17 Business Reporter Interview Questions and Answers

As a business reporter, you will be responsible for writing stories about companies, industries, and the economy. Your stories will appear in newspapers, magazines, and websites. You will also be responsible for giving interviews on television and radio.

Before you can start your new job, you will need to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer business reporter interview questions.

Employers will want to know if you have the skills and experience to write about business. They will also want to know if you have the ability to find and tell stories that will interest readers. Finally, they will want to know if you have the personality to be a successful business reporter.

Are you familiar with AP Style?

The Associated Press Stylebook is a reference guide for journalists that outlines the proper way to write and format stories. Employers ask this question to make sure you are familiar with AP Style because it’s an important part of being a business reporter. In your answer, let the interviewer know that you have used AP Style in the past and can do so again if necessary.

Example: “I am very familiar with AP Style. I took a journalism class in college where we learned how to use it. I also worked as a freelance writer for several years, which required me to adhere to AP Style guidelines. If you need someone who knows how to use AP Style, then I would be happy to help.”

What are some of the most important skills for a business reporter to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a business reporter is strong communication skills. This helps me get interviews with company executives and other sources that I need to write my stories. Another skill that’s useful is research. I use research skills when looking for information on companies and their products. Finally, I find that organization skills are essential because I am often working on multiple projects at once.”

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest business news?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your dedication to your craft and how you stay informed about current events. Your answer should include some specific examples of how you’ve used news sources, social media or other methods to keep up with business-related news in the past.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters that I find through Google searches for different industries. For example, when I was covering retail sales, I subscribed to newsletters from major retailers like Target and Amazon. I also follow industry leaders on Twitter and Facebook so I can see their latest posts and learn more about what’s happening in the world of business.”

What is your experience with data reporting?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with data reporting and how you use it to inform your stories. Use examples from previous work that show your ability to collect, organize and analyze data for a story.

Example: “In my last role as a business reporter, I used data to report on local businesses’ sales numbers and revenue projections. This helped me understand which companies were performing well and which ones needed improvement. It also allowed me to identify trends in the community’s economy and write more informative stories about them. For example, I reported on a company that was struggling because of its lack of diversity in hiring practices. My data collection helped me find other companies in the area that had similar hiring issues.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to conduct an interview with a hostile subject.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to remain calm and professional in a challenging situation. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can maintain composure while still conducting an effective interview.

Example: “In my previous role as a business reporter, I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with a CEO who was under investigation for fraud. The CEO was very defensive during our interview, but I remained calm and asked him questions about his company’s financial records. He eventually admitted to some of the allegations against him, which helped me write a more accurate story.”

If you had the opportunity to cover any business story, what would it be?

This question is a great way to show your passion for business reporting. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have any specific interests or goals in the field. When answering, think of a story that would be interesting to cover and explain why it’s important to you.

Example: “If I had the opportunity to cover any business story, I would choose to report on the gender pay gap. This issue has been in the news recently, but there are still many people who don’t understand what it is. I find this topic fascinating because it shows how women are treated differently than men in the workplace. It also highlights the importance of having more women in leadership positions.”

What would you do if you were assigned to cover a story that you were unfamiliar with?

This question can help interviewers determine how you approach unfamiliar situations and whether you are willing to do research or ask for help. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to learn new things and develop skills in areas where you may be lacking.

Example: “If I was assigned a story that I didn’t know much about, I would first look into the basics of the topic and then reach out to my editor or another reporter who might have more experience with the subject matter. If neither of those options were available, I would read up on as much information as possible and contact experts in the field to get their input.”

How well do you write without editorial input?

This question is a good way to assess your writing skills and how you handle deadlines. As a business reporter, you will likely write several stories per day, so it’s important that you can produce quality content without editorial input. In your answer, try to explain the steps you take when writing a story and provide an example of a time you wrote a piece on deadline.

Example: “I always start by researching my topic thoroughly before I begin writing. Once I have all of my facts, I outline my article and then start drafting. I usually complete two or three drafts before submitting my work for publication. During my last internship, I was responsible for covering the company’s quarterly earnings report. I researched the company’s financials and interviewed key executives to ensure I had enough information to write a comprehensive piece.”

