17 Radio Presenter Interview Questions and Answers

A radio presenter is the voice of a radio station, talking to listeners and playing music. If you’re passionate about music, entertaining people, and have a strong interest in current affairs and pop culture, a career in radio might be for you.

Before you can start your dream job, you’ll need to impress a radio station manager in an interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you comfortable talking to people on the radio without seeing them?

Radio presenters often have to talk on the air without seeing their audience. This question helps employers determine if you can be comfortable with this type of work environment. In your answer, explain that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you’re connecting with your listeners.

Example: “I am very comfortable talking to people on the radio without seeing them. I’ve done a lot of public speaking in my career and feel confident about being able to connect with an audience even when I can’t see them. I also understand how important it is to speak clearly so everyone can hear me. I will always take extra time to ensure I’m pronouncing words correctly.”

What are some of your favorite radio shows and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what types of shows you enjoy. It also helps them see if your personality is a good fit for their station’s programming. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific elements that make these programs enjoyable for you.

Example: “I really love NPR radio because I find the topics they cover to be very interesting. I also like how they have different segments on each show so there are always new things to learn. Another favorite of mine is a local morning show where the hosts are always upbeat and positive. They’re great at making everyone feel welcome and comfortable.”

How would you react if you were scheduled to host a live event and the guest didn’t show up?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. You can use a past experience where you had to adjust the plan on short notice or explain how you would handle this situation if it has never happened before.

Example: “I’ve been in this situation before, and I always make sure to have a backup guest ready to go just in case something like this happens. If they don’t show up, I will call someone else who may be able to fill in at the last minute. In my previous role, I was hosting a live event with a celebrity guest when they didn’t show up. Luckily, we were able to find another celebrity who could take their place.”

What is your experience with public speaking?

Radio presenters often need to speak on the air, which is a form of public speaking. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with public speaking and how you overcame any challenges you faced while doing it. In your answer, share two or three experiences where you had to give a speech in front of an audience. Explain what helped you feel more comfortable when presenting.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in radio broadcasting, so I volunteered to be the emcee for my high school’s talent show every year. This was definitely nerve-wracking at first, but after a few years, I got used to being in front of a large crowd. Now, I’m much more confident when speaking in front of others.”

Provide an example of a time you had to deliver bad news on the radio.

Radio presenters often have to deliver news that may not be positive. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle delivering bad news on the radio and still keep your audience engaged. In your answer, explain how you handled the situation and what steps you took to ensure you delivered the news in a way that was informative but also entertaining.

Example: “When I worked at my previous station, we had to report on a local business closing its doors. The company made the decision to close without warning, so it was our responsibility to let listeners know about the closure. I started by explaining why the company closed and then read through some of the best memories people shared about the business. This helped soften the blow for listeners who were disappointed to hear the news.”

If a listener called in with a complaint, how would you handle it?

Radio presenters often interact with listeners, and employers ask this question to make sure you have experience handling difficult situations. In your answer, explain how you would use your communication skills to resolve the issue.

Example: “If a listener called in with a complaint, I would first thank them for their call and apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would try to understand what exactly happened and why they were upset. After that, I would find out if there was anything we could do to fix the situation or make it up to them. If not, I would offer to put them on air again so they can tell everyone about our mistake.”

What would you do if you were hosting a show and a listener started talking over the broadcast?

This question is a test of your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle an unexpected situation in front of a live audience.

Example: “I would first try to get them to stop talking by asking them politely, but if they didn’t comply I would take control of the broadcast and continue with my show while trying to ignore their comments. If it was too disruptive, I would end the show early and apologize to the listeners for the disruption.”

How well do you know the local area?

Radio stations often broadcast local news and information. Employers ask this question to make sure you know the area well enough to report on it accurately. Before your interview, research the city or town where the radio station is located. Make a list of interesting facts about the area that you can share with the interviewer.

Example: “I grew up in this area, so I am very familiar with all of its unique features. For example, there’s an abandoned train track that runs through the woods here. It’s rumored that ghosts haunt the tracks at night. Another fun fact is that the high school mascot is a unicorn. The students even have their own fan club.”

