Can you describe a time when you had to provide critical feedback to an author on their manuscript?
Behavioral
Communication
Empathy
Critical Thinking
This question assesses your communication skills and ability to handle sensitive situations, which are crucial in the editing process. Providing constructive feedback while maintaining the author's confidence is a key part of the editor's role.
How to answer
- Use the STAR method to clearly structure your response
- Describe the manuscript and the specific issues you identified
- Explain how you approached the author with your feedback
- Highlight the importance of balancing honesty with encouragement
- Discuss the outcome and how the author responded to the feedback
What not to say
- Being overly critical without offering solutions
- Failing to mention the author's feelings or perspective
- Describing a scenario where you avoided giving feedback
- Not providing a clear outcome or resolution
Sample answer
“While editing a debut novel, I noticed significant pacing issues that affected the overall flow. I scheduled a call with the author to discuss my concerns, emphasizing the strengths of their writing while clearly outlining the areas for improvement. We collaborated on restructuring some chapters, which ultimately led to a stronger narrative. The author appreciated my feedback and incorporated the changes, resulting in a successful publication.”
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