content marketing interview assignment

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3 content marketing interview assignments to qualify candidates

Here are three basic writing prompts you can send as content marketing interview assignments for candidates to confirm their skillset.

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Here is an email you can send to candidates that you have selected based on their profile (resume), work portfolio and maybe a cover letter.

Now that you’re ready to schedule interviews, you may want to ask them to do a bit of homework that applies to your product/company.

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“ Dear Jane,

Thank you for applying for the content manager position at our company.

In addition to getting to know you through video interviews, it’s going to be your work that will impress us. For that reason, we encourage you to complete one (or more) of the writing prompts below before we start the interviews.

To make your work meaningful, we came up with three examples that are real and should be usable right away. In your role as our Partner Content Marketer, the Content Buck stops with you. No one should have to review your work before it goes ‘live’. So make sure this is of the right quality level. Feel free to have others review it before you send it to us.

If we like your work, we would love to use it and will, of course, compensate you accordingly."

Wow prompt  - make our audience notice us

"Please write a short piece that builds on some of the ideas found on our website. Use language that draws in our audience. Turn the voice from being about us into text with our Customers or Partners at the center. Make our audience the hero. This article should be about them and their needs and aspirations. Consider a headline that could be the subject line for an email or the first sentence in Google Search results.  It has to grab attention and have our audience want to click on it and learn more."

How prompt - help our audience through their journey

"This piece is about guiding our audience on their path to become more productive. Use education, answering potential questions (how to), lists and guidelines to help someone take the next step at any stage in their journey.  You can focus on the first stage where they are still figuring out if they have a need, and contemplate possible solutions. Or the second stage where they are looking at multiple options to solve for their needs. Or the final stage where they may have settled on wanting to work with a solution that we offer, and now they want to make sure they can trust us, rely on us and make the jump to commitment.  Write a short text that helps people answer questions they have, or learn something to help them along their journey."

Now prompt - calling someone to action

"Write an email that can be the first email of that new service. Help them understand how to start. The email needs to start with their needs in mind. We need to assure our new customer that we know what we're doing by taking them by the hand. We want to make it easy for them to follow our lead. The customer wants us to become their trusted guide.

Feel free to pick any of the three examples that help you impress us. You can do more than one as well. This exercise is not about quantity though. It’s about letting your qualities and talents shine.

Thank you again for applying to become part of our team. This role is one of the most strategic positions on the team, and we look forward to seeing your work and get to know you better.

Please post your work as a google doc and share it with us at least a day before your interview.”

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More companies are opening up content positions in their departments thanks to the growth in, and corresponding investment in content marketing, with 75% of companies increasing content marketing investment, and 43% increasing staff levels according to 2016 Curata data.  Michael Gerard and I have put together a list of key competencies to consider when hiring your next content marketing superstar. We’ve also included interview questions an employer should ask, and a candidate should be able to answer, while interviewing for these positions.

This blog post has an overview of interview questions and responses. For a full list of interview questions, the ideal responses, and evaluation criteria, download Curata’s  Content Marketing Interview Template .

Growth in Content Marketing Jobs

In the past three years there has been an uptick in content marketing related positions available at all levels, from interns to executives. Perusing the available openings on job boards, the most common titles include:

• Content Marketing Specialist
• Content Marketing Manager
• Content Marketing Strategist
• Content Marketing Intern
• Vice President of Content Marketing
• Chief Content Officer (rare)
• Content Marketing Associate

Looking at job trends on Indeed.com reinforces this: the inclusion of “content marketing” in job descriptions has skyrocketed nearly 400% in recent years.

Must Have Content Marketing Competencies

Below are some of the must-have competencies to identify in your next content marketer. These may vary slightly depending upon your organization and what level individual you’re looking to hire.

• Passion and Talent for Content Marketing (and writing).  This is number one on my list.  You need to be a great writer and editor, highly creative, able to tell a story, and most importantly—love doing content marketing. Although more detailed questions are provided below, you need to understand if your candidate really loves content marketing, and if they will take the initiative to develop and grow in the role.
• Aligning Content with Market/Customer Needs. Content marketing is the process for developing, executing, and delivering the content and related assets needed to create, nurture and grow a company’s customer base. If you don’t have the capability to understand a market (e.g., be able to listen to customers and influencers, and identify their communicated and latent needs), you simply won’t be able to deliver great, engaging content.
• Understanding What Drives Successful Content. Some of the best writers in the world will never be successful content marketers. A superstar content marketer must understand what drives success in their market and within their organization (e.g., understanding Google search, measuring performance, translating data into insight).
• Maintaining a Consistent Supply of Quality Content. This competency deals a lot more with operations than simply content creation. Producing and delivering great content on time on a regular basis is no easy feat.
• Action-Oriented. Being a content marketer requires working with many people that don’t report to you, and getting them to deliver a product or service that can make or break your own success. This can include content from a product marketer, SEO insight from the digital team, and promotion by the social media team. Your content marketer should have the drive and creativity to do what it takes to get the product (i.e., content) out the door, optimize its promotion, and be prepared to do things differently when required. They need to be able to take a risk when necessary.
• Multi-Tasking. This is the ability to manage many activities and prioritize deliverables in a demanding, fast-paced environment. No doubt there’s some overlap here with being action-oriented, however, the need to be a great project manager cannot be under-estimated—especially for more senior staff.
• Desire and Ability to Work in a [Small/Large] Company. Select which version is best for your organization. There are significant differences between the two environments.
• Understanding and Use of Technology.  Take a look at this Content Marketing Tools map and you’ll quickly understand the opportunity and challenge that exists for today’s marketer to tap into the power of new software.

