20 KQED Interview Questions and Answers

KQED is a public media organization based in San Francisco, California. They provide television, radio, digital media, and educational resources to the Bay Area and beyond.

If you’re applying for a job at KQED, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of KQED interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

KQED Interview Process

The interview process at KQED can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but it generally consists of a phone screen with HR, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a skills test or take part in a panel interview. Overall, the process is professional and well-organized, and you can expect clear communication from HR throughout.

1. What do you think is the most important issue facing KQED right now?

This question is a great way to see how well you know the station and its current issues. It also shows that the interviewer wants to hear your opinion on what’s important in the media industry as a whole. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an issue that relates to your own experience or background.

Example: “I think one of the most important issues facing KQED right now is finding new ways to engage with younger audiences. I’ve noticed that many news organizations are struggling with this, but I believe there are some innovative solutions out there. For example, I read about a local radio station that started streaming their content online for free. This allowed them to reach more listeners who weren’t paying for cable.”

2. How would you use social media to promote a story?

Social media is an important tool for journalists to promote their stories. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using social media to get the word out about a story and how you would do it. In your answer, share two or three ways you would use social media to promote a story. Explain why these methods are effective.

Example: “I would first create a compelling image that includes the headline of the article I’m promoting. Then, I would post the image on my personal account as well as the KQED Facebook page. Next, I would share the post with relevant groups on Facebook where people who are interested in similar topics might be following me. Finally, I would tweet the link to the story from my personal Twitter account.”

3. Describe your experience working in a team environment.

Working in a team environment is an important skill for many jobs. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with others and how well you work together. When answering, try to highlight your communication skills and teamwork abilities.

Example: “In my previous position as a news anchor, I worked alongside two other anchors during the evening news broadcast. We had to work closely together to ensure we all read our lines correctly and were on time. In addition, we also had to coordinate our outfits so that they matched each other’s. Working with my colleagues was great because we got along really well. We would often collaborate on ideas and bounce ideas off of one another.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer or client, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. This is an important skill for customer service professionals, as they will likely encounter unhappy customers at some point in their career. Your answer should show that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation.

Example: “When I worked as a sales associate at a clothing store, I had a client who was upset because she thought the dress she bought was defective. She said it looked different than what she saw online. I asked her if she would be willing to return the dress so we could look into the issue further. She agreed, and I helped her exchange the dress for another one of the same style. We were able to determine that the color difference was due to lighting conditions on her computer screen.”

5. What interests you about this position?

Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them and not just applying because you need a job. When preparing for an interview, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. If you can relate your skills and experience to what they are looking for, it will show that you are prepared and eager to work for them.

Example: “I am passionate about education and I saw that KQED is one of the top public broadcasting stations in California. I would love to be part of a team that produces quality educational content for children. I also noticed that you offer summer internships, which is something I have been searching for. I think it would be beneficial for me to gain more experience before starting my career.”

6. Why are you interested in working for KQED?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your passion for the job. They want to know what you like most about their company and why you are excited to work there. When preparing for this interview, think of specific reasons that make KQED a great place to work. Consider mentioning any unique benefits or opportunities that excite you.

Example: “I am passionate about public broadcasting because I believe it is important to provide unbiased news to the community. I also love learning new things, so I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to produce quality content on a daily basis. Another reason I’m interested in working at KQED is because of its commitment to environmentalism. I feel strongly about protecting our planet, so I would love to work somewhere that shares my values.”

7. Do you have any previous work experience in journalism?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and how it relates to the position. If you have previous journalism experience, share what you learned from that job and how it prepared you for this one. If you don’t have any prior experience in journalism, explain why you’re a good fit for the role regardless.

Example: “I worked as a reporter at my college newspaper where I covered local news stories and wrote feature articles about campus life. This helped me develop my writing skills and learn more about journalistic ethics. My work there also taught me how to conduct interviews and research information.”

8. Provide an example of a time where you were able to successfully communicate with others.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to explain something to someone in a way that they could understand or when you helped resolve conflict between two people.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for communicating information about our company’s new products to the public. One day, I noticed one of our social media accounts hadn’t been updated in a while. I contacted the person who usually handled these updates and asked them if everything was okay. They told me they were just busy with other projects but would update the account soon. By asking them about the account, I was able to ensure everything was fine and also help them complete their tasks.”

9. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you interact with others and whether your communication style is similar to that of other employees. It can also give them insight into how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your communication style and then compare it to the company’s culture or values.

Example: “I consider myself an empathetic communicator who prioritizes collaboration. I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues to find solutions to problems and always try to make sure everyone feels heard when we’re discussing something. At my last job, I was part of a large team where we had weekly meetings to discuss our progress on projects. During these meetings, I would often ask for input from my teammates before making decisions.”

