24 Meteorologist Interview Questions & Answers
1. How would you react if you made a mistake on-air?
How to Answer
A good response would show that the candidate is humble and able to take responsibility for mistakes. Meteorology is an imperfect science, and in order to be credible, they must admit mistakes when they happen or afterward. A candidate should respond by discussing their ability to recognize mistakes on the fly, such as incorrect numbers or text on their graphics and explain it to the public so they are not misinformed. They should also respond by mentioning that they would be comfortable addressing the issue later with the public so they will continue to be taken seriously.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"If I made a mistake on-air, I would immediately correct myself so the audience knows I was aware of my mistake. If I did not realize my mistake until later, I would post on any of my social media accounts the mistake so everyone would be aware of the correct information. I feel this is the honest thing to do."
Written by Christina Erne
2. Why did you choose to become a forecaster instead of another type of climatologist?
How to Answer
A good response to this question would be to explain why forecasting is so important to the aspiring meteorologist. A good answer would include aspects of the person's previous experience and how their love for weather sets them apart from other meteorologists the station could hire. It is important for the interviewer to know that the meteorologist is knowledgeable about various aspects of climatology, not just forecasting, but ultimately chose forecasting for a good reason.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Although I am also passionate about environmental science and protecting the environment, I decided forecasting was the career for me because I wanted to be sure I could keep the public safety in the event of severe weather."
Written by Christina Erne
3. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
The candidate should be honest about what they want to make, as compared to why they want to leave their previous job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"At my previous job, I was making $40,000, but after receiving my American Meteorological Seal of Approval, I am a certified meteorologist and feel my expertise is worth $55,000. This would also help my moving costs."
Written by Christina Erne
4. Have you ever taken a role in a company that hasn't fit into your long-term career plans?
How to Answer
Most people have taken on a position that was not a fit for them in the end. It's best top openly discuss any positions that you have held that were not a fit. This will assist the interviewer in being able to properly place you within their organization. Be sure to end your answer on a positive note, discussing how you bounced back from the misstep. Further, the candidate should talk about how they know their new career path of meteorology is the one for them and how they have learned from their previous mistakes.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I originally went to college for reporting, but after a few years, I realized that there was too much stress involved in the career path. While I do not regret being a reporter for those few years because it taught me how to be in front of a camera and interact with the public, I am glad I have learned from my mistakes and found meteorology along the way."
Written by Christina Erne
5. How would you respond to working extra shifts?
How to Answer
A candidate should be honest with their schedule, but aware that the field of meteorology requires flexibility around the weather. The candidate should express how in the event of severe weather, they will be available to come in at any time to inform the public on what is going on. The candidate should discuss prior commitments they have outside of work, such as children or elderly parents, but discuss how they could find a way to put their career first if need be in certain situations.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"If I was asked to work extra shifts, I would have to check with my children's schedule first, but then I would be able to tell you as soon as possible that I would be able to come in."
Written by Christina Erne
6. Who do you look up to in the field of meteorology?
How to Answer
The aspiring meteorologist can respond by mentioning a prominent figure in the field of meteorology, whether it is a mentor, scientist, or national weather reporter. They should explain why this person is so interesting to watch and how they use the knowledge they gain from that person to improve their own forecasts.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I look up to Ginger Zee as a meteorologist because she not only covers local weather, but also zooms out to the big national picture and explains why the weather is happening where it is happening."
Written by Christina Erne
7. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
How to Answer
The candidate should speak honestly about what they are glad they have accomplished, and what they wish they have done. However, the candidate should always be positive about accomplishing those things in the future and should be forward-looking to their achievements to come.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"While I never thought my career would have brought me to all the cities and states I have lived in, I am glad I had those experiences. However, I look forward to finding one place I am excited to stay in for a long time, and I feel I can continue to pursue my dreams and keep advancing in meteorology at this station."
