The answer to my question told us everything we needed to know about our job candidate.
We were hiring for a writer and this person was a referral. The company leadership really wanted to hire this person.
A person for a demanding writing job in our company with no professional writing or editing experience. Didn’t major in journalism, communication, writing, or English in college.
The writing examples the person sent us were college papers. Not very good ones at that. Who doesn’t have college papers to send for writing samples?
But the candidate was a “good culture fit” in the words of company leadership. I liked this person. I could see the person is thoughtful, works hard, and is someone I would say is a high-achiever.
Does all that make them a writer? Let alone a good writer?
No.
In the interview, I asked the candidate if they have a blog, have freelance writing gigs, or do their own writing. Maybe a journal or something like that.
Nope. Nothing. Doesn’t do any writing.
That’s all I needed to know
If you want to be a writer, then write. Read good writers. Learn about the craft.
Write to develop your voice and style.
Blog. Journal. Seek out freelance opportunities for local magazines or other publications.
Find out if you really love writing.
Because that’s what the candidate’s answer really revealed to me.
Why hire someone for a position if it wasn’t something they enjoyed doing on their own?
I have to write. It’s a big part of who I am. It’s why I have two personal blogs and regularly write freelance articles for magazines.
I need to write. Want to write. Love to write.
What’s writing to you?