Community Impact Newspaper Interview Questions
& Process

I was asked to do an unpaid assignment and then commuted for a one-hour interview. Based on their process and their published work, it seems like most of their editors and reporters are entry-level and don't have advanced skills. The editor who interviewed with the owner had only worked in two newsrooms before. The owner talked a lot about Christian values but also wasted candidates' time with unpaid labor, not even having the decency to email candidates directly, only sending automated emails. If you're looking for typical anti-worker, weaponized Texas Christianity, this is the place.

So the interview process has 3 stages. First, we do a phone interview with HR. Then, there's a virtual interview where you'll give a presentation. Finally, there's an in-person interview.

I felt like the company was playing games with me; it was a real cat and mouse situation. I'd wait weeks to hear back after an interview, then be told there was 'one more round' (which happened multiple times – I think I interviewed at least 5 times in total). I was really interested in the job, but after so many interviews, and after I kept following up and showing my interest, they just ghosted me completely. Fortunately, I had other offers (which were better), but if I had been counting on this job, I would have been in serious trouble.

They asked a lot of experience questions to ensure I had sufficient experience in writing, reporting, and interviewing. Many questions were scenario-based, asking what I would do. It was really frustrating that I didn't hear back for a whole month after the interview. I had to call them multiple times without any response to emails or voicemails. I ended up having to email someone I hadn't met, and they informed me that they felt I needed more experience since I had only graduated college a month prior to the interview.