Written by Christina Erne
8. What are you most nervous of in this job?
How to Answer
The candidate should respond honestly with any concerns, including salary, moving costs, or hours worked. They should mention why they are concerned with this issue and what would make them feel more comfortable about accepting the position.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am worried about moving to a city I have never lived in before because I do not know anyone here and am unfamiliar with the area. However, I look forward to exploring it and I hope I become friends with other employees here so they can show me around."
Written by Christina Erne
9. What are your benefits expectations?
How to Answer
A candidate should be honest in what they would like, but also be realistic. The candidate could take examples of what previous employers offered them and ask for one or two important benefits they would like for the job and why it is important for them to have it.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I would like a stipend for haircuts because I have found that I keep myself more well-maintained when I am able to get my hair cut on a regular basis without worrying about the financial aspect."
Written by Christina Erne
10. If you could start your career over again, what direction would you take?
How to Answer
A hiring manager will be able to tell a lot about your personality by learning about your other career interests. A candidate could use this question to highlight another one of their strengths.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I certainly do not regret the direction I have taken my career; however, if I had to completely start over in a new direction I would want to become a teacher. I enjoy working with children, and I even think this helps me as a meteorologist to speak to the audience in a way that even a child could understand the forecast."
Written by Christina Erne
11. What do you know about our local weather?
How to Answer
In this response, the candidate should mention some of the most prominent weather events that typically take place in that location. They should also mention some of the physical features nearby that influence the climate and weather, like mountains and bodies of water. They should tell the interviewer how these features control the weather in their viewing area, and how they will use that information to predict the weather.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I know that surrounding New York, there are many mountain ranges that generate snow in the valleys. Also, the Great Lakes produce lake effect snow, which produces snow only in the higher elevations at times, whereas the valleys see warmer temperatures with more mixing. I would use this knowledge to increase the daily high temperatures in the valleys on snowy days and expect smaller snow totals there."
Written by Christina Erne
12. Why did you choose to be in front of the camera?
How to Answer
A good answer would be to describe the candidate's personality, and how it is fit for television. A meteorologist would choose to work in front of the camera as opposed to behind the scenes building graphics and assembling the forecast because they enjoy talking to large crowds, and think they are able to express the weather in simple terms to viewers. A good response would be to explain how they can keep complicated topics concise for viewers and how they can make it seem interesting in a short period of time.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I chose to forecast the weather in front of the camera because while I trust in my abilities to assemble strong forecasts, I also believe my personality is fun, likable, and will draw viewers to their television sets and become interested in the weather."
Written by Christina Erne
13. Why did you choose to be a meteorologist?
How to Answer
This is an opportunity for the candidate to not only explain what they love about being a meteorologist, but how they got to where they are today. This is a chance for the candidate to give the potential employer a sense of who they are as a person, and they are free to inject stories about their childhood or life that makes them seem personable, interesting, and a great addition to the team. A meteorologist must also have great communication skills with others in addition to understanding the science, so a good response to this question would be giving anecdotes of experiences with weather in the past and how it inspired the candidate to continue studying meteorology. While this type of question elicits
the candidate to give a personal story unique to each individual, good responses would also include one's passion for a certain type of weather event (ex: snow, tornadoes, hurricanes), one's determination to keep the public safe during severe weather events, and one's interest in watching climate change over time.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I first knew I wanted to become a meteorologist when I watched my local meteorologist when I was a child. My parents always had the news on, and I was so interested to hear what the weather was going to be. I also loved how the meteorologist would stand outside in blizzards or rain storms and I thought the job sounded exciting. So I decided to pursue it in college, and found that there was so much science behind weather, and to this day I am constantly still learning!"
