27 Photojournalist Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Photojournalist 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. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
A photojournalist makes a wide range of salaries, based on prior experience, position, and location. A starting photojournalist makes between $30,000-$40,000, but photojournalists can expect to be paid more after more years of experience, higher markets, and more populated locations. The candidate should discuss their desired range of salaries and come to an agreement with the interviewer.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Because I am a great storyteller and have proven myself over the years, I believe I would like to make between $32,000-$34,000."
Written by Christina Erne
2. Do you prefer a boss who is hands-on or gives you space to work?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they like to work and how they may work with each type of manager - one who likes to give lots of feedback throughout the process, and one who likes to step back and have the photojournalist do the work. The candidate should discuss their experience with both types of bosses and how they would be able to ultimately work with either one of them during the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I prefer a boss who gives me some space to do my work because I feel I usually have a good grasp on what I am doing and love to inject my own creativity into the story. However, I also like getting feedback on my work and ways to make it better."
Written by Christina Erne
3. How do you work under minimal supervision?
How to Answer
While photojournalists do have editors, managers, and producers helping them put together a story, they often work alone for most of it. They often find stories for his or herself, put together the interviews, video, and then create the final product before it is checked over for errors before it is submitted. The hiring manager is looking for someone who works well on their own and does not require much help throughout the process. The candidate should discuss how they work on any given day if they are left unattended throughout an entire story.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I work very well without much help, and in fact, I like working alone for most of the project. I enjoy seeing how far I can go without someone telling me how to change what I have done, and while I like some constructive criticism, I like the fun challenge of seeing how I can create my best work without anyone else."
Written by Christina Erne
4. How do you work under pressure?
How to Answer
Photojournalists often have only a short time to produce their work, or are given a specific deadline they must meet for the project. The candidate should describe their experience working under tight deadlines and time constraints and how they produce the highest quality work under this pressure.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I produce some of my best work under pressure. I love the challenge of working hard and fast, and find that if I give myself too much time to work on a project, I spend too much time overanalyzing my work. I feel that my best work is under a constraint."
Written by Christina Erne
5. How do you stay up to date on the latest journalism news?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they plan to stay up to date with all of the workings behind the scenes in the world of photojournalism. This includes all of the most recent stories in journalism, specific techniques that may be new in the field, and new and updated equipment in the field of photography. This gives the interviewer the idea that the candidate cares about the future of the field and hopes to grow with it.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I love following all the latest news in journalism through blogs, and online forums for journalists. That way I stay up to date on everything I need to know that is changing in the field. I also adapt well to new technology on cameras so I like to stay up to date with that."
Written by Christina Erne
6. What is your experience with social media?
How to Answer
A photojournalist is often required to post all of their story updates, final products, and interesting pictures and video to social media to spread the word. The candidate should discuss their knowledge of using social media and how they would use social media to promote stories and find new ones.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have been working with social media for many years and consider myself a social media expert. I have found many important stories through locals online who have shared stories that are important to them. I hope to find more stories thorough social media, and push my final products online to spread the word."
Written by Christina Erne
7. How does this career fit into your long term goals?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss how they plan on working in this job, whether it is a long term position, or one that will help them achieve something greater in the future. While a hiring manager does not want to hire someone who plans to only be a temporary member of the team, the candidate should discuss their ultimate career plans. They may talk about what this job will help them achieve so that they can continue being successful down the line.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I hope this job will train me to learn more about telling great stories through still photography. While I am experienced in storytelling, I hope to gain more insight into telling a story more visually, rather that just with words, so that someday I can work as a professional photographer."
Written by Christina Erne
8. If you did not become a photojournalist, what other career would you have?
How to Answer
The candidate can mention what job they would have wanted to have if they did not become a photojournalist. They should talk about what characteristics they hold that would make them a good fit for that job and how those characteristics make them ultimately a good fit to be a photojournalist.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"If I did not become a photojournalist, I would have wanted to become a history teacher. I love learning about the past and telling stories, and discovering new parts of it. Now I can channel that love for storytelling in photojournalism."
Written by Christina Erne
9. How do you develop contacts for stories?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about their experience developing story ideas though people in the community. The candidate should talk about prior experience forming relationships and getting story ideas from others. The interviewer is looking for someone who is able to dig for stories and has the trust of the community.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I develop contacts through being a part of the community, like talking to people at the gym, library, coffee shop, and more. I look online on blogs for things that people are talking about so I can create stories that people will care about."
