Interviewing at Vice Media can be an exciting yet daunting process. The company is known for its edgy unconventional media content and company culture. This means the interview process will likely reflect those qualities as well.
While every interview is unique, there are some common Vice Media interview questions candidates can expect. Understanding these questions and preparing thoughtful responses can help give you an edge in the hiring process. In this article, we’ll break down examples of popular Vice Media interview questions with tips for crafting strong answers.
Why Do You Want to Work For Vice Media?
This is likely to be one of the first questions asked in a Vice Media interview. The company wants to understand what draws you to their organization specifically.
To prepare, research Vice Media’s company mission, values, and content offerings. Underline aspects that genuinely interest or excite you. You might highlight things like:
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The cutting-edge, thought-provoking nature of their video projects and documentaries
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Their reputation for fearless, investigative reporting around the world
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The casual yet driven work culture
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The opportunity to reach a young, engaged audience hungry for edgy content
Be specific when answering why those factors appeal to you. Explain how Vice Media aligns with your career goals, interests, and personality. Hiring managers want to see you’ve done your homework about the company.
Why Should We Hire You?
Another common question in Vice Media interviews is “Why should we hire you?” This gives you a prime opportunity to pitch yourself
First, tie your skills and experience directly back to the position you’re applying for. Explain how those qualifications make you a strong candidate for succeeding in the role.
Then highlight unique selling points that set you apart. Maybe you have multimedia journalism experience at a scrappy startup or a passion for youth culture and trends. Communicate why you are the perfect cultural and skillset fit for Vice.
What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Vice Media interviews often broach the salary expectations discussion. The company wants to know you’ve researched competitive compensation for the position. At the same time, they seek candidates motivated primarily by the work itself.
Aim to give a reasonable salary range based on market research on sites like Glassdoor, Salary.com or Payscale. You can say something like “Based on my experience and qualifications, my salary expectations fall between $X and $Y. However, I’m open to considering your best offer if I’m excited about the role and see a good long-term fit.” This shows flexibility.
If asked for a specific number, give a range instead of an absolute figure if possible. Let the employer make the first offer to maximize negotiating power later on. Deflect with a response like “I’d be open to considering a fair offer based on the details of the role.”
How Do You Handle Working Under Pressure?
Vice Media employees often juggle tight deadlines and high-pressure projects. Expect interviewers to probe how you handle workplace stress.
Respond by giving an example of a time you successfully delivered high-quality work despite tight turnarounds or competing priorities. Explain your approach to managing projects methodically to avoid dropping balls.
You can also describe tactics you use to keep a cool head under pressure, like taking a short walk or doing focused breathing. Outline how you proactively communicate with colleagues and bosses before crunches happen to manage heavy workloads. These types of answers display your poise and preparation.
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
The strengths and weaknesses question frequently arises in Vice Media interviews. Managers want insight into your self-awareness.
When listing your strengths, focus on those most relevant to the role you want. For a video producer job, you might highlight skills like creative storytelling, resourcefulness in the field, and using editing software. Back each strength up with a quick example.
On the weakness side, pick low-impact areas unrelated to the position. You can mention improving public speaking skills or becoming more proactive in soliciting feedback. Then, share how you actively work on those weaknesses to demonstrate self-improvement.
How Do You Evaluate Content Ideas?
Since Vice Media is a content-focused company, expect questions about how you assess ideas. Hiring managers want to understand your instinct for spotting compelling content angles and formats that will engage audiences.
In your answer, explain factors you consider when evaluating content, like:
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Relevance – Does it resonate with what our core audience cares about right now?
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Uniqueness – Does it bring a fresh, surprising perspective people haven’t seen before?
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Personality – Does the topic lend itself to an irreverent, conversational style true to our brand voice?
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Shareability – Does it have elements that naturally make people want to share socially?
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Measurability – Are there ways we can quantify success through views, social chatter, subscribers gained, etc?
Giving thoughtful criteria shows you understand how to create sticky content that performs.
How Do You Stay Current on Youth Culture and Trends?
Since Vice speaks to a young-skewing audience, interviewers will likely probe your familiarity with youth pop culture and trends. To prep, make a list of habits or activities that help you stay tapped into what’s buzzy, like:
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Reading youth-oriented publications like Buzzfeed, Vox, or Reddit
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Following trendsetters on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and absorbing their influencer content
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Socializing with younger friends or family members and asking what they’re into
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Checking out new viral apps, meme accounts, or podcasts
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Noticing fashion and grooming styles of young people you encounter
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Travelling to places where youth culture emerges like music festivals or college towns
Giving thoughtful examples demonstrates your finger is on the pulse of what resonates with Vice’s core under-35 audience.
What Existing Vice Content Do You Admire?
It’s common for Vice Media hiring managers to ask what existing content you enjoy from Vice. They want to see you’re truly familiar with their work.
In your response, name 2-3 specific Vice pieces you find top-notch. Explain concisely why each example connects with you personally. Is it the relevant social commentary? Eye-opening local reporting? Clever humor? Pointing to content that impressed you for clear reasons proves you “get” the Vice editorial voice and mission.
What Critiques Do You Have of Vice’s Content?
Along with asking what content you admire, Vice interviewers may probe what you would critique. They want collaborators who think independently and push Vice to improve.
Tread carefully here. Avoid criticizing Vice’s brand identity or saying you dislike established franchises. Instead, suggest niche areas or angles you’d love to see Vice explore more based on your expertise. For example, if you’re a music journalist, you might say “I’d be excited to see more profiles of up-and-coming bands within niche genres who have influential fan bases.”
Couch critiques positively by saying you think expanding coverage in specific directions could help Vice continue leading as an outlet reaching young people. This shows you’re a constructive, big-picture thinker.
What Media Tools and Techniques Are You Excited to Use More?
Since Vice Media produces multi-platform content, expect interviewers to ask what tools or tech you’re eager to use on the job.
Highlight any platforms, equipment, software, or apps you have less experience with but would be thrilled to employ more at Vice. Maybe you’re excited to:
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Produce more long-form video stories by learning new editing programs
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Use mobile apps like Splice to create quick-turnaround social videos on the go
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Dig into leveraging podcasting and voice tech
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Utilize Vice’s virtual reality capabilities for immersive projects
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Contribute more data-driven articles using analytics tools
Conveying enthusiasm for learning new media platforms shows your flexibility and drive to innovate.
How Would You Pitch a Content Series Tailored to Vice Audiences?
Hiring managers often ask candidates to pitch a hypothetical content series idea tailored for Vice during interviews. This allows them to assess your creative thinking and instincts for the brand.
To prepare, brainstorm ahead of time 2-3 edgy, fresh angles you think the Vice audience would find captivating right now. Make sure ideas tie back to Vice’s “wheelhouse” topics like music, technology, counterculture, human interest stories, travel, and controversial news.
When asked, choose one idea to pitch briefly. Explain the topic, potential angle and format, and how it caters to Vice fans’ interests. Your ability to improvise a thoughtful concept on the spot gives interviewers insight into your content innovation skills.
What Current Events Interest You Most and Why?
Since Vice covers major global news events, interviewers look for candidates passionate about current events. Expect questions probing the latest headlines you find most intriguing.
Scan recent issues of top news outlets to identify 2-3 major stories capturing your attention. Be ready to discuss the angles that interest you and why. Make sure to pick issues that align
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Illustration by Daniel Zender
