32 Marketing Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Marketing interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 15 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Table of Contents
- 1. Accomplishment Questions
- 2. Career Goals Questions
- 3. Communication Questions
- 4. Compatibility Questions
- 5. Competency Questions
- 6. Creative Thinking Questions
- 7. Diligence Questions
- 8. Direct Questions
- 9. Discovery Questions
- 10. Diversity Questions
- 11. Experience Questions
- 12. Problem Solving Questions
- 13. Scenario Based Questions
Accomplishment
1. Tell me about the best metrics you've achieved from a marketing campaign.
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to know that you are more than a creative mind and understand the importance of a campaign's performance. Marketers are expected to know how to perform specific marketing tasks while carefully tracking their work metrics.
Discuss one of your most successful marketing campaigns, and provide the interviewer with specific numbers and results that you found impressive. It's important to note that most marketing agencies will collect data for their client but will usually not guarantee any specific ROI.
Things to consider when discussing the metrics of a campaign:
- What was the traffic increase to the clients' website?
- What was the cost per lead?
- What is the average customer value?
- What is the traffic-to-lead ratio or lead-to-customer ratio?
- What was the organic search traffic rate?
- What percentage of traffic came from social media channels?
- What were the bounce rates from mobile devices?
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"When I was working on a case in university, we partnered with a local floral business that was struggling. The project was to makeover their website, track any increase in traffic, and find the bulk of their traffic source. We worked on the website and then created a Facebook and Instagram account for the business, with a lead and sales funnel to the website. Our group earned accolades for the top-performing project of the entire class. We increased traffic to the florists' website by X%, which increased the sales by X%."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Online Marketing Example
"The greatest metrics I have seen recently was on a makeup brush campaign that we did for a company targeting Instagram users. We created ads that led to a sales page. We had to keep mobile bounce rates top of mind since all Instagram users seeing ads are mobile. We achieved a bounce rate of 26%, which was great compared to our clients' previous 70% bounce rate. I believe we were successful because we created clearer call-to-actions and streamlined the checkout."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"My most successful marketing campaign was for a shoe store that wanted to increase the value of their average customer. At the time, their average customer value was under $100, and they wanted to be aggressive, reaching nearly double that in under one year. My team worked on a variety of approaches, including paid social media campaigns. We also took advantage of their extensive email list by adding segmentation and creating an email funnel. After 90 days, we were able to increase their customer value to just under $140, and it continues to climb. I have no doubt they will reach their goal well before the end of the year."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Accomplishment
2. How have you improved your company's website conversion rates?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to hear more about the results that you have been able to generate for your current employer (or client, if you work in an agency setting). The more substantial and specific the numbers and achievements you can share, the more memorable your response will be.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"Working directly on a company or client website is new to me; however, I have run a small marketing blog for a year or so. I generate a small monthly increase in traffic, around 2% per month. I achieve this by updating older articles and including relevant backlinks as often as possible. I am eager to learn more about website optimization, specifically how to attract more visitors and convert them into customers and loyal fans."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Online Marketing Example
"I have improved my current company's website conversion rates by 15% in the last 45 days from a couple of simple tweaks. First, I optimized the copy on the call-to-action buttons. Then, I added simpler language to the home page copy. I look forward to seeing more results come in as I make further changes. Next, I plan to comb through the site to ensure everything is keyword optimized and all tags are used correctly."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"My current company's website, after I performed a complete redesign and backend overhaul, has seen a 145% increase in conversions over the past 6 months. I added more compelling imagery, researched for the best trending keywords, and included a few videos to boost engagement and reduce bounce rate. This strategy attracted more qualified leads, resulting in deeper consumer interest and additional organic traffic. I would be thrilled to apply the same strategy to your company's website projects, when the time comes."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Career Goals
3. Marketing is an expansive term. What area of marketing are you most passionate about?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to know, if you had to pick one area of marketing to focus on for the rest of your career, what you would choose. The way you respond will show the interviewer more about your core passions. Your response will also help the interviewer to determine if you are a fit for the future direction and vision of the hiring company. If you are not sure of the organization's course when it comes to their future marketing efforts, you should certainly ask.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"At the moment, I am studying social media marketing and have found a deep passion for it. Understanding social media trends one thing, but these platforms are ever-changing, which is a challenge that I enjoy most. To compliment my interest in social media marketing I have also been studying influencer marketing. It's remarkable the impact a micro-influencer can have and this technique is often very affordable for emerging brands and start-ups."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Content Marketing Example
"There are so many facets to marketing that interest me; however, if I had to choose one particular area of passion, I would say that it is copywriting. I am highly interested in the way words work to create emotive appeal, and drive sales. I appreciate that your company is so highly focused on your copy across all marketing platforms. Your ads are clever and I am eager to grow my copywriting skills alongside your talented team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have seen marketing evolve a great deal over the years and will say that my passions have continued to shift and evolve as new techniques and approaches arise in the industry. Right now, my biggest passion has been in performance-based marketing, specifically affiliate marketing. It's fascinating how companies can benefit from affiliate marketing while maintaining a mutually beneficial result with the other party. I have done a deep-dive into this type of performance-based marketing for the past 8 months and I look forward to using this knowledge to benefit your team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Career Goals
4. We value continued education. If you could choose any marketing related course to attend, what would you choose?
What You Need to Know
Many employers look to hire employees who have a penchant for knowledge and growth. Express your interest in continued education by passionately discussing a marketing topic you would love to learn more about. Be sure to keep your answer relative to the job for which you are interviewing.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"I love the idea of expanding my knowledge every chance I get. I have had my eye on a course from the University of California called Transmedia Marketing Through Storytelling. This is the first action I would take. Next, I would learn more about SEO. Both of these topics run deep and continue to change, which is a challenge that excites me."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Career Goals
5. Why did you choose a career in Marketing?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to know what initially drew you to a career in marketing. Perhaps you have a significant interest in consumer behavior, or maybe you have a strong penchant for marketing research or growth hacking. Whatever your response, show the interviewer where your strengths land. Give an honest answer that showcases your passions. Be sure to avoid cliche responses such as, 'I have wanted to work in marketing since I was a small child.'
