Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Radio Intern – 2025

Preparing for a radio intern job interview? This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers that will help you showcase your communication skills, creativity, and knowledge of the radio industry. Whether you’re applying for a role as a news intern, production intern, or on-air intern, these questions cover all key areas of the job.

General Questions

• 1. Tell us about yourself and why you are interested in interning at a radio station.
  Answer: I am a recent graduate with a degree in journalism and a passion for radio. I am excited about the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the industry and learn from experienced professionals.
• 2. How do you keep up-to-date with current events and news in the local community?
  Answer: I regularly read local newspapers, follow news outlets on social media, and listen to radio broadcasts to stay informed about current events in the community. I also attend local events and engage with community members to get a firsthand perspective.
• 3. What do you hope to gain from this internship?
  Answer: I hope to gain a deeper understanding of radio production, news gathering, and the overall operations of a radio station. I am also looking to improve my communication skills and develop relationships with industry professionals.
• 4. How would your previous supervisors describe your work ethic and attitude?
  Answer: My previous supervisors would describe me as a hard-working, reliable, and positive team member. I always strive to complete my tasks on time and approach challenges with a can-do attitude.
• 5. Can you tell us about a time when you had to handle a difficult situation while working on a project?
  Answer: During my final year project in college, our team encountered a technical issue that put our project at risk of not meeting the deadline. I took the lead and gathered the necessary resources to troubleshoot and resolve the issue, allowing us to deliver the project on time.

Technical Skills & Experience

• 6. What software or tools are you familiar with for audio editing and production?
  Answer: I am familiar with Adobe Audition and Audacity for audio editing and production. I have used both extensively in my college courses and personal projects.
• 7. Have you had any experience operating radio equipment or broadcasting live?
  Answer: Yes, during my college courses, I had the opportunity to operate radio equipment and broadcast live on a college radio station. I also volunteered at a local radio station, where I assisted with live broadcasts and gained a better understanding of radio operations.
• 8. How do you handle pressure and tight deadlines when working on a project?
  Answer: I prioritize tasks and create a timeline to ensure I am on track to meet tight deadlines. I also make sure to communicate any challenges or obstacles with my team and work collaboratively to find solutions.
• 9. How do you approach creating engaging and creative content for radio?
  Answer: I start by researching the target audience and understanding their interests and preferences. Then, I brainstorm ideas and solicit feedback from my team to create compelling content that resonates with the audience.
• 10. Can you tell us about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem?
  Answer: During my college internship at a radio station, I noticed that the traffic reports were not engaging and did not provide enough useful information for listeners. I proposed creating interactive maps to display the areas experiencing the most congestion, which was well-received and resulted in increased listenership during traffic reports.

Behavioral Questions

• 11. Tell us about a time when you had to work on a project with a difficult team member.
  Answer: During a group project in college, I had a team member who was not pulling their weight and often created conflict within the team. I took the initiative to address the issue and work with the team member to find a solution. In the end, we were able to successfully deliver the project on time.
• 12. Can you give an example of a time when you had to adapt to a new situation quickly?
  Answer: During my internship at a radio station, I was asked to take over hosting a live show at the last minute due to a sudden illness of the regular host. I quickly familiarized myself with the topic and format of the show and delivered a successful live broadcast.
• 13. Describe a time when you had to handle competing priorities and how you managed them.
  Answer: In my previous role as a production assistant, I often had multiple projects with competing deadlines. I prioritized tasks based on urgency and importance and effectively communicated my progress with my supervisors to ensure projects were completed on time.
• 14. Tell us about a time when you had to resolve a conflict with a colleague or supervisor.
  Answer: In a previous job, I had a disagreement with my supervisor about the best approach to complete a project. I scheduled a private meeting to discuss our perspectives and reached a mutual understanding and agreement on the project's approach.
• 15. Describe a time when you had to work on a project with a strict budget.
  Answer: As the lead producer for a college radio show, I had a limited budget to create a compelling and engaging show every week. I had to be creative and resourceful to find affordable ways to produce segments and bring in interesting guests, without compromising the quality of the show.

Situational Questions

• 16. How would you handle a situation where a guest on your show made inappropriate remarks on air?
  Answer: I would first try to defuse the situation by calmly asking the guest to refrain from making inappropriate remarks. If the behavior continued, I would swiftly end the interview and apologize to listeners for any offense caused.
• 17. What would you do if you encountered technical difficulties during a live broadcast?
  Answer: I would remain calm and try to troubleshoot and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. If the issue could not be resolved in a timely manner, I would have a contingency plan in place, such as playing prerecorded content or transitioning to another segment until the issue is resolved.
• 18. How would you handle a situation where a news source retracts information provided during an interview?
  Answer: I would immediately verify the information with other sources and issue a correction or clarification on-air if necessary. I would also reach out to the news source to understand the reason for the retraction and address any potential impact on our news gathering process.
• 19. If you had the opportunity to create your own radio show, what would be the theme and format?
  Answer: I would create a show that focuses on discussing important social and cultural issues in the community with a panel of experts and community members. The show would be interactive and encourage listener participation through call-ins or social media.
• 20. How would you handle an angry listener complaint about a show or segment?
  Answer: I would listen to the complaint attentively and apologize for any offense caused. I would follow up with the listener and explain the context of the show or segment and offer to address their concerns on air or through an online platform to ensure transparency and accountability.