List of 30 News Director Interview Questions & Answers
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1.
Why do you want to become a news director?
How to Answer
The candidate should respond by giving background on what in their professional life has lead them to want to become a news director. The candidate should be honest about why they want to become a news director based on how their career has progressed thus far and what they hope to gain in working this job. A candidate may respond by discussing their passion for managing a news department, making tough ethical decisions, and creating new and interesting segments for all shows and publications to make the company a strong one in the community.
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1 Community Answer
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Anonymous Answer
"I have had a deep interest in news, current events and the broadcasting industry since I was a young boy. I remember watching this very station while my parents, as early immigrants, used the 6 pm newscast on this very station to learn English, about news and events in their new home. I also have a passion for diverse storytelling that reflects the community to itself and leads a team for everyone in the community."
Rachelle's Response
You are a great storyteller, indeed! While reading your answer, I could picture you soaking in the news in front of the tv as a child. You have delivered a reply with a lot of passion and enthusiasm.
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2.
How do you plan to allocate spare money for the quarter?
How to Answer
A news director must be able to make financial decisions for the team, whether it is paying certain reporters overtime for covering big and long-term stories, to sending a news team to cover a national story or event, such as the Olympics. The news director must make smart decisions that will benefit the news station and attract viewer's interests. The candidate must discuss how they weigh the importance of these various financial decisions.
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3.
What is your experience working with a sales department?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss any previous experience working with the sales department. Oftentimes, news directors are expected to help the sales department sell parts of the shows to companies who will help sponsor them so the station or publication has revenue. However, the news director must not make any news decisions based on business or financial partnerships they have. The candidate should talk about how they can stay partial to news regardless of other business.
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Anonymous Answer
"I have extensive experience working with the sales department, and it is a critical relationship that must be open and respectful. As long as there is clarity on what can or cannot be influenced by sales, everyone knows the boundaries that can't be crossed."
Rachelle's Response
It's terrific that you bring such extensive experience working with the sales department. To strengthen your response, I recommend adding more accomplishment related details. For instance, have you made an impact on sales numbers in the past? Have you collaborated with the sales department in an exciting/successful initiative? This question is another fantastic opportunity to tell an engaging story of success and teamwork.
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4.
What are your ethical practices?
How to Answer
A news director often makes the most difficult decisions on what stories to cover and how to cover them. The candidate must discuss their experience making these decisions and can show that they are level-headed and confident with what the ultimately decide. Some of these ethical decisions are whether or not to reveal sources to the public, or whether or not to show violent crimes on video or in pictures on television during peak news hour. The candidate must show that they understand the severity of their decision and can back up what they do.
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5.
What is your experience with firing an employee?
How to Answer
A responsibility of a news director is to fire employees that are not performing as well as they should be, despite every effort to train them properly. A news director must be able to try their hardest to work with employees who are not performing up to par, and also know when it is time to let someone go and hire someone who is more qualified for the position. The candidate should give examples of how they know when someone is no longer fit for a position and how they will deal with someone who may be emotional or upset after being fired.
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6.
What incentives do you give your employees to produce good work?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they plan to keep motivation within a newsroom. This may include writing memos to everyone at the beginning or end of the week congratulating certain people on good work for the week, or holding monthly meetings for reporters to help them improve. The candidate should want their team to be strong and excited to work every day, and they should prove to the hiring manager that they want happy employees.
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7.
In what ways do you voice your opinion on story ideas to the newsroom?
How to Answer
The news director should let reporters and producers pitch stories and decide which work best for the day, but news directors have the ultimate say on which stories should be covered. The candidate should prove that they are capable of making smart news decisions for the office based on what the community wants to hear most.
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8.
How do you balance time between news, sales, and marketing departments?
How to Answer
A news director is expected to make the best decisions for the news department, but also must take into consideration the wishes of the sales and marketing departments. A successful news director is able to balance working between various departments and splitting their time so that everyone is satisfied. A good response proves that the candidate is able to keep the news department running smoothly and reporting the most important news possible, while also helping the sales department make money off advertising, and the marketing department to extend the reach of the company.
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1 Community Answer
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Anonymous Answer
"It is critical that the reputation of the news department is of the highest standard. While this role will encompass an important element of sales and marketing for the enhancement of the overall station and the new initiatives we will need to fund, I believe 70% of the focus should be on the news department, with a 15% focus on Sales, and 15% on marketing."
