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Fri, Jan 06 2012 06:50:09

'What would you do if Kelvin MacKenzie called you a c***?' and other memorable job interview questions

In preparing to write a guide to journalism job interviews, we decided to crowdsource tough and memorable job interview questions. Here are some of the helpful and hilarious responses

  1. We asked...
  2. journalismnews
    What's the most memorable question you've been asked in a journalist job interview? We are writing a post on CV & interview tips
    Journalism.co.uk
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:16:56
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  3. Here are some of the responses:
  4. r_ashwell
    @journalismnews got asked to write little red riding hood in style of any national paper once... 10 years on it's still the best interview q
    Rob Ashwell
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:22:01
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  5. rachelstevenson
    @journalismnews Was once asked at a Today prog intvw who I'd get on air if Gerald Ford died. Who's Gerald Ford, I asked? Didn't get the job.
    Rachel Stevenson
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:26:07
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  6. Alternative interview techniques?
  7. chrishams
    @journalismnews Midway through an answer, big boss, standing behind me, practising golf swing, leans in & barks: How do you handle pressure?
    chrishams
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 09:08:47
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  8. mk1969
    @journalismnews was once interviewed by an editor who took a piss in his office's en-suite toilet, door ajar, still asking questions
    mk1969
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 10:32:38
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  9. The Kelvin MacKenzie section
  10. julesfisher
    @journalismnews Once interviewed by Kelvin Mackenzie who undressed in front of me to change into DJ accompanied by a stream of expletives
    julesfisher
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 11:21:15
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  11. celebQandA
    #journointerview At interview for promotions assistant on The Sun in late 80s - What would you do if Kelvin MacKenzie called you a c***?
    Rosanna Greenstreet
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 10:43:58
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  12. And some others...
  13. catfunt
    @journalismnews "What keeps XXX (name of top boss) awake at night?" The only answer I could think of was "Erectile dysfunction".
    catfunt
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 09:08:34
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  14. aimeesteen
    @journalismnews "Name five different types of owl" for a job on a wildlife mag. I could not.
    Aimee Steen
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:20:40
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  15. DannyT78
    @journalismnews interview for IBM Computer Today. 'What does IBM stand for?' 'Er....' Didn't get job! (isn't immediately obvious to be fair)
    Dan Thomas
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:40:40
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  16. MsChappers
    @journalismnews #journointerview for the BBC. "How much does a pint of milk cost?"
    MsChappers
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 10:30:53
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  17. whealie
    @journalismnews Are you any good at football? I played rugby. I suggested I might be OK in goal. The office 5-a-side team needed a keeper .
    Chris Wheal
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:37:17
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  18. jsjallen
    @journalismnews I got asked "What is news?" in my masters interview. Answered with "anything current that people are interested in." Got in!
    Joe Allen
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:38:56
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  19. Wassboy
    @journalismnews Re interview questions, my fave which I now use myself is "What are you pleased that I don't know about you?"
    Wassboy
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:39:32
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  20. Beanmimo
    @journalismnews Interviewer picked a fight with me over a West ham/Liverpool football score & threw me out (got the job).
    Benjamin Moore
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:44:06
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  21. LauraDew24
    @journalismnews 'Explain the FTSE' I said it was at 35. I obv know now it's at circa 5,630. Was ready to leave right there and then.
    Laura Dew
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:51:14
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  22. nickmhalliday
    @journalismnews 'what is your management style?' could not resist saying 'Genghis Khan' got the job
    Nick Halliday
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:54:57
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  23. MarieGretton
    @journalismnews i was asked if i cry a lot!? #journointerview
    Marie G
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 11:09:30
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  24. Possibly not a journalistic role but it is worth considering whether or not to be too critical
  25. sashajol
    @journalismnews interview at YouTube: "What would you change about YouTube?" I was scared it was a trick to get me to bad mouth them!
    Sasha Lekach
    Thu, Jan 05 2012 07:55:55
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