20 National Geographic Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. But what if you’re interviewing for a job at a specific company? In this case, you may be asked company-specific interview questions that are designed to gauge your fit for the organization.

If you’re interviewing for a job at National Geographic, you can expect to be asked questions about your knowledge of geography, archaeology, and natural science. You may also be asked about your travel experience and your ability to work in remote locations. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample National Geographic interview questions and answers.

National Geographic Interview Process

The interview process at National Geographic can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a member of the HR team and one with the hiring manager. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a written assignment or take a test. The interview process usually takes between two and six weeks to complete.

1. Tell me about a time where you were able to plan and coordinate an event.

National Geographic is a magazine that focuses on the world around us. As such, it’s important to be able to plan and coordinate events for the publication. This question helps interviewers understand your organizational skills and how you might fit into their team.

Example: “I have experience planning large-scale events in my previous role as an event planner. I worked with several different clients to create unique experiences for their guests. One of my favorite projects was working with a client who wanted to surprise his wife with a trip to Paris. We planned out every detail from the transportation to the food and entertainment.”

2. What do you think is the most important job for someone in your current position?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the responsibilities of this position and how they relate to the company’s overall goals. When answering, try to think about what you enjoy most about your job and how it contributes to the success of your organization.

Example: “I believe the most important part of my role as an editor is ensuring that all content meets our high standards for quality and accuracy. I take pride in my ability to edit articles so that they are clear and easy to read while still maintaining their journalistic integrity. This helps ensure that we’re providing our readers with valuable information.”

3. Describe some of your experience with developing content for social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Social media is a growing platform for many businesses, including National Geographic. The company uses social media to share information about its content and connect with followers. When you answer this question, show the interviewer that you understand how important it is to use social media effectively.

Example: “I have experience using all of these platforms in my previous position as an editor at a travel magazine. I would create posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook every day, which helped me build relationships with our readers and increase engagement with our brand. I also used hashtags to link to other articles on our website so people could find more relevant content.”

4. In what ways have you improved processes at work?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what skills you have that could be beneficial to National Geographic. Use examples from your past experience to explain how you helped improve a process or solve a problem at work.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that we were having issues with our social media marketing strategy. We weren’t reaching as many people as we wanted to on Facebook and Twitter, so I started researching different strategies for increasing engagement. After some research, I found an effective way to increase our reach by 10% through better targeting of our audience. This led to more subscribers and sales.”

5. How would you handle being given a project that was not clearly defined?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would define the project for yourself and complete it successfully.

Example: “When I was working as a freelance writer, I had a client who gave me a very vague assignment. They told me they wanted a story about people who were making a difference in their communities. I asked them some questions about what kind of stories they liked and what kinds of things they didn’t want to see in the piece. After talking with them more, I realized that they really just wanted a positive story about someone who was doing something good in their community. So, I wrote a story about a local woman who started a nonprofit organization that provided free meals to children during summer break.”

6. Why National Geographic?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the magazine and its content. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific articles or images that you enjoyed reading or viewing.

Example: “I have always been fascinated by geography and world cultures. I remember as a child my parents would read me National Geographic magazines before bedtime. As an adult, I still enjoy reading about new places and learning more about our planet. I think National Geographic is such a unique publication because of its ability to combine beautiful photography with interesting facts.”

7. Tell me about how you are able to stay calm under pressure.

National Geographic is a publication that often sends its writers to remote locations. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in these types of environments and how you handle them. In your answer, try to describe the steps you take to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I am able to stay calm under pressure by remaining focused on my work. When I am in a stressful situation, I remind myself why I chose this career path and what it means to me. This helps me remember that although the current situation may be challenging, it will eventually pass. Another way I stay calm under pressure is by taking deep breaths before beginning any task.”

8. What do you know about our company culture?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can fit in. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what you know about National Geographic and its values. You should also mention any similarities between yourself and the company.

Example: “I’ve read many articles from National Geographic over the years, so I have a good idea of what kind of content they publish. I’m very interested in science and nature, so I think that I would be a good fit for National Geographic. I also understand that National Geographic has a culture of diversity and inclusion. I am an active member of my community and support equality.”

9. What are your salary expectations?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are in line with their budget. Before your interview, research the average salary for a position like yours and use that as a guide when answering this question. If you have more experience or education than what’s listed on the job description, be prepared to discuss how it makes you more qualified for the role.

Example: “I’ve done some research into the current market rate for someone with my level of experience and I’m looking for $50,000 per year. My previous employer paid me $45,000 but I feel that my skills have improved since then and I am ready for a raise.”