Written by Christina Erne
10. How do you decide what is too graphic to show in visual form?
How to Answer
Some stations and publications have certain standards for what images can be shown and what cannot be shown. The candidate should talk about how they make ethical decisions in their stories. They should use any knowledge they have of the station and their policies and talk about how he or she will adhere to and follow these ethical policies.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I know what I can and cannot show through my visuals when I consider that a child would feel uncomfortable seeing it. Even if something is graphic, I want to make sure people feel comfortable and I can evoke emotion out of them without bothering someone."
Written by Christina Erne
11. Who is your biggest role model and why?
How to Answer
The candidate may discuss someone in their life, either professionally or personally, who they admire because of their strong traits. Through this answer, the candidate can show what types of qualities in a person they like and what kind of person they try to be as it relates to the job. Perhaps they admire someone who cooperates well with a team, or someone who is creative. It should give some insight into the person's likes and personality.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My biggest role model in the journalism world is Christiane Amanpour. She is influential because she tells such great stories and is dedicated to her work. She uses her words to evoke emotion. I hope to be able to do this better, except with visuals one day."
Written by Christina Erne
12. Why is this company/publication the best fit for you?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss why they believe they are a good fit for the location where they are doing the job. Perhaps the candidate grew up in that state or community, or has a particular knowledge of that area. The candidate should talk about why they are so well suited to do the job in this area and how the station or publication will benefit from their knowledge of it.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have grown up in this part of the country my entire life and I know the landscape, weather, and social issues here very well. I also know many people who live around here and already have many great contacts to help me grow my story ideas."
Written by Christina Erne
13. What is your least favorite story you have covered?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about what types of stories they like covering the least, and why they do not like it. However, they ultimately should be positive about their ability to tackle these types of stories in this new job and how they plan to overcome their dislike.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My least favorite story to cover is court cases because there are not many visual aspects to it. However, I believe you have very talented photojournalists at your station that will give me ideas on how to report better on them."
Written by Christina Erne
14. How does this position fit into your career plans?
How to Answer
The photojournalist should discuss what they hope to learn and gain from this job and where they plan to go in the future. While a hiring manager is not looking for someone who plans to leave the job right away, they are looking for someone who is interested in progressing and growing over the years to make them even better. The candidate should discuss what they hope to achieve through this job and where it may take them down the line.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In the future, I hope to eventually be a photojournalist for National Geographic. Until then, I hope to gain much more experience in storytelling through this job, and improve my ability to tell stories through video. That way, someday I will have the necessary skills to travel the world and tell animal stories."
Written by Christina Erne
15. What do you think is the main responsibility of a photojournalist?
How to Answer
Being a photojournalist sounds like a simple job description, but actually involves many various tasks and responsibilities. The candidate should describe what they believe are the main responsibilities of a photojournalist, including finding stories on their own, finding people to interview, conducting interviews, taking photos and video, writing a script, editing the video, and publishing it all.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe the main responsibility of a photojournalist is to create a story that is informational to the public based on visual aspects. I am an experienced journalist who loves telling stories through pictures and video, so this job is perfect for me."
Written by Christina Erne
16. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss where they see this job taking them in the near future. They may discuss ways they will improve in their career through taking this job, and how they plan to develop their skills to help them achieve future goals.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I see myself being the national photojournalist for your station. I hope to improve my photography skills and writing so much that I am a valuable asset here, and I hope to prove that I am a great person to send on faraway stories."
Written by Christina Erne
17. How would you describe your writing style?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about how they describe their writing style, and how it fits within the job description. They should discuss their creativity when writing stories, and how they use words and writing to supplement their visual aspects of the product.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I describe my writing style as highly descriptive and surprising. I like to surprise my readers and viewers with twists and turns in the plot line to keep the story interesting."
Written by Christina Erne
18. What is your experience with editing software?
How to Answer
A photojournalist is expected to be able to not only shoot and record their own work, but edit it into the best possible product out of their own artistic take on the story. The candidate should discuss their experience editing and what types of programs they have used in the past.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am familiar with many types of editing programs, including Final Cut Pro X, Avid, and Edius. I also use Photoshop well. However, I adapt quickly to editing programs and can learn whatever your company uses."
