The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Community Impact Newspaper (Austin, TX) in Mar 2010
Interview
Interviewed with managing editor and HR manager (who is the sister-in-law of the publisher, so I wouldn't suggest being honest with her about anything HR related!) They were both very dead pan and hard to read, but it turns out that's their personalities and that didn't change at all the entire time I was there.
Had a second interview with the senior editor and the general manager. It was very quick. Seemed more like they just wanted to get a feel for me before confirming I'd be coming on board.
They asked about previous experience and how I would build a network of sources in the community and how well I know the community. Overall though, I think they don't care so much about the skillset of the people they hire but more about the caliber of their degrees and previous employers. The job is pretty easy to pick up, so as long as you have some journalism experience and are a high-caliber employee, you should be okay.
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
City Council members are notoriously hard to get a hold of, how would you reach one for questions.
I applied online. I interviewed at Community Impact Newspaper
Interview
I was asked to complete an UNPAID interview assignment and commuted for an hour-long interview. It was clear to see from the interview process and their published work that the majority of their editors and reporters are entry-level and lack high-level skills. The editor they had interviewing with the owner had only worked in two newsrooms in her life prior. The owner went on about Christian values while at the same time wasting candidates' time by harvesting unpaid labor and not having the dignity to actually email candidates, They send them automated emails. If you're looking for typical anti-worker, weaponized Texas christianity, this is the place for you.
Thank you very much for your feedback. I’d like to clarify that our interview assignments are not used for company work; rather, they help us assess an Editor candidate’s skills and approach to the key aspects of the role. Additionally, our owner is not involved in the interview process for Editor candidates.
I applied online. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Community Impact Newspaper (San Marcos, TX)
Interview
Had a phone interview and it was rather awkward. I consider myself to be fairly personable, and a majority of the talking points were expected. What made this negative was that we talked on the phone for nearly and hour and I heard nothing back. No “we regret to inform you that you werent selected to advance” email, no calls, no nothing. The job basically ghosted me, and that’s rather unprofessional. Also heard quite a bit of bad things from former employees, but I wanted to see for myself. Wasn’t impressed.
