20 Axios Interview Questions and Answers

Axios is a digital media company founded in 2016 by three former political journalists from Politico. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Axios reporters are known for their deep sourcing and exclusive stories. If you’re hoping to join the Axios team, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your journalistic experience and skills.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample Axios interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Axios Interview Process

The interview process at Axios is thorough and can take several weeks to complete. It typically starts with a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by an interview with the hiring manager. Candidates may also be asked to complete a technical test or writing exercise. The final stage of the process usually consists of interviews with multiple team members.

1. What is your experience with the media?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with media and how you handle it. It also helps them determine if you have any previous experience working in an office environment. When answering this question, be honest about your experience and highlight what you learned from that experience.

Example: “I’ve worked with media before, but I haven’t had much experience working in an office setting. In my last job, I was the lead developer on a project where we were tasked with creating a website for a local news station. We used Axios to create the site, which allowed us to meet our deadline. The client loved the new website, and they even asked us to do some additional work for them.”

2. How would you describe your style of reporting?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of how you would fit into their team. Your answer should show that you are a good communicator and can work well with others.

Example: “I am very thorough in my reporting, so I like to make sure I have all the facts before writing a story. I also enjoy collaborating with other reporters on stories because it helps me learn new things about different aspects of the newsroom. I think this style of reporting fits well with your organization because I’m always looking for ways to improve our processes.”

3. Do you have any experience in business news?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience in the industry. If you do, it can be an excellent opportunity for you to share your knowledge and expertise with the interviewer. If you don’t, you can still answer honestly about what you know about business news.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in business news because I find it interesting how companies are able to grow so quickly. In high school, I wrote several articles on local businesses that were growing at a rapid pace. I interviewed some of the owners and learned more about their strategies for growth.”

4. Can you give me an example of a story that you broke?

This question is a great way to see how you use your skills and knowledge in the field. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re passionate about journalism. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific story or event that you covered as well as the steps you took to report on it.

Example: “I recently broke a story about a local politician who was embezzling funds from his campaign account. I started by researching the politician’s financial records and finding out which accounts he used to fund his campaign. Then, I looked at those accounts’ spending history to find any discrepancies. After looking through several months of data, I found that the politician had been taking money from his campaign account and depositing it into his personal bank account.”

5. Tell us about your writing background.

This question is a great way to see how well you can write code. It’s also an opportunity for the interviewer to learn more about your background and interests.

Example: “I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school, but it wasn’t until college that I started learning coding languages. My first coding language was JavaScript, which I learned while taking a computer science class at my university. After that, I took several other coding classes, including Python and C++. I’m currently working on learning Java.”

6. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision and how you handled it.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you used your critical thinking skills to make the best decision possible.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I was tasked with updating our company’s software. The update would require us to change from one program that we had been using for years to another. While there were many benefits to switching programs, including increased security, some of our employees weren’t sure about making the switch. To help them feel more comfortable with the transition, I created a training module on the new program so they could learn how to use it before the official rollout date.”

7. What are some things that you think Axios can do better?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of Axios and how you can improve it. You should answer this question by identifying some features that you think could be improved or additional features that would make the software more useful.

Example: “I think one thing that Axios could do better is its ability to handle errors. I have found that when there are issues with my code, sometimes the error messages aren’t very helpful. If I were using Axios as my primary API, I would want to know exactly what went wrong so I could fix it. Another feature that I wish Axios had was an option for automatic retries. Sometimes, if there is an issue with a request, I have to manually try it several times before it works. This wastes time and makes the process much longer than it needs to be.”

8. What makes you different from other candidates?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. It’s important to be honest in this answer, but also show that you have confidence in your skills.

Example: “I think my biggest strength as a developer is my ability to work independently. I’ve been working with JavaScript for over five years now, so I’m very comfortable troubleshooting issues on my own. This has helped me become an expert at debugging code and finding solutions to problems without having to ask for help.”

9. When was the last time you were faced with an ethical dilemma, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your moral compass and how you make decisions. This is an opportunity for you to show that you can be honest, fair and empathetic when faced with a challenging situation.

Example: “In my last role as a web developer, I was working on a project where the client wanted me to add pop-up ads to their website. I knew that doing so would violate the terms of service of the hosting company, which could result in the client’s site being taken down. I spoke with the client about other ways they could monetize their website without violating the terms of service. They agreed to implement banner ads instead of pop-ups.”

10. What has been your favorite project to work on? Why?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your work history and what you enjoy doing. You can use this opportunity to highlight a project that was challenging but rewarding, or one that helped you develop new skills.