Rachelle's Response
Some food for thought - These are very specific numbers that could work in your favor if you have confirmation of the stations' priorities/desired balance. If you are not privy to the stations' goals for balancing news, sales, and marketing, you may want to consider a lighter approach. Next, with a question like this, the interviewer would be looking for measurable ways/methods/approaches/tools that you use to balance your time.
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9.
Why did you decide to get into the news industry?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe why they believe the news industry is the right fit for them and how they stay motivated each day. Good responses include the candidate discussing why they want to work in news, what experience they have working in news, and what about news makes them interested each day.
Answer Example
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Anonymous Answer
"I got into the news industry because of a passion for news and broadcasting but mostly giving voice to the voiceless. Telling stories that can have a tremendous impact on people's lives."
Rachelle's Response
Wonderful! It is clear that you are passionate about lifting others up and creating awareness around important stories and topics. If you have a story to tell around your entrance to this career path, this question could present a great opportunity to do so.
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10.
Why is this city/state/community a good fit for you?
How to Answer
The candidate should answer by discussing why this local area is so important to them and what they can offer. If the candidate is not previously from this area, they can discuss how they offer fresh perspectives to the news and marketing strategies there. If they have lived in this area before, they can discuss how their previous experience makes them a more qualified candidate.
Answer Example
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Anonymous Answer
"It's the perfect fit for a person like me. I have lived my entire life in Metro Vancouver and British Columbia. And in one of the most diverse cities in the world, I think I would be a great fit."
Rachelle's Response
Good start! To continue the storytelling theme, I recommend adding specifics around why you are a great fit for a diverse city. Think of 'showing AND telling' versus only 'telling.'
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11.
How does this position fit into your career plans?
How to Answer
An interviewer is looking for a candidate who is excited for the new opportunity in their career, but also is striving for a goal in the distant future. A good response to this question discusses why the candidate believes they are a good fit for the position, how they will grow in the position, and how it may help them achieve more success in the future.
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Anonymous Answer
"I have wanted to obtain a managerial position in the news because I can bring a lot to the table. A strong journalist with a wide-ranging perspective on what newsrooms should be doing as we look to diversify our storytelling and be more inclusive and reflective of the community we serve. There are very few visible minority managers in newsrooms across Canada, and I can help inspire more diversity in senior ranks in journalism."
Rachelle's Response
You are right - the more diversity brought to the newsroom, the more our communities benefit. In turn, we can all gain a broader overall perspective. When it comes to your career plans, I recommend providing more specific detail as to why a News Director role is the top choice (for instance, why not other management roles in broadcasting?) It may be helpful to mention how this News Director role is the next step in your career progression. As it stands, this reply may be more appropriate for a question such as, 'Why should we hire you?'
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12.
What is your favorite type of story?
How to Answer
A good response would be for the candidate to describe what makes their newscasts the best based on their favorite, most compelling stories. The candidate should discuss what types of stories make up a good quality newscast, and how they will decide which stories take precedent in a show lineup.
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13.
What experience do you have writing and editing story scripts?
How to Answer
A news director is able to not only help others write well, but be a great writer themselves. They must have previous writing and editing experience, and can prove to the hiring manager that they will make beneficial changes and improvements to the writing product that comes out of the news department.
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14.
How would you describe yourself as a manager?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe their personality traits and how they help to make a good manager. The candidate should describe what they consider a successful manager, including someone who is open to helping others, knowledgeable about news, and is a good decision-maker for the news and sales departments. A manager is expected to work well with all employees in the news department, including reporters, photographers, producers, and assignment desk editors. In answering this question, they should touch on how they plan to manage each of the departments, with a moderation of understanding and power.
Answer Example
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1 Community Answer
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Anonymous Answer
"One who listens and collaborates. I ensure people feel they are heard and valued and feel a part of the decision making process vs just being a follower. I encourage people to use their voice, to flex their editorial might, and at the same time be comfortable raising concerns if something is going wrong. And while I can make decisions on my own, encouraging others to give their perspective, that it would be considered fair, helps them grow and the organization to be reflective."
Rachelle's Response
You provide a comprehensive and descriptive answer - this is great! If you have any story-based examples of times when you have deployed these approaches/characteristics, it may be nice to include. By giving real-life examples of 'a time when,' you can bring your words into action.