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I chose a career in marketing after developing an interest in the creative side of business success including copywriting and design. Since the age of 16, I helped my parents with the marketing and sales aspects of our family business. I started and managed our social media accounts. I also helped write ads for the paper and eventually Facebook ads when we could afford a bit of ad spend. I decided to expand my knowledge by obtaining my degree in business marketing. Now that I have graduated, I am very eager to get my career off the ground and show my first employer what I can do!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"I initially chose a career path in sales and landed in marketing after completing a business development contract for a client who was heavily involved in the influencer marketing sector. I loved the idea of helping a business put together a strategy for branding and development. From there, I enrolled in online classes with ABC University and completed my Degree in Digital Marketing and Communications."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Experienced Example
"Marketing has been the focus of my career since starting university in 2014. I love sales and have a keen interest in what makes people tick, so in addition to my strategic communications courses, I took psychology coursework. Put these two interests together, sales and psychology, and you have marketing! This industry is always changing, which allows me to feel like a lifelong learner. I am constantly learning something new, which adds to my motivation and excitement for this rewarding career path."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Communication
6. How do you show your co-workers the importance of communication in the workplace?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to see that you lead by example when it comes to communication in the workplace. Communication breakdown in a business setting can have a dire impact on a company's productivity and profitability. This is why it is essential, as a leader, to understand that 'telling' and 'showing' are two very different things when it comes to proper workplace communication. Give examples of how you put dialogue into action in the workplace.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I show my co-workers the importance of communication through my willingness to ask questions if I do not understand the first time. I do not pretend to know something to save face. By creating an environment where questions are encouraged, my current employer has greatly increased the quality of team communication. We have seen a positive impact on our marketing efforts as a result."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Communication
7. Do you enjoy networking? Why is networking important to you as a marketer?
What You Need to Know
Networking, sales, marketing, oh my! As a talented marketer, you know the importance of having a secure network to rely on for new clients, helpful resources, deals you can pass onto your clients, and more. Briefly discuss with the interviewer how well networked you are in your industry, and what you do to remain relevant in the marketing space. If you attend related events, conferences, or are part of any associations or masterminds; be sure to mention this involvement. If you are new to your career you can discuss the ways you plan to network and build a strong foundation as you enter this profession.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"As a recent marketing graduate, I am fully aware of the importance of networking and getting my name out there in the industry. I plan to attend more Chamber of Commerce meetings this year and just purchased a personal annual membership. I believe that once I land a great job, I should be networking on behalf of my new company as often as possible."
Answer Example
"I fully understand the importance of networking and getting to know others in the industry, primarily in this region. I am part of the Chicago American Marketing Association Chapter and have been so for a couple of years. This association is actually how I heard about this job opportunity so the networking has certainly benefitted me already!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"The art of networking has helped me gain many important experiences, relationships, and opportunities throughout the years. I am a huge fan of in-person and online marketing. I currently run a group on LinkedIn with about 1,000 members. It's called 'LinkedIn for Marketing Professionals in Chicago.' I learn a lot from the member questions, and member supplied answers and have met many amazing clients and fellow marketers through the group. I believe that leading the group has positioned me as a recognizable name in the marketing sector in our area, which will continue to benefit my future employer in return."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Compatibility
8. We have a culture of collaboration and high energy. Describe your workplace personality in 3 words.
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants you to describe your personality to ensure that you will be a positive and beneficial addition to their team. If you aren't sure how to express your personality, start by writing down some descriptor words that people have said about you in the past. These personality descriptors could come from co-workers, your leaders, or even your classmates.
Next, visit the company website, read their job posting, and see if you can uncover a few descriptive words that the company seems to repeat. Incorporate those particular descriptors if they apply to you. Remember - your answer needs to be honest and genuine so only use this approach if it truly resonates with who you are. Avoid giving generic, run-of-the-mill answers like 'team-player' or 'hard-working.'
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"If I could describe my personality in 3 words, I would say that I am motivated, positive, and helpful. Through the research that I have done on the company and my overall candidate experience, I can see that this company has amazing energy and a genuine heart for collaboration and community giving. I am confident that my personality will add nicely to the culture that the company has worked so hard to achieve."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Competency
9. We seek to hire those who can think on their feet. Choose a popular brand and tell me one thing you would do to improve its branding.
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to see evidence that you keep up-to-date on current branding trends. The more you know, the most evident it is that you have a genuine interest in marketing. To an interviewer, a robust answer to this type of question is assurance that you are dedicated to your career and industry. Briefly discuss a well-known brand. You will want to avoid speaking negatively about or bashing many aspects of the brand. For a balanced and professional approach, share your opinion on one particular marketing aspect this brand could improve on and how you believe they could improve this one aspect.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"It's no secret that United Airlines has been trapped in a public relations nightmare as of late. When I look at their brand and messaging, I think they would benefit by spinning their mishaps through messaging that resembles an accusation audit. To perform an accusations audit, the United marketing team could create an exhaustive list of all the negative things their customers think, say, and feel about their brand. Next, they should transparently address these and share with the public how they plan to make amends with their customers. This approach will allow United to get ahead of objections that are hindering their sales at this time."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Competency
10. What makes an effective marketing team, in your opinion?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to see that you are aware of the factors that make a great marketing team. Perhaps you believe it's teamwork or a diverse range of skills and abilities. There are many ways for a marketing team to work effectively and succeed. If you have been part of a talented marketing team, take the time to explain to the interviewer what made your experience so enjoyable and what made the team effective, as a whole.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I believe that having a firm sense of purpose, which the entire team has bought into, is the foundation to an effective marketing team. Everyone on the team must agree on the common goal so that the vision of each marketing campaign remains clear every step of the way."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"In my opinion, an effective marketing team is full of individuals with unique skill sets and varying levels of experience. I like to know that I can learn from those around me and that I will also have the opportunity to teach my skills to someone else. When this diversity is present, very creative ideas flow and effective marketing campaigns are executed with excitement."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"A team with a variety of opinions is essential. When we get a marketing team full of people who blindly agree with the leader, marketing campaigns can become stale. I understand that your team is full of individuals who push the status quo and are unafraid of challenging each other. This sounds like a highly effective team-based approach, and I am eager to learn more about your team and its culture."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Competency
11. Are you comfortable giving presentations? What was the most challenging presentation you have been a part of?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to see that you are comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations. Depending on your marketing expertise and level of experience you may be presenting ideas to company executives, your team, clients, or other stakeholders.
