# Journalist interview questions and how to answer them

Journalist and reporter interviews test whether you can pitch stories that fit the outlet, find and verify sources, handle ethical calls, file accurately on deadline and work with editors when you disagree. Come with three specific story ideas for their audience, and answer other questions with real stories you reported: what you found, how you checked it and what ran.

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence. Updated 2026-10-22. Source: https://www.orecci.com/speaking-coach/interview-questions-by-role/journalist/

## What editors are listening for

Editors hiring reporters want three things: ideas, accuracy and speed. Your clips show your writing. The interview shows how you think: whether you can find stories nobody else has, check them properly and handle pressure from deadlines, sources and editors.

Read or watch the outlet for at least a week before the interview. Many questions only work if you know what they publish.

## Story ideas

"Pitch us three stories" is close to universal. Prepare them in writing, then practice saying them in about 30 seconds each.

| Part of the pitch | What to include |
| --- | --- |
| The news | What's new or surprising, in one sentence |
| Why their readers | Why this audience cares, now |
| How you'd report it | Two or three named types of sources, data or documents |
| What it could become | A follow-up, a series, a visual or audio version |

Example pitch for a local outlet (made-up details):

> "Three of the city's eight public pools didn't open this summer, and the parks department says it's lifeguard staffing. I'd get the hiring numbers from the department, talk to two former lifeguards about pay and to parents in the neighborhoods that lost pools. Then I'd compare pay with nearby cities. It could lead to a follow-up when the budget is set in spring."

Pick ideas that fit their beat and style, and include at least one that's hard to get. Easy ideas tell them you'll only cover press releases.

## Sources

Show how you find people, check them and keep their trust.

> "On the education beat I made a point of meeting people when nothing was happening: parent groups, a bus drivers' union rep, a school board clerk. When a story about late buses broke, I had three people who'd talk to me the same day. I check what sources tell me against documents or a second source before it goes in, and I'm clear about what's on the record before we start talking."

On anonymity, say you'd follow the outlet's policy, explain why the source needs it, confirm the information independently and agree it with your editor.

## Ethics

Expect a scenario or a "tell us about a time." Show that you name the conflict, consult an editor and act. The [ethical dilemma guide](/speaking-coach/interview-questions/tell-me-about-a-time-you-faced-an-ethical-dilemma/) shows the structure.

> "A local business owner I was profiling offered me a free meal at his restaurant. I declined politely and told my editor. Later, I learned a neighbor of mine had a dispute with him, so I flagged that too, and the editor decided I should keep the story but had a second reporter check my quotes."

## Deadlines

Show you can file fast without cutting corners on accuracy.

1. **File what you know, confirmed,** and be clear about what you don't.
2. **Update as you confirm more.**
3. **Never guess a name, number or cause.** Hold it until it's checked.
4. **Keep your editor informed** so they can plan the page or the push alert.

## An edit you pushed back on

Editors want reporters with backbone who aren't impossible to edit.

> "An editor changed my lede to say a council vote 'blocked' new housing. The vote actually delayed it by a month. I called her, explained the difference and showed her the motion. She agreed and changed it to 'delayed.' I don't push back on style, but I do when a change makes something inaccurate."

## Mistakes to avoid

- **Generic story ideas.** "Climate change" is a topic, not a story.
- **Not knowing the outlet.** Editors notice within one question.
- **Treating ethics as obvious.** Show your reasoning and who you'd consult.
- **Being precious about edits.** Push back on facts and fairness, not on every word.

Pitching three ideas out loud is a skill, and editors interrupt. With Speaking Coach the AI partner can play an editor who follows up on your pitch, so you get used to defending an idea in real time.

## Questions people ask

### How many clips should I bring?

Five to eight, chosen for the job: the beat, the format and at least one you reported hard, not just wrote well.

### What if I'm just starting out?

Use student media, freelance pieces or a blog where you did original reporting. Editors want to see you found the story and the sources yourself.

### How do I talk about a correction?

Own it, say how it happened, how you corrected it and what you do differently now. Editors trust reporters who handle corrections openly.

### What should I ask at the end?

Ask about the beat, how stories are assigned, the outlet's standards on anonymous sources and corrections and how they're growing their audience. The [tight deadline question](/speaking-coach/interview-questions/tell-me-about-a-time-you-met-a-tight-deadline/) is also worth preparing.

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