Example: “My favorite project so far has been working on an e-commerce website for a client who wanted to sell handmade jewelry online. The challenge of creating a user interface that would be easy for customers to navigate while also allowing them to purchase items quickly was exciting. I enjoyed seeing my client’s business grow as a result of our work together.”

11. Have you ever disagreed with something your manager said, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle disagreements and challenges at work. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with others, collaborate on projects and solve problems.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about a project deadline. I had been working on a project for several weeks when my manager told me we needed to complete it in two days. I respectfully explained that this was not possible because of all the research I still needed to do. My manager agreed to give me an extra day but asked me to prioritize certain aspects of the project over others. I accepted her request and completed the project within the new deadline.”

12. Give me an example of a time where you worked well under pressure.

Employers ask this question to see how you handle stressful situations. They want to know that you can stay calm and focused when things get hectic. In your answer, explain a situation where you had to work quickly or solve a problem under pressure. Show them that you are capable of handling these types of situations with ease.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I was working on a project for one of our clients. The client needed the website completed within two weeks, but it took me longer than expected to complete it. My manager asked me why it was taking so long, and I explained the situation. He understood and gave me more time to finish the project.”

13. What are some current trends in media that you find interesting?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of current events and media. It also shows the interviewer that you are passionate about what you do, which can be an important quality in any job. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have a strong interest in the field and that you’re aware of some of the latest trends.

Example: “I find virtual reality technology very interesting. I think it has a lot of potential for journalism because it allows reporters to get their stories out in new ways. For example, journalists could use VR to put people into the story itself. This would allow them to tell more complex stories than they might otherwise be able to.”

14. What type of social media strategy would you implement for Axios?

Social media is an important marketing tool for many businesses, including Axios. This question allows you to show your knowledge of the company’s goals and how you would help them achieve those goals through social media.

Example: “I would create a strategy that focuses on building relationships with current readers while also attracting new ones. I would use Facebook and Twitter to share interesting articles from Axios as well as other sources. I would also post links to relevant content on my own social media accounts so that people who follow me can see what Axios publishes. On Instagram, I would focus on sharing visually appealing images related to the news stories published by Axios.”

15. If you could change one thing about our company what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to see how you would fit into their company culture. It’s important to be honest and show that you’re willing to adapt to new environments. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you liked most about your previous job and what you disliked.

Example: “I really enjoyed my last position because of our team-oriented work environment. I feel like there was a lot of collaboration between employees and we all worked together to solve problems. If I could change one thing about your company, I’d want to increase the amount of teamwork among employees.”

16. What kind of skills do you have that will help you succeed at this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it can help you succeed in this role. When answering, be sure to highlight any skills that are directly related to the job description or those that show you have what it takes to work as an Axios developer.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this position. I also have experience working with JavaScript, which is one of the languages used when developing with Axios. In my last role, I was responsible for creating new features within the company’s website using JavaScript.”

17. We like to promote people within the company, what level do you see yourself reaching?

This question is a great way to see if you are ambitious and motivated. It also shows the interviewer that you have goals for your career. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you want to grow within the company. You can mention some of the skills you would like to develop or how you would like to contribute more to the company.

Example: “I would love to reach senior developer status in five years. I know that with my current skill set, I could reach junior developer status in two years. I plan on working hard to learn as much as possible about Axios so I can be promoted sooner.”

18. What are your thoughts on the future of journalism?

The future of journalism is a hot topic in the media industry. As technology advances, journalists are finding new ways to tell stories and engage with their audiences. Your answer should show that you understand how digital journalism has changed over time and what it will look like in the future.

Example: “I think the future of journalism looks bright. With the rise of social media platforms, we have seen more people become interested in current events and politics. This means there is an increased demand for quality journalism. I believe this trend will continue as long as news organizations find innovative ways to reach their audience.”

19. What does success look like to you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and goals. It can also help you determine if they are a good fit for your company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your own life that shows what success looks like.

Example: “Success to me is being able to achieve my goals while helping others do the same. In college, I was working toward my degree in computer science when I realized there were many other students who needed help with their assignments. So, I started tutoring other students in exchange for extra credit on my own assignments. This helped me get through school faster, but it also made me feel successful knowing I was helping someone else.”

20. Tell us about a time when you failed, what did you learn from it?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to failure. It’s important to be honest and show that you can learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it’s best to focus on the steps you took to improve yourself after failing.

Example: “When I first started coding, I was working with an API that required me to use JSONP. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, so I tried to implement it into my code without researching it. This caused some issues when I was trying to run my program because of security settings. After learning about JSONP, I realized that I had implemented it incorrectly. I learned that it’s important to research any new terms or acronyms before implementing them.”