Discuss your confidence level when making presentations and how you have built this confidence. Talk about any formal training you have in public speaking, if applicable. If you have delivered a challenging presentations recently, this question is a great opportunity to give a brief story-based example. Discuss what made the presentation challenging and how ensured that your ideas were well-received.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I have some experience delivering presentations to my class; however, my public speaking experience is limited. When I know the content that I am presenting, my confidence level is high. You can certainly throw me into challenging situations, even ones that involve presenting to stakeholders, as I am confident I will represent the company in a very positive and profesisonal light."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I would say that my comfort level in giving presentations is intermediate. I have a lot of experience participating in the execution of important presentations, but less experience leading the presentation first-hand. The most challenging presentation I recall was my very first! I was incredibly nervous, did not set up in time, had technical difficulties, and some tough questions came my way. Due to the technical challenges, I had to forego the PowerPoint I had prepared and presented from memory alone. Overall, I recall getting the correct information to the right people, but it could have been smoother. Lesson learned! I am always early for presentations and much better prepared with my tech set up now."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I am an expert in delivering presentations, even in the most challenging stakeholder and client environments. I have X years of public speaking experience and understand that the basis of a solid presentation is to have my facts and numbers straight. I enter every presentation with knowledge of the results that the group is looking for. I also have public speaking training with Toastmasters, which has helped me develop a strong foundation of confidence in my public speaking activities."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Creative Thinking
12. What do you consider to be the most effective marketing campaign, you have seen?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to know the type of campaigns that catch your eye and the marketing style that speaks the loudest to you. The way you respond will also show the interviewer how closely you keep up-to-date on marketing trends. If there is a marketing campaign from this agency or company that you have a keen interest in, this question is a great time to express your interest and ask insightful questions.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"One campaign that stands out the most to me was from Google. The 'Building a Better Bay Area' campaign, which we studied in one of my marketing courses. Google made philanthropy feel exciting, unconventional, and, best of all - accessible. The interactive posters placed around the Bay area were an amazing idea and caused people who would normally remain complacent to the issue, to become involved."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Content Marketing Example
"I have seen some amazing digital campaigns come from your agency, which is what prompted me to apply. I am referring specifically to Campaign ABC and XYZ. What I enjoyed most was the creative copy mixed with bold imagery. The collision between the copy and compelling images is unforgettable. I look forward to learning more about this agency's approach to digital campaigns and am eager to learn from your talented team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have come across many amazing campaigns in my marketing career. One that stands out most to me is the 'Know Your Lemons' campaign by Worldwide Breast Cancer. Stats from that particular campaign show that they exceeded their target for fundraising by over 300%, with the bulk of action happening through their lighthearted hashtag, #knowyourlemons. The power of social media is incredible and it's ever-changing which make social media marketing so powerful."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
Creative Thinking
13. Being able to think creatively is important to us. If you had a very small budget to work with, what marketing technique would you use first?
What You Need to Know
Marketing efforts can be much more comfortable when you are working with a large budget. For that reason, the interviewer wants to know what you are made of when a marketing budget is tight. Discuss some of your favorite marketing methods on a small budget. Show that you can be creative and inventive with financial resources when working with a budget-minded client.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Online Marketing Example
"In my opinion, social media marketing is the absolute best solution for any project that has a tight budget. I can reach many of my clients' goals through increased engagement and a broader audience reach through Snapchat, Instagram Reels, TikTok, or even Facebook Live. All of these platforms have robust features that are free. These efforts may take extra prep time to organize; for instance, creating video content can be time-consuming. However, these social platforms do not demand perfection when it comes to production so we can take an approach that feels real and approachable. If my client has more time than money, this is the approach I would take first."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Creative Thinking
