So you have an interview in the bag – now the hard work starts.
Preparing well for an interview will make all the difference to how you come across to a potential employer. The world of marketing is a highly competitive one and presenting yourself as a confident, experienced and knowledgeable marketer will set you apart from other candidates. Prepare to answer questions which explore your previous marketing achievements and position your responses around demonstrating your ability to persuade, innovate and influence, all of which are key marketing traits.
We have come up with some potential questions you may get asked during an interview for a role in marketing which we hope you find usef
– What do you enjoy about working in marketing and why did you choose marketing as your choice of career? This question is all about highlighting your strengths and interests and how they would be a good fit with the company, as well as demonstrating your passion for marketing
– What appeals to you about working for us and why do you want this role? The answer here should be as specific as possible to the role you are applying for and should also demonstrate detailed research on the company
– Tell us about a successful marketing campaign you recently worked on, what was your contribution and what was the outcome? Remember for a question like this to be mindful of company confidentiality and always ensure the campaign would be relevant for the role you are being interviewed for. Also always remember to use metrics and statistics where possible to demonstrate ROI, customer acquisition rates or leads for example
– Tell us about a marketing campaign which did not go according to plan and how you dealt with it. The important thing here is being able to articulate an understanding of WHY the campaign failed and how you used the information gathered to learn and improve for next time – and always remember to portray ‘negative’ results in a positive light
– Give us an example of a full brand strategy/marketing plan you have worked on. This is all about how you have positioned a product or offering, your target market, the 4P’s and your go-to-market strategy. What worked well and in hindsight what would you have done differently
– What technologies have you used to communicate with and reach out to your customers? You need to show a good understanding of the latest digital marketing trends technologies and how you have applied these in previous marketing roles. The employer would be looking for how innovative, creative and on trend you are in areas such as mobile marketing, social media etc
– How have you delivered against your targets over the last 12 months? Here the employer is looking to see how goal orientated you are and you need to be able to back everything up with facts and figures so do the calculations and be prepare
– Why are you interested in marketing our product/service and what ideas do you have? Obviously don’t give too much away for free here but this is where you prior research and knowledge of the company comes in. Ensure you know as much as possible about their products, services, markets, customers and competitors. What is their position in the industry and what ideas can you outline to demonstrate your passion and expertise?
– Tell us about a time you were able to change a customer’s or suppliers mind when they said “no” Here the company is exploring your ability to influence and be persistent. You need to demonstrate how you are able to connect with people and build relationships. You also need to demonstrate your listening, persuasive and negotiation skills
– Tell us about a recent situation in which you had to meet very tight deadlines. Coping with pressure and deadlines is integral to a marketing position. Highlight your planning and organisational skills here and your ability to remain focused and calm under pressure. Also it is important to convey how you are able to efficiently use all resources available to you.
A few last tips!
Bring a portfolio of work examples showing your experience in as many areas of marketing as possible.
Have some insightful questions to ask the employer at the end of the interview. This will show you are a competent professional who is serious about the role and it will also enable you to gather all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the job is right for you.
So that’s it, the rest is down to you!
Remember, fail to prepare – prepare to fail. The team at Spotlight Recruitment wish you the best of luck!