Top 5 Questions to Prepare for in a Marketing Job Interview

I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve interviewed for my own marketing company, Spiralytics. But interviewees that impressed me? Those are the ones that I will never forget even after years of going through piles of resumes.

While interviews with marketing companies will vary depending on the interviewer and the services offered by the company, the questions all boil down to figuring out if a candidate is perfect for the job – skills and personality-wise.

It’s not just a matter of having the right skills and personality, we also look for people who are passionate about marketing. That’s why we’re also open to hiring fresh graduates who have little to no experience in marketing.

If you’re keen to starting a career in marketing or want to level up by joining a new one, here’s a cheat sheet on how you can best answer the top 5 questions that marketing companies ask during job interviews.

1. What type of challenges are you looking for in this marketing position?

This question is usually asked to determine what you’re looking for in a job and whether you are the best fit for the position. Remember, a job must be able to challenge you in all ways possible yet will motivate you to learn and do things even better.

To answer this question, it would be best to convey that challenges motivate you and that you have the ability to meet them adequately. This shows that you are flexible and that you have the skills necessary to handle the job.

You can further give particular challenges you’ve faced in the past and how you were able to overcome them.

2. What types of marketing campaigns have you done in the past?

This question is asked to see if your work experience can be beneficial to the position you are applying for and this is your chance to showcase your accomplishments.

Some interviewees make the mistake of giving general answers and vague answers regarding their accomplishments. Although this can be informative, it will not be as useful to the interviewer.

Be as specific as you can by citing particular companies you’ve worked for, the marketing campaigns you’ve been part of, and your contributions to the project.

3. Can you tell me about a marketing campaign you’ve done that did not work out as planned?

You might think that interviewers ask this question to determine if you’re competent or not. But, it looks more into how you have grown from the experience and how you have learned from your mistakes.

Do not be defensive in answering this question, rather, be humble and take accountability for your mistakes. You can give concrete examples of past mistakes but highlight what you did to rectify them and make the campaigns more successful.

4. Which one of our products or services appeals most to you and why?

The interviewer will try to see if you have done your research about the company, their products, and services. Knowing these things beforehand will enable you to identify successful brands and share your thoughts about their marketing campaigns.

This not only shows that you came prepared but also indicates how serious you are in becoming part of the company.

5. If you were a brand, which one would you be and why?

This provides an opportunity for you to market and differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicants. However, take note that interviewers asking this question are also looking to see whether you are only seeking to build a personal brand to advance your own career, rather than being interested in helping their marketing team build a stronger brand.

To answer this question, provide an excellent example of a strong brand and identify its strengths. Relate these strengths to your personal characteristics and how these can help the company grow.

Ideally, companies prefer candidates who choose their brand based on exceptional service, teamwork, and helping the company become a success.

Knowing what to expect in a marketing job interview and being well-prepared increases your chances of getting hired. Be sure to consider these common questions alongside others, so that you can ace that interview and land that dream marketing job.