At the end of 2014, Asra Najam quit her job as a paralegal to work as an unpaid speechwriter for Vice President Biden. She fell in love with the field—and the rest is history. Over the years, she has done everything from writing letters for President Obama to giving speeches for Obama Foundation executives.
She now works for Fenway Strategies, a company started by Jon Favreau, who used to be Obama’s head speechwriter. The company does speechwriting and communications.
Hayat talked to the writer who was born in Pakistan, raised in Michigan, and now lives in Chicago about following her dream of writing, working as a writer in the Obama White House, and other things.
As a speechwriter, your way with words can make or break your chances of landing your dream job. That’s why acing the interview is so critical. When the time comes to sit across from the hiring manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your rhetorical prowess, communicate your process, provide examples of your work, and highlight your qualifications
To help you craft winning answers, I’ve compiled some of the most common speech writer interview questions along with suggestions for responding effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or just starting out, these tips will prepare you to persuade any prospective employer.
Describe Your Speech Writing Process
This open-ended question allows you to walk the interviewer through your tried-and-true process for crafting compelling speeches. Don’t be afraid to get specific by explaining each step you take from research to final revisions. Share any frameworks or systems you rely on to produce high-quality work. Most importantly, emphasize how you prioritize understanding the speaker’s goals, the audience and the context when developing ideas.
For instance you could say
“My process always starts with an in-depth conversation with the speaker to grasp their key messages, intended audience, and overall vision. Next, I conduct extensive research on the topic at hand and the target listeners to inform the narrative. I develop an engaging outline, weave in strategic storytelling elements, and choose my words carefully to reinforce the speaker’s perspective. The draft goes through multiple rounds of edits and revisions based on feedback until I’m confident every line lands with maximum impact. While the specifics vary by project, this collaborative, research-driven approach allows me to build truly effective speeches.”
How Do You Capture a Speaker’s Unique Voice and Style?
Interviewers will want to know that you can adapt your writing to match each speaker’s distinctive persona. Discuss methods like studying their previous speeches, directly asking about their preferences, and mimicking their cadence in drafts. Emphasize that while you aim to represent their perspective accurately, the process involves back-and-forth to perfect the right voice.
For example:
“Every speaker has a unique flair, so my goal is to immerse myself in their style until I can write in a way that sounds authentic coming from them. I carefully study recordings of their previous speeches to identify patterns in word choice, pacing, tone, etc. I’ll directly ask them about pet phrases they like to use or topics they feel passionate about. As I write drafts, I’ll read sections aloud and tweak my language to mirror their natural cadence. But it’s an iterative process, so I rely heavily on their feedback to ensure my work captures their essence. My aim is that audience members can instantly recognize the speaker behind my words.”
How Do You Handle Tight Deadlines?
Speech writers frequently need to work under intense time constraints. This question tests your ability to handle pressure and still deliver. Demonstrate that you know how to quickly prioritize the most important tasks, streamline your process without sacrificing quality, and draw firm boundaries around your time when needed.
For instance:
“Having been in this role for several years now, I’ve crafted a streamlined process that allows me to produce high-quality work quickly when up against tight deadlines. I focus only on the most essential research, I use tools like speech-to-text to accelerate drafting, and I reserve blocks of time for uninterrupted writing. While the shorter timeframe requires some process adjustments, I don’t compromise on the final speech quality.
That said, if expectations are unrealistic for the given duration, I push back and have an open conversation about adjusting scope or deadlines to set the project up for success. TIME management is just as crucial as the writing itself in these scenarios.”
How Do You Handle Criticism of Your Work?
Expect this question. Speech writing involves constant feedback and critique from multiple stakeholders. Interviewers want to gauge your ability to hear difficult opinions with grace, extract helpful insights, and refine your work accordingly. Position yourself as eager for constructive feedback and focused on continual improvement.