10. What role does ethics play in reporting news stories?

Journalists are often tasked with reporting on controversial topics, and it’s important to be able to do so in a way that is ethical. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand how to report ethically and responsibly.

Example: “Ethics play an important role in my work as a journalist because I want to ensure that I am always being honest and accurate when reporting news stories. In my last position, I covered several stories about local government corruption, which required me to interview multiple sources and thoroughly research all of my facts before publishing any articles. This helped me avoid making any mistakes or misreporting information.”

11. Can you tell us about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle pressure and whether or not you have experience with tight deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you had to meet a deadline and the steps you took to ensure that you met it.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with writing several articles per week for our website. While some of these were more in-depth pieces, others were shorter news stories. In order to meet all of these deadlines, I would usually write one article per day during the workweek and then spend my weekends working on longer pieces. This helped me get through each week while also meeting all of my deadlines.”

12. What type of interview questions should be asked during a news interview?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you understand the purpose of an interview and how it differs from other types of interviews. When answering, consider what type of questions were asked during your own news interviews and explain why they are important.

Example: “I think that in a news interview, the most important thing is to get information out as quickly as possible. This means asking short, direct questions that can be answered with one or two words. I also try to make sure that all my questions have a purpose, such as getting more details about a story or finding out more about the person being interviewed.”

13. What skills can you bring to KQED?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and how they can benefit their company. When you answer, think of a few skills that are important for the position you’re applying for and explain how you developed those skills.

Example: “I have excellent communication skills, which I developed through my previous job as a reporter. In that role, I had to interview many different people from all walks of life, so I learned how to communicate with them effectively. I also have strong organizational skills, which help me stay on top of deadlines and manage my time well.”

14. Give an example of a time when you had to delegate responsibilities to other people.

This question can help interviewers understand how you manage your time and responsibilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you delegated tasks to others and the results of that decision.

Example: “In my previous role as an editor for a local newspaper, I was responsible for writing several articles each week. One day, I had to write three different stories at once, which meant I couldn’t give them all the attention they needed. Instead of rushing through the pieces, I asked one of my colleagues if she would be willing to write one of the stories while I wrote the other two. She agreed, and we both turned in our work on time.”

15. Are you comfortable speaking on camera?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with public speaking. Interviewers ask this question because they want to know if you will be able to speak confidently on camera and in front of large audiences. When answering, it can be helpful to share an example of when you had to give a speech or presentation.

Example: “I have experience speaking on camera for my previous job as a reporter. I was the main anchor for our evening news broadcast, so I had to report live from different locations every night. It took some time to get used to speaking on camera, but now I feel very confident doing so.”

16. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in media often requires you to work under pressure. Journalists may need to file stories on tight deadlines, and producers may have to meet strict production schedules. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the fast-paced environment of their company. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and stay productive when working under a deadline.

Example: “I thrive under pressure. I find that having a deadline motivates me to get my work done quickly. When I’m working as a journalist, I always aim to file my story before the deadline so I can spend time editing it for publication. As a producer, I like to plan ahead so I know what needs to be done by which day. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss any important deadlines.”

17. Have you ever been involved in a situation that was controversial? How did you manage it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and controversy. Use examples from your experience to show that you are able to work through challenging situations with professionalism and respect for others.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a story about an issue in our community. The subject of the story was very controversial, and many people had strong opinions about it. I met with everyone involved to get their perspective before writing the article. This helped me write a balanced piece that included all sides of the issue.”

18. What is your favorite show on KQED?

This question is a great way to see if you have watched any of the station’s content. It also shows that the interviewer wants to know what kind of programming they offer and how it aligns with your interests. When answering this question, make sure to mention a show or program that you have actually seen.

Example: “My favorite show on KQED is The Bay. I love watching the stories about the people in Northern California and all the unique things going on here. I think it’s important to support local news programs like this one because we need more media outlets that are dedicated to telling these kinds of stories.”

19. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a long-term career plan. They want to know that you are committed to their company and the industry as a whole. When answering, be honest about your goals for yourself. If you don’t know what you want to do in five years, explain why you’re unsure of your future plans.

Example: “I hope to still be working at KQED in five years. I love my job here, and I’m excited to continue learning from my colleagues. I would also like to advance within the organization by becoming an executive producer or director.”

20. What do you know about KQED?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their organization. It’s important that you show them that you’ve done your research and are familiar with what they do. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific things you learned from the job listing or other information you found online.

Example: “I know that KQED is an award-winning public media station in San Francisco. You produce many different types of content including news, entertainment and educational programming. I also read on your website that you have won several awards for your journalism and community outreach programs.”