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15.
Why is this job right for you at this time?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss what skills in previous jobs they have attained, and how being a manager of a news department is right for them at this point in life. Why are you choosing to move? Why are you choosing to have more responsibilities within a company? The candidate should discuss any skills they have that make them a perfect fit for the job and why it is best for them to take a managerial position at this time in their life.
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Anonymous Answer
"I am ready to meet this challenge as we now live in a world where the focus on diversity and inclusion in news media requires someone who has a deep understanding of the issue and can help organization rise to the challenge of meeting the demands in the next few years."
Rachelle's Response
You provide very compelling reasoning as to why increased diversity is very important in the news/media - especially now! Overall, it feels as though you could answer the question more directly. For instance, what is in it for you if you were to be hired? What would make you stay motivated and remain in the role for now and in the long term?
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16.
How will you elevate our company?
How to Answer
A good response is to discuss specific examples of ways the candidate plans to make the company a stronger one. Ways of answering include creating new segments for the television shows, hiring writers and editors who have strong skills to make each product an error-free and flawless one, and motivating workers to do their best work by offering them tips and providing promotions for those who go above and beyond.
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1 Community Answer
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Anonymous Answer
"With my skillset in journalism, community building, both internally and externally, I can help elevate the company to become leaders who get storytelling right and understanding the nuances of the community and providing accurate reflection. We can bring more people into our tent, connect with our brand because it stands as a leader in the market in breaking news, exclusives, investigative reporting that reflects the diversity of the market."
Rachelle's Response
This is a good start! I recommend leaning toward what the organization is doing right and how you will elevate those factors. When you say 'elevate the company to become leaders who get storytelling right....' it could come across as a criticism (something you feel they are not doing right, in the present). To achieve an answer that is more flattering to you and the employer, try being more detailed/specific on the action steps you plan to take.
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17.
How do you plan to improve our viewership and ratings?
How to Answer
Managers in the news industry are constantly concerned with increasing viewership and ratings within the community. They often track ratings each day, or even each show, and based on those numbers, they figure out how to improve the shows and news department. A good response makes the interviewer aware that the candidate knows how important it is to keep up with monitoring viewership and is constantly finding ways to get more loyal fans.
The candidate should present a few examples of how they plan on improving ratings, such as adding fresh and new content and ideas to the shows, or switching up the personalities that appear to see if viewers prefer different reporters and anchors at different times of the day.
Answer Example
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1 Community Answer
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Anonymous Answer
"By being more reflective of Metro Vancouver, more people will connect with our brand, not just in storytelling, but participation and relationship building in various communities we will actually do. The reputation of the station wanes amongst diverse communities, especially after a very high-profile fallout on issues of racism."
Rachelle's Response
This reply is a good start, and I encourage you to dive into more detail. Also, rather than ending the reply on a critical point, try to wrap up your response on a note of hope. I have provided a starter for you below.
"I have many helpful ideas for improving viewership and ratings. First, I understand that the reputation of the station wanes amongst diverse communities, primarily after a very high-profile fallout on racism issues. I believe that we can work toward repairing this reputation by being more reflective of the issues impacting Metro Vancouver. This approach will help people to connect with our brand, not just in storytelling, but in participation and relationship building in various communities...."
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18.
What qualities do you look for in reporters?
How to Answer
A main responsibility of a news director is to hire reporters. The candidate must discuss their experience in hiring employees, or interviewing others. The candidate may discuss qualities in reporters they look to hire that will help their final product, including reporters who are passionate, are good multi-taskers, and know the local area well. A good response shows that the candidate knows what it takes to be a successful reporter and can spot these qualities in others.
Answer Example
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Anonymous Answer
"Strong writers, creative storytellers, not afraid to ask tough questions. Also, someone who is very curious, a critical thinker."
Rachelle's Response
These are all essential qualities for a reporter to possess, indeed! If you have a qualifying statement to add regarding your hiring successes, this question presents a great opportunity to include that information.
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19.
What qualities do you look for in hiring new producers?
How to Answer
A main responsibility as a news producer is to hire employees in the news department. The aspiring news producer must demonstrate how they would be able to find a successful producer to add to the team, and be assured that they will be a good fit. The candidate should discuss their previous experience interviewing future employees and knowing what qualities in a producer are most important in finding. Some qualities the candidate could mention are experienced writers, creative thinkers, quick editors, and passionate workers in the news industry.