For example:
“As a speechwriter, criticism comes with the territory. I actually welcome it as an opportunity to improve. While negative feedback can feel personal in the moment, I try to take a step back and evaluate it objectively. Does it reveal a weak point in my draft or highlight an audience concern I hadn’t fully considered? If so, I determine how to thoughtfully address the critique in my revisions. The end result is a speech that resonates more strongly because I listened with an open mind. At the same time, I know when to stand firm if I disagree with a misguided comment. Overall though, even unconstructive criticism provides useful insight into how audiences might react.”
How Do You Prioritize Facts vs. Storytelling?
Speeches aim to inform and persuade. This requires balancing hard facts with narrative elements that connect emotionally. When answering, demonstrate that you know how to gather rigorous data from trusted sources and incorporate it seamlessly into compelling stories that don’t undermine accuracy.
For instance:
“Any speech I write begins with extensive research into verified data, statistics, examples, and expert perspectives. This forms the factual foundation. Yet I realize that speeches can’t just be collections of dry facts. So I look for narrative threads in the research around which to structure engaging stories, being careful not to misrepresent or exaggerate the data. I also inform narratives with vivid details and select metaphors that don’t manipulate the facts but instead reinforce them. Ultimately, my goal is to wield storytelling not for entertainment alone, but as a vehicle for clearly conveying truths in a memorable way. The data ensures credibility while the stories generate emotional investment.”
Why Are You Uniquely Qualified for This Role?
With this common question, you’ll need to highlight your most relevant hard and soft skills. Consider all the specialized abilities and natural talents that make you stand out. Make connections between your background and the role’s responsibilities. Conclude by emphasizing your passion for the craft.
For example:
“With over five years crafting keynote speeches, I’ve developed mastery over the specific skills required to excel as your next speechwriter. First, I’m an obsessive researcher who knows how to rapidly find and validate data. Second, I have a talent for distilling complex topics into crystal clear narratives. Third, I’ve studied what makes speeches emotionally compelling and know how to implement those techniques. Fourth, I handle fluid deadlines and shifting priorities with ease. Finally, I’m simply fascinated by the art and science of rhetoric and persuasion. This role aligns perfectly with my experience, capabilities, and passion. You won’t find a candidate better equipped to deliver exceptional speeches that meet your needs.”
Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
Always close interviews by asking intelligent, thoughtful questions based on your independent research of the company. This demonstrates your interest and initiative. Tailor your questions around things like their speech writing process, organizational culture, career development opportunities, or key challenges they aim to overcome.
For instance:
“Yes, I have a few questions. First, as I researched your organization, I was impressed by your commitment to promoting emerging voices and perspectives. Could you tell me more about those efforts and how they inform your speech writing? Additionally, what professional development opportunities would be available in this role for continuous growth? Finally, what’s the top challenge your team aims to overcome in the next year, and how could the new speechwriter help address that?”
Preparing strong responses to common questions will build your confidence heading into any speech writing interview. Keep these sample answers handy as a guide. With a mix of rhetorical expertise, professional poise, relatable anecdotes, and tactical insights, you’ll prove you have what it takes to craft powerful speeches that make an impact.
Speechwriter interview questions
FAQ
How to prepare for an interview as a writer?
How do you test someone’s writing skills in an interview?
What questions are asked in a speechwriter interview?
If you’re looking for a job as a speechwriter, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your writing experience, your ability to work under pressure, and your understanding of the speechwriting process. We’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.
What questions do interviewers ask if you give a speech?
Similar forms of this question include- “What experience do you have with giving presentations?” and “What was your most successful experience with giving a speech?” It is fairly straightforward what the interviewer is hoping to learn. He or she wants to know that you have some experience with speaking in front of others.
What skills do you need to be a speechwriter?
You’ll also need to be able to take complex topics and distill them into key points that can be easily understood by a lay audience. If you’re looking for a job as a speechwriter, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your writing experience, your ability to work under pressure, and your understanding of the speechwriting process.
How do I choose a good speech for an interview?
All these little details help make you stand out from everyone else being asked these types of interview questions. When deciding which speech to discuss- you should try to pick one that had real stakes in place. If you gave a speech at a wedding- that is great.
