60 Marketing Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

interview May 26, 2021
marketing interview questions

Here are 60 marketing interview questions frequently asked in marketing interviews.

60 interview questions may seem like a lot, but we've broken them down into the follow categories for you.

Types of Marketing Interview Questions:

  • Openers
  • Future
  • Personal Characteristics
  • Opinion
  • STAR Method
  • Collaboration
  • Differentiators
  • Successes
  • Challenges
  • Social Media
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Scenarios

The example answers are specifically tailored for entry-level marketing positions, so if you're just starting your career, you're in the right place. 

If you feel overwhelmed by 60 marketing interview questions, start by choosing one interview question from each category to practice.

Good luck!

 

Opener Marketing Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

Tell it in past, present, future format. Keep it under 2 minutes and keep it relevant to the position. Don’t forget to add a touch of personality! Storytelling works great here too.

2. Walk me through your resume.

Do this in reverse chronological order. Spend the most time talking about the positions that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Try not to read verbatim, but add some color that’s not already on there.

3. What are your salary expectations?

This one is all about CONFIDENCE! Give a specific number or range and don’t sell yourself short. Also, don’t forget to add WHY you’re worth that much. Go to Glassdoor to get an idea for what companies in your area are paying for positions with your title.

4. Why are you leaving your current position?

Be honest and keep it positive and don't bash your current employer. If you're currently working part time, say something along the lines of, “I’m currently working part-time and am ready to apply my marketing skills and experience at a full-time position…”

5. What made you want to apply for this job?

Relate this one back to the job description and/or company values. They’re testing you to see if you did your homework!

 

Future Marketing Interview Questions

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Be honest! If you’re not sure you can say something like, “The more I learn about marketing the more the answer to that question continues to change. Right now I’m really passionate about [something that relates to the role] and in 5 years I’d love to work on bigger projects and mentor new hires."

7. Describe your dream job.

Similar to the previous question. Make sure your answer aligns with the long term trajectory of the position you're applying for and/or relates to the role/industry.

8. What are your short and long term career goals?

For your short term goals, talk about your interest in learning more about the industry and becoming the go-to person at the company for [insert skill or responsibility from JD]. For your long term goals, talk about how you want to work on bigger, more meaningful projects and mentor new hires.

 

Personal Characteristics Marketing Interview Questions

9. What is your greatest strength?

Ideally, you want to choose a strength that’s relevant to the role. Use the job description as your cheat sheet. Pair that strength with an example of how you’ve used it in the past and you have yourself a perfect answer! 

10. What is your greatest weakness?

Choose a weakness that won't prevent you from succeeding at the role. Use this question to show how you’ve used a weakness as motivation to grow professionally. The most important part of your answer is the example you share on how you’ve worked to improve upon your weakness. Some examples of “acceptable” weaknesses include: delegation, timidity, candidness, public speaking, saying “no”.

11. What would previous employers say about you?

Pull some characteristics from the job description plus add some qualities unique to you. Easy peasy.

12. How would your friends describe you?

Your response should showcase who you are as a human outside of work. Use this question to demonstrate that you’re a good fit for their company culture.

13. What do you like to do outside of work?

Similar goal as the previous question. They’re trying to see if you’re a good culture fit! Be authentic.

14. How would you describe your communication style?

You can say something like, “I ask lots of questions! Especially with remote work, I’ve found it’s best to over communicate even though it feels uncomfortable sometimes…” If you think you’re a direct, straight-forward communicator, say so with confidence. If you’re a great listener, but more reserved when it comes to verbalizing your thoughts, say so and explain how you’re working on it.

 

Opinion Marketing Interview Questions

15. Tell me about your favorite brand or marketing campaign. What makes it so special?

Find a recent and relevant example and keep it in your back pocket in case you’re asked this in an interview. The key to this one is the why behind your choice. Your why should showcase your analytical insights as a marketer. Check out this example answer.

16. Why do you love marketing?

Don’t make this answer professional, make it personal and passionate! Your face should light up and you should exude enthusiasm.

17. What is your preferred work environment?

Research the company’s work environment and relate your answer to their company culture. If you’re unsure, you can say something like, “I’m flexible when it comes to my work environment. I love the freedom and independence that comes with remote work, but I also love the energy and collaboration that comes with working on a fast-paced team in the office. In general, I like working with people who are kind, passionate about their work, and committed to getting things done….”

