Press Officer Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Before your Press Officer interview, it helps to see the questions from the interviewer's side. We have picked eight from our set of 15 and added the reason each one gets asked.

Eight Press Officer interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. Talk me through how you would write and distribute a press release from start to finish.

Why they ask: To check your core craft and attention to detail.

2. What does a typical day as a Press Officer involve?

Why they ask: To check you understand the pace and variety of the job.

3. What makes a story newsworthy, and how do you tailor it for different types of media?

Why they ask: To check news judgement, the foundation of the role.

4. What does 'embargo' mean, and what are the terms 'off the record', 'on background' and 'not for attribution'?

Why they ask: To test knowledge of media etiquette and its risks.

5. How do you handle reactive media enquiries, and what is the process for approving statements?

Why they ask: To check your process for accuracy and speed.

6. How do you evaluate press coverage, and what do you include in a coverage report?

Why they ask: To test measurement skills at officer level.

7. A journalist rings and asks for a comment on a rumour you've not heard about. What do you do?

Why they ask: To test composure and judgement with unexpected calls.

8. Tell me about a time you secured strong coverage for a story that initially seemed difficult to sell.

Why they ask: To check creativity and persistence in pitching.

A sample answer to question 1

Talk me through how you would write and distribute a press release from start to finish.

I begin by asking what the news is and who it's for, because a release without a clear hook goes straight in the bin. The headline carries the story in around ten words, and the first paragraph answers who, what, when, where and why. Then I add a strong quote from a named spokesperson, supporting facts, and notes to editors with boilerplate, contact details and a link to images and assets. I check every figure against the source, run it past the relevant approver and, if needed, legal. Distribution is targeted, not blasted: I choose a shortlist of journalists who cover the topic, send a personalised email with the release pasted in the body rather than attached, and follow up by phone or message only where it adds value. I log responses in our CRM or Cision, track pick-up in Meltwater, and send thanks and extra material to anyone who shows interest. Timing matters, so I avoid clashing with big news days.

Common mistake to avoid: Mass-emailing generic releases; attaching it without pasting the text

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 15 questions are on the Press Officer interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.