14. We have a new product coming out in three months. What would you do to ensure a successful launch?
What You Need to Know
As a marketer, you should always be prepared to attend your interview with a clear strategy for a specific product or service launch. A great marketer knows that you have to show your skill vs. only tell others that you have the chops to make it in this fast-moving career. Take your time studying the hiring company and any products or services they have recently launched, are testing, or are teasing. Walk the interviewer through your strategy for ensuring its features and benefits become 100% irresistible to the target audience.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I have been learning the importance of email marketing funnels, segmentation, and lead magnets. If I were to contribute to a new product launch for Company ABC, I would start by creating hype through your existing email list, which I imagine is quite significant in numbers. I would create three lead magnets, each one to target a different customer avatar. Then, the lead magnet would draw the target customer in a compelling email marketing funnel. I believe, executed correctly, this strategy would create a sense of exclusivity that consumers respond well to."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Product Manager Example
"I noticed on your website that you have Product ABC as 'coming soon.' The hype for the release seems to be very strong so far. If I were to contribute to the launch of this product, I would utilize existing efforts, create a custom hashtag, and produce short teaser videos, to encourage more social sharing. Other than that, I believe your strategy is golden, and I look forward to contributing my launch-strategy knowledge."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I am very excited to hear more about your upcoming ABC product launch. If I were to contribute to the launch of this product, I would start with more targeted online advertising and also introduce interactive billboard advertising for the street, subway, and other high-traffic areas in our city. I believe this approach will reach your ideal client where they are since the target market is young professionals who are active. This audience walks to work, take public transit, and are highly involved in social events within the downtown core."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Creative Thinking
15. What is the most creative marketing campaign or project you completed? What made it unique?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to know more about your creative portfolio, and they also want to hear the passion in your voice regarding some of your favorite projects. Walk the interviewer through a project that you are most proud of, highlighting the efforts you put in and any big wins and proud accomplishments along the way. Express any new skills that you learned while completing this unique project.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"While attending university, I worked on a group project for a local art house that supported a lot of our school's exceptional art students. We created a campaign to bridge the gap between students and the more established and affluent crowd in our city. My responsibilities included designing the Instagram grid, creating unique hashtags for the event, and finding local partners to spread the word about the project. I learned a great deal about the importance of team collaboration and leveraging community for marketing events."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"I recently completed a campaign for a non-profit organization. This project was a unique challenge because the client was incredibly open to fresh marketing ideas, but they had a tight budget. We focused on social sharing to gain organic momentum without the use of paid ads. We also engaged micro-influencers targeted by their audience and reach. I loved this particular project because it caused me to elevate my creativity without leaning on extensive paid efforts."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"Recently, I worked on a client campaign with a heavy focus on video. This campaign was the first I have worked on with such a significant video production component. Every video created was designed so that it could be cut into 15, 30, and 60-second snips, making each clip easily shareable on a variety of social media platforms."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Diligence
16. What are your favorite ways of measuring website performance? Such as conversions, leads, etc.
What You Need to Know
There are many ways that a marketer can measure website performance, and there is a massive range of tools available to help you view and analyze a variety of web metrics. Mention to the interviewer which methods you prefer when it comes to measuring website performance. If particular tools or techniques show up in the company job description, be sure to refer to those and talk about your level of expertise with each.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I have been learning a lot recently about bounce rates and techniques to minimize bounces while increasing conversions. Bounce rate measurement is crucial because it shows the number of people repelled by the initial page view that they leave without taking any action whatsoever. As a marketer, I feel that bounce rates should always be a top metric to assess and measure. In school we used a tool called Pingdom, which helped me to understand page load times and the impact it has on the user experience."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"I recall in your job posting that you mentioned Click-Through-Rate (CTR) a few times. I am a big fan of tracking actions taken on individual web pages and am sure to keep a close eye on each link's performance. If a page is not performing well, I quickly tweak the copy, imagery, or call-to-action. At the moment, my favorite tool for gauging CTR is Optimizely, a fast-acting and easy to use experimentation platform."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have many favorites when it comes to measuring the performance of a website and love using a variety of tools to analyze the finest points of website data. My favorite focus at the moment is search engine referrals. I like to see and collect data on which keywords people are using to get them to the website. This data allows me to pivot my strategy quickly and effectively, as needed. Although there are many incredible tools available, I lean on Google Analytics for most of my web analysis activity."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Diligence
17. Once implementing a new marketing strategy, how do you measure the results?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to know more about your experience and willingness regarding tracking metrics, KPIs, looking at ROI, and accurately reporting your findings. The more organized your thoughts are when answering this question, the more impressed the interviewer will be with your answer. Give a clear, concise explanation of exactly how you measure the successes of your marketing efforts.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I have learned from my marketing education that the best way to measure the results of a marketing strategy is first to ensure that I have the campaign planned out very well from the beginning. Then, I believe it is important to identify the metrics that I want to measure. This tracking can include lead conversion, visitors, returning visitors, click-through rate, and more. Of course, this all depends on the campaign type and where the budget is being allocated. Once KPIs are established, it is easy to track the performance of those actions against the goals I initially set."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"When I have a new client or a new campaign, I measure the starting point against the desired result. I track progress daily, every seven days, 14 days, and 30. I use spreadsheets and tracking tools such as Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and Semrush. I also measure the growth compared to the clients' timeline. This way, I can more easily estimate if we are going to need an extra push to reach our goals or if we are on track to meet and exceed targets."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"A good marketer will always keep a close eye on metrics. For instance, when I am working on a website-related project, I keep a keen eye on SEO position, engagement, customer acquisition rates, conversion rates, and more with the use of Google Analytics. I am becoming proficient in G4, Google's latest analytics release, and its powerful new features; a skill that I look forward to sharing with your team."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Diligence
18. What makes an effective marketing campaign, in your opinion?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is testing your overall marketing knowledge. When you answer this question, focus your response on marketing elements and approaches you know the hiring company would utilize. You can also drop a teaser to the interviewer by describing a hot trend that you know well, if applicable.
An effective marketing campaign requires a solid foundation, and a strong focus on metrics. You could discuss that it's important to hash out the theme of your campaign before committing to any ideas. Perhaps you believe that an effective marketing campaign begins with setting clear goals. Or, maybe you believe that identifying the core audience is the most important first step to an effective marketing campaign. Many marketers will create an avatar of their ideal client and speak directly to that avatar when forming an effective campaign. Alternatively, you may believe that working with a team of people who possess a wide variety of skills and knowledge is the key to an effective marketing campaign. A campaign will not be diverse if everyone thinks the same, after all!
