20 CBS News Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at CBS News, you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the company and the news industry. While some interview questions may be common to all employers, others will be unique to CBS News.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you may be asked during your interview. These questions will cover topics such as your experience with the news industry, your knowledge of CBS News, and your ability to handle the fast-paced environment of a newsroom.

By preparing for these questions, you’ll be able to show your interviewer that you’re the right person for the job.

CBS News Interview Process

The interview process at CBS News can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For internships, the process generally consists of a first round where you record yourself giving answers to pre-recorded questions and a second-round, live interview. In the second round one, the interviewer may start off by saying they are at the very end of the hiring process and all the internship positions are basically full already. For other positions, such as Associate News Producer, the process may include a one way hirevue interview with some multiple choice questions and video answers, followed by a Skype interview with the recruiter. Offers are typically made within 24 hours.

1. Why do you want to work at CBS News?

CBS News is a highly competitive news organization, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. Before your interview, read through the job description and look at the company’s website to learn about its mission statement and values. Use these details to explain why you are excited to work for CBS News.

Example: “I am passionate about current events and want to be part of an organization that shares my passion. I also love working in a fast-paced environment where I can use my problem-solving skills to help deliver important information to viewers. When I watched some of your recent broadcasts, I was impressed by how quickly you were able to gather information and get it out to the public.”

2. What skills or qualities would you bring to the company?

CBS News is looking for candidates who can bring a variety of skills and qualities to the company. This question allows you to highlight your unique talents or abilities that would benefit the organization. When answering this question, try to think about what skills you have that are not common among other applicants.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing. I also have experience working with large amounts of data and information. These two skills make me well-suited to work at CBS News because they allow me to understand complex issues and communicate them to viewers in a way that’s easy to understand.”

3. Can you tell us about a time when you worked with a team and had success?

CBS News is a team-oriented environment, so it’s important to show that you can work well with others. When answering this question, think of a time when you worked on a project or task with a group and the results were positive.

Example: “In my last position as an anchor for a local news station, I was tasked with reporting on a story about a new technology company in town. The assignment required me to interview several employees at the company, including the CEO. During the interview, the CEO mentioned that they were looking for more people to hire. I thought it would be beneficial to include that information in my report, so I asked if he could provide some contact information for job seekers. He agreed, and we ended up getting a lot of responses from viewers who saw the segment.”

4. How do you keep up-to-date with news in your area of expertise?

CBS News is a national news network, so it’s important that you can keep up with local and international news. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the ability to stay on top of current events. Use your answer to show how you use multiple sources to stay informed about what’s happening in your field.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs related to my area of expertise. I also follow some journalists who cover similar topics. In addition, I watch or listen to the news every morning while I’m getting ready for work. It’s an easy way to get caught up on any breaking news stories.”

5. Tell me about a story that you covered, how did you go about covering it?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the news and how you approach it. It’s also an opportunity for you to share a story that you’re proud of, so be sure to choose one that you can talk about in detail.

Example: “I covered a local city council meeting where they were discussing whether or not to raise taxes on residents. I knew this was going to be a controversial topic, so I made sure to arrive early enough to get a seat at the front of the room. The meeting started with the mayor giving his opening remarks, then opened up the floor for public comment. There were several people who spoke both for and against raising taxes, but when it came time for me to ask questions, I only asked those who had spoken during public comment.”

6. Do you have experience working with editing software like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro?

CBS News uses these editing software programs to create news stories and other content for their website. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with similar software in the past. If you do, share your experience and explain how it helped you complete your work. If you don’t have any experience with these programs, you can talk about your general knowledge of video production and editing.

Example: “I’ve worked with Adobe Premiere before but not Final Cut Pro. I’m familiar with some of the basic functions of both programs, however, so I could learn them quickly if needed. In my last role, I was responsible for creating short videos that went along with our articles. I used Adobe Premiere to edit those videos and add music and titles.”

7. Are there any recent stories that you are particularly passionate about?

CBS News is looking for passionate journalists who are excited to cover the news. They want to know that you’re interested in what’s going on in the world and that you have opinions about current events. When answering this question, try to pick a story that you’ve followed closely or one that has had an impact on your life.

Example: “I’m really passionate about the recent developments in space exploration. I grew up watching NASA missions with my dad, so it was always exciting to see new discoveries. Now that we’re getting closer than ever before to finding extraterrestrial life, I find myself following every development. It’s amazing how far we’ve come.”

8. In your opinion, what is the most important part of writing an article?

This question is a great way to test your writing skills. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you understand how important it is to write clearly and concisely.

Example: “The most important part of writing an article for me is making sure I am clear and concise in my language. If I can’t make my point in a few sentences, then I haven’t done my job well enough. I also think it’s important to use active voice when possible because it makes articles more interesting to read.”

9. Have you ever had a deadline that was pushed forward? How did you handle that pressure?

CBS News is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle pressure. If you have experience with deadlines, share an example of one that was pushed forward and how you handled it.

Example: “In my last role as a reporter for ABC News, I had a deadline on a story about a local politician who was under investigation by the FBI. The day before the article was due, the FBI released their findings, which included new information that we hadn’t yet reported. My editor asked me if I could write another article based on the new information and submit it by the next morning. I stayed up all night writing the article and submitted it right when it was due.”