Written by Christina Erne
14. What sources do you use to assemble your forecast?
How to Answer
A meteorologist should respond to this question with their general workflow day-to-day when they come into the office and produce a forecast. They should mention all of the credible sources they use to figure out temperatures, and mention a variety of maps they use to see how the weather will be changing and what that means for the viewing area. They should mention sources from both local radars and national ones, so they show they have an understanding of how weather throughout the country affects the local weather and climate.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"When I first get in for my shift, I go to the National Weather Service website to check the forecast discussion to see if there are any severe weather warnings or advisories posted for the area. I next check the NAM, GFS, FUS, MOS and MEX text data for at least three major cities in our viewing area to come up with my temperatures, winds, and conditions for the next seven days. I also check the NCEP models and a frontal map to see where the high and low pressures are surrounding are area and how they will affect us."
Written by Christina Erne
15. How well do you work with an anchor team?
How to Answer
A good response would be describing the candidate's social skills and abilities in front of a camera. A successful meteorologist is able to talk with the anchors about news stories and human interest stories before and after their forecasts without talking too much or ostracizing viewers. The candidate should discuss their confidence in front of a camera no matter the topic, and their ability to make conversation with anyone. They should also add how their particular personality traits make them a particularly good addition to the anchor team, and how the viewers may react.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"No matter who I am working with at the anchor desk, I am able to find smooth transitions into or out of my weather segment with them. I am able to make conversation and laugh with nearly anyone, and over time my relationship with the other anchors will only strengthen and become more fluid."
Written by Christina Erne
16. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
How to Answer
The aspiring meteorologist can respond by discussing where they want to see themselves in the next five years as it relates to meteorology. The candidate should respond positively about the television station and their career path, mentioning how they think they have chosen a career they will stick with for the rest of their life and could not see themselves doing anything different. A good response should convince the interviewer how much the candidate loves weather, and would never have to worry about the candidate being unhappy. Also, a good response will be forward-looking and goal-setting, so the interviewer knows the candidate constantly wants to improve and grow as a meteorologist.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I see myself as a successful meteorologist who has an extremely strong grasp of weather. I see myself being a valuable part of a weather team, and perhaps the chief meteorologist. I see myself being the most respected weather source in the city, no matter where I am living at the time, and I hope to gain this station valuable viewers."
Written by Christina Erne
17. If you could change one aspect of how our television station covers weather, what would it be?
How to Answer
A candidate should respond to this question with highlighting one part of the current way the meteorologists at the station work and a suggestion to improve it. Interviewers are looking for the candidate to show that they have watched this particular weather team extensively and already have ideas on how to improve the show. While it is not a good idea to criticize the current weather team, this is a chance for the candidate to show that their addition to the team would benefit everyone and improve the quality of the show. A good way to respond is to use the candidate's knowledge of weather and use that to give a suggestion to improve part of the show.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"While I love how the meteorologists begin each of their weather segments with showing the radar, I would be interested in incorporating more web cameras into the show. That way, we can give viewers a live look outside right at that moment, and then move into what is to come in the next few hours."
Written by Christina Erne
18. How familiar are you with creating and editing weather graphics?
How to Answer
A good response to this question would be to mention the graphics programs the meteorologist is familiar with. This will show the interviewer what they are capable of working with, and that they would need minimal training upon starting the job. The candidate should mention programs such as Intellicast, OB, WSI MAX, etc., and the types of graphics they know how to create and edit within the program.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have worked with numerous weather graphics programs for years. I am most familiar with working with WSI MAX, where I know how to edit any kind of existing graphic. I also know how to create graphics in this program, and in the past have created a Neighborhood High Temperatures map for my previous station that viewers really enjoyed. I could make any graphic necessary for any show, and hope to create new graphics for upcoming holidays."
Written by Christina Erne
19. What is your favorite part of the job?
How to Answer
The candidate can respond successfully by discussing their favorite aspect of the weather, adding why they enjoy working with it every day and how they plan on exciting viewers on the topic. An interviewer is looking to find a candidate who loves what they do and can express this excitement to others. The best meteorologist is someone who not only knows the science, but is passionate about the work, and a good response to this question would be one that makes the interviewer interested watching them work. A good response could be anything from working with others, showing their personality on television, or mentioning their favorite weather event, and why they care so much about succeeding in it.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite part of being a meteorologist is how every day is different. The weather constantly changes day to day and even year to year, and I enjoy studying the changes and why they are happening. I hope I can inspire others to find this exciting, as well."
