Interview Tips for Media Professionals
Confidence and smart attitude are the two inherent qualities in every media professional. Use these skills to win the prestigious job. Media professionals' interviews are more of an exchange of ideas and conversation about the current happenings than a mere question answer session.
Apart from the obvious facts that you have to be dressed in proper manner and be punctual, here are some more tips to help you for an interview.
Media Interview Tips
As a media professional, it is assumed that you have the best communication and interpersonal skills. It is necessary to employ these skills during the interview to convince the editors that you are the right candidate for the job.
- The first basic tip would be to keep your nervousness under check throughout the interview. A few sessions of mock interview with your friends or relatives will definitely ease off the anxiety.
- You may be required to give a short presentation on a given topic. Thus, make sure to ask in advance about the topic to be discussed. You needn't ask specific questions. An overall idea is all you need to prepare your presentation.
- Make sure you put in your best efforts in setting up your presentation. Keep it as simple as possible. Use media jargons but support them with day to day examples that can be easily understood.
- For the question-answer round that follows your presentation, gear yourself well to clarify any query that may arise from the panelists. It helps to have a bank of examples ready for explanations.
- Anticipate the questions that could be asked during the interview. Discussions ranging from politics to social issues to financial sector can be expected to be a part of the interview. Thus, keep yourself up-to-date about the current issues and latest happenings.
- Do not hesitate to correct your interviewer, in case he provides wrong information. It could be a well-placed trap to test your knowledge. Nevertheless, state your opinion politely and confidently.
- Meanwhile, if you have no knowledge about a particular issue, do let the interviewer know about it. It is better to be direct about it than guess the facts.
- Remember that there's a difference between a fact and an opinion. No matter what you think, a fact is a fact. Think before you challenge your interviewer's statements.
- Research the media house where you have applied inside out. It is important that you know about its activities, recent news, upcoming features etc. Discussions about such issues are usually on their agenda, and you can highlight your interest level by actively participating in such discussions.
- At the same time, make sure you have your facts correct. It creates a wrong impression if you animatedly talk about a story that was published/ covered in a competitors' media house.
Media interviews are stressful. These tips will help you to prepare in advance and gather enough self-confidence to excel in media interviews.
