National Instruments Technical Writer Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Jan 5, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 3 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 3 ratings
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| 1–3 of 3 National Instruments Interviews | Sort by |
Technical Writer at National Instruments
Posted Jan 5, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 in Austin, TX (took 2 days)
First had one hour phone interview, then I qualified for a face-to-face meeting. The face-to-face lasted 4.5 hours. They gave us lunch. More than one person was there to interview for the same job. The group who interviewed me was extremely nice. We were given a group presentation about the corporate setup and culture, then were interviewed for 20 minutes by either individuals or groups of people. The one question everyone asked was about how I dealt with a difficult situation. I guess they were trying to measure how well I could stand pressure at work. I was always given the opportunity to ask them questions as well. At the end, we were given an editing test. Read some of the white papers posted on ni.com, then you will not be surprised at what you find on the test.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Technical Writer at National Instruments
Posted May 9, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2011 in Austin, TX (took a day)
Initial communications were via email with a tech writer, setting up a date and time for the interview. The first interview itself was with two tech writers, who asked what I knew about National Instruments (hint: it does not make calculators). Apparently employees volunteer to engage in recruiting new peers; they called it "extracurricular" activity.
Very early in the interview I was asked for my salary requirements, a question I skirted by saying something about making sure the position is a good fit before discussing pay. It's rumored that NI does not pay very well but that the work is interesting and the culture is very laid back.
There were some behavioral questions, like "describe a time when you had difficulty working with a group" and "tell us about a contribution you made in your last job." Another question was "imagine one activity you'd be doing three years from now if you end up working here." They wanted a very specific activity description.
The two NI employees were open about their job duties and the company culture, which seems to favor healthy work-life balance and physical activity. There is even a primary care physician at the Austin facility, an onsite gym for $15 a month, and free showers for those who like to jog on the trails or commute by bicycle.
The editing test, which was given at the end of the interview, was an example of "getting started" instructions for one of NI's actual products, with errors added after the fact. It could help to be very familiar with the products and their manuals. It was supposed to be 20 minutes, but I set the chronometer on my watch and was stopped at just over 18 minutes, which barely gave me time to finish one pass and did not allow for a second pass.
A few weeks later, I was contacted and asked again for my salary requirements as well as my current salary. This time, I used numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics and the Society for Technical Communicators to provide a range that would be acceptable. I also totaled up my wages and benefits at my current job. It didn't take long after that for them to decide that they did not need to interview me a second time, so I'm afraid the rumors are correct. NI may be a great place to work, but it probably didn't want to match my current compensation, much less improve upon it.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Technical Writer at National Instruments
Posted Apr 28, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2011 in Austin, TX (took a day)
First applied online in mid-December and was contacted in mid-January through email. Set up an interview time and date. The campus is very nice as is the staff. The interviewer came down to meet me in the lobby and I was taken up to the interview room. The interviewer brought in a second employee and the interview began. They asked me various questions about my cover letter and resume; they also asked me various questions about what I learned in school. Following this, I was given 20(?) minutes to finish a short editing test and was sent on my way. A few weeks later, I received an email letting me know they declined me for a second interview. The company is very laid back and the dress code is relaxed. There were banners for many universities hung over most cubicles.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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