Do you have experience using social media to promote stories?

Social media is an important tool for business reporters to use when promoting their stories. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using social media and understand how it can help promote your work. Before your interview, read through the job description to see if they list any specific social media platforms that they prefer employees use. If so, try to mention those in your answer.

Example: “I do have experience using social media to promote my stories. I’ve used Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to share links to my articles. I also use these platforms to engage with readers by answering questions about my stories or responding to comments. In my last role, I created a company account on all of these platforms and helped other writers learn how to use them.”

When is it appropriate to use anonymous sources in your reporting?

This question can help interviewers understand your ethical standards and how you apply them to your work. You should answer honestly, but also be sure to explain why anonymous sources are important in business reporting.

Example: “I think it’s important to use anonymous sources when the information they provide is relevant to a story and there isn’t another way to get that information. For example, I once wrote a piece about a company that was experiencing financial issues. The CEO of the company refused to comment on the situation, so I used an anonymous source who confirmed the company was having problems. This allowed me to write a more complete article for my audience.”

We want to improve our coverage of local businesses. What would you do to improve your reporting on local businesses?

This question is a great way to see how you can improve the quality of your reporting. It also shows that the employer wants to make improvements in their coverage and may be looking for someone who has ideas on how to do so. In your answer, try to show that you have experience with covering local businesses or improving coverage in general.

Example: “I would start by making sure we had more business reporters on staff. This will allow us to cover more stories about local businesses and give us more opportunities to tell unique stories about different aspects of these companies. I would also look into ways we could use our social media accounts to promote the work we’re doing on local businesses.”

Describe your writing process when you’re assigned a new story.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re organized and prepared for any assignment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you take when researching and writing a story.

Example: “When I receive an assignment, I first read through the entire article to get a general idea of what the piece will cover. Then, I start my research by looking at company websites, annual reports and other relevant documents. After gathering all of the necessary information, I begin writing the story. I try to write as much as possible before deadline so I have time to edit and proofread the piece before submitting it.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this business reporter position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you stand out from other candidates and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to this role. Think about which ones are most important for this position and highlight them in your answer.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this business reporter position because I have five years of experience as a business reporter at my current publication. In this role, I’ve learned how to write engaging stories that readers find interesting. I also have extensive knowledge of local businesses and industries, so I can easily find sources for my articles.”

Which industries do you have the most experience reporting in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their organization. If they’re looking for someone with a lot of experience in business reporting, but you have more experience in political reporting, it’s important to let them know that you’re open to learning about new industries.

Example: “I’ve spent most of my career as a business reporter, however I also have some experience covering politics. In fact, I was able to use many of the skills I learned while reporting on business news to cover local elections. I think this background would be beneficial if I were to work at your company.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of writing a news story?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the craft and how you apply it. Your answer should include a specific skill or element that you think is important in news writing, such as accuracy, timeliness or creativity.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of writing a news story is accuracy. If I make a mistake in my reporting, it can have serious consequences for the publication’s reputation. In my last role, I was assigned to cover a city council meeting where the mayor made some controversial comments about the local school system. I took notes during his speech and then wrote a draft article before leaving the building. I proofread the article several times before submitting it to my editor, who published it online later that evening.”

How often do you update your blog or social media accounts?

This question can help the interviewer understand your writing style and how often you publish content. Showcase your ability to write in a concise, engaging way by describing your process for updating social media accounts or blogs regularly.

Example: “I update my blog at least once per week with new articles that I’ve researched and written. I also post on social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter multiple times per day about breaking news stories and other relevant information. In my last role, I was responsible for managing our company’s social media accounts, so I’m comfortable using scheduling tools to automate this process.”

There is a mistake in one of your stories. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle mistakes and learn more about your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to fix the mistake and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I was working as a business reporter for my college newspaper, there was an error in one of my stories that led to some confusion among readers. The story was about a new product launch by a local company, but I accidentally wrote that the company was launching a different product than they actually were. This caused quite a bit of confusion among readers who thought the company was releasing something completely different than what they had originally announced.

I immediately contacted the company to let them know about the mistake and apologize. They appreciated me letting them know right away so they could correct the information before anyone else read the article. After that incident, I always triple check all of my facts before publishing a story.”