1. Tell us who is your role model, and why?
The question can reveal how introspective the candidate is about personal and professional development, which is a quality I have found to be highly correlated with success and ambition.
Plus, it can show what attributes and behaviors the candidate aspires to.
2. So, [insert candidate name], what's your story?
This inane question immediately puts an interviewee on the defensive, because there is no right answer or wrong answer. But there is an answer.
It's a question that asks for a creative response. It's an invitation to the candidate to play the game and see where it goes without worrying about the right answer. By playing along, it tells me a lot about the character, imagination, and inventiveness of the person.
The question, as obtuse as it might sound to the interviewee, is the beginning of a story, and in today's world of selling oneself, or one's company, it's the ability to tell a story and create a feeling that sells the brand--whether it's a product or a person.
3. So tell me what do you do for fun?
This was the very first interview question I was asked during my very first job interview (it was at Cosmo!)-and I completely stumbled over my answer. I was a senior in college and desperate to find a job in publishing, so to be honest, I couldn't think of much aside from writing cover letters that I'd done in recent memory. In many cases, editors want to know you have a life because you'll be writing about life-fashion, beauty, travel, relationships, food, etc. Be ready to talk about your favorite restaurants, things you like to do with your friends on the weekends, etc. It's meant to be a no-stress question-and on a human level, editors just want to see if you'd be a fun person to have around the office.
4. Tell us how are you with social media?
Editors want to know you have a strong social media presence. Steer the conversation toward the platform you love and use the most, and your enthusiasm for it will become evident. If the editor asks, “Well, what about Twitter?” Or, “What do you think of Facebook?” You say: “They're still strong and relevant ways to drive traffic.” (Or, if you really know your stuff, talk up the new guard of social, whatever that may be!)
5. Explain me what do you need to know about a project before you start writing?
Good content writers should start by asking questions and doing research. Who is their target audience? What are the goals of this project? Look out for writers who say they “just start writing.”
6. Tell me how do you incorporate feedback and edits into your work?
This question should give you an idea of what this writer is like to work with. While good content writers should be able to defend their choices, they should also be receptive to constructive feedback from their clients.
7. Tell us how do you proofread a piece of work?
All writers make mistakes, but good writers should know how to catch them. Great candidates should have a proofreading strategy, whether it's reading a printed copy, reading their piece aloud, or even reading the piece backwards.
I did my education in yuvakshetra college and I have worked as a junior editor in a renowned newspaper too.
9. Please tell us what do you know about us and our work?
Newsday produces one of the top Newspapers within the country. I do not know more than that but what I can say is that the crossword puzzles are much harder when compared to the other leading newspapers.
10. Tell me why did you choose to apply with our company?
I want to be a writer and my become an editor I can not only share my expertise I will be in an environment where my work may get more recognition.
11. Explain me when have you been most satisfied in your life?
Except with entry-level candidates, I presume reasonable job skill and intellect. Plus, I believe smart people with relevant experience adapt quickly and excel in new environments where the culture fits and inspires them.
So, I concentrate on character and how well someone's matches that of my organization.
This question opens the door for a different kind of conversation, in which I push to see the match between life in my company and what people need to be their best and better in my company than they could be anywhere else.
12. Tell us what's your superpower, or what's your spirit animal?
During her interview I asked my current executive assistant what was her favorite animal. She told me it was a duck, because ducks are calm on the surface and hustling like crazy getting things done under the surface.
I think this was an amazing response and a perfect description for the role of an EA. For the record, she's been working with us for more than a year now and is amazing at her job.
13. Tell me why do you want to work at X magazine?
Once I moved into the interviewer seat, this is the question I noticed other people stumbling over the most. Editors know you're probably applying to 10 zillion other places, but they at least want to feel like you'd be more excited to work at their brand than, say, your hometown gas station. Challenge yourself to come up with something unique and personal. (When I worked at a teen magazine, 99 percent of people said they wanted to work there because they “loved it growing up.” That's great, I thought, but why do you want to work here now?) Is it the magazine you always save space for in your suitcase? Do you love a particular writer? Did they publish a story that impacted your life in a meaningful way?
14. Do you know what qualities do Columnist look for?
☛ Good spelling, grammar and punctuation!
☛ Evidence of an interest in current affairs.
☛ A strong interest in people, places and events
☛ An ability to write in a clear, easy to understand style
☛ An appreciation of the part a local newspaper plays in the community
☛ A willingness to sometimes work irregular hours
☛ An ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
☛ Determination and persistence
15. Tell me what do you do to make your writing more SEO-friendly?
Good candidates won't just be great writers; they'll also know the best practices for SEO, like using the right keywords in the right quantity, and adding hyperlinks to other pieces of content on your site as well as outside sources.
I will not say that I am the best, I think that each person is has their own gift, mine is an undying will to keep going even when things that going my way, so if you choose me that is what you are going to get, a relentless worker.
17. What are your career goals as Columnist?
To improve my writing skills, because I believe as an editor or in life in general one can never stop learning or perfecting their craft. So yes eventually I want to become a lecturer.
I had to write several research papers during my first year if M.Phil. It was tough but I managed to organised my work according to my deadlines and got it done.
19. Tell me what content management systems have you used?
Depending on your specific needs, you might be looking for a writer who can post content directly on your site. In these cases, you want someone who knows their way around a major content management system (CMS) like WordPress or Magento.
20. Tell me how do you talk about a dry or technical subject without relying on buzzwords?
Great web content is clear and digestible. Good writers feel comfortable translating complex or technical ideas into plain language that readers can easily understand.
21. Tell me of the Major News Stories from the Last Year, Which Would You Have Like to Cover? Why?
When answering this question, be honest. Don't try to class up your response by picking something that you think will make you look smart. Honest answers are always good because it illustrates your personality. This part of the Journalist interview questions and answers is designed to showcase what you find interesting in the news and whether that is a fit for the available position. Also, it proves that you know about current events and have formed concrete journalistic opinions on them. Be sure to point out what makes the story interesting to you and why reporting it would have been an interesting experience. Acknowledging why accuracy was vital to the story, as well as why it was an important story to report upon illustrates your journalistic knowledge and passion in a way that few other answers can. You can also discuss why your point of view on the story could have added more insight or an additional angle to the piece. Making your answer personal and individual can help make a lasting impression on you interviewer.
It's a simple question that says so much. Candidates may say they understand the importance of working as a team, but that doesn't mean they actually know how to work as a team. We need self-starters that will view their position as a partnership.
Answers tend to fall into three basic categories:
1) blame,
2) self-deprecation, or
3) opportunity for growth.
I like to find out how much the candidates are driven by money versus working at a place they love.
"Can the person be bought?
"You'd be surprised by some of the answers.
24. Tell us do you read any blogs on writing and editing? Which ones? What do you like about these?
I have read blogs but I cannot remember any of them at this time. What I could say is that they did help me to improve my writing and editing greatly which is why I am here today.
Calculate how many pages I could do per hour realistically and whatever is left over, delegate to other staff.