18. What is your favorite marketing software?

Ideally, you want to name a software that’s listed on the JD and that you have experience with. The next best option is a software you have experience with that’s similar to one they’re looking for on the JD. Explain why and how you used it successfully on a project.

19. What is the best feedback you’ve ever been given?

Share a story about feedback you received from a boss, mentor, or co-worker when working on a marketing project. If you can’t think of one, share some of your favorite advice from one of the Sky Society podcast guests!

20. What are some new marketing trends you’re excited about?

Demonstrate that you’re constantly learning about marketing outside of work! Here is an article with some great examples you can share.

**For “Tell me about a time…” questions, use the STAR method to give a complete, impressive response.

 

STAR Method Marketing Interview Questions

For most of the following entry level interview questions, you'll need to draw from your personal experiences to answer them. That means we can't provide a sample answer because your experiences are unique to you. 

If you recently graduated college, stay away from using examples from your education and instead focus on real-world and work related stories.

For the following interview questions for entry level marketing, use the STAR method to effectively structure your response.

 

Collaboration Marketing Interview Questions

21. Tell me about a time when you helped a teammate.

STAR Method

22. Tell me about a time when you had to work cross-functionally.

STAR Method

23. Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone you didn’t get along with.

STAR Method

24. What type of management style do you prefer?

Read the JD and see what qualities they’re looking for. Provide examples of previous managers you’ve admired, but do NOT draw attention to any negatives of things they did that you did not enjoy. Keep this answer positive. You can say something like, “I enjoy working under a manager who gives me the ability to make decisions and trusts my work, but I also thrive with clear objectives and high expectations that challenge me. I also prefer working in an environment where I feel comfortable asking my manager questions…”

25. How do you build trust with others in a work setting?

To name a few examples: Give co-workers praise when it’s due, avoid office gossip, share information and be as helpful to others as possible, asking for help when I need it, meeting deadlines reliably, and showing up to meetings on time.

 

Differentiator Marketing Interview Questions

26. Tell me about something that’s not on your resume.

Here you can share (1) Unrelated experience (2) Personal hobby (3) Character building story. Share why it’s beneficial and why you left it off your resume.

27. Why should we hire you?

First, explain how your experience, skills and attributes make you the best fit for the job as it relates to the JD and what they’re looking for. Next, share what makes you unique from other candidates that they’re only going to get from you. Give this response with extra passion and enthusiasm to show how confident you are that you’re the right fit!

28. What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?

This is unique to you! Some examples from other women include: (1) Sales experience has made me a persuasive communicator (2) My college major was not marketing which allows me to bring a different perspective (3) I have an analytical and mathematical brain that gives me a different perspective on a creative team (4) I’m great at graphic design and a master in Photoshop (5) I’m incredibly scrappy and know how to have a big impact with little budget and resources

29. Why do you want this job?

Show them that you’ve thoroughly read the JD and done your research on their company culture and industry.  You can say something like, “This opportunity is really exciting for me as I will be able to apply [industry specific knowledge or experience] and develop my career at a company that values [list company values]...” Be sure to show your excitement and enthusiasm!

 

Success Marketing Interview Questions

30. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.

STAR Method

31. Tell me about an accomplishment you’re most proud of.

STAR Method

32. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership or initiative.

STAR Method

33. What do you consider to be your biggest professional achievement?

STAR Method

 

Challenge Marketing Interview Questions

34. Tell me about a difficult work situation or project and how you handled it.

STAR Method

35. Describe a marketing campaign you worked on that failed. What happened and what did you learn from the experience?

STAR Method

36. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a decision. What did you do?

STAR Method

37. Tell me about a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem.

STAR Method

38. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

STAR Method

39. How do you handle stress?

Show that you have experience successfully handling stressful situations. You can say something like, “I enjoy working in a challenging environment and try to avoid stress by planning ahead and prioritizing my tasks, but when I find myself overwhelmed by my work I [insert something you do to stay organized, ask for help, and reduce stress]...” For bonus points, share an example of how you’ve handled stress in the past using the STAR Method.

40. How do you handle being told “no”?

Step 1: I engage in self reflection and try to figure out why I was told no. Step 2: pick myself up and try again! The important thing to get across is that you’re okay with rejection.