10. Do you prefer working alone or on a team?

National Geographic is a magazine that requires its writers to work independently. The company wants to know if you can handle working alone and how you feel about it. When answering this question, explain why you prefer working alone or on a team.

Example: “I enjoy both working alone and with others. I find that when I’m working on my own, I have more time to focus on the task at hand. However, I also like collaborating with others because it allows me to learn from their experiences and perspectives. In fact, I think collaboration makes us better writers.”

11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals. It also helps employers determine if you are likely to stay with their company for an extended period of time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what your life will look like in 5 and 10 years. Consider how your values and interests have changed over the past few years.

Example: “In five years, I hope to still be working at National Geographic. In ten years, I would love to be promoted to editor-in-chief.”

12. Explain a situation when it was necessary to seek out new methods to complete a task.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn new things. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to adapt or change the way you completed a task because of a lack of resources or information.

Example: “When I was working as a freelance photographer for local news outlets, I often found myself in situations where I needed to take photos without access to professional equipment. In one instance, I was assigned to cover a story about a fire at a local factory. The only camera I had with me was my smartphone. I used that phone to take several photos from different angles and distances. After returning home, I uploaded the photos to my computer and edited them using photo editing software. The final product was published in the newspaper.”

13. Have you worked as part of a team before?

National Geographic is a magazine that focuses on teamwork. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with others and how well you collaborate. To answer, think of a time when you worked as part of a team and the results you achieved together.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about geography, so I decided to pursue a career in it. In college, I took several classes where we had group projects. I found that I really enjoyed collaborating with other people and learning from their unique perspectives. We were able to create some amazing presentations and papers because of our teamwork.”

14. Give an example of something you did well and something you could improve on.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your self-awareness and how you handle constructive criticism. When answering, try to focus on a specific example of each rather than generalizing them.

Example: “I am very good at researching topics thoroughly before writing an article or making a presentation. However, I could improve my public speaking skills by practicing in front of smaller groups first before presenting to larger ones. This helped me become more comfortable with public speaking and gave me the confidence to present to large audiences.”

15. Did you ever have to make an unpopular decision?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to make a tough call that wasn’t well received by everyone but the outcome was positive.

Example: “In my last position as a manager at a retail store, I had to let one of my employees go because they were consistently late for work. This employee was upset when I told them they would no longer be working with us, however, after two weeks, they contacted me asking if there were any other positions available in our company. They explained that they needed the job to support their family and thanked me for giving them another chance.”

16. When was the last time you made a mistake? How did you handle it?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. They want to know that you are humble, honest and willing to take responsibility for your actions.

Example: “When I was a junior in college, I applied for an internship at National Geographic. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the position because my resume wasn’t formatted correctly. I learned from this mistake and made sure to format all of my future resumes correctly. This helped me secure several internships during my senior year.”

17. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your relevant skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I am passionate about photography and have been taking photos since I was a child. My work has been published in several magazines and newspapers, including National Geographic Kids magazine. I also have extensive research and writing experience from my previous job as a journalist at a local newspaper. These experiences make me well-suited for this role.”

18. If hired, what type of person would you bring into the office to help you succeed?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. When answering this question, think about the type of person that would be helpful in your workplace and why they would be beneficial.

Example: “I would bring someone into my office who has an outgoing personality and loves interacting with people. This person would be able to help me interact with customers and other employees while also being friendly and approachable. I feel like having a positive attitude is important for success, so I would want to work with someone who shares these values.”

19. Tell us about a time you had to meet a deadline, but there wasn’t enough time. What did you do?

National Geographic is a publication that requires its writers to meet deadlines. This question helps the interviewer understand how you handle pressure and time constraints. Use your answer to show that you can prioritize tasks, manage your time effectively and work well under pressure.

Example: “I once had to write an article on a new species of animal in less than 24 hours. I was already working on another assignment at the time, so I knew I would have to stay up all night to complete it. I started writing as soon as I got home from my day job and worked until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. Then, I took a short nap before getting back to work. By morning, I had finished the piece.”

20. How would you increase engagement for our brand?

National Geographic is a magazine that has been around for over 100 years. It’s one of the most popular magazines in the world, and it needs to continue to attract new readers. Your answer should show you understand how important engagement is for this publication.

Example: “I would increase engagement by creating more interactive content. I think National Geographic could benefit from having an online community where people can discuss articles and ask questions about what they’re reading. This will help build relationships with your audience and encourage them to share our content on social media.”