29 Foreign Correspondent Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Foreign Correspondent interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Do you prefer working in print or broadcasting?
How to Answer
Being a foreign correspondent often requires a little bit of both kinds of work, but ultimately in such an online-driven society, they are responsible for at minimum posting videos of themselves online on assignment so the public can keep up with their stories. The candidate should discuss their experience in writing, and also their experience being on live television. They should talk about which they prefer doing for the job, but ultimately be positive about whatever they are assigned to do.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am a great writer, but I am also a great personality on television. I would prefer doing live broadcasts because I feel video along with my written stories will best get across my message."
Written by Christina Erne
2. What is your experience being on live television?
How to Answer
The hiring manager is looking for someone who is confident talking on camera and can talk intelligently about their stories. This person must not stumble while talking, and can answer questions that the anchors may have for them about their story. This job is imperative because it is really the only way that the home country receives their information from the foreign country. The candidate should discuss their abilities on camera and how they plan to work in the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have many years of experience on camera and hope that my abilities only continue to develop in this job. I am confident and speak clearly and I have been told people are intrigued by my stories by the way I speak."
Written by Christina Erne
3. How do you find new stories to report on?
How to Answer
A challenging aspect of the job is finding stories in a country that is completely foreign to the candidate. That person should discuss the ways they dig deeper into the community and talk to locals, rather than just report on politicians or the hot topics of the day. They should discuss ways they plan on finding unique and new stories to share.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe some of the best stories are found in the lesser known places. I plan on venturing to some of the smallest corners of the country and talk to locals about what is going on in their lives, because oftentimes the biggest stories are the ones that are never shared."
Written by Christina Erne
4. How do you work with a potential interview candidate to get them to trust you?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, foreign correspondents have a tricky time of securing interviews abroad because they are not trusted as much as local media within that country. Because of this, the candidate must be particularly good at finding commonalities between them and the country. The candidate should discuss how they gain trust in sources and keep that source for future use.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I know how important it is to gain the trust of those abroad, and that is why I believe I am the perfect fit for the job. I am someone who believes firmly in doing accurate journalism that will help people trust me because I am telling the truth and working my hardest to find the best information."
Written by Christina Erne
5. What unique qualities do you have that make you a good fit for this job?
How to Answer
A good candidate is someone who stands out from the rest, and the aspiring foreign correspondent should discuss their unique traits that make them a good fit for the job. They should discuss their personality traits and past experience that make them highly qualified for the job. They should also talk about ways they will make the job special and invite new viewers into the picture.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I belive I am a great candidate because I am very unique in the way that I have a soft personality. People are willing to tell me their story because I am kind and inviting. However, I ask the hard questions when I have to."
Written by Christina Erne
6. What do you hope to gain in doing this job?
How to Answer
A strong candidate is someone who is passionate about taking a job that will help them grow and learn as an employee. The candidate will show their deep desire for the job when they discuss with the interviewer the ways they hope they improve as a person and as a journalist by doing this job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I hope to gain a deeper understanding of foreign countries and how they compare to my home country. There are many biases about foreign countries that develop when two places or people do not know much about each other. I hope to squash these prejudices by fairly and accurately reporting the news from that country."
Written by Christina Erne
7. Is there anything holding you back from working in another country?
How to Answer
While being a foreign correspondent is an exciting journey for journalists hoping to have a thrill, it comes with the cost of dangers abroad. The candidate should discuss any worries they have about the job, so the hiring manager can discuss how the company may protect them abroad, and ways they can work together to feel comfortable in the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My one concern is the safety of my family while abroad. I am worried about my children attending school and feeling comfortable in a foreign place. I hope that you can help me protect my children, and perhaps give me a stipend for homeschooling."
Written by Christina Erne
8. If you could start your career over again, what would you do and why?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about other interests in life they have that they are passionate about. This will give the interviewer an idea of other things the candidate is good at, and other strengths they have to make them a valuable and versatile candidate. The candidate should talk about their other interests and why they ultimately chose to become a foreign correspondent instead.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"If I did not become a journalist, I would have become a teacher. I love working with children and I believe that I am really good at explaining things and can cater to a wide audience. Although this is not the direction my life took me, I believe the ability to speak to a variety of audiences makes me a great journalist."
Written by Christina Erne
9. What is your favorite story you have ever covered and why?
How to Answer
The candidate should give an example of their favorite story and show why they are so passionate about reporting. The candidate should give an example of a story that was emotional in some capacity and reached a wide audience, and perhaps made an impact on the community. Through this answer, they should show how passionate they are about telling stories.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite story I have covered is about a firefighter who found a woman's wedding ring in the rubble of her home that was torn down by a tornado. It was a story that evoked much emotion, through the interviews and also in the aftermath, and telling such a positive story made my job worth doing."
