12 Best (and Worst) Questions to Ask in a Marketing Interview

Failing to ask the interviewer questions is a huge mistake. So is asking the wrong questions.

Don't worry, we've got you covered!

Asking questions shows that you’re interested in the job and spent time preparing for the interview.

Successful applicants know the best questions to ask in a marketing interview that are relevant, intelligent and thoughtful.

Good questions to ask are applicable to the position, express your high level of thinking, and show that you’ve researched the company. 

The best questions to ask in a marketing interview shouldn’t be able to be answered by skimming the company’s website.

As much as the questions are to impress the hiring manager, they’re also there to help you make an informed decision about the role. Ask questions that will also help you determine if the position and company are a good match for you.

Let's dive into the best questions to ask in a marketing interview to help you make it to the next round or land an offer.

How Many Questions to Ask in a Marketing Interview

How many questions depends on what interview stage you’re in. 

For a most marketing positions, you’ll go through 2-3 interviews before the company makes a decision.

You don’t want to look too needy so keep the questions on the first interview round broad. Once you get to the second, third, or even fourth interview, you can start to ask more detailed questions. 

• Interview one: 2-3 questions
• Interview two: 3-4 questions
• Interview three: 3-5 questions

Keep in mind, these are just guidelines. The number of questions you should ask in a marketing interview can increase or decrease depending on the length and rhythm of the interview

When to Ask Questions in a Marketing Interview

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t save your questions all for the end of the interview. 

Throughout the interview you should be asking a few clarifying questions to keep it a two sided conversation, not an integration. This also allows you to ask more questions instead of lumping them all at the end.

The secret to a good interview is talking less. 

The more casual the conversation the more comfortable the interview is and the more likely you are to get the job.

In Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People, he says that the people you are talking to are a hundred times more interested in themselves than they are in you.

As much as the interviewer wants to hear you answer questions, they want to talk about themselves more so you should give them every opportunity to do so.

Best Questions to Ask in a Marketing Interview:

Round 1 of a Marketing Intervew

• What will a typical work day look like?
• Check that your day-to-day is something you’ll enjoy, not dread
• If I were to get this position, who would I be reporting to?
• Lets you know if the person interviewing you will also be your boss or if it’s someone else
• What do you like most about the company culture?
• Give the interviewer a chance to talk about themselves and get good insight into how you might fit in
• Will this position be temporarily or permanently remote?
• Ask a specific question related to the company. It could be about something you read about in a press release.
• Let the interviewer know that you’ve done your research on the company without outright telling them
• What is the next step in the hiring process?
• Always important to end an interview on next-steps and show your eagerness and confidence. This question should be asked at the end of every interview. 

Round 2+ of a Marketing Interview

• Who will I be interacting with and working with regularly? Who will I be reporting to?
• If  you’re looking for a career, not just a job, you’ll want to be regularly interacting with high-level people at the company, not just other interns (you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with)
• I’m excited to start and excel my marketing career, what opportunities are there for growth at [company name]?
• Let’s them know you’re ambitious and are planning on sticking around
• What KPIs will I be measured by?
• Let them know you’re results oriented and get things done
• What's one of the most interesting projects or opportunities that you've worked on?
• Gives the interviewer a chance to talk about themselves
• A specific question related to the company. 
• It could be about something you read about in a press release. For instance, if you saw they launched a new product or expanded an offering, ask about that. “How did the (Insert new product or service here) come about? How is it impacting sales?”
• Are there any concerns you have about me, my resume, or my experience? (final interview)
• You’re essentially asking for blunt feedback so be prepared to get it. This is a great opportunity to address any concerns head-on instead of leaving it up to the interviewer to ponder in their head

What Questions NOT to Ask in a Marketing Interview:

• Who are your competitors?
• This is something easily available online and you should know going into the interview
• How much paid time off will I get?
• Conveys that you are here for the wrong reasons, save for when you get the offer
• What will my schedule look like?
• Not a relevant discussion for an interview, save for when you get the offer
• What benefits are there?
• You’re likely still under your parent’s insurance so chill out on this one, save for when you get the offer
• How old is the company?
• The answer won’t benefit you or contribute to meaningful conversation and can likely be found on their website
• What are the requirements of the job?
• Irrelevant because you’re already got an interview so you must have met the requirements, plus this can be found on the job description
• What will my responsibilities be?
• Makes you look unprepared and that you didn't even read the job description, where this information can easily be found
• I prefer working from home, how often would you expect me to be in the office?
• Conveys that you aren’t a hard worker and will always be asking for exceptions to the rules, aka needy
• May I come in early or late as long as I get my hours in?
• Unless you have a health/medical reason to bring this up, don’t.
• How soon can I get promoted?
• A better question is to ask if other interns have been promoted before, you don’t have the job yet so don’t get ahead of yourself
• Will I have to work on weekends?
• They want to hire someone who is all-in for the good of the company, this question makes you seem like you’re all-in for the good of yourself 

Key Takeaways

To sum it up, save any custom requests or any question related to pay/benefits for when you get the offer. Also, don’t ask questions where the answer can easily be found doing a google search.

The best questions to ask in a marketing interview are thoughtful, personal, and relevant.

Always prepare a list of questions before heading into a marketing interview, but don’t just stick to your list. Questions help you turn an interrogation into a conversation and get the interviewer talking.

The secret to a good interview is talking less.

Focus on the quality over the quantity of the questions you ask in a marketing interview and use them as an opportunity to show your intellect and preparation. 

Lastly, always end by asking for next steps to keep the process moving forward and you’re on your way to a killer cover letter.