20 ESPN Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at ESPN, there are some specific questions you can expect. If you’re hoping to work in sports broadcasting, for example, you may be asked about your knowledge of the industry or your experience with sports broadcasting software. If you’re applying for a job in production, you may be asked about your experience with editing software or your knowledge of the production process.

No matter what job you’re applying for at ESPN, you can be sure that the interviewers will be looking to gauge your knowledge of the company, its history, and its place in the sports broadcasting landscape. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of ESPN interview questions and answers that you can use to brush up on your knowledge before your interview.

ESPN Interview Process

The interview process at ESPN is lengthy, difficult, and overall a great experience. It usually takes about six weeks to complete the entire process, which includes multiple rounds of interviews with different members of the company. The first round is typically a phone screen, followed by an in-person interview. The difficulty level of the interviews varies, but generally speaking, they are quite challenging. However, the experience is very positive and it is a great opportunity to learn more about the company.

1. What is your favorite sport to play?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. It can also help you determine if the company has any specific preferences when it comes to sports. If you have played a sport before, share what made it so enjoyable for you and why you enjoyed playing it.

Example: “I’ve always been a huge fan of basketball. I grew up watching my brother play in high school, and I would go to all his games. He was really good at shooting free throws, but he never got enough practice time to get better. So, I started practicing with him after school every day until he had to leave for practice. Eventually, he became one of the best free throw shooters on our team.”

2. How do you think social media has impacted the sports industry?

Social media has changed the way people consume sports. It’s become a major platform for fans to interact with athletes and teams, which can be beneficial for both parties. Employers want to know that you understand how social media impacts the industry and are looking for candidates who can use it effectively. In your answer, explain how you would use social media to benefit ESPN.

Example: “I think social media is an incredible tool for connecting with other fans of a team or athlete. I’ve used Twitter in the past to connect with other fans of my favorite teams and have made some great friends through these interactions. I also think social media is a good way to get feedback from fans about what they like and don’t like about ESPN. I’d love to help develop more ways for fans to interact with ESPN on social media.”

3. Tell me about a time that you had to make an on-the-spot decision and what was the outcome?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you react under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to make your decision and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as an assistant producer for ESPN, we were covering a game where one of the players got injured during play. The player had to leave the field, so I needed to find someone to take his place. I asked around if anyone knew who could fill in, and eventually found someone who was willing to do it. They ended up doing a great job, and the team won.”

4. Do you have experience working in a fast paced environment?

Working for ESPN can be a fast-paced environment. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in an environment like this and how you handle it. Use your answer to show that you are comfortable with a busy workday and can meet deadlines.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before, and I enjoy it. In my last job, we had a lot of projects going on at once, so there was always something to do. I learned to prioritize tasks and manage my time well. This helped me get everything done by the end of the day.”

5. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team, how did it go?

Working as part of a team is an important skill to have when working for ESPN. The company has many different departments, and each one works together to create content that viewers enjoy. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your teamwork skills and how they helped you succeed in the situation.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a large project due on a tight deadline. My department was responsible for creating the graphics for the presentation, so we all got together to discuss ideas. We decided to use a lot of bright colors and fun fonts to make the presentation more interesting. In the end, our work was well-received by management.”

6. Can you tell us about a time where you were faced with a difficult situation and how you handled it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you react in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to make an important decision that impacted the outcome of a situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a sports reporter for a local news station, I was covering a basketball game where one of the players got injured during play. The coach asked me if I could interview him after the game about what happened. I agreed because I knew it would help our viewers understand why he was out of the next game. After interviewing him, I learned that he wasn’t going to be able to play in the next game either. I immediately called the team’s athletic director to get more information on his injury.”

7. Which current events related to ESPN would you consider yourself knowledgeable about?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to gauge your knowledge of ESPN and how you would fit into their team. It also helps them determine if you have enough background information about the company to be successful in this role. When answering, make sure to mention topics that are relevant to the position and show that you’ve done some research on ESPN’s current events.

Example: “I am very familiar with the recent changes at ESPN, including the layoffs and the new streaming service. I think these are important developments because they affect the future of the network. I’m also aware of the recent controversy surrounding Jemele Hill and her comments about President Trump. I believe it’s important to understand why she made those statements so I can support her as an employee.”

8. Have you ever dealt with aggressive fans on social media? How did you handle it?

Social media is a great way to interact with fans, but it can also be a place where you have to deal with angry or aggressive people. Employers want to know that you’re capable of handling these situations and how you would respond. In your answer, show that you understand the importance of social media in today’s world and how to use it effectively.

Example: “I’ve had to handle some very aggressive fans on social media before. I try to remember that they are just passionate about their team and don’t mean any harm. I usually try to engage them in conversation and explain why I made my decision. If they continue to be aggressive, I block them from my account so I don’t have to see their comments.”

9. What makes you qualified for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this position. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read through the job description so that you can reference specific skills or qualifications they are looking for in their ideal candidate. In your answer, try to highlight any experience you have that matches what they’re looking for.

