An exclusive interview is a one-on-one discussion between a journalist and an individual who agrees not to talk with anyone else about the subject until their article goes live. It’s typically granted when the interviewee has news that’s important enough to warrant a first run with a top-tier publication.
If you were granted an exclusive interview, how would you handle the pressure to meet a deadline?
This question gives the hiring manager a sense of how you would approach a high-stakes situation. A candidate that answers with confidence and poise will likely be a good fit for the company’s culture.
If you were granted an exclusive first run with a major media outlet, how would you handle the pressure to meet that deadline?
A savvy PR pro can elevate news that wouldn’t be interesting enough to a tier-one outlet by finding an angle (maybe it ties into a hot trend, a unique milestone, etc). But ultimately, it’s up to the business to have a meaningful announcement.
An exclusive interview isn’t for the faint of heart. You might spend weeks preparing for an exclusive, only to find out that the news isn’t compelling or doesn’t resonate with a publisher’s audience. That’s why it’s so important to be transparent with the interviewee from the start – what are you hoping for from the coverage and how will success be measured?