Written by Christina Erne
19. How well do you travel?
How to Answer
Photojournalists often may have to travel far to get a great story. This includes bringing all of their gear, developing contacts in faraway places, and working and contacting the newsroom remotely. A good candidate is someone who can work alone during many of the stages of work, while still communicating well with their managers and producers.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am used to traveling with my cameras and in fact I am someone who loves to explore. I am good at learning new places quickly."
Written by Christina Erne
20. What is your experience working with a team?
How to Answer
A photojournalist often works alone on their own stories, but works with a team to develop the story, edit it, and publish the final work. A good photojournalist not only does their job well, but helps others, and works well with others helping them edit and give feedback. The candidate should discuss their experience working with others in the field of journalism and how they fit the job well.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have worked with a team in the past and I know I am a great member of a professional team because I am willing to help others to reach a common goal. We all want to create the best and most interesting and informational product possible, and I have proven to work well with others."
Written by Christina Erne
21. What types of stories are your favorite to document?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about what stories they like working on the most and why they feel they are so good at these particular ones. This gives the interviewer an idea on where the candidate fits into the job, and if the person is versatile to work on any type of story.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite types of stories to cover are stories about animals. The public enjoys seeing pictures of animals, and always brings a smile to people's faces. Also, videos and pictures of animals tell more than any written or spoken elements could, because obviously animals cannot speak."
Written by Christina Erne
22. What is your favorite story you have ever done?
How to Answer
The candidate should describe their favorite story they have ever produced and what makes it their favorite. This example should be a story where they have done some of their hardest work and produced a piece of work that is highly praised. This shows the types of stories they prefer working on and what there strengths are.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My favorite story I have ever done is when I covered a military family reunion at the airport. Their emotion was easily captured though video and pictures better than words could ever describe. I love stories that make people smile."
Written by Christina Erne
23. Do you prefer still photos or video?
How to Answer
The candidate should discuss whether they prefer working with still images or video, and why they prefer this type of photography. The hiring manager uses this question to see if the candidate is able to fit the job description properly, but also can see where the candidate's strengths in photography are.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I prefer working with videography because there are many techniques to taking videos that tell a story better than a still one could. For instance, panning from one person to another, or zooming in or out, highlights the most important part of the video."
Written by Christina Erne
24. What makes a good story?
How to Answer
The hiring manager is looking for someone who has extensive knowledge of creating a story, from the idea in the beginning to the final product with written and visual elements. The candidate should describe in their own words what they believe makes up a good story, whether it is getting the best interview possible, using visuals from tiny details to tell a larger story, or getting the most emotional sound bite and a close up shot to the victim. The candidate should discuss how they will work to create the best stories possible through these ideas of what stories should be.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe a good story is made up of both strong written elements and visual ones, too. Pictures tell a story better than writing ever could, so the best stories capture important images, whether it is the moment the house burns down, the tear rolling down the victim's cheek, or the child busting into a large smile seeing her father."
Written by Christina Erne
25. What is your experience with photography?
How to Answer
The candidate should demonstrate their experience working with cameras, video cameras, and photo editing software that is necessary to do the job. The candidate should discuss any prior experience they have working with these technologies and talk about any prior projects they have created through using video editing software. If the candidate does not have much experience with these things, they should discuss their ability to learn quickly based on their knowledge of other forms of technology.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I have worked with cameras for at least five years now. I have been using video cameras since college when I worked for our university television station. I adjust easily to any form of camera or video camera."
Written by Christina Erne
26. Why do you want to become a photojournalist?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for someone who is uniquely passionate about the job and loves doing what they do. The candidate should set themselves apart by explaining why they are so passionate about the job, why they got into the career in the first place, and what makes them so motivated to do the job daily.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I wanted to become a photojournalist because I believe pictures tell stories better than words do. This job is focused on using visuals to evoke emotions from viewers, rather than using words. I believe I can add emotion to your publication through my photography skills."
Written by Christina Erne
27. What are some skills you possess that make you a good fit for the job?
How to Answer
The candidate can use this answer to set themselves apart from other potential candidates for the job. They can talk about certain skills they have, such as prior experience, that make them special and a good fit for the position. A hiring manager is looking for someone unique who is a particularly good fit for the location, job, or station.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I believe I am uniquely fit for this job because I am a great journalist and storyteller who has been working in this particular state for many years. I already have developed many contacts here and look forward to finding stories no one else will have."
Written by Christina Erne