Describe a time when you had to handle criticism or negative feedback about your writing. How did you respond?

Sample answer to the question

I once received negative feedback about an article I wrote for a travel magazine. The feedback highlighted some areas where the writing could have been improved, such as the flow and structure of the piece. Initially, I was a bit disappointed, but I quickly realized that constructive criticism is essential for growth. Instead of dwelling on the negative feedback, I used it as an opportunity to learn and improve my writing skills. I reached out to the editor for further clarification on the feedback and asked for specific examples of how I could enhance the piece. I also sought advice from more experienced writers in my network and studied articles by renowned travel writers to understand their writing styles. With this knowledge, I revised the article, paying close attention to the flow and structure. By embracing the criticism, I was able to turn a setback into an opportunity for growth and improvement.

A more solid answer

I once faced criticism regarding an article I wrote for a travel magazine. The feedback pointed out areas where I could have improved the flow and structure of the piece. Initially, I felt disappointed but quickly realized that constructive criticism is crucial for personal and professional growth. To respond to the feedback, I took a proactive approach. Firstly, I reached out to the editor to gain a deeper understanding of their expectations and asked for specific examples of how I could enhance the article. I also sought guidance from experienced writers in my network, who provided valuable insights on maintaining a captivating flow in travel writing. Additionally, I studied articles by renowned travel writers to understand their storytelling techniques and implemented those strategies in my revision. By embracing the criticism and taking proactive measures to address it, I turned the setback into an opportunity for growth, honing my writing skills to better align with the requirements of the travel industry.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details about how the candidate responded to the negative feedback. It highlights their proactive approach by reaching out to the editor for further clarification and seeking guidance from experienced writers in their network. It also mentions studying articles by renowned travel writers to improve their storytelling techniques. The answer effectively relates the candidate's experience to the skills and qualifications mentioned in the job description, such as exceptional writing and storytelling skills, attention to detail and grammar, and the ability to handle criticism and turn it into growth opportunities. However, it could still be improved with more emphasis on how the candidate used their time management and organizational abilities to revise and meet the article's deadlines.

An exceptional answer

A notable experience was when I received constructive feedback on an article I had written for a travel magazine. The feedback highlighted the need for improvement in the flow and structure of the piece to enhance readability. Initially, I was disappointed, but I recognized the value of receiving criticism as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Taking a structured approach, I scheduled a meeting with the editor to delve deeper into their expectations and gain insights on the target audience's preferences. I carefully documented the feedback received and identified specific areas for improvement. To refine my writing skills, I collaborated with a mentor who provided guidance on crafting engaging and cohesive narratives. Additionally, I created a timeline, allocating dedicated blocks of time for research, writing, and revisions, ensuring that the project stayed on track and met the deadline. By integrating the feedback into my work, I demonstrated my commitment to producing high-quality content that aligned with the magazine's standards. Ultimately, the revised article showcased my enhanced writing abilities, marked by improved flow, and captivated the readers, receiving positive feedback from both the editor and the audience.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a more comprehensive and detailed response to the question. It emphasizes the candidate's structured approach to handling the criticism by scheduling a meeting with the editor and documenting the feedback received. It also highlights their collaboration with a mentor, showcasing their ability to seek guidance and learn from experienced individuals in the field. The answer further illustrates the candidate's exceptional time management and organizational abilities by mentioning the creation of a timeline for research, writing, and revisions. The integration of the feedback to produce high-quality content that aligns with the publication's standards demonstrates the candidate's commitment to excellence. The answer effectively addresses all the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description, showcasing the candidate's exceptional writing and storytelling skills, strong research capabilities, excellent attention to detail and grammar, and their ability to manage time and meet deadlines.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on your past experiences where you received criticism or negative feedback about your writing. Choose a situation that allowed you to demonstrate your growth mindset and resilience.
Practice framing your response in a way that shows you appreciate feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
Think about how you responded to the negative feedback and the specific actions you took to address it. Highlight any collaboration or mentorship experiences that showcase your ability to seek guidance and learn from others in the field.
Consider how you integrated the feedback into your subsequent work or projects and the positive outcome that resulted from your efforts.
Relate your experience to the skills and qualifications mentioned in the job description, such as exceptional writing and storytelling skills, strong research capabilities, attention to detail and grammar, and time management and organizational abilities.

What interviewers are evaluating

Exceptional writing and storytelling skills.
Strong research capabilities.
Excellent attention to detail and grammar.
Time management and organizational abilities.