CHAPTER 21-3
Fifty typical interview questions
Following is a list of questions (in no particular order) you may be asked during a job interview. Study
and prepare an answer for each one.
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Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want this job?
What can you offer our company that other applicants can’t?
What did you learn from your student media experience and internship?
What courses did you enjoy most and least?
Why do you think you’re a good writer or editor?
How proficient are you at the details of punctuation and grammar?
What subjects do you most enjoy writing about?
How long do you think you might stay at this job if it’s offered to you?
What two or three things are most important to you in a job?
What have you learned from your mistakes?
Which job experience taught you the most and what did you learn there?
If you could wave a magic wand, what trait or skill would you choose to strengthen?
In what areas of writing or editing do you need to improve the most?
How have you handled disagreements with peers in the past?
Describe your oral and verbal communication skills.
What personal qualities have helped you the most to advance in your career?
Describe a problem you had with a co-worker. What did you do about it?
Would your former teammates describe you as punctual?
How would you describe your organizational skills?
What do you find most boring in your current job?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why did you choose your last job?
Why did you leave your last job?
What is your biggest accomplishment in the last year (or in your last job)?
How would your colleagues and former boss describe your work habits?
What could have made your last job better for you?
What parts of your job are the most fun?
Have you ever been placed in an ethical dilemma on the job? Tell me about it.
Would any of your friends describe you as a workaholic?
What sorts of experiences on a job frustrate you the most?
Have you attended any professional seminars or workshops in the last two years?
How often do you read a newspaper? About how many minutes a day on average?
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
What are three books you’ve read outside class in the last year?
How many magazines do you subscribe to? Which ones?
What salary range would you ideally like to have?
What’s the biggest mistake you ever made in a job?
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Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?
You have less experience than some other applicants. Why do you think you are qualified?
Who is a role model for you as a writer or journalist?
How would you describe your ability to create original story ideas?
How would you describe your ability at proofreading and copy editing?
How would you describe your ability at conducting telephone interviews?
Where are you most likely to turn when you need background information for a story?
How would you describe your ability to meet and interview people in formal settings, such as
elegant restaurants or executive offices?
How well do you relate to blue-collar workers, bartenders, police officers or firefighters?
How do you feel about relocating to another state?
What appeals to you most about this job?
What are some things you are looking for most in a job?
Questions to ask the employer
In most job interviews, the interviewer turns to you at some point and says, “Do you have any
questions?” Do not—we repeat—do not say, “No, I don’t think so.” A lack of questions may appear as a
weakness to the prospective employer. Do not ask any questions when the interviewer’s answers are
easily available on the company’s website. Your questions should demonstrate that you have studied
not only the company’s website but also other common business and media resources that are available
through libraries. Ask a reference librarian for help. The questions you ask will reveal much to a wise
interviewer, for example regarding:
 how well you prepared for the interview and researched the company
 your personal values and priorities for a job
 your level of interest in this job (or lack thereof)
 strengths and flaws in your work ethic, attitude or other key traits
 your familiarity with the media industry and this particular company
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whether you see the position as a long-term career or stop-gap job
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