Q: I'm applying for a job at a magazine and one of the application requirements involves me critiquing the magazine. Do you have any tips on what to look for and how to present it?

A: I asked a colleague of mine who is a writer and an editor, so she can look at it from both sides:

Even if this assignment isn't given to me specifically when I'm interviewing, I try to take it on somewhat. It's always good to look through the mag you're interviewing with and see what you like about it and what you think needs improvement. Of course, always mention the things that really work first, and point out reasons why they work so well (the humor, the service, the non-cheesy tone, whatever...). Then talk about what you'd ADD to the magazine--what you'd do to "enhance" (not "fix") any pages that you think need work. Tread softly when you point out the "bad" parts of the mag (they could be your interviewer's pages), but definitely do point out any weak spots you see; if you don't, you'll seem like you're backing down from criticizing constructively.

I'd include a few story ideas, i.e., "The feature well could benefit from a montly social trend piece, blah, blah, blah" and then pitch something. If you don't get a job, you might still end up with an assignment.