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I think that the backbone of an effective marketing campaign is proper research. Setting a solid foundation for any project, big or small, will make the entire campaign run a lot smoother. This research includes running A/B tests before blindly committing to only one approach. From there, a marketing team can collect data on what efforts are working, which need tweaking, and then pivot to ensure a successful campaign. I have been teaching myself about A/B testing and am coming to understand more every day exactly how important it is, especially when running an ad budget."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Many components go into an effective marketing campaign; however, I believe that the most important is to have a team with diverse skills and a broad range of ideas. I have worked in smaller groups where creativity can become stale if the team members are not continually educating themselves and bringing fresh ideas for consideration. For these reasons, believe that a well-educated and diverse creative group is the foundation to an effective marketing campaign."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"In my years of experience, I have seen many marketing campaigns go awry because there are no clear goals set from the beginning. The client, or company, needs to know what it is they want to accomplish. From there, a great marketing team will reverse engineer those goals, to create the basis of their campaign and plan of action."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Marcie's Feedback
Diligence
19. What steps do you take to ensure marketing communications are consistent across all channels?
What You Need to Know
To build an integrated marketing communications strategy, you must ensure that your content writing, advertising, promotions, and social media posts tell a cohesive message. The interviewer wants to know what steps you take to ensure that all communication conveys the same message in your marketing efforts. Discuss your process, assuring the hiring authority that you understand the importance of consistent messaging across all channels and platforms.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"A strong marketing campaign must tell the same message everywhere, from traditional advertising efforts all the way to social media messaging. I first ensure a cohesive message by identifying the core message that needs to be told along with the correct tone. Next, I will map out a rough communications plan, including a brand voice document for all parties to refer to. This way, my marketing team and I are sure that we are all on the same page regarding the messages we put out."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Direct
20. Have you researched our competitors marketing campaigns? If so, what were your most significant findings?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to better understand the work you have done to compare their company offering with that of their competitors. As you prepare for your interview, take notice of the most prominent differences and the most substantial similarities between marketing approaches. Discuss with the interviewer what you have seen when it comes to their competitor's campaigns vs. that of the hiring company.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"From my understanding, your competitors are Company DEF and Company XYZ. Both of these companies utilize scarcity-style marketing, which leads consumers' to fear that they will lose out on a sale or access to a limited product if they do not purchase immediately. I much prefer your company's approach because it's friendly and welcoming. Rather than acting in a fear-based manner, your brand messaging creates a sense of security and partnership. I believe this approach develops a consumers' trust much more effectively."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have taken care to research your competitor's marketing campaigns and noticed that they rely more heavily on traditional media such as broadcast, print marketing, and billboard advertising. Although these marketing methods could be effective for the target audience, I tell there are more impactful strategies that focus on digital. I would love to do a deeper dive into a variety of metrics. Do you have specific information regarding your competitors' marketing strategies and how they stack up against your own?"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"Yes, I have researched your competitors extensively. Also, as you know from my resume, I worked for one of your competitors from 2006 to 2014; Company XYZ. I know that their campaigns are heavily female-focused which was an accepted approach ten years ago; but not the modern approach we need now. In today's age when all genders use these products, I believe the best solution is marketing to all genders and challenge antiquated thinking."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Direct
21. Who are our competitors? What products do they have that compete with ours?
What You Need to Know
Researching the company before your interview is a crucial step. Discussing best selling products, company growth, news or public accolades, as well as competitors, are all excellent places for you to start your research. Make a pros and cons list of competitor products and be prepared to discuss areas where you think competition may be the most fierce.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"Before coming here today, I was sure to research your competitors thoroughly. What I understand is that your more significant competitor is Company XYZ and their Product A. I know that their social media-based reviews are not nearly as strong, and you have a much more engaged following on Instagram and TikTok."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"From my research, I believe that your biggest competitor is Company XYZ, primarily because they have been around for many years and their reputation for delivering quality products is strong. They have similar products, such as Product A and Product B. I have used products from Company XYZ and believe that your company's product is easier to use. The price point is more accessible for the average consumer, and I have found your customer service much better."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"While preparing for today's interview I performed a robust analysis of this company's competitive landscape and your best selling products. I have turned this into a spreadsheet for your review if you would like to review my findings and related suggestions. Overall, I found that this company wins in multiple categories over Company XYZ, which I believe to be your most significant competitor."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Direct
22. What are the top performing products at our company?
What You Need to Know
The way you respond to this question will show your interviewer the amount of research you have performed on their company before your interview. Show the interviewer that you are well-prepared for your meeting by discussing the products offered at their company in as much detail as possible. Talk about your personal experience with these products if applicable.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I would suggest, from reviewing your website and online reviews, that Product A is your top product. It has primary placement on the e-commerce website, and it's featured on the website's main page, which is a strong indicator that it is a top seller. I just ordered Product A for myself and am looking forward a first-hand experience."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"From my understanding, your top products are A, B, and C. I have tried all three of these products and enjoy them all; however, Product A is the one I enjoy the most because I find it to be (describe). I would love to know which products are your favorite, from an insiders' perspective."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"Before coming here today, I did a great deal of research and believe that your top-selling products are A and B. I see that Company ABC advertises these products quite often on Instagram and the customer reviews are incredible. Personally, Product B has been a game-changer for me because (describe). I am eager to learn more about these premium products and uncover new ways to promote them to a wider audience."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Direct
23. Which of our products or brands do you believe have the most marketing potential?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is checking to see if you have done your homework on their company and its offering. Take a look at the company website, its products, services, and brands. Take note of the offers that appeal to you the most. If you have the time before your interview, think up a quick marketing plan that you could pitch in your interview. By showing the interviewer how you would pitch the company's products, you are taking action and positioning yourself as an engaged team member right from the start.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"In university, I completed a case study on a product similar to Product ABC, which I see you started offering this year. This product has huge potential because the need spans a wide range of ages, all genders, and regions. I brought some highlights from this case study with me if you'd like to have a look at my work and findings."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Product Manager Example
"The fact that Company ABC has so many incredible products is one of the reasons why I felt compelled to apply. If I had to choose just one product, it would be Product ABC because I see a growing need for its features in the market, and not a lot of other companies are delivering on this product in the most optimized manner. I have already thought up a slogan and a sharable ad campaign for social media if you have the time for me to share my ideas with you today."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"This agency represents Brand ABC which I think is amazing, and your team has been doing an incredible job with the marketing approach. I see that your agency also manages Brand XYZ and, although different, I believe represents a similar target audience. My first thought is that Brand XYZ could be a substantial offering, even surpassing Brand ABC in sales, with similar marketing strategies applied. I would be happy to provide more formal notes on my ideas if you're open to the idea."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Discovery
