Journalism Job Interview Tips
The field of journalism is cutthroat, with ambitious reporters and news producers competing for stories and interviews. The journalism job interview isn't much different. With thousands of journalism school graduates entering the job market every year, competition for even the lowliest newsroom job is high. Even if you have a portfolio full of clips or a reel full of on-air reports as proof of your skills, you still need to ace the interview.
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Show Your Passion
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A successful journalist likely puts in long hours -- often for little pay or recognition -- and commits to his stories. Thus, news organizations are looking for journalists who have a passion to report the news, not to become famous or see their names in print. Therefore, it is essential that journalists show their enthusiasm for the profession during a job interview. Employers will see through faux enthusiasm, so trust your feelings. If you possess a true passion for journalism, that will come through in your interview.
Speak Well
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Journalists, whether print or television, communicate for a living. Therefore, employers want to hire journalists who are effective communicators. Reporters for television, radio and print media need to speak clearly, using proper grammar. You might be nervous in the interview, but don't let your nerves rattle your ability to communicate effectively. Speak in complete sentences, use proper grammar and use words correctly. Don't use a big word to impress if you aren't sure of its meaning.
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Show Your Commitment
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Journalists don't always work the standard 9-to-5 workday, and employers want to hire journalists who understand the demands of the profession. You can anticipate a question about irregular work hours, weekend work and overnight shifts during your interview. Here, the employer wants to see if you're committed to the job -- perhaps more so than sleep and family life. If you worked as a copy editor for your college newspaper during the wee hours, mention that during the interview.
Know the News
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Stay up-to-date on current affairs. If you're interviewing with a television station, watch its broadcasts before your interview. If you have an interview with a daily newspaper, read it. Journalists have to be well-informed, and your interviewer might test you to see how much you know about current events. Although you don't have to be an expert on every news story out there, you should have a solid grasp of current events. Talk to your friends and family about current events regularly before the interview so that you have a conversational tone about a range of topics.
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