Media Job Interview Tips
In today’s world, the media is a powerful force in deciding the factors around the world. The goal of an interview is to communicate your key message to a public via the report and his/her media outlet. Media interviews are an important part of an overall public relations campaign. A basic understanding of a reporter’s job and a few interviewing techniques can increase your effectiveness in communicating key messages in interviews.
Most journalists are professionals and have degrees in journalism or related fields. Reporters work in a competitive environment. Tight space, time constraints, and decisions made by editors, directors, and producers ultimately determine what stays or gets cut from a story.
Here are some of the Media Job interview tips that will help future journalists are:
* Research the journalist and/or media company who will be conducting the interview. Make notes about the reporter’s style, attitude, audience and previous stories. Understand the publication what topics does it cover? Are there any regular columns or sections that would be a fit for your company? Who is the target audience?
* Always approach an interview the same way you would approach any other important business meeting.
* Preparation always increases your confidence. You must stay up on current events. Find out questions and prepare answers. Prepare yourself for inquiring questions. Answer to yourself why you want to work for this company, in this position and what goals you want to accomplish. The answers can be part of what you tell the interviewer.
* Make eye contact with the reporter. If on camera, don’t stare at the camera. Try to be friendly even when the interviewer isn’t. Avoid arguments. Be cool and positive.
* Determine how the interview might offer you the chance to make positive points or provide helpful information about your topic/issue/organization.
* Use the interviewer’s name in conversation. It creates a more intimate conversation and it makes the interviewer feel good.
* You have to listen carefully. Don’t interrupt the interviewer; begin your answer when the reporter is finished. If you are not getting the question, then ask for clarification.
* Develop a key message point for the media job interview, Based on the topic, develop three brief key messages about your topic and repeat these messages throughout the interview.
* The information provided must be accurate. If the information provided is wrong then your credibility can be destroyed.
* If you were terminated for another reason, be honest about the circumstances without revealing every detail. There’s no need to drag down the interview with a long-winded explanation of your situation.
* If you can honestly say you want to be there longer, emphasize that. You’re giving your boss the peace of mind knowing that she won’t have to repeat this process for awhile.
* You must avoid the abbreviations during the media job interview. You have to use the language that will understand by the public.
* Stay as calm as possible, and to try and project in an approachable manner during media job interview.
* After the interview, thank your interviewer and offer them the materials you brought. This is also the time to offer yourself as a future source on your topic. You can follow up with a written thank you note as well.
