Ed’s interviewed lots of whippersnappers and has heard them utter many deal-breaking phrases. Learn from their mistakes with these awful responses to popular interview questions:
The question: “Have you read our magazine?”
Bad answer: “No” [OR] “I just looked at your Web site.”
Editors know that 22-year-old EA applicants don’t read MORE magazine every day, but no editor wants to hire someone who’s never picked up their magazine before! Do yourself a favor and read an issue or two. You should understand what the magazine covers, how they cover it (in a snarky way? matter-of-factly?) and how it’s organized (are there sections that appear in each issue? what are they called and what are they like?). Saying you’ve never read the magazine or only looked at the Web site sends the message that you’re not interested in the topic. Plus, an editor will think if you can’t spend some time reading the magazine, you’re not enthusiastic, and when the competition is stiff, a lack of excitement can get you eliminated from the running.
The question: “What do you like about our magazine?”
Bad answer: “Everything!”
If you don’t give specific examples of what you like about the magazine at which you’re interviewing, an editor will think you’ve never read it before—even if you’ve been a subscriber since you were, like, 10. Or, even if it’s clear that you’re Sports Illustrated’s biggest fan, you have to prove that you think like an editor, and not just a reader. Talking intelligently about what you like—whether it be a section, a topic they cover, their tone, or their design—and why you like it shows an editor you “get” their magazine. And getting the magazine is half the battle.
The question: “What would you change about our magazine if you could?”
Bad answer: “Nothing.”
Editors are editors because they like to change and improve stories. If you can’t come up with anything you’d like to change and improve about a magazine, you’re not looking at the magazine with a critical eye, and you may not have much to contribute as a part of the staff. Don’t worry about offending the interviewer: Smart editors want to know what they could do differently to better entertain/inform readers. And by saying you wouldn’t change a thing, you could unwittingly convince an editor you’ve never read the magazine (and you know why that’s a bad idea now!).
The question: “Why do you want to be a magazine editor?”
Bad answer: “I love The Devil Wears Prada , ‘The Hills,’ or ‘Ugly Betty!’”
It’s OK if you’ve read and watched The Devil Wears Prada 14 times each, but use this question as an opportunity to talk about how you love what editors do. Tell the editor you get a kick out of coming up with interesting story ideas and fresh approaches to old topics (and feel free to throw in examples of times you did each!), or that you enjoy crafting the perfect headline or sentence. But if you say your reason for pursuing magazines is because you saw it on TV, you sound like you’re only interested in leading a semi-glamorous life like the ones those characters lead, and not about doing the job you’d be doing.
The question: “What’s your ideal job?”
Bad answer: Something completely different than the job you’re applying for.
Editors understand that your interests are varied. You may love Rolling Stone, but if you’re up for a spot at Country Living, talk about how you’ve always wanted to work for a shelter magazine, for goodness’ sake! But there’s a fine line between showing that your goals are in line with the experience you’d gain at that job and sounding like you’re regurgitating the job description, so tread it with care. Editors ask this question because they want to make sure you’ll be happy doing what you’d be doing at their magazine, so if you will, giving a perfectly honest answer can work in your favor, but saying, “An assistant editor position at Garden & Gun ” doesn’t help the editor learn what he wants to know—so it won’t help you get the job, either.
Sure, some interviewees have said these things and still wound up getting hired, but when there are so many other variables in interviews, like clicking with the editor and being better than the competition, it’s in your best interest to heed Ed’s advice and never let these responses slip out of your mouth!