Written by Christina Erne
20. How do you respond to pressure at work?
How to Answer
A meteorologist can respond by mentioning different pressures they may face in the job, such as technology failures, adverse interactions with co-workers, or added pressure from working extra shifts. The candidate should respond by mentioning these potential stressors, and how they plan on resolving any of them as they happen. They must prove that they will complete their job successfully, and that the viewers will not notice any issues.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"No matter what is going on at work or at home in my personal life, viewers would never know, because I keep my personality consistent in front of the screen. If I am having issues with someone or something at work, I address it head on and right away, so it can be resolved, and I can continue my great work."
Written by Christina Erne
21. How do you perform on live television during severe weather events?
How to Answer
A good response to this question is for the candidate to tell the interviewer how their command of the science behind meteorology and their mastery of being on live television makes them feel comfortable in any situation. The candidate should respond by explaining to the interviewer their confidence level in their forecasts, and how that confidence leads them to perform their best on air in any given situation. A candidate also may mention an example from previous work and how they potentially saved lives by giving continuous coverage to a severe weather event without instilling fear into viewers.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am very calm under pressure during severe weather events. Although there is so much to do during these times, like continuously checking the satellite and radars and making sure I am delivering the most up-to-date and correct information, I am able to do so quickly in between my hits. I enjoy the rush and excitement of severe weather, and do not sound rushed or panicked, even though the public may be scared."
Written by Christina Erne
22. What are some of the challenges you have faced as a meteorologist?
How to Answer
A good response to this question is not only mentioning a slight blunder in the meteorologist's previous experience, but more importantly how they have improved since that moment. Good responses include explaining a small mistake from the past, instead of a large problem the person created, and intelligently explain why they know they made a mistake and how they know they would not make it again. Some challenges a meteorologist could respond with would be missing a certain weather features in their forecasting, undershooting the temperature for the day, or not predicting a significant weather event far enough in advance. The goal of answering this question would be to show one's expertise in the field.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In the past, I have struggled to locate tornadoes on a base reflectivity map. However, in one particular summer season, I learned that using a base velocity product and the echo top height will help me identify them better. Now, I know how to identify tornadoes quickly so I can inform the public faster to keep them safe."
Written by Christina Erne
23. What will you add to the weather department?
How to Answer
A good answer to this question involves the candidate highlighting their best strengths in relation to what the potential new television station does and does not have. A candidate could mention their past experiences and how their successes and failures in the past have lead them to become an expert in their field. The candidate should highlight their strengths in forecasting, communicating with team members, interacting with the public on social media, and bantering on live television with the anchors. The interviewer is also looking for the candidate to bring a unique characteristic to the table that sets them apart from others. A good response would include expressing the candidate's expertise in all fields of meteorology.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Coming from a previous market with many snowstorms and blizzards, my expertise will help the weather departments accurately forecast the timeline of events for an upcoming storm and correctly predict snow totals. I have much experience with snow graphics, so I can help the department create exciting new ones to get viewers interested."
Written by Christina Erne
24. Why is this job right for you at this time in your career?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for the meteorologist to discuss what changes in the person's life has lead to their interest in this job in the specific city, state, or station. The candidate could respond by talking about why they love the particular city, state, or news market so much. They can mention certain characteristics of the newscast they enjoy, such as the interaction between the anchors, or the graphics the meteorologists use. A good response would not only mention how this career move is beneficial to the candidate, but also should mention how their addition to the station would be beneficial for that television station.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have spent many years as a meteorologist at television stations across the country, but many of my friends and family live here. I wanted to be closer to them so I would have the opportunity to deliver the weather to an audience that I know and care about."
Written by Christina Erne