How do you communicate with the editorial team to develop story ideas?

Sample answer to the question

I communicate with the editorial team to develop story ideas by attending regular meetings and brainstorming sessions. During these meetings, we discuss upcoming sports events and potential story angles. I also make sure to stay in constant communication with the editors through emails and messaging platforms. I share my ideas and pitch them to the team, providing detailed explanations and examples to support my suggestions. We collaborate closely to refine and develop these ideas into engaging stories that resonate with our audience.

A more solid answer

To communicate with the editorial team and develop story ideas, I take a proactive approach. I initiate regular meetings with the team to discuss upcoming sports events and share potential story angles. During these meetings, I showcase my excellent writing and storytelling skills by presenting well-researched ideas with compelling narratives. I actively listen to feedback and suggestions from the editorial team, ensuring effective collaboration. Additionally, I utilize my strong interviewing and communication skills when conducting interviews with athletes, coaches, and other sports figures, gaining valuable insights for story development. To work under tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks and maintain open lines of communication with the team to ensure everyone is on track. I am also proficient in using digital and social media platforms for reporting, leveraging their reach and engagement to share our stories with a wider audience.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands upon the basic answer by providing specific examples and details that demonstrate the candidate's skills and experiences in the required areas. It showcases their proactive approach, excellent writing and storytelling skills, strong interviewing and communication skills, ability to work under tight deadlines, and proficiency in using digital and social media for reporting. However, it could benefit from further elaboration on how the candidate utilizes digital and social media platforms.

An exceptional answer

To foster effective communication with the editorial team and develop compelling story ideas, I employ a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, I proactively engage with the team by scheduling frequent meetings and brainstorming sessions to discuss upcoming sports events and potential story angles. I actively contribute my excellent writing and storytelling skills by presenting well-researched ideas with a clear narrative structure. As a skilled interviewer, I conduct in-depth interviews with athletes, coaches, and other sports figures, extracting unique and compelling insights for story development. I am adept at adapting my communication style to suit different interviewees, ensuring comfortable and productive interactions. To meet tight deadlines, I meticulously plan my work, setting clear priorities and milestones while keeping the team updated on progress. In the digital age, I leverage my proficiency in using digital and social media platforms for reporting, actively engaging with our audience through live streams, interactive posts, and multimedia content. By harnessing the power of these platforms, I not only share our stories but also foster a sense of community among sports fans, increasing readership and brand loyalty.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer takes the solid answer and expands upon it with more specific details and examples. It demonstrates the candidate's multi-faceted approach to communicate and develop story ideas, showcasing their excellent writing and storytelling skills, strong interviewing and communication skills, ability to work under tight deadlines, and proficiency in using digital and social media for reporting. The answer also highlights the candidate's adaptability in communication style, meticulous planning, and their ability to foster a sense of community among sports fans. It provides a comprehensive and detailed response that aligns well with the skills and requirements outlined in the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with the current sports landscape and industry trends
Develop a portfolio of writing samples showcasing your storytelling skills
Practice conducting interviews and extracting compelling insights
Stay updated with digital and social media platforms commonly used in sports reporting
Prepare examples of successful collaborations with editorial teams

What interviewers are evaluating

Excellent writing and storytelling skills
Strong interviewing and communication skills
Ability to work under tight deadlines
Proficient in using digital and social media for reporting