How do you proofread your own writing when you know the text too well to see mistakes?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- Take a break before proofreading
- Change the format, such as reading aloud or printing
- Do separate passes for different issues
- Use tools but do not rely on them alone
- Check names, numbers and links carefully
Model answer
The biggest help is distance, so I leave the draft for a few hours or overnight when I can. Then I change how the text looks, by reading it aloud, using text-to-speech or viewing it in a different font, because that breaks the habit of seeing what I meant instead of what I wrote. I do separate passes: one for structure, one for clarity, and a final one for typos, names, numbers and links. I run a tool like Grammarly to catch small slips, but I check every suggestion, since tools often change meaning or brand style. I also keep a personal checklist of my common mistakes. For important pieces I ask a colleague for a second read, because fresh eyes catch things I never will.
Can you answer it under time pressure?
Take a timed easy round and get scored on every answer.
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