Or, how confronting process questions makes me think about what I do differently
I recently finished responding to a couple of requests for proposal (RFPs). They asked me to talk about my writing/editing process. Like teaching, the exercise called me to reflect on my professional work and processes in ways that I don’t usually make time for unless asked directly. Answering these questions also made me wonder what the right answer would be. For example, we all know that the question “do you have any questions for us” in a job interview doesn’t really call on the interviewee to ask about how much vacation is included. The “right” answer to this question is to ask about how the team fits together and what success looks like within the organization.
What is my process?
This question came to me most recently not through an RFP but on a get-to-know-you call with a new client. I like answering this one verbally because there is room for follow-up. I feel like anything process related can be a bit fluid. When I write the answer to this question down, I worry that a reader will see the rigidity rather than the flexibility. For example, I mention I like to start off with a kick-off call or a creative brief, then to run with an assignment, checking in as needed. But if you don’t do kickoff calls, that’s also fine with me. If you want to check in more often, that’s also fine. Here’s where I wonder if there’s a right answer. I fight the urge to say “my process can be whatever you want it to be.” Truly, I am happy to fit into client routines as they often have more structured processes than I do.
How do I incorporate SEO?
This has become another standard question for writer these days. The first thing I think of is what writer would say they don’t think about it? A dumb one, because it’s everywhere. In my case, I answer that I do some keyword research before I start writing on a topic, but I also try to make my writing natural. Not like it was written by a robot. I often turn this question on the asker and see how SEO fits into THEIR process. Again, I offer flexibility to fit into what they do. We’re all trying to figure out how to rank with Mother Google.
How do I handle urgent work?
What is a quick turnaround? I think that’s the variable in this question. Is it 2 hours? 24 hours? My answer would vary depending on the project, client, form. I tell people I love to have two weeks to write a medium 600-800 word blog post (especially if I need to interview someone for it). One week is okay, and just check with me on anything less. I’ll probably say yes, but I might say no if there’s too much on my plate. Nowadays my main criteria is whether I can still do a good job on work that I take on last-minute.
And then we have the AI question, which crops up regularly too these days. And is worthy of a whole other post.
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