24. Tell me about yourself.
What You Need to Know
When an interviewer asks questions such as these, they are interested in hearing your best elevator pitch. Although it is a good idea to let your personality shine, you also want to describe your professional journey as a marketer to them. So the best approach is to compose an encapsulated biography of yourself, that is roughly 200 words or so, that describes who you are as a marketing professional. You'll want to offer context on why you are pursuing this opportunity with them, where you have come from as a marketer, breathe life into your prior work history, what your experience has taught you, and where you hope to take your marketing career next. Showcase your passion and enthusiasm, and where you can align your passions and value with theirs. If you have a personal mission statement, offer that as well.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
What to Avoid
Steer away from over sharing personal information, or trying to make yourself seem more interesting by sharing information that isn't relevant to your career pursuit. Save those facts for questions about how you spend your spare time or questions about your hobbies.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Pro Tip
Stay focussed on presenting yourself as their ideal candidate, while communicating your messaging clearly and succinctly. As a marketer, you are marketing yourself to them, and they want to hear your best pitch. So try to make your pitch great copy, and show them what you've got.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"When I was in high school, I read a book on marketing, Positioning The Battle for Your Mind, which captured my imagination. After that, I wanted to learn more, and that's when I discovered Neil Patel as a marketing influencer. He has a blog post on the marketing books you should be reading, and the next thing I knew, I was in the rabbit hole. That decided things for me, and the next thing I knew, I was pursuing a BSBA at UCLA Anderson. Having just attained my bachelor's, I am excited to put what I have learned to good use. I graduated at the top of my class, have a detailed five-year career plan, and feel as if your firm is the perfect fit. Our values feel very well aligned, and your culture aligns with my ideal working environment. So that's what brings me here today."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Experienced Example
"My uncle owned a general store in my hometown. And when I was little, I would always gravitate to the toy section. So my uncle one day asked me to rearrange the section, by what toys were the most popular in my age group. So I did. Then, when I was no longer interested in toys, he had me do the same with the stationary section, giving me tips along the way. I wasn't aware of it, but the whole while I was increasing his sales. Fast forward, I was merchandising the entire store in high school, and helped manage it through college. These humble beginnings are what sparked my pursuit of my MSBA degree. This launched my long career, first with working as a product manager with Brooks, then as Account director with Anthropology. But I feel like the next step of my career lies with working with you. Although I am grateful for the experience I gained through the opportunities my current employer has offered and provided my career path, the company is moving in a different direction, and I truly feel this opportunity with your company is more in line with my career goals, and where I want to take my career next."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Growth Marketing Example
"I started out with my degree in business management and landed my first job working in an entry level position as a growth marketer. After a few years, I rose into a growth marketing specialist position. Since then, I have dramatically increased our online traffic, which helped in our efforts to promote some outstanding rebranding efforts of our product lines. I am very cross functional, and engaged with everyone on all of our teams, which I see as one team. But as I revamped my career goals, I realized there was little opportunity to rise into a senior position. So I bided my time, and waited, which is what brings me here today. It is not everyday you see an opportunity come along that feels like a perfect fit, from the company's core values and mission statement, to the culture and working environment. Not to mention the opportunities for advancement from within. Ultimately, I'd like to enter as senior growth marketer, and in the next five years move into a director position."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Product Manager Example
"Right out of college, I landed an internship with Edelman, where I interned for a year. After that first year, I was hired on into their social media department, and the environment has been very competitive. From there, I was able to work my way into an associate product manager role, where they pretty much have me conducting market research. Despite helping significantly in our broader marketing efforts, most of the credit has gone to the product manager I am working under, and I am beginning to doubt I'll have the opportunity to progress my career at the rate I desire with them. Although they have been instrumental in launching my career, I feel like I have a lot to offer, and would prefer to work in an environment where my contributions are rewarded with more opportunity. The product manager I work under has repeated called me the most creative innovator they've worked with, and has directly thanked me for advancing their career. In all honesty, I was doing what I could to support the team, but disappointed with the lack of opportunity. So now, I am more interested in advancing my own career. I have very reasonable career goals mapped out in my five-year plan, and based on what your company and this position have to offer, it seems to offer a far better, mutually rewarding relationship."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Content Marketing Example
"As you can see on my resume, I have a very strong track record with branding, marketing, analytics, and SEO. Where I really thrive is in my campaigns, and have an outstanding track record running native advertising through apple news feeds, driving traffic to our website and to our Amazon Store. I started off writing copy, then very quickly moved into a content editor position. Now I am Director of Web Content. I truly love the company I work for, and it shows in my performance. However, I feel I have driven the company as far as they'll allow, and I am too driven to continue at the status quo. I feel the opportunity you have to offer with this position is more in line with my goals and the type of innovation I try to spearhead. I need to be motivated to keep doing what I love, and that's unshackling my creativity. So, I am obviously grateful to be sitting here, meeting with you to discuss this prospect further."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Traditional Marketing Example
"I have always enjoyed working with a more traditional marketing modality, ever since I worked at my first brick and mortar, designing our displays and end caps, and coming up with great signage. This was my favorite aspect of the job. So when a position came available at our corporate office, I applied, really focussing on my business management and marketing background. They were impressed with my degree, and decided to give me a chance. Not before long, I was proving myself by coming up with clever mailers, guerilla marketing campaigns, and directing all our brick and mortar stores on how to showcase our brands through coordinated signage, displays, and featured products. I love my job and could see myself working there for quite some time. It would only take the absolute right opportunity for me to consider me leaving, and this position with your company was certainly one worth considering. So here I am."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Diversity
