Editor Interview Preparation Guide

To improve my writing skills, because I believe as an editor or in life in general one can never stop learning or perfecting their craft. So yes eventually I want to become a lecturer.

Once I moved into the interviewer seat, this is the question I noticed other people stumbling over the most. Editors know you’re probably applying to 10 zillion other places, but they at least want to feel like you’d be more excited to work at their brand than, say, your hometown gas station. Challenge yourself to come up with something unique and personal. (When I worked at a teen magazine, 99 percent of people said they wanted to work there because they “loved it growing up.” That’s great, I thought, but why do you want to work here now?) Is it the magazine you always save space for in your suitcase? Do you love a particular writer? Did they publish a story that impacted your life in a meaningful way?

I was once asked if I would be OK with writing the Table of Contents even though it had been years since the page was part of my job description. But I said yes, and got the job, and actually didn’t mind doing it until it was eventually taken off my plate a year or so later. Bottom line: Just say yes. Job descriptions are what you make of them once you get your foot in the door—until then, just prove that you’re someone who is willing to roll up your sleeves and get the job done.

This is an opportunity to show that you know a little bit about the company, its background and training programmes.

I sometimes find this question a bit difficult because I think it wouldn’t be as simple as people in the police force, hospital staff or local councillors.

Think about others who could give a tip off for a story – for example key people in the area such as teachers, shop owners or other key members of the community.

Tell the interviewers how you would get to know people in the community so you’d be the first one they’d contact if a news story broke out.

It’s usually the people you least expect who give you a diamond of a story.

I would have a private meeting to understand how they are feeling and what they feel when I edit their work. I would explain that their work is very good (if it was!) and that editing it was just bringing it up to scratch with house-style. They don't need to take it personally as it is not a reflection on the quality of their work, it's just my job to do that.

I have read blogs but I cannot remember any of them at this time. What I could say is that they did help me to improve my writing and editing greatly which is why I am here today.

This can be an intimidating question to answer on the spot, but that’s why I’m telling you about it now! Editors typically ask this in a very genuine way—an interview is an easy way for them to get feedback directly from a reader. Brushing up on a few back issues should spark a few ideas (and is good prep overall), but the key here is to use soft, constructive language. Instead of “I hate this,” it’s, “I’d love to see more of this.”

Editors always love hearing a good answer to this question, but they also use it to see if your goals align with the position for which you’re being considered. Answer honestly, but try to connect the dots as much as you can.

If you are going into a management programe they might ask this. It can seem tricky if you're just out of university and you think you haven't had a job.

Leadership comes in all facets of life – through clubs or societies, through managing your local football team. Try to bring it up to date as much as possible rather than harking back to school days when you were a prefect.