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Anonymous Answer
"Someone who pays attention to details, a critical thinker, an effective mentor and coach."
Rachelle's Response
Great! Like the question above, if you have a qualifying statement to add regarding your hiring successes, this question presents a great opportunity to include that information.
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20.
What other experience do you have working in news or management?
How to Answer
A successful candidate can describe to the interviewer how previous experience in news or as a manager will help them work well in the new position. The candidate should describe aspects of their personality that make them a good fit for a managerial position, such as the ability to work well with a team, and good compromising skills. The candidate should also describe what past experience in news they have, and how it helps them make the best possible decisions for the news department.
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21.
What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
A news director typically makes a yearly salary between $60,000-$100,000, depending on the market size of the station in which the job is. The candidate should discuss their previous salary and give a range of salaries they hope to make based on their experience and previous work in similar positions.
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22.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
How to Answer
A good response to the question would be for the candidate to describe where they see their career going in the near future. They should be positive about their future in the company for which they are applying, but also show that they are striving for a larger goal, and they will treat the job seriously and constantly want to improve.
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23.
By this time in your career, you should have advanced further, what has slowed down your career progression?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, getting to the position of being a news director requires many years of work in other jobs within the news department and in managerial positions. These other positions may have slowed a person's progress towards the ultimate goal of news director. If this is the case, the candidate should discuss how their previous careers and areas of work have made them experienced and a good fit for then news director position. Regardless of how slow or fast it takes someone to get to a certain career, the person should discuss how various careers have helped them become a good news director.
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24.
How well do you work under stress?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss their experience working under pressure. News can break quickly and decisions often need to be made instantaneously. The candidate must prove that they can make these quick decisions with the same level-headedness as they would with less stress at the time.
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25.
How do you decide which stories are the most important to cover for the day?
How to Answer
A hiring manager is looking for a news director who is able to tell the news team if certain stories need to be covered in exchange for other less important ones. The candidate should discuss what makes a good news story, and why certain ones should be favored or replaced over others. They should discuss how to address this with a newsroom, like having them cover the story of lesser importance on another day.
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Anonymous Answer
"What has the most impact, has the most emotional impact? Which story gives voice to the plight of the average person in the community?"
Rachelle's Response
These are excellent benchmarks, to begin with. When forming your interview response, I recommend digging deeper and walking through your process, which will bring it all to life for the interviewer.
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26.
What influenced you to become a manager?
How to Answer
A good response would be an honest one about why the candidate became interested in news directing and why believe they are good enough to fit this job description. The candidate should discuss an event or series of events in their life that has lead them to this position, such as an extensive career in news, and a love for managing a team. A manager must have some kind of love for helping others and having a balance between control and compromise with their employees. The candidate should discuss this balance and how they believe they will be successful at it.
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27.
What are your career aspirations beyond this point?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss why they are passionate about taking this job, and how it will help them develop as an employer in the future. While they may mention what future goals they have within the company or in their career, the most important aspect of the question is about the candidate's interest in holding the position for a long time. Interviewers do not want a candidate who hopes to put the job on their resume and leave quickly. They are looking for someone who wants to do great work and stay around for a while.
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28.
What unique skills can you offer to our news department?
How to Answer
The candidate should give examples of aspects of their personality, skills they possess, and previous works that make them more qualified than other potential candidates for the position. They should discuss why their previous experience in news or management makes them qualified for the job and ways in which they will make positive changes on the department throughout their career.
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29.
What is your experience managing finances for a department?
How to Answer
A news director is expected to keep track of any money the news department may have within a quarter in order to either save for future projects and equipment, or use on top stories. The money may go towards hiring graphic designers, buying new camera equipment, or sending a reporter team to a faraway state to cover a big event. The candidate should discuss their ways of managing this kind of budget and how they believe is the best way to spend finances each quarter.
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30.
How do you find qualified candidates for news positions to hire?
How to Answer
A news director is expected to hire employees in the news department. The interviewer wants to find someone who is experienced with hiring these types of positions and has unique ways of finding the best possible candidates. The potential news director should discuss their experience with hiring and their knowledge of what each job they hire for requires. They should also mention ways they find potential employees, such as through the website's hiring site, other aggregate job listing sites, or through news reels posted on social media sites, including YouTube.
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