25. How do you demonstrate sensitivity to others?
What You Need to Know
Respect and sensitivity towards others are common topics in the corporate landscape. If you have ever heard of an executive mandated to take 'sensitivity training,' you may be aware that sensitivity towards others is a common issue for leaders and employees. Show the interviewer that you are a professional individual who acts and reacts with correct behavioral and emotional responses in the workplace. The interviewer would like to know specifics on your approach to demonstrating sensitivity to others.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Sensitivity in the workplace is incredibly important. I demonstrate sensitivity to others by respecting the needs, emotions, and beliefs of everyone on my team. I can adapt to the concerns and needs of various groups, no matter how different they are from me. I work very hard to cultivate healthy and trusting relationships with members of my team and while also being a consistent example to my co-workers when it comes to team member relationships."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experience
26. What are your greatest weaknesses.
What You Need to Know
How you answer this question will inform your interviewer of your experience level as a marketer. Confidently discussing your weaknesses takes a certain degree of emotional intelligence. It reveals you take responsibility for your own actions, hold yourself accountable, and take charge of your professional development as a marketer. So, examine your career goals, identify your growth opportunities, and determine how the company or position you are interviewing for can help you grow and accomplish those goals. You want to come across as confident, while being unabashed and transparent about your growth opportunities.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
What to Avoid
Avoid offering any weaknesses which are core skills or requirements for the position you are interviewing for. Doing so will only serve as a red flag, framing you as an undesirable candidate. It will also showcase your inexperience, while missing the opportunity the question presents you.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Pro Tip
Rather, frame your weakness as a strength. For example, if you are hyper focused on the details of analytics, maybe you sometimes get buried in the numbers, and have trouble breaking away from them. In this scenario, your attention to detail is a strength, as is your compulsion to go above and beyond.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I'd have to say one of my biggest challenges is not being too hard on myself, which coincides with me trying too hard. There have been a few times where I have been too laser focussed on the analytics and metrics, trying to find avenues to limit our budget. But this resulted in not prioritizing correctly, which ran into time management issues. When I realized my mistake, I'd trip over my own feet. But I am learning now at a pretty good clip to work smarter, not harder, and employ several methods to keep my eye on the bigger picture."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Senior Level Example
"I'd say a clear growth opportunity for me is improving on monitoring how well my team leaders are developing their teams. I have a strong systems approach to my work, from strategy to tracking KPIs and ROIs. I am a strong coach as well. But sometimes it can be challenging knowing where to draw the line between trusting your team leaders to put into practice what I've taught them. I've realized that even though they've absorbed what I impart to them, there are always those who put those things into practice only when you're around, and revert to less desirable practices the rest of the time. Some habits simply need to be unlearned before others are picked up. And my team leaders know how to talk the talk and gain my trust. So, I have been working harder on keeping my finger on the pulse of our entry level staff. I realize not doing so is a lost opportunity, and I have made a lot of progress in this regard, but there is still some growth opportunity there. Recently I launched an employee survey twice a year, and this has helped tremendously in this regard."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Growth Marketing Example
"I think one area that I've struggled is in finding the right target audience. I'd previously prided myself on being a very empathic person and being able to walk around in someone else's shoes. But, I took the aggregate behavior too literally, and realized projecting this way was a mistake. An assumption like that peers into the market only through your lens, not exploring outside of your range of experience or beyond your common reference or scope. So, I've improved in this regard, examining and questioning the findings, and gotten better at exploring where, or to what target audience, those findings will lead me."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Product Manager Example
"I'd say one of my weaknesses as a product manager has been my pride. I have been very proud of my accomplishments and have spearheaded some very successful branding and marketing campaigns. But how proud I was of those accomplishments led to a degree of rigidity, and a slower response time to gather customer feedback, to examine how the product vision needed to be updated in order to remain relevant. This resulted in no longer leading the competition, and once in a rebranding effort. I've since learned from my mistakes, and put my all in anticipating what is around the bend. But it still feels like a struggle to let go of what I love about the branding we've done and adjust to the anticipated trends. My superiors have praised my growth in this regard, and have reiterated to me not to be so self critical, but I still feel I have a bit farther to go."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Content Marketing Example
"Sometimes I have been known to ride out the success of a content marketing campaign for too long, resulting in lower engagement and a lack of relevance. So, I have been working on thinking several moves ahead, and on improving my timing on when to switch to the next campaign before the current one turns into wallpaper or loses its luster. So now, as I am developing the current campaign, through native advertising and targeted online ads, I am adding the finishing touches to the next campaign, and developing the next one. I've improved my timing significantly, but still feel as if it needs a bit more adjusting when scheduling it or adjusting based on its engagement and activity."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Traditional Marketing Example
"One of the things I have struggled with is in finding unique ways to study and identify trends as a traditional marketer. It's trickier than online marketing to identify which metrics are relevant and which are wild herrings. But several years ago I started using a beat-yesterday-book, where I recorded everything from when our campaigns were launched, to when they were taken down. I put in rainy days, snow days, and every factor that could have had an impact on our efforts, positive or negative. Though I am still struggling with identifying which elemental factors are metrics worth studying, I've improved significantly and continue to identify and recognize new opportunities in this regard."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 19th, 2023
Experience
27. Discuss any experience you have dealing with the media as part of a marketing project or campaign.
What You Need to Know
Dealing with the media can be an enjoyable part of your job in marketing; and, it can also be a significant challenge. Your experience will depend on the marketing sector in which you work and your specific job title. Be ready to discuss the exposure you have had working alongside the media. This exposure could include giving interviews, press briefs, offering comments for publications, or being spotlighted in an article due to your expertise!
Written by Rachelle Enns
Growth Marketing Example
"Working as a marketer in a smaller city, I have built great relationships with most of the media outlets, including local television and radio stations. Often, I comment on stories surrounding marketing, branding, communications, and online business strategy. I am happy to contribute to the media outlets and their efforts in hopes of maintaining a relationship of trust while building my public reputation as a trusted voice in marketing."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experience
28. What mediums do you have the most experience using in your marketing campaigns?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like to know the types of marketing mediums in which you are most experienced. Discuss the bulk of your experience and, if you can, rate yourself as a beginner, intermediate, or expert level user in each of the mediums that you mention. Be sure to refer to the job description and discuss those must-have and nice-to-have skills, assuring the interviewer that you are the right fit!