Example: “I am an avid sports fan who has been following ESPN since I was a kid. My favorite sport is basketball, which is why I chose to major in broadcast journalism at my university. Throughout my college career, I interned with several local news stations where I learned valuable reporting techniques and developed my storytelling abilities. I also worked as a part-time reporter for the school’s sports radio station, which helped me develop my public speaking skills.”

10. Describe a time when you used innovation to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to describe a time when you used innovation to solve a problem that benefited your company or organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating a new social media campaign for our client. The goal of the campaign was to increase brand awareness on social media platforms. After researching different types of campaigns, I decided to create a hashtag campaign where we would encourage users to post photos using the same hashtag. This allowed us to track all of the posts and see which ones were getting the most engagement. We then focused more of our efforts on those hashtags.”

11. Are there any specific steps or skills that you use when preparing to shoot a video?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the production process and how you can contribute to a team. When answering, it’s important to highlight any specific skills or techniques that you use when shooting video.

Example: “I always make sure to have all of my equipment ready before I start filming. This includes making sure my camera batteries are charged, lenses are clean and recording media cards are formatted. Another skill I’ve developed over time is being able to anticipate what shots I’ll need while filming. For example, if I’m interviewing a basketball player, I know I’ll need to get close-up shots of their hands dribbling the ball as well as wide shots of them in action on the court.”

12. Why are you interested in working at ESPN?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how you became interested in working at ESPN. Use this opportunity to share what you know about the company, including its history and current events. You can also talk about why you want to work in sports broadcasting or journalism.

Example: “I’m passionate about sports and have been following ESPN since I was a kid. My favorite sport is football, so I’ve always enjoyed watching games on ESPN. When I got my degree in broadcast journalism, I knew that ESPN would be an amazing place to start my career. I love the idea of being able to cover all kinds of sporting events and tell stories through video production.”

13. What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you first started out in production?

This question is a great way to show your growth as a producer and how you’ve learned from past experiences. It’s also an opportunity for you to share any tips or advice with the interviewer that will help them in their career.

Example: “When I first started out, I was so focused on getting everything right that I didn’t take enough time to enjoy the process of production. Now, I know that it’s important to take breaks during long days and to celebrate small wins along the way. This helps me stay energized throughout the day and makes my job more enjoyable.”

14. How do you create new ideas for content?

This question is an opportunity to show your creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s important for content creators to come up with new ideas that are relevant to their audience. Your answer should include a few steps you take when brainstorming.

Example: “I find it helpful to start by researching the latest news in my industry. I also like to look at what other sports media outlets are doing, as well as what fans are talking about on social media. Once I have some ideas, I’ll discuss them with my team members so we can collaborate on which ones would be most beneficial to our viewers.”

15. How would you rate your knowledge of technology tools such as Adobe Creative Suite?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your technical skills and determine if you’re ready for the job. If you have experience with Adobe Creative Suite, share that information in your response. If not, let the interviewer know what other technology tools you are familiar with and how they can help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I am very comfortable using Adobe Creative Suite because I’ve worked as an online designer for several years. I also understand the importance of social media marketing and digital content creation, which is why I’m excited about this opportunity at ESPN.”

16. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Would you say you are capable of working independently?

This question is designed to determine if you are a self-starter and can work independently. It’s important for employees at ESPN to be able to complete tasks without much oversight, so hiring managers want to make sure that you have the ability to do this. In your answer, explain how you’ve worked on projects or assignments in the past where you had to manage yourself.

Example: “I am definitely capable of working independently. I’ve done it many times throughout my career, including when I was completing my degree. I would set my own deadlines and meet them with little oversight from professors. This helped me learn time management skills and develop an independent mindset.”

17. If we hire you, what other skills could you bring to the table that aren’t listed on your resume?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’ve done some research on the company and have ideas for how you could contribute. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills you possess that would help you succeed in the role and also benefit ESPN as a whole.

Example: “I know that ESPN has an extensive social media presence, so I’m excited to bring my experience with managing multiple accounts at once. In my previous position, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s Instagram account, which helped me learn more about creating visually appealing content. This skill could definitely come in handy if I were hired here.”

18. What is your availability?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn about your availability and how it fits with their needs. It’s important to be honest in this situation, as you don’t want to accept an offer only to find out that you can’t work the hours required. If you’re not sure of your availability, explain why and provide a range of dates when you might know more.

Example: “I’m currently available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but I’ll have a better idea of my schedule by mid-July.”

19. What kind of experience do you have managing people and situations?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your leadership skills and how you handle stressful situations. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to manage people or projects, and highlight any specific skills you used in these scenarios.

Example: “In my last role as an assistant producer at ESPN, I was responsible for managing several different aspects of our show’s production. This included delegating tasks to other producers and coordinating with the talent to ensure they were prepared for their segments. I also managed the budget for the show by working closely with the finance department to make sure we stayed within our allotted spending limits.”

20. What type of equipment are you most familiar with using?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your technical skills and experience with various types of equipment. You can answer this question by listing the specific type of equipment you have used in previous roles, as well as any additional equipment that you are familiar with using.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for operating all aspects of our production studio’s technology, including cameras, audio mixing boards, lighting and graphics software. In my current position, I am only responsible for managing the audio mixing board and camera angles during live broadcasts.”