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hardContent Writer interview question

Another site publicly accuses your company of plagiarising their article, which a freelancer wrote. How do you respond?

What the interviewer wants to hear

  • Take it seriously and investigate quickly
  • Compare the texts and check the freelancer's sources and drafts
  • If copied, remove or fix, credit and apologise
  • If not copied, respond calmly with evidence
  • Fix the process to prevent repeats

Model answer

I would treat it as urgent and not respond defensively in public. First I compare the two pieces side by side and run a plagiarism check, then ask the freelancer for their research notes, drafts and sources. If the text was copied or closely paraphrased, we take the page down or rewrite it, credit the original where appropriate, and send a short, sincere apology to the publisher. Then we review the freelancer's other work and end the contract if needed. If the similarity is only common facts or phrases, I reply privately and calmly with the evidence and dates. In both cases I would involve legal if there is a formal claim. Afterwards I would add plagiarism checks and source documentation to our editing process and freelancer contracts.

Can you answer it under time pressure?

Take a timed hard round and get scored on every answer.

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