19 Reporter Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various reporter interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Reporter Interview Questions
- How did you get interested in journalism?
- Why do you want to be a reporter?
- What are the most important qualities for a successful reporter?
- What have you done to develop your skills as a reporter?
- What do you think sets journalism apart from other forms of writing?
- What are the biggest challenges you face as a reporter?
- How do you find stories that are worth reporting?
- Once you find a story, how do you go about getting the information you need?
- How do you know when you have enough information to write a story?
- How do you decide how to structure a story?
- How do you deal with sources who are reluctant to talk to you?
- How do you deal with people who try to influence your reporting?
- How do you deal with criticism of your work?
- What are the ethical considerations you have to keep in mind as a reporter?
- What are the legal restrictions on what reporters can do?
- How does your work as a reporter affect your personal life?
- Do you think there is such a thing as objective journalism?
- Is there anything you would not report on?
- What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a reporter?
How did you get interested in journalism?
An interviewer might ask "How did you get interested in journalism?" to a reporter because it can give insight into why the reporter is passionate about their work. It can also help the interviewer understand the reporter's motivations and how they approach their work.
Example: “I have always been interested in writing and communicating, and journalism seemed like a perfect way to combine those two interests. I love learning new things and telling stories, and journalism allows me to do both on a daily basis. I also enjoy the challenge of deadlines and the fast-paced nature of the news industry.”
Why do you want to be a reporter?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know if the reporter is passionate about their work and if they have a genuine interest in journalism. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the reporter is looking for a career change and if they have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the reporter is willing to relocate for the job. This is important because many reporters have to travel for their work.
Example: “I want to be a reporter because I am passionate about writing and informing others. I also have a strong interest in current affairs and enjoy investigating stories. I believe that as a reporter I can make a difference in the world by bringing important issues to light and holding those in power to account.”
What are the most important qualities for a successful reporter?
The most important qualities for a successful reporter are accuracy, impartiality, and fairness. It is important for reporters to be accurate in their reporting so that the public can trust them to provide accurate information. Impartiality and fairness are important because reporters need to be able to report on both sides of an issue in order to provide a balanced view.
Example: “The most important qualities for a successful reporter are accuracy, objectivity, fairness, and balance. A successful reporter is also able to find and tell stories that are interesting and important to the public.”
What have you done to develop your skills as a reporter?
The interviewer wants to know what the reporter has done to improve their skills, and why it is important. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the reporter's dedication to their craft, and whether they are constantly trying to improve.
Example: “I have worked hard to develop my skills as a reporter. I have taken courses on journalism and reporting, and I have also interned at a local news station. I have also done a lot of research on the best practices for reporters, and I have shadowed some experienced reporters to learn from them.”
What do you think sets journalism apart from other forms of writing?
One reason an interviewer might ask a reporter what sets journalism apart from other forms of writing is to gauge the reporter's understanding of the field. It's important for journalists to have a clear understanding of the differences between journalism and other types of writing because the standards and expectations for each are different. For example, journalists are typically expected to be more objective and impartial than writers of other genres. Additionally, journalists are often held to higher standards when it comes to accuracy and fairness.
Example: “There are a few key things that set journalism apart from other forms of writing. First, journalism is typically based on facts and information that have been verified by multiple sources. This ensures that the information in a news article is accurate and trustworthy. Second, journalism is usually written in a clear and concise style so that readers can easily understand the main points. Lastly, journalists often have to meet strict deadlines, which means they need to be able to write quickly and efficiently.”
What are the biggest challenges you face as a reporter?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the reporter's ability to identify and solve problems. This is important because reporters need to be able to find and report on stories, and they need to be able to do so in a way that is accurate and fair.
Example: “The biggest challenge I face as a reporter is getting people to talk to me. People are often reluctant to speak to the media, and it can be difficult to convince them to open up. Another challenge is dealing with the ever-changing news cycle. News happens 24/7, and it can be difficult to keep up with the constant stream of information. Finally, another challenge is simply staying unbiased and objective in my reporting. It's important to maintain a professional distance from the stories I'm covering, and sometimes that can be difficult.”
How do you find stories that are worth reporting?
The interviewer is asking how the reporter finds stories that are worth reporting because it is important to know how the reporter decides what is newsworthy. This question allows the interviewer to get a sense of the reporter's news judgment.
Example: “There are a few ways to find stories that are worth reporting. One way is to keep up with the news and look for stories that are trending or that have recently happened. Another way is to look for stories that are unique or that offer a different perspective. You can also look for stories that are personal or relatable, or that will help people understand a complex issue.”
