media update’s Aisling McCarthy discusses five tips that will help you be more prepared for your next media job interview.

1. Know your company

Why: Potential employers want to see that you know a bit about the company, and that they have marketed the company in a way that is easy to understand what they offer. If you can’t answer basic questions about what the company does, your interview may not be off to the best start.

Do your research on them, find out what it is they do, and be prepared to answer questions about why you want to work there.

How: Before your interview, search for the company on the Internet. Have a look at their website and gain some understanding of what they do. You don’t need to know every little detail about the CEO, but if you are going for an interview at a magazine, find out what kind of content they publish.

What tone of voice do they use? What stories did you enjoy? If you’re going for an editorial position, be prepared. Ask yourself: What would you change about the publication? What do you like about the publication?

2. Be up to date with current events

Why: The media industry is constantly in flux, so you need to be prepared for questions about things that are happening in the industry. If you are going for an interview at a print magazine, be prepared for questions about the future of print.

Some interviewers may even quiz you on what’s going on in local news.

How: Read up on some news about the media industry, both locally and globally. What are the trends? Who are some of the most important companies in the industry, and what is happening with them?

For information on South African media trends, read our article, Four predictions for South African media in 2018.

3. Professionalise your social media accounts

Why: Your potential employers will be scoping out your social media pages, so make sure they like what they see. Although what you do in your spare time is not directly related to your work, interviewers will want to get a sense of what kind of person you are.

Social platforms like Facebook and Twitter may understandably be more personal than your LinkedIn profile, rather be assured you are not sending the wrong message to your potential employers.

How: Scan through your social pages and see if you have posted anything that may be viewed in a negative light. Do your pictures only show you partying with a drink in your hand? Change that.

Check your privacy settings and see what information is available to the public, and to any potential employers. Then, make sure that the information that is visible puts you in the best light.

4. Be prepared to pitch ideas

Why: Use your job interview to show the employer that you are a good fit for the brand. If you walk into your interview ready to offer up some story ideas, it not only shows that you have done your research, but also that you are motivated.

How: Before your interview, come up with a list of pitches that are not only interesting, but are also relevant to the organisation you are interviewing for.

You need to know the type of stories that the organisation has recently covered, and make sure that your ideas are in line with their style and content.

5. Ask questions

Why: Towards the end of your interview, potential employers will always ask if you have any questions for them. If you do not prepare questions to ask, you run the risk of the interviewer assuming you aren’t interested, or haven’t prepared.

How: Try to avoid questions with a “yes” or “no” answer. Think of questions that can help you get as much information about the job as possible. Try to ask questions that show that you have a clear interest in the company and want to work there.

Good questions to ask include:
  • “Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?” 
  • “Can you tell me a little bit about the culture of the company”
  • ”What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?”

Finally, be on time for your interview and dress appropriately. Using these tips should assist in making sure that your next media job interview is a success.

Want to stay up to date with the latest media news? Subscribe to our newsletter.
Despite many suggestions that the era of print of over, luxury brands have not all migrated to digital-only platforms. Find out more in our article, Why luxury brands pick print over digital
* Images courtesy of Freepik.com