Written by Christina Erne
10. What is the hardest ethical decision you have ever had to make and how did you resolve it?
How to Answer
One of the most challenging parts of journalism is staying ethically true to yourself and your company. The candidate should discuss any time in their career they have encountered a tricky ethical decision or situation and how they overcame it to what they believe was the right decision. This will give the interviewer an idea of how the candidate will make ethical decisions in the future.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"The hardest ethical decision I have ever made is when I interviewed the mother of a son who was a victim of sexual assault in a church. It was a hard decision to ultimately do the interview because the priest would not go on camera to talk about what had happened, so it was a one-sided story, but I wanted to do it so that their story got out and others would feel comfortable coming forward if it also happened to them."
Written by Christina Erne
11. How do you stay up to date with news globally?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they stay up to date with all the latest news around the world. A foreign correspondent must always know the top stories of the day as it pertains to their country, as well as their home country, so they can report on what is going on around them and how it affects their viewers. The candidate should discuss how passionate they are for news and how they plan to find ways of always being the first to know.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have always prided myself on being one of the first people to know about breaking news since I am so well connected in the news community and also always read newspapers and stay up to date on social media."
Written by Christina Erne
12. How does this job fit into your career plans?
How to Answer
The hiring manager is looking for someone who will hold this position for a series of years, since sending someone abroad to learn an entirely new culture and way of life cannot be done frequently. The hiring manager is looking for someone very experienced and who hopes to stay in this position for a number of years, but also has future goals to keep them motivated. The candidate should talk about their work ethic and how they plan to treat this job, as it falls into their career plans.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Being a foreign correspondent has always been a dream of mine, and everything I have worked for up until this point has lead to this path. I am excited to be able to start this leg of my career and I hope that once I get into the position, I will flourish."
Written by Christina Erne
13. Why is this job a good fit for you at this time?
How to Answer
Being a foreign correspondent is certainly not a job for the first time reporter, and often requires much prior experience and knowledge of the field. The candidate should discuss why they believe this is the right time for them to take a job like this and what has lead them to this decision in life. Perhaps they have always had a passion for foreign relations and politics, or are looking for a change abroad. The candidate should discuss their unique situation and why they are a great fit.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have been working as a journalist for a decade and I am looking for a change. I am looking for a challenge and I feel like that is only possible if I move outside of the country."
Written by Christina Erne
14. What are your benefits expectations?
How to Answer
Foreign correspondents may receive some kind of compensation other than salary for their sacrifice living abroad. They have the right to negotiate other benefits they hope to receive upon accepting the job, including moving expense money, a stipend for hotels and travel abroad, and a clothing budget. The candidate should discuss some benefits that are most important to them.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Since I am moving across the world with my family, I will need help relocating. I hope you will present me with a stipend for temporary living facilities until I can find a proper home."
Written by Christina Erne
15. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
Foreign correspondents often make a healthy salary because they are some of the more experienced reporters in the industry, and also have to move far away. Foreign correspondents make on average between $80,000-$120,000, depending on their level of experience, the company they are working for, and where they are being relocated to. The candidate should take this time to discuss what they hope to make in salary and come to an agreement with the interviewer.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Since I have been working as a journalist and have been reporting on international relations for multiple years, I am highly qualified for this job and hope to make between $90,000-$100,000 so I can sustain a life abroad."
Written by Christina Erne
16. What is your experience in foreign countries?
How to Answer
A foreign correspondent must fully immerse his or herself in the culture and life in the foreign country they are corresponding for. They must explain to the hiring manager how life will be for them working abroad, including personally and professionally. They should discuss their experience traveling, their ability to change locations frequently, and their ability to absorb new cultures and news quickly.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am a great traveller and have always wanted to spend more time traveling the world. I believe this is a good time in my life to spend more time in a foreign country to change the way I think. I have already spent much of my life traveling and believe I have enough knowledge of foreign places to share with others."
Written by Christina Erne
17. How do you form relationships with important contacts for stories?
How to Answer
One of the hardest tasks foreign reporters experience is finding new and important contacts to reach out to when looking for stories. The candidate should discuss their experience developing contacts in a completely new place and how they plan to do so upon arriving to their location.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have lived in many different states throughout my journalistic career and have had to develop completely new contacts quickly to do my job. I am ready to take on the challenge of doing that now abroad."
Written by Christina Erne
18. What do you know about foreign policy and international relations?
How to Answer
The foreign corespondent must have some baseline knowledge about international relations in order to be able to report on topics going on in that country. The candidate should discuss their knowledge of foreign policy and international relations. They should be able to know how to conduct themselves appropriately abroad according to other countries' policies, and should also know when others are not adhering to those laws.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I minored in international relations in college and am very familiar with all of the law that pertains to various foreign countries. I believe I have such a good grasp of these areas that I can talk very intelligently about them, and am a great fit for reporting there."
Written by Christina Erne
19. Are you worried about putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations?
How to Answer
Foreign correspondents often are stuck in potentially dangerous situations to report about the deadly events going on abroad. The candidate must talk about their ability to feel comfortable in these locations, and should talk about their ability to report at the same level as they would back home.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I understand the dangers that may be presented in this job, but I feel the urgency and desire inside of me to keep others safe by being there to tell people what is going on elsewhere."
