As the head of growth and marketing at BriteCo, I would suggest that the best way to prepare for a marketing interview is to do your research on the company and its target audience. Start by researching the company's mission, values, and goals. Look for any recent news or updates that might impact the company's marketing strategies. Next, try to understand the company's target audience. Who are they trying to reach with their products or services? Then in the interview make sure to clearly express this research in your answers. By knowing the company, you will be far ahead of many less prepared interviewees. Pose potential marketing ideas that are relevant and well-thought out for the company. It honestly doesn't matter if the interviewer thinks they are a fit for their company. What it shows is that you already have the ability to think strategically and are a self-starter. Showing these characteristics is worth 100x what simply saying them is. MBA Finance, 2019
Job interviews are inherently a marketing exercise, no matter the role, so it's really critical for candidates for marketing roles to get this right. Think of yourself as the product and the hiring company as the customer. What is your true value prop? What are the differentiators your competitors can't copy? What are the problems your "customer" is trying to solve by hiring you, and what are their next-best alternatives? Use those answers to develop a focused message that makes the hiring team view you in a class by yourself.
Director of Marketing & Business Development at LakeView Asset Management, LLC
Answered 3 years ago
Working in marketing requires you to wear many hats. From research to creative direction to sales initiatives, you will have the opportunity to work with numerous different companies and brands during your career. It is crucial, however, to never forget YOUR brand. So, my favorite tip to best prepare for marketing roles is to get those creative juices flowing and create a personal brand for yourself. Be yourself but stand out. Spice up your resume by adding some color, creating a personal logo for yourself, or starting your own blog. This allows you to show your creative side along with your sales abilities, two admirable qualities of a successful marketer. These are just a couple of my favorite personal branding touches but however you choose to show off your brand, it is up to you! Don’t forget ... how you present yourself from the clothes you wear to your body language also serves as your brand! Carly Rothbort, MBA – Marketing and Leadership Areas of Emphasis ‘22
I am of the mindset that the questions that you ask during an interview are an indicator of your interest, preparation, and approach to your work. Besides the clarifying questions that you may have about the role specifically, I would also try to ask about other departments that may partner with the role to better understand the DNA of the organization. For example, the synergy between marketing and I.T. is imperative to success in many marketing roles so understanding that relationship in the firm you’re interviewing with can be helpful. You can also get insight into what success could look like for the role by asking questions like “If I were to speak with someone who just recently held this role, what would he/she say about it and the skills gained in the position?” Finally, print out your questions and pull out the sheet of paper when it’s your turn to ask questions. This shows thoughtfulness and how serious you’re taking the opportunity to come in and meet with the team.
If you have experience, lead with it. As a soon-to-be grad you’ll be tempted to feature your fresh degree and GPA near the top of your resume. (And why wouldn’t you? You paid lots of money for it.) But, rather than looking at your relatable retail experience or advancement from intern to a regular position within a company, hiring managers may bypass your resume altogether assuming lack of experience. If the role requires 1-3 years of experience and you’ve held any position anywhere, use your resume to explain how those roles relate to the one you’re applying for. Extra credit if you weave in language used in the job description.
The first 3 minutes of an interview and first impressions are important. The interviewers can quickly assess whether they can imagine themselves working with the interviewee and how the person will fit in the company culture. Yet you may want to think about what “lasting” impression you want to leave behind, once the interview is finished and people will have to make a candidate decision. An interview is dense, with many questions, many angles explored. Don’t expect interviewers to remember 100% of everything you said. When you tell your story, focus on what you can say that will echo and have a vibrant impact. What anecdote will stand you out of the crowd and “stick”? what is the one element you want the interviewer to remember you for? They are many great candidates out there. Your amazing accomplishments and qualities are worth something if the interviewers remember them once you have left the room. The way you tell your story is as important as the story itself. B.S. Marketing 2003
Your career plan should specify how you'll get there, what steps are necessary, and when, and should be broken down into short-, medium-, and long-term objectives. Review your progress frequently, especially when you complete each short-term objective. Also, you need to create a backup career growth strategy in case your circumstances alter. Draw up a few different routes to reach your long-term objective while thinking about how you'll get around certain obstacles along the way, such as training requirements. Your initial short-term objective can be to strengthen your cover letter and resume. Additional short- or medium-term goals might be to do pertinent internships, obtain volunteer experience, or go to career fairs.
At your marketing interview, it might help to demonstrate that you are really interested in the role by having a thorough understanding of the organization to which you are applying, its areas of expertise, and its values. The "About Us" section included on most websites is a fantastic place to start learning more about the company's history, core principles, and organizational culture. Go at the profiles of the other marketing experts and senior leaders if there is a "Meet the Team" section. Likewise, be sure to pay great attention to the goods and services they offer. Current projects are frequently featured in their news section and/or blog. Beyond the firm's website, get to know how the company interacts on social media, which platforms they use the most, and how they talk to their target consumers.
Here's my best tip for soon-to-be grads on preparing for marketing role interviews: Research the company and the industry: Before your interview, research the company and the industry. Look at the company's website, social media channels, and recent news articles to understand its values, mission, and marketing strategies. Research the industry to understand its trends, challenges, and opportunities. This will help you show your knowledge and interest in the company and demonstrate your ability to think critically about the industry. Prepare examples of your marketing experience: During the interview, you'll likely be asked to give examples of your marketing experience. Think about any relevant internships, coursework, or extracurricular activities you've done that showcase your marketing skills. Prepare specific examples and be ready to explain how you contributed to the success of a project or campaign. I have a degree majoring in Business administration from March 2022.
When entering the premises for an interview, a marketer should be as knowledgeable as possible about the firm. Keep track of everything you learn from your investigation, including the company's earnings, yearly data reports, target market, rivals, new product launches, place in the industry, and any recent press coverage. You should be prepared to respond to any queries the interviewer may have on what you can perform to support their existing marketing plan. Display your creative side during your interview for a marketing position. Bring some writing samples or sample commercials with you if you're a copywriter. Show the clients you've sold to if you're managing an account. Provide examples rather than simply stating what you can do to help their brand.