Once you find a story, how do you go about getting the information you need?
An interviewer might ask "Once you find a story, how do you go about getting the information you need?" to a reporter because it is important to know how the reporter will go about gathering information for a story. It is important to know how the reporter will go about gathering information for a story because the quality of the story will depend on the quality of the information that is gathered.
Example: “There are a few different ways to go about getting information for a story. The first is to simply ask people who are involved in or knowledgeable about the story. This could include interviewing people, sending out questionnaires, or even just talking to people informally.
Another way to get information is to look through public records. This could include things like court documents, government reports, or financial records. This type of information can be helpful in understanding the background of a story or verifying facts.
Finally, you can also do your own research on the topic. This might involve reading news articles, books, or other materials related to the story. This can help you get a better understanding of the issue and provide context for the story.”
How do you know when you have enough information to write a story?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the reporter's ability to make decisions and exercise judgement. It is important for reporters to be able to gather enough information to write a story that is accurate and complete, but they also need to be able to make judgement calls about when they have enough information and when they need to keep digging.
Example: “There is no one answer to this question, as it can vary depending on the type of story you are writing and the information you have available. However, a good rule of thumb is to make sure you have enough information to write a complete and accurate story, while also ensuring that your story is interesting and informative for your readers.”
How do you decide how to structure a story?
One reason an interviewer might ask a reporter how they structure a story is to gauge the level of planning and thought that the reporter puts into their work. This is important because a reporter who takes the time to plan and think about their stories is likely to produce higher quality work than a reporter who simply writes whatever comes to mind. Additionally, the way a reporter structures a story can have a significant impact on its overall quality and effectiveness. For example, a reporter who includes all the relevant information in a concise and easy-to-follow manner is likely to produce a better story than a reporter who includes irrelevant information or who presents the information in a confusing or difficult-to-follow manner.
Example: “There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the story you are covering and what will work best to communicate the information to your audience. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow when deciding how to structure a story.
First, you will want to consider the main points of the story and what information is most important to communicate. You will then want to decide on a structure that will allow you to effectively communicate those points while also keeping your audience engaged.
One common way to structure a story is to start with the most important information and then provide additional details and background information as the story progresses. This allows readers to quickly get the main gist of the story and then decide if they want to read on for more details.
Another common approach is to start with a brief overview of the story and then dive into each point in more depth. This can be especially effective if your story has multiple elements that readers might find interesting.
Ultimately, the best way to structure a story will vary depending on the specific story you are covering and what will work best to engage and inform your audience. Experiment with different approaches and see what works best for you and your readers.”
How do you deal with sources who are reluctant to talk to you?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the reporter's ability to handle difficult sources. It is important for reporters to be able to deal with reluctant sources because they may have information that is critical to a story. If a reporter can't convince a reluctant source to talk, then the story may suffer.
Example: “There are a few ways to deal with sources who are reluctant to talk to you. One way is to try and build a rapport with the source by asking them questions about their life outside of work, or their hobbies and interests. Once you have established a rapport, you can then ask them more probing questions about the topic you are investigating. Another way to deal with reluctant sources is to offer them anonymity in exchange for their information. This means that you will not reveal their identity in your story. Finally, you could try offering the source a financial incentive for talking to you. This could be in the form of a payment, or simply buying them lunch.”
How do you deal with people who try to influence your reporting?
There can be many reasons why an interviewer would ask how a reporter deals with people who try to influence their reporting. It could be to gauge the reporter's ability to stand up for themselves and their work, to see how they handle outside pressure, or to see if they are able to report objectively despite outside influences. Whatever the reason, it is important for the interviewer to get a sense of how the reporter would handle such a situation.
Example: “There are a few ways to deal with people who try to influence your reporting. The first is to be aware of your own biases and make sure that you are reporting objectively. If you feel like you are being influenced, it is important to talk to your editor or another trusted colleague to get another opinion. Additionally, it can be helpful to ask tough questions and push back against anyone who is trying to influence your reporting. Finally, it is important to be transparent with your readers and let them know if anyone has tried to influence your reporting.”
How do you deal with criticism of your work?
Reporters are often tasked with writing stories that are objective and free of bias. As such, they must be able to take criticism of their work in stride and use it to improve their writing. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the reporter's ability to do just that.
