for your company because I will be able to fully immerse myself into the work and be the go-to writer for your company."
Written by Christina Erne
20. What similarities are there between you and our organization?
How to Answer
The candidate should show that they are interested in the job position not because they want any job, but because they have researched the organization and feel that their writing will fit the organization well. The candidate should discuss ways in which they feel this particular job is the best fit for them and why.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe I am a good fit for this organization because we use a similar writing style and I believe I can elevate your organization through my fast work. I hope to increase the amount of posts you are able to push out in the style you are hoping for."
Written by Christina Erne
21. Why do you want to remain anonymous as a writer?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss why they are content with keeping their name off whatever project the organization requires. Perhaps the writing is not one that requires an author, such as a press release, writing on one's website, or perhaps it is a blog post that the candidate does not mind remaining anonymous on.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I do not mind remaining anonymous in my works because I feel your entire website will be a reflection of my work, rather than individual works. Since I will be writing all of the blog posts on your site, they all will be a reflection of me."
Written by Christina Erne
22. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what their immediate plans in their career may be, including where this job may lead them. They should be confident that they would want to work their way up within the current organization and become an asset to them. Although the future is uncertain, the candidate should look for ways they would improve in this job in the short term.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I see myself being the lead ghostwriter for your organization. I am a great writer and I enjoy writing about your organization and representing you, and over time I will know more and more about you until you no longer need to edit my works."
Written by Christina Erne
23. What is your least favorite writing project?
How to Answer
The candidate should be open and honest about what they like to work on least in a writing job. This gives the interviewer an idea about what the candidate may need to work on over time. However, the candidate should be encouraging that they would be able to try to improve and work on those types of works in the future.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My least favorite projects are ones where I do deep investigation into a topic that I am not previously familiar with. However, I have the ability to do deep research when necessary, and I would still be able to do it to the best of my ability, and would improve over time."
Written by Christina Erne
24. What is your favorite kind of writing project?
How to Answer
The candidate has the opportunity to talk about their favorite projects to write and why they prefer these. This gives the interviewer an idea of where the candidates strengths lay and where they may fit best into the organization. The candidate should discuss previous projects where they have been successful and how their strengths in certain works will make them a good asset to the company.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite type of project to work on is short works for the organization, such as press releases, short columns, and controversial articles. I am able to show my point of view, but balance it out with other information so it is fair and balanced."
Written by Christina Erne
25. How do you work under stress?
How to Answer
Writers are often subject to immense pressure doing their work, including working under a very tight deadline or writing under the pressure of a client. The candidate should discuss their ability to get work done quickly and often under a short time constraint.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I find that I do some of my best work under pressure because I am able to focus completely on the one project without thinking about anything else."
Written by Christina Erne
26. How do you describe your writing style?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe what kind of writing style and techniques they use to do their work. Whether they are straight and to the point, creative, descriptive, or more, the candidate should talk about how their particular style of writing they use works well with the kind of organization they will be working for.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I describe my writing style as creative and fun. I believe this is a good fit for your company, as I will add flair and interest to the works you want me to produce each day."
Written by Christina Erne
27. What do you feel are your responsibilities as a ghostwriter?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for a candidate who understands what the position of ghostwriter requires. The candidate should discuss what they know abut the position, and talk about what it means to write anonymously.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"As a ghostwriter, I will write on behalf of your organization without my name directly attached to it. It is my responsibility to complete many projects on behalf of your organization."
Written by Christina Erne
28. Have you ever been a ghostwriter before?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about their experience writing and perhaps even being a ghostwriter, and why this makes them a good candidate. A hiring manager is looking for someone who is an experienced wrier, so the more experience the candidate has, the better. Even if the candidate left previous writing jobs for new opportunities, they should discuss what they have learned from those other jobs and how they will make them a successful worker here.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"While I have never been a ghostwriter, I have worked as a copywriter for years and I have learned what it means to write quickly for the greater purpose of the company. This has taught me that I prefer writing in my own voice, as I hope I will do as a ghostwriter."
Written by Christina Erne