Few jobs are filled without first having a face-to-face, phone, or Zoom interview, which most applicants don’t like.
That’s also true for most HR directors, who hate interviews almost as much as the people they hire do.
You would have to spend hours trying to be warm, friendly, and funny with nervous job applicants one after the other while also trying to figure out if they are qualified and a good fit. Advertisement.
But until someone comes up with a better way, this is HR’s best and only option. Same for you.
That’s why job interviews are so dreaded, and so necessary. There’s a lot riding on what happens. Your career can start, stop, or be put on hold depending on what you say and how you say it.
In my world, job interviews come in many forms, but there are two main types: the informational interview and the real job interview.
In the first case, you’ve asked to meet up with someone who knows someone who might be able to help you get a job. The rest is up to you.
The second is where you’ve reached the next level and actually have a real job interview. It’s your turn to shine brightly.
Now, let’s talk about the job interview. To begin, here are some of the most common questions and how to best answer them.
Interviewing at a company like Tribune Media can be an exciting yet daunting experience As a leader in news and entertainment media, Tribune Media has high standards when hiring candidates Being well-prepared with thoughtful answers to common Tribune Media interview questions is key to standing out from the competition.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 most frequently asked interview questions at Tribune Media. Understanding the core competencies and values Tribune Media looks for will help you craft winning responses. With insight from industry experts and recruiters, we break down each question, provide sample answers, and offer tips to help you ace your Tribune Media interview.
Overview of Tribune Media
Let’s start with some background on Tribune Media Founded in 1847, Tribune Media has a long and illustrious history as a multimedia powerhouse Though it began as a print newspaper publisher, Tribune Media has evolved into a dynamic media company with television, digital, and mobile operations.
Headquartered in Chicago, Tribune Media owns or operates 42 local television stations and a radio station, WGN Radio. Its diverse portfolio includes entertainment network WGN America, digital properties, and data and technology services.
As a leading force in news and entertainment media, Tribune Media prioritizes innovation, integrity, and community impact. The company attracts top talent who embody these values and possess strong leadership, collaboration, and creativity skills.
Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Now let’s dive into the top 10 most common interview questions asked at Tribune Media:
1. Why do you want to work at Tribune Media?
This question aims to assess your genuine interest in the company and the alignment between your goals and Tribune Media’s mission. Interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research on the company and understand its culture.
In your response:
- Demonstrate your passion for media and entertainment, especially local news and broadcasting.
- Reference Tribune Media’s legacy and impact in the industry.
- Highlight company values that resonate with you such as innovation and community engagement.
- Explain why your personal goals align with Tribune Media’s objectives.
For example: “Tribune Media’s commitment to high-quality local news coverage and community-focused entertainment deeply resonates with me. Having started my career in broadcasting, I admire Tribune’s pioneering legacy in television and radio. I’m excited by the company’s emphasis on innovation, as seen in recent initiatives like ___. I feel my skills in ___ and experience with ___ would allow me to contribute to Tribune Media’s future growth and community impact.”
2. What interests you about the role you applied for?
This question gauges your understanding of the role’s responsibilities and your fit for the job. Be specific about what excites you most about the day-to-day work.
In your response:
- Demonstrate your grasp of the role by highlighting specific responsibilities that match your skills and interests.
- Explain how the role aligns with your career goals and growth trajectory.
- Convey your eagerness to take on the position’s challenges and make an impact.
For example: “I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to ___ which perfectly aligns with my background in ___. The chance to ___ really appeals to me as it matches my passion for ___. I’m confident my ___ skills and experience with ___ make me well-equipped to excel in this role. I’m eager to take on the challenge of ___ and contribute to the team’s success.”
3. How do you stay current in the media industry?
Tribune Media prioritizes being at the forefront of trends and innovations in the rapidly evolving media landscape. This question tests your proactive learning attitude and curiosity.
In your response:
- Demonstrate your hunger to continuously learn by highlighting sources you regularly consult to stay updated, such as industry publications, events, podcasts, and thought leaders.
- Provide examples of emerging trends you’re excited by and how you’ve integrated new knowledge into your work.
- Emphasize that you’re not only a lifelong learner but also an innovator, active in testing new technologies and brainstorming new ideas.
For example: “I make a habit of consulting key media publications like Adweek and Poynter to stay on top of the latest developments in this fast-paced industry. I also have Google alerts set up for relevant news and trends. By actively participating in events like ___ and following thought leaders like ___, I absorb diverse perspectives. As an innovator, I get excited by trends like ___ and have already tested integrating ___ into my team’s workflows, which resulted in ___.”
