The New York Times Mock Interview
Practice 30 The New York Times interview questions covering editorial judgment, digital storytelling, and journalistic integrity.
Question 13 of 30
How would you go about expressing your views and personal opinions when discussing current events outside of work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Experienced
What You Need to Know
Community Answers
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
In most job interviews there is a high likelihood you'll be asked a few similarly phrased questions which test your active listening skills and your attention to detail. Your answer will reveal how closely you're paying attention, and how original and distinct each of your answers are may offer an indication of your experience level.
When answering this question, you'll want to showcase how familiar you are with the voice and opinions of the NY Times, and your ability to exercise discretion when expressing thoughts or opinions that deviate from their positions. The NY Times, outside of their opinion or editorial articles, advertises that they practice "ethical journalism, without fear or favor." And, they trust those they employ to serve as representatives of their brand.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"Unfortunately, when you work for a major news media company, your opinions are never your own. Once people learn what you do for a living, they are only interested in engaging with the voice of your profession, or the employer which you serve as a representative. So, I have grown very accustomed to embodying this identity and participating in this dance. In most situations, I simply fuel the conversation by listening, engaging, and asking thought-provoking questions, deftly avoiding ever sharing my opinions. I might share statistics, or creditable articles we've recently circulated or those of other creditable news agencies. If I have made the person I am engaging with feel validated, and heard, while challenging their worldview solely through asking questions that enable them to think for themselves, then I have done them, myself, and the news agency I work for a service."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"Staff members are free to discuss their own activities in public, provided their comments do not create an impression that they lack journalistic impartiality or speak for The Times. No employee may make statements on behalf of the company or share confidential information without the company's express authorization. This is true for communications through any channel or medium. Each of us must take care never to give the impression that we are speaking for The Times when we are not authorized to do so. If you make any statements about the company publicly, whether in person, on social media or through any other channel of communication, it is important that you make clear such statements reflect your own opinions and not those of The Times. Be mindful that if your social media profile identifies The Times (or a subsidiary) as your employer, the public may attribute your statements to the company."
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