Example: “There are a few different ways that I deal with criticism of my work. The first way is to take it as constructive feedback and use it to improve my work. I also try to keep an open mind and listen to what the critic is saying. If I think they have a valid point, I will make the necessary changes. However, if I don't agree with the criticism, I will simply ignore it.”
What are the ethical considerations you have to keep in mind as a reporter?
An interviewer would ask "What are the ethical considerations you have to keep in mind as a reporter?" to a reporter in order to gauge what the reporter considers to be important ethical principles in journalism. This is important because it helps the interviewer understand the reporter's thinking on ethics and how the reporter would approach ethical dilemmas in their work. Additionally, this question can help the interviewer identify any potential red flags in the reporter's thinking on ethics, which could be indicative of future problems.
Example: “There are a number of ethical considerations that reporters have to keep in mind while working. These include:
1. Truth and accuracy: Reporters should strive to report the truth as accurately as possible. This means verifying information from sources, and not reporting rumours or unsubstantiated claims.
2. Fairness and balance: Reporters should present both sides of a story fairly and evenly, without bias or favouritism.
3. Independence and impartiality: Reporters should maintain their independence and impartiality at all times, and not allow themselves to be influenced by any external factors.
4. Confidentiality: Reporters should respect the confidentiality of their sources, and not reveal any information that could identify them without their consent.
5. Avoiding conflict of interest: Reporters should avoid any conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to report objectively.”
What are the legal restrictions on what reporters can do?
There are many legal restrictions on what reporters can do in order to protect the rights of individuals and to ensure the accuracy of the information reported. It is important for reporters to be aware of these restrictions in order to avoid potential legal problems.
Example: “There are a number of legal restrictions on what reporters can do. These include laws governing defamation, privacy, contempt of court and copyright. In addition, there are various codes of conduct and ethical guidelines which reporters are expected to follow.”
How does your work as a reporter affect your personal life?
An interviewer would ask "How does your work as a reporter affect your personal life?" to a reporter in order to get a sense of how the reporter's job affects their personal life and how they are able to manage both. It is important for the interviewer to understand how the reporter's work affects their personal life in order to gauge how well the reporter is able to balance their work and personal life.
Example: “My work as a reporter definitely affects my personal life. I'm always on the lookout for stories, and I'm often working on tight deadlines, which can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I also have to be careful about what I share on social media and with whom I speak about my work, as I don't want to jeopardize any potential sources or stories.”
Do you think there is such a thing as objective journalism?
The interviewer is asking the reporter if they believe that journalism can be unbiased and impartial. This is important because it shows whether or not the reporter is able to remain objective when reporting the news.
Example: “No, I don't think there is such a thing as objective journalism. There are always going to be biases and perspectives that come into play, no matter how hard a reporter tries to be impartial. Even the most well-intentioned journalist is going to have their own personal biases that will inevitably seep into their work. The best we can hope for is that reporters are aware of their own biases and make an effort to report objectively.”
Is there anything you would not report on?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a reporter. First, the interviewer may be trying to gauge the reporter's journalistic integrity. Second, the interviewer may be trying to see if the reporter is comfortable with discussing sensitive or taboo topics. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to get a sense of the reporter's personal boundaries. It is important for the interviewer to know this information because it will help them determine if the reporter is a good fit for their organization.
Example: “There are certain things that I would not report on. For example, if I was approached by someone who wanted to share information about a crime they had committed, I would not report on that. I would also not report on anything that could potentially harm someone's reputation or livelihood, unless it was in the public interest to do so.”
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a reporter?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the reporter's experience and expertise in the field. It is important to know what advice the reporter would give to someone who wants to be a reporter because it shows that the reporter is knowledgeable about the field and is able to share that knowledge with others. This question also allows the interviewer to see how the reporter views the profession and what advice they would have for someone just starting out.
Example: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best advice for becoming a reporter may vary depending on your individual circumstances and goals. However, some general tips that may be useful for anyone interested in becoming a reporter include:
1. Developing strong writing skills: As a reporter, you will be required to write clearly and concisely on a variety of topics, so it is important to hone your writing skills.
2. Being curious and inquisitive: A successful reporter needs to have a nose for news and an insatiable curiosity about the world around them.
3. Building a strong network of contacts: Having a wide network of contacts can be extremely helpful for reporters, as it gives them access to sources of information and potential story leads.
4. Keeping up with current affairs: It is important for reporters to stay up-to-date with current affairs in order to identify potential stories.
5. Being resilient: Reporting can sometimes be a challenging and stressful job, so it is important to be resilient and have thick skin.”