4. How would you determine what content resonates with a target audience?
Creating compelling content that engages audiences is critical for any media company. This question assesses your understanding of audience analysis, research, and metrics.
In your response:
- Discuss methods for gathering audience insights, such as surveys, focus groups, social listening tools, and analytics.
- Explain how you’ve used these inputs to identify audience needs, interests, and changing tastes historically.
- Share examples of how audience feedback and performance data influenced your content strategy and led to increased engagement.
For example: “Determining what engages audiences starts with comprehensive audience research. I utilize surveys, focus groups, and tools like Google Analytics to gather quantitative and qualitative data on audience demographics, content preferences, and consumption habits. By analyzing historical trends in these inputs, I gain a deep understanding of audience interests to inform content development. I also continually monitor engagement metrics on published content and social listening data. For example, after noticing Facebook reactions to video content outperforming blogs, I reallocated resources to produce a video series that saw 25% higher view rates compared to our average.”
5. How would you coach someone struggling to meet performance standards?
At Tribune Media, leadership and nurturing talent are highly valued skills. This question assesses your people management style and ability to provide guidance.
In your response:
- Show empathy and discuss how you’d have an open conversation to understand the challenges they’re facing.
- Explain how you’d provide constructive feedback focused on development rather than criticism.
- Share ideas for resources and training that could bridge skill gaps.
- Convey that you’ll collaborate on devising goals and timelines to support improvement.
For example: “First and foremost, I would have a candid yet compassionate discussion to understand what factors are hindering their performance. I would reassure them that my goal is to help them succeed. Based on their challenges, I would provide concrete but kind feedback focused on specific ways to improve. If it’s an issue with hard skills, I would arrange for appropriate training resources to bridge the gap. Together, we’d establish milestones and check-ins to track progress. With an atmosphere of support, I’m confident we could get their performance on track.”
6. Tell me about a time you successfully led a creative project from concept to execution.
The media industry thrives on creativity and innovation. This behavioral question allows you to demonstrate leadership abilities and project management skills in delivering imaginative projects.
In your response:
- Set the context by describing the project’s objective and key results expected.
- Take the interviewer through the organized process you followed from start to finish.
- Emphasize how you collaborated with cross-functional teams and overcame roadblocks.
- Share indicators of the project’s success, such as engagement, revenue, or company recognition.
For example: “As head of the project to develop an augmented reality mobile app to enhance our theme park experience, my goal was to drive 15% higher customer satisfaction scores. From the start, I assembled a skilled and enthusiastic team from design, engineering, and marketing. We followed an agile development process to iteratively create a user-friendly app with innovative AR features based on customer feedback. Overcoming tight timeline pressures, we partnered closely across departments to align priorities and access needed resources. Since launching, the app has seen a 20% usage rate among park visitors and improved satisfaction scores, validating the success of our ambitious creative vision.”
7. How would you contribute to our company culture?
Tribune Media cares deeply about its culture and wants team players who enhance it. Showcase your cultural add with this question.
In your response:
- Demonstrate your understanding of Tribune Media’s culture and values like integrity, collaboration, and community focus.
- Share how you already embody these values in your work style and interactions.
- Provide examples of how you’ve positively contributed to culture in current/past roles through team building, mentoring, activities, etc.
For example: “Tribune Media’s culture of integrity, collaboration, and passion for community closely aligns with my own values. My collaborative work style, belief in mentorship, and history of volunteering exemplify these values. For example, at my current company, I spearheaded a mentorship program between senior and junior employees that increased engagement scores. I would be honored to join Tribune Media’s culture and continue driving values like empathy, inclusion, and service which I strongly share.”
8. Why do you want to work in the media industry?
This question gauges your level of passion and commitment to a career in media. Interviewers want to get a sense of what drives you in this fast-paced industry.
In your response:
- Share when your interest
What do you know about this company?
This is your opportunity to show you’ve done your homework. Share what you think you know about the company’s products and services, revenues, mission, and philosophy. Keep your answers concise and positive. Remember, you don’t know as much about the company as the interviewer.
Tell me about yourself.
This is potentially tricky because it’s an open invitation for you to talk about yourself. Talk briefly about your relevant professional strengths, skills and experience. There’s no need to divulge any personal information, until or unless you’re asked.