 

Social Media Marketing Interview Questions

41. What Instagram trends should we be doing right now?

Some examples include (1) Instagram stories - great way to engage with followers and reach people outside of their feed (2) Cause marketing - recent rise in digital activism responding to the global conversation around racial justice (3) In-app shopping - stories are shoppable, posts are shoppable, guides are shoppable, it’s easier than ever to buy on Instagram

42. What Instagram accounts are killing it? Or, what brands do you like or follow on social media and why?

This answer is personal to you! The important thing to do when answering this question is give a good “why.” Don’t just say you like their feed, comment on some of the strategies they’ve been implementing and why you think they’re successful. Speak like a marketer.

43. What TikTok trends should we be doing right now?

The answer to this question is changing daily! So keep an eye out for what’s trending specifically for brands on TikTok. If you’re not already, start following some of your favorite brands for inspiration.

44. What TikTok accounts are killing it right now?

This answer is personal to you! The important thing to do when answering this question is give a good “why.” Don’t just say you like their feed, comment on some of the strategies they’ve been implementing and why you think they’re successful. Speak like a marketer.

45. What social media channel are we not using that we should?

Some non-traditional social channels to think of include (1) Quora (2) Clubhouse (3) Quilt (4) TikTok (5) LinkedIn (6) Facebook Groups (7) Pinterest (8) Reddit

 

Marketing Coordinator Interview Questions

46. What experience do you have coordinating complex projects?

The best way to answer is by giving a specific example of a time when you coordinated a complex project (yep, that means turning to the STAR method again).

47. Which aspects of our business are you passionate about?

To answer this question correctly, you have to have done some research on the company you're interviewing for. The interviewer is looking to see if you're (a) prepared and (b) a good culture fit. The key here is to relate the answer to something personal about yourself and try to be as authentic as possible.

48. Who do you think are our competitors and what differentiates us from them?

Another interview question where they're looking to see if you understand the company and the industry they occupy. 

49. Describe your experience with paid advertising.

List your experience in reverse chronological order. Talk about your most recent experience first and with the most detail. Then, briefly mention any other experience you have with paid advertising at previous roles. If you don't have any experience with paid advertising, be honest but turn it into a positive by mentioning your experience with something similar or transferable skills. For example, "I don't have experience with paid adds directly, but I do have experience launching other types of marketing campaigns and am willing to put in the work to learn and excel at paid ads"

50. How do you evaluate competitors?

Example answer: "First, I determine who our competitors are. Second, I research what they offer, what their sales tactics are, what their marketing strategy is, the engagement of their content, and any thing else relevant to our marketing objectives. Then I perform a SWOT analysis to identify their strengths and weaknesses and our opportunities and threats."

51. Describe your experience working on marketing campaigns.

The best way to answer is by giving a specific example of a time when you worked on marketing campaigns (yep, that means turning to the STAR method again).

52. What steps do you take to research new marketing and media opportunities?

Talk about how you personally stay up-to-date with marketing news and trends. Do you subscribe to any email newsletters, follow specific social media accounts, listen to any podcasts, or regularly visit certain websites? 

53. Explain a situation where you used data or logic to make a recommendation.

The best way to answer is by giving a specific example of a time when you used data or logic to make a recommendation (yep, that means turning to the STAR method again).

 

Scenarios (answers coming soon!)

54. How would you respond to a client who is upset that your team missed the deadline for a social media campaign launch. How would you reassure them and prevent them from leaving?

55. We’re trying to drive more traffic to our YouTube page. How would you do this organically?

56. You are working with a creative team and don’t like the style of a project that was submitted to you. What do you do?

57. We recently announced the launch of a new product and we’re getting a lot of backlash on social media. How would you handle this?

58. You have a new idea for a marketing campaign you’re excited about, but when you present it to your team they are resistant. What would you do?

59. You have a deadline coming up that you’re not on track to meet. What do you do?

60. We have two potential designs for the homepage of our website, but we don’t know which one to use. The CEO likes one, and the COO likes another. Half the company likes one, and the other half of the company likes the other. Which one should we use?

 

Conclusion

Marketing companies are all looking for different qualities in applicants, but they're all asking similar interview questions.

It's impossible to prepare for every single marketing interview question you could be asked in an interview, but we've covered the vast majority of them in this article.

Now you can go into your next marketing interview with more confidence!

 

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