Do you have any experience writing your own scripts?

Radio presenters often need to write their own scripts, so the interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have any experience doing so. If you do, share an example of a script you wrote and how it helped your audience understand what you were talking about. If you don’t have any experience writing your own scripts, explain that you are willing to learn how to do so.

Example: “I’ve written my own scripts before when I was working as a radio presenter at a local station. The producer would give me a topic to talk about, and then I would write out a script for myself. This allowed me to ensure that I covered all of the important points in my discussion while also making sure that I spoke clearly enough for my listeners to understand.”

When would you use a microphone and when would you use a headset?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with different types of equipment and how you use them. Use examples from previous work to explain when you used each type of microphone and headset, and what situations they were best for.

Example: “At my last job, I used a headset whenever I was on air because it allowed me to move around more freely while still being able to speak into the mic. However, if I needed to talk to someone in another room or wanted to read something aloud without speaking into the mic, I would use the built-in microphone on the headset. For larger events, I would use a handheld microphone that could pick up my voice better than the headset.”

We want to attract younger listeners. How would you attract younger listeners to our radio station?

Radio stations often want to attract younger listeners because they are more likely to listen to the radio station for longer periods of time. This is a great opportunity to show your knowledge about how you can help grow a radio station’s audience.

Example: “I would use social media and other online platforms to reach out to younger audiences. I would also create content that appeals to this age group, such as podcasts or interviews with popular people in their age group. For example, if I was working at a college radio station, I would interview professors who were popular among students.”

Describe your experience with audio editing software.

Radio presenters often need to edit their audio files before they go on air. This question helps employers determine if you have experience with editing software and how comfortable you are using it. If you don’t have much experience, consider taking a class or practicing with the software at home.

Example: “I’ve used Audacity for years as part of my freelance work. I find that it’s easy to use and has all the features I need to make quick edits. For example, when I was working at WXYZ Radio, we had an interviewee who said something inappropriate during his segment. I quickly muted the microphone and edited out the offensive language so our listeners wouldn’t hear it.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that relate to this position. Focus on highlighting these skills in your answer.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who is passionate about sharing information with others. I also understand the importance of being prepared for my show at all times. In addition, I am highly organized and always meet deadlines. These skills are what make me the best candidate for this position.”

Which radio shows do you listen to regularly?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your interests. It also helps them see what kind of shows you enjoy listening to, which can give them an idea of how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, try to name a few radio shows that are similar to the one you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I listen to NPR regularly because I love learning about current events and hearing different perspectives on important issues. I also like listening to podcasts while I’m driving or working out because they keep me entertained without requiring my full attention. I recently started listening to a podcast called ‘The Storytellers’ where people tell stories from their lives. It’s really interesting.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a radio presenter to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer by listing a skill, explaining what it means to be a good presenter and giving an example of how you used this skill in a previous position.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a radio presenter is communication. A presenter needs to be able to communicate clearly with their audience so they understand everything we’re saying. I’ve always been passionate about public speaking, so I took several speech classes in college. These courses helped me learn how to speak clearly and confidently on air.”

How often do you listen to the radio?

Radio presenters need to be passionate about the radio and its content. Employers ask this question to see if you are a regular listener of their station. If you don’t listen regularly, explain why you haven’t tuned in before. You can also mention that you plan on listening more often now that you have an opportunity to work for them.

Example: “I listen to the radio every day while I’m driving to work. I usually tune into my favorite morning show because they always make me laugh. I do occasionally switch it up when I hear something interesting on another station. For example, I heard your evening host talking about how to get rid of ants naturally. I was so impressed by his knowledge that I wrote down some of his tips.”

There is a live event and the guest is unhappy with how they are being portrayed on air. How would you handle it?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to resolve the situation as well as how you would prevent similar issues from happening in the future.

Example: “I have had this happen before at my previous job. The guest was unhappy with their sound quality on air. I immediately apologized for the issue and asked if they wanted me to re-record the segment. They agreed, so I went back into the studio and redid the segment. I also made sure that we addressed the issue so it wouldn’t happen again.”