Written by Christina Erne
20. What is your experience working with a photography team?
How to Answer
The foreign reporter is often accompanied by an experienced photographer who is tasked with recording all interviews and video shot for the reporter's story. The candidate must demonstrate they work well with a team, and knows how to work with another person towards a common goal of the story.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I used to be my own photographer in the past, so I understand how difficult their job is. I have the necessary skills to help them shoot exactly what will work with my story, and I like having someone else there to bounce ideas off of."
Written by Christina Erne
21. What is your experience with social media?
How to Answer
Social media is one of the main ways for the foreign reporter to send back the information they have gathered. They share their stories, pictures, quotes, videos, and experiences on social media platforms so their audience can see instantly what is going on. This is the best and fastest way for information from foreign countries to reach the masses. The candidate should discuss their experience using social media and how they will do the job well.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I love using social media because I love sharing my stories quickly and getting information out there. I have been using many social media platforms for many years to gather information but also to disseminate it, and you will see that I work quickly."
Written by Christina Erne
22. How would you describe your writing experience?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their writing experience and how they characterize their writing. The candidate may provide samples of writing in the past and talk about how they work to make their writing the best it can be. This will give the hiring manager an idea of how well the candidate writes and if that style will fit in with the type of writing job they are looking to fill.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have been writing ever since I can remember, and professionally I have been sought out for my creative writing style and ability to keep a story concise. I think this will make your station benefit from my great writing techniques."
Written by Christina Erne
23. What is your experience with investigative journalism?
How to Answer
Foreign reporting requires much investigating and digging. Unlike reporting in the United States or in a home country, the reporter is expected to come up with completely original material. The candidate should discuss their reporting experience and their investigating techniques that make them highly qualified for the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have been a reporter for many years, and each time I start a new job, I have lived in a place I have never lived before. It takes much to get to know an area, and I have experienced starting from scratch in a foreign place before. Now I am ready to tackle the challenge of doing this, except abroad."
Written by Christina Erne
24. Why do you think you are a good fit for a remote job?
How to Answer
Foreign correspondents have a unique role of working hundreds of miles away from their newsroom. The candidate should discuss why they believe this type of job is a good fit for them and how they know they would be a good candidate to be the lead consultant for another country.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I know I would be a good fit for the job because I love working remotely. I have worked remote jobs in the past with great success and I am a trustworthy source."
Written by Christina Erne
25. How do you work away from a newsroom?
How to Answer
Being a foreign correspondent requires the ability to work self-sufficiently and with minimal supervision. Foreign correspondents must be trusted to know what is good news and what stories are worth following and covering in that country. The candidate should discuss how they work individually, and any past experience they have working without managers or supervisors directly present. The candidate should describe what personality traits they have that make them a good fit for a remote job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I consider myself someone who loves to work remotely and independently. For many years I worked as a writer in my own home, and I enjoy doing my work alone. I have such a strong knowledge of journalism that I know I do not need someone constantly supervising me."
Written by Christina Erne
26. How does your knowledge of foreign countries help you in this job?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their experience in any foreign countries and how this information will help them do the job well. The candidate should give examples of foreign countries they are familiar with and how this would make them a strong candidate for working as a foreign correspondent there. The candidate could talk about how their knowledge of the culture, language, people, and politics will give them great insight into what is going on there to share with the home station.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have an extensive knowledge of foreign countries because I have been traveling my entire life. I believe my knowledge of South America in particular makes me a very good fit for a job there, as I know my way around well and I communicate well with locals."
Written by Christina Erne
27. Do you speak any other languages besides English?
How to Answer
Oftentimes in order to gain trust in foreign countries, correspondents should blend into the environment, including speaking their language. The candidate should discuss any other languages they speak and are fluent in, and where they may be best suited to work based on this information.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am fluent in Spanish. I know much about the history of Spain, as well as the language, and I would fit in well in a Spanish speaking country."
Written by Christina Erne
28. What is your experience with politics?
How to Answer
A foreign correspondent is required to report about anything going on in their designated foreign country, but oftentimes politics dominates the conversation. The candidate should demonstrate their deep knowledge of politics both in the United States and abroad. They should show how they would be a trusted source on politics.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I studied politics in school and was a part of many political groups on campus because I loved learning about them. I was always heavily invested in learning international relations and the politics that go on within different countries."
Written by Christina Erne
29. Why do you want to be a foreign correspondent?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss any skills they have to make them a fit candidate for living and reporting abroad. They should talk about what has lead them to this decision in life and how they believe they can add value to the station with them as a foreign correspondent. They should discuss why they are so passionate about taking this job and why they are so motivated to make the move and begin the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have always wanted to be a foreign correspondent. I went to school for journalism and always knew that when I was ready, I would move to a foreign country and report there. I am very good at immersing myself in a new culture and sharing it with the US, and I believe I am going to uncover great stories to share."
Written by Christina Erne