Interviewing for a job is exciting but can also be a bit nerve-racking. Here are our tips to prepare you for a great interview for a role as a social media marketer
Research the role and responsibilities
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the job description. What exactly is the company looking for? Prepare responses to interview questions based on your research by writing down how you fit their requirements
When you evaluate your fit for the role, think broadly about your experience. For instance you may have demonstrated your organization or communication skills in non-work related situations. Or you may have some great examples of your storytelling abilities etc
While every company will tell you that they are looking for people with experience, they understand that your experience may come from a variety of sources. It’s your job to convince them that you are the right match for them
Explore the company and the people you will interview with
Take some time to get a better understanding of what the company does. Explore their website and any news or write-ups you can find about them. If you have the names of the people you will meet, look them up on LinkedIn. It is always a good idea to get to know their background
Review the social media accounts of the company or its brands
Since you are interviewing for a social media role, you should familiarize yourself with how the company approaches social media. Evaluate where the company is active and check out their posts. Make a note of the posts that really appeal to you or that standout. If you see a chance to mention them in your interview, it will show the interviewer you are interested in and passionate about social media and the company. For instance, you can say something like: “I have been following your brand on Instagram, and I really like how you introduced the new line of
Imagine yourself in the role
Now, imagine yourself in the role you are interviewing for. And, think about an answer for each of the following questions
How do you think you will apply your skills
What do you bring to the company and the job
Why should the company be interested in you
What would you do if they asked you to prepare the next 3 posts on each of their social media platforms
How is the experience you have relevant for the job you are applying for
Why do you want this job
Write a few notes for each of the questions. Consider asking a friend or family member to ask you the questions so you can practice your responses
Prepare questions you would like to ask
In most interviews, you’ll be asked whether you have any questions for the interviewer. So, it is a good idea to prepare those in advance. And, don’t forget that a job interview is also meant to give you a chance to evaluate whether you like the company and the people you might get to work with. Aside from the questions you may have about the role and the company in general, it is also a good idea to ask a few social media marketing related questions
Here are some examples
How do you balance organic (free) and paid social media marketing? (evaluate ahead of time whether the company does a lot of social media advertising)
I really like how you approach your marketing on Instagram. Do you do all the social media marketing work in-house or do you also rely on agencies to help
I saw that you are active on Instagram and YouTube, are there other channels you plan to engage more with in the future
These questions can be a great opportunity to show that you understand the landscape, that you have researched the company, and that you are interested in the role
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