Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult or uncooperative politician during an interview.

Political Correspondent Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

During an interview for an article on political policies, I once had to deal with a difficult and uncooperative politician. He was dismissive of my questions and appeared to be trying to avoid giving direct answers. In order to handle the situation, I remained calm and composed. I used my strong communication skills to rephrase my questions in a different way, hoping to get a more insightful response. I also conducted thorough research beforehand to have a good understanding of the topic and to be able to challenge any evasive answers. Eventually, I was able to extract meaningful information from the politician and incorporate it into my article.

A more solid answer

During an interview with a difficult and uncooperative politician, I relied on my excellent writing and communication skills to navigate the situation. I remained composed and used my strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to reframe my questions and address the politician's evasive responses. Additionally, my in-depth knowledge of the political system and current political climate allowed me to challenge the politician's statements and seek meaningful information. Despite the challenges, I was able to successfully extract valuable insights from the interview and meet tight deadlines to incorporate them into my reporting.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing specific details about the candidate's skills, knowledge, and actions. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple stories simultaneously. However, it could still be improved by providing more examples of how the candidate used their strong writing and communication skills in the situation.

An exceptional answer

During an interview with a difficult and uncooperative politician, I leveraged my excellent writing and communication skills to effectively navigate the situation. I remained composed and confidently addressed the politician's dismissive attitude by rephrasing my questions and seeking to understand their perspective. Drawing on my strong analytical and critical thinking abilities, I challenged the politician's evasive responses with well-reasoned follow-up questions and counterarguments. Thanks to my in-depth knowledge of the political system and current political climate, I was able to counter any misleading statements and seek meaningful information. I also demonstrated my ability to work under tight deadlines by promptly incorporating the insights from the interview into my reporting, managing multiple stories simultaneously. Overall, my handling of this difficult situation showcased my strong ethical judgment, impartiality, and dedication to providing accurate and insightful political reporting.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by providing even more specific and detailed examples of the candidate's skills and actions. It showcases the candidate's ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism, while also emphasizing their strong ethical judgment and impartiality. The answer also highlights the candidate's dedication to providing accurate and insightful political reporting. No further improvements are necessary.

How to prepare for this question

1. Familiarize yourself with the job description and requirements, paying close attention to the desired skills and qualifications.
2. Review your past experiences dealing with difficult or uncooperative individuals, particularly within a political context.
3. Practice answering questions about handling difficult situations during interviews, emphasizing how you demonstrated your skills and knowledge.
4. Reflect on any specific strategies or techniques you have used in the past to effectively deal with difficult individuals, and be ready to discuss them during the interview.
5. Research current political events and controversies to stay well-informed and ready to engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.

What interviewers are evaluating

Excellent writing and communication skills
Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities
In-depth knowledge of the political system and current political climate
Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple stories simultaneously