Some mediums that you could mention:
- Traditional Marketing, including direct mail, print advertising, broadcasting, billboard and outdoor advertising, or point of sale.
- Field Marketing, whether that be B2B or B2C. These could include event and sponsorship efforts, buzz marketing, guerilla marketing, or street teams.
- Online Marketing, including web ads, banner ads, SEO, SEM, email marketing, website optimization, blogging, content creation, Google Ads, or social media avenues such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and more.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I just completed my degree in Marketing with a focus on online marketing efforts including Google Ads, SEO, SEM, and all social media outlets. I would say that I am an intermediate level in most areas, with social media being my true expertise. I see that you are looking for someone who can create amazing social media campaigns which I am very confident that I can do!"
Answer Example
"The bulk of my experience is in B2C field marketing efforts. When you mentioned in your job posting that you were looking for someone experienced in developing street teams, I knew I had to apply. I have performed this type of marketing for many F&B companies include street teams for Excel gum and Red Bull."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have a fair amount of experience in most mediums; however I would say that the bulk of my career has been with traditional marketing - mainly print advertising. You mentioned requiring a marketing director with a solid background in copywriting for traditional advertising methods. I would love to further outline this experience for you and have brought my related work for you to see."
Experience
29. Have you been in control of a company's Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or other social account?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like further detail on the experience you bring in social media management. There is no way around it these days - if you want to be in marketing, you need to understand and embrace social media. Discuss your experience with a variety of social media platforms, and be sure to highlight any notable results you have achieved along the way.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I am well educated, both formally and through my independent research, on what it takes to develop exceptional social media accounts and campaigns. I have run A/B tests during class projects and have a successful visual blog on Instagram. I am confident that I would be instrumental in helping your company grow its social media success."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Online Marketing Example
"Yes, I have approximately four years of experience managing a variety of social media content for my agency and their clients. I have taken coursework in Instagram and Facebook ads and plan to learn more about the TikTok algorithm. When I first took over my company's Instagram account, we had just 345 followers. We are now at over 8,000 due to my engaging content and visual strategies."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have been in control of many social media accounts, throughout the last eight years or so. I would say that it is one of my favorite tasks because I truly enjoy seeing the changes from day-to-day and analyzing follower engagement levels. Also, social algorithms change all the time, so I am kept on my toes and feel encouraged by continually needing to learn new skills, and tactics."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Problem Solving
30. When change occurs in the workplace, it can create new challenges. Do you see these as inconvenient problems, or opportunities to learn?
What You Need to Know
When changes occur in the workplace, problems can arise, and unforeseen roadblocks need to be worked out. The interviewer wants to know if you approach these changes with a positive learning-based mindset or if you resist the situation and consider a change to be an inconvenience. When you answer this question, include a story-based example of a time when you faced a significant change in the workplace, and you adapted well.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I understand that when the change occurs in the workplace, some new problems may arise as a result. I embrace workplace change because it often allows me to learn a new skill or be a positive example to my colleagues. Recently my employer acquired a small marketing agency. As a result, we had some turnover, layoffs, and many procedural changes. I took this situation as an opportunity to learn how acquisitions work. I also took the opportunity to encourage my colleagues to grow from the experience. Overall, the situation has not been ideal for our work environment, but I have learned so much about teamwork and deep collaboration, which will certainly serve me in my next opportunity."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Scenario Based
31. Think about a past project that resulted in a less than desirable outcome. What did you learn from that experience and how will you apply that lesson in the future?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer is well aware that you have likely experienced some unwanted outcomes in your career. Nobody is perfect, after all! Most importantly, you want to show an ability to move forward and learn lessons from those perceived failures. Share with the interviewer a time when you did not achieve your desired results. Talk about what you learned from the experience. Last, make a connection between this lesson and how it will ensure a strong performance in this new role, should you be hired.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"After weeks of working on a new ad campaign for our agency, the launch was a total flop. Our marketing team is a very creative group, but sometimes this means that research does not get the attention it deserves, as everyone wants to jump in and start creating. The campaign would have been more successful had we devoted more time to learning about the consumer we were attempting to attract. I learned from this experience that we needed to lay down the stronger groundwork, despite our excitement to get up and go. We could have even hired an outside research team or conducted some simple surveys before we began. The great news is that from this experience, I made connections with a few strong marketing researchers, and I uncovered marketing research tools that are highly useful for future projects."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Scenario Based
32. What was your least effective marketing campaign? What went wrong?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer would like further details on a marketing project that went sideways. This interview question is not meant to solely highlight what you did wrong, but to see how you react when things do not go your way in the workplace. Give an overview of the problem while focusing primarily on the action you took to make corrections. Be sure to express what you learned from the situation.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level Example
"I studied many marketing cases when attending university. The takeaways I gained from this research will be highly beneficial as I enter my career in marketing. When a campaign goes awry, I believe it often stems from a misunderstanding of the brand voice, the ideal customer avatar, or both. This misunderstanding is usually a result of a lack of research and data before the project begins. I am sure that by studying these cases so closely, I am prepared to lay the necessary groundwork to ensure successful, well-thought-out campaigns."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"My least effective marketing campaign was a social media-driven hashtag campaign that initially flopped. I believe that the tagline was not catchy enough, and the copy was too wordy for assets that were meant to be shareable. I have solid skills in data analysis and reporting so luckily I did catch the issue early on. I worked with my team to change the campaign's course and re-executed it. Although the results picked up, we did not ever gain the momentum we had hoped. After that situation, I took additional coursework in social campaigns and am much stronger in that area now."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"Nobody has had a career of perfect launches, including me! Earlier in my career, I was involved in a print advertising campaign for a local clothing store. The campaign was for a kids' store, but the font chosen was difficult to read for adults and children alike. Customers complained, and we had to dismantle the resources we had already ordered for print and start anew. It was a waste of money and a loss for our agency; however, a valuable lesson that less is more, and simple always wins in the end."
Written by Rachelle Enns