10. Which has been your favorite project so far in your career?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to CBS News. When answering, it’s important to highlight what made this project special and why you enjoyed working on it.

Example: “My favorite project so far has been my work with ABC News. I was hired as an associate producer where I worked on several stories including one about a family who lost their home in a fire. We followed them through the rebuilding process and were able to raise over $100,000 in donations from viewers. It was amazing to see our hard work pay off and help someone in need.”

11. If hired, how would you pitch new ideas for stories? Who would be involved in this process?

CBS News is always looking for ways to improve its content and coverage. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to think critically about current events and develop new ideas for stories. In your answer, demonstrate that you can be innovative and creative while also collaborating with others.

Example: “I would first consider what’s currently happening in the news cycle. I’d then pitch my idea to my supervisor or editor, who may suggest changes or improvements. After finalizing the pitch, I would present it to my team of producers and correspondents so they could offer their input as well. Together, we would decide whether this story should be a segment on CBS Evening News or an online article.”

12. What is your experience with working on breaking news stories?

CBS News is a major news network that covers breaking stories and events. Your answer to this question will show the interviewer your experience with working on live broadcasts, how you handle pressure and how you react to tight deadlines.

Example: “I’ve worked as an anchor for several local stations in my career, so I have plenty of experience covering breaking news. In fact, I was one of the first reporters on scene at a recent fire where two children died. The station sent me because they knew I could remain calm under pressure and deliver accurate information while still being sensitive to the family’s loss. I also know how to work quickly without sacrificing quality.”

13. Give an example of when you had to meet tight deadlines. Describe your approach and why you were successful.

CBS News is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure. Use examples from previous jobs that show you can meet deadlines while still producing quality work.

Example: “In my last job as an anchor for a local news station, I had to report on breaking news stories in real time. This required me to be quick on my feet and able to gather information quickly. I always made sure to get all of my facts before going on air so I could provide accurate reporting. In these situations, it’s important to stay calm and focused so you don’t make any mistakes.”

14. What type of story do you think would make a good fit for CBS News?

CBS News is known for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have a good understanding of the type of stories CBS News covers. In your answer, explain what makes these types of stories interesting to you.

Example: “I think that human interest stories are really important to cover. I remember watching a story on CBS about a family who was struggling financially after their father lost his job. They were going to lose their home until CBS found them a donor. It’s stories like these that show how much impact one person can make in someone else’s life.”

15. Describe a time when you had to deal with conflict within a group setting. How did you approach it?

CBS News is a news organization that often covers conflict and other challenging situations. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with others in stressful situations. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last role as an editor for a local newspaper, I had to manage several writers who were all working on the same story. One writer was very aggressive when it came to getting quotes from sources, which made some of our interviewees uncomfortable. I spoke with the writer privately and explained how their behavior could affect our reputation as journalists. They understood and adjusted their approach.”

16. Tell us about a situation where you showed leadership skills.

CBS News is looking for candidates who can lead a team of journalists and produce quality content. Your answer should show that you have the ability to motivate your team members, delegate tasks and solve problems.

Example: “When I was working as an anchor at my previous job, I noticed that our news segment wasn’t getting enough views on social media. I talked with my producer about this issue and we decided to brainstorm ideas to increase viewership. We came up with several strategies, including creating more visually appealing graphics and adding a new feature to each broadcast. After implementing these changes, we saw a significant increase in viewership.”

17. What is one goal that you want to achieve during your internship?

CBS News is looking for interns who are eager to learn and grow. They want to see that you have a goal in mind, even if it’s something small like learning how to use the editing software or getting more comfortable on camera.

Example: “I would love to get some experience reporting live from an event. I know this internship is primarily focused on producing content for digital media, but I think it would be beneficial to my career to gain some experience with traditional news gathering as well. I’m excited to work hard and prove myself so that I can get the opportunity to do this.”

18. Are you comfortable being in front of the camera?

This question is a great way to determine if you’re comfortable with the camera and how much experience you have. If you don’t have any experience, it’s important to let the interviewer know that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I’ve never been in front of the camera before, but I am very comfortable speaking in public. I think this would be an excellent opportunity for me to get more comfortable being on camera. I’m excited about learning from my colleagues.”

19. Do you feel confident pitching stories to your superiors?

CBS News is a competitive environment, and the interviewer may want to know that you can pitch your ideas for stories in an effective way. Show them how you would approach this situation by describing a time when you pitched a story idea to someone who was higher up than you.

Example: “I have had to pitch my ideas to superiors before, and I find it helpful to be prepared with facts and figures about why the story is important. I also like to include some background information on myself so they understand where I’m coming from. This helps them see that I am invested in the story and passionate about telling it.”

20. What kind of experience do you have in journalism?

CBS News is a highly competitive news organization, and they want to hire the best journalists. They ask this question to see if you have any experience in journalism. If you do, share your previous experiences with them. If you don’t, explain that you are passionate about reporting the truth and getting information out there for people to read.

Example: “I’ve been working as a freelance journalist for five years now. I started off writing for local newspapers before moving on to national publications. I also worked as an anchor for my college’s news station. I’m very passionate about journalism and love finding new stories to tell.”