TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
This one has to do with the interview process. Specifically, the interview with the person that will, or will not, hire me.
When recalling all of the interviews that I have had, some questions remain constant throughout each:
"Was the traffic bad?"
"What do you know about our company?"
"Are you familiar with Microsoft Office?"
There has also been a question that causes me to pause every time:
"How would you get information from subject matter experts that are being...difficult? Let's say that they never had the time to speak with you, or they were reluctant to give you the information that you needed."
Years ago, I usually replied saying that I would pursue these SMEs doggedly. In the last year, I've softened that response and changed it to say that I would approach each SME according to his personality type. For instance, if an engineer only liked to talk to other engineers, then I would try to show him that I was taking a real interest in what he was doing.
If another SME liked to talk while he worked, then I would write while he worked. If another liked to talk over coffee...well, you get the idea.
Today's question is simple: Is there a better answer to this question than the one that I've detailed above?
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