Must Ask Content Marketing Interview Questions

Below are some of the must ask interview questions for any content marketing position, aligned with the competencies described above. Many of the questions are low level and tactical rather than strategic in nature—and more appropriate for a content marketing specialist than a Vice President of Content Marketing.

My philosophy however, is that in order to run a content team and create a content strategy , you need to know how to perform the duties of the team you manage. So I also ask senior level hires these same interview questions. Refer to the Content Marketing Interview Template for a more comprehensive list of interview questions as well as examples of poor, mediocre, and great responses to these interview questions.

Passion and Talent for Content Marketing (and Writing)

What do you enjoy about writing.

• Why it’s important to ask this:  Content marketing is a lot more than writing; however, I consider this talent to be a foundational element of a superstar content marketer. You have to love what you do.
• What to look out for: Look for indicators that they have a passion for writing. Understand what drives their passion, what outlets they’ve used to express this passion, and what personal benefits they get out of creating content.

Describe how you determined the style, tone, and voice for a specific piece of content you recently completed.

• Why it’s important to ask this:  Your content marketer will need to express a unique voice and opinion in their work. However, they also need to adapt their own style as a function of your company’s needs, the audience, format of the content, person they’re writing for, and so on.
• What to look out for: Look and ask for specific examples of how they modified their style, as well as asking them to identify why this is important.

Provide a specific example of content you created that entertained and/or educated your readers.

• Why it’s important to ask this:  Content marketing is about adding value to your readers, such as providing an infographic that educates about their industry, or creating an entertaining video that helps them with their job or career. Your team needs to create content that provides entertainment such as through story-telling or comedy in order to stand out from the crowd, and to capture and sustain their attention.
• What to look out for:  Look for examples of their content that told a story, used humor, and/or educated their audience about something other than a company’s products. Bonus points if the candidate has delivered more unique formats of content, such as infographics , podcasts or interactive content. Ask for examples of where they’ve used visual content, including why they were or weren’t successful.

What content marketing blogs do you read?

• Why it’s important to ask this: Is the candidate really  interested in content marketing? Do they take personal initiative to educate themselves and grow as a content marketer? Or will they only grow solely through your mentorship on the job?
• What to look out for: See if they mention specific blogs . If they just say, “you know, all of them,” or “the usual ones,” they are likely not reading any.

Describe a situation in which you were given feedback on a content piece.

• Why it’s important to ask this: I certainly want a content marketer to have an opinion about what works and what doesn’t work. However, it’s also important that they can accept critiques about their work and make changes as necessary.
• What to look out for:  Understand what type of feedback they received, how it made them feel—and most importantly—what they did with that feedback.

What process do you use when proofreading?

• Why it’s important to ask this: I certainly want a content marketer to have an opinion about what works and what doesn’t work. however, it’s also important that they are able to accept critique about their work and make changes as necessary.
• What are some of your greatest “pet peeves” when editing someone else’s writing?
• Which style guide(s) do you depend upon? See “Great Responses” in the Content Marketing Interview template .

Aligning Content with Market and Customer Needs

How do you decide which content topics to focus on and what format that content should take.

• Why it’s important to ask this:  What drives a person to invest their time and effort into creating content? Is it anecdotal insight such as a hallway conversation with a sales person—which may be a good place to begin investigating an idea, but not the final driver for its execution? Or is creation more data-driven, such as through Google Analytics or insight from a  content marketing platform ?
• What to look out for:  Be wary if your candidate indicates their past content development was primarily driven by what their boss told them to write about; or they have no understanding of what goes into content strategy . A follow-up question could be: “Describe your company’s content strategy, including key steps in its development.”

It’s your first day on the job. Walk me through the steps you’d take to develop a content strategy for our organization.

This is more of a case study type of question, better suited for senior hires. Check out the following eBook as a resource to best understand responses for this question:  How to Create a Content Strategy: The Content Marketing Pyramid .

Understanding What Drives Successful Content

What makes content “successful”.

• Why it’s important to ask this: In order to create great content, you have to know how to discern which content is doing well in the first place.
• “Repeat visitors”
• “Retweets and likes”
• “Search engine ranking”
• “Comments”
• “Leads and sales”
• “It depends”

The more they name off and can sensibly explain the importance of, the better.

Walk me through how you create a blog post.

• Why it’s important to ask this: This is a good question to tease out which parts of the content lifecycle the candidate is familiar with. Do they only have experience with copywriting, or can they come up with blog ideas themselves? Do they stop at writing the blog post, or do they keep promotion on social media in mind as well?
• What to look out for: You should look for a response that captures the whole process from start to finish, from ideation to production to distribution to analytics. A great answer will include specific tools and details. Here’s an example of great and mediocre responses.

How do to decide what to content create?

• My manager tells me what I should write about and gives me an outline.
• I look at what’s trending and pick an interesting topic.
• I keep a backlog of keywords that people are searching for in Google related to my target topic, and create posts based on the backlog.
• I set up Google News alerts and a feed reader to look at which topics are trending in the news that relate to my topic area. I come up with spins on those topics to newsjack those stories.
• I regularly ask the sales team what questions their prospects are asking, and use the responses as fodder for my next post.

What steps do you take when you actually create your content?

• I write my blog post in Word and then post it when it’s ready.
• I write my blog post in Word, add hyperlinks to at least three other pieces of content on our site that we’ve published, and add at least one hyperlink to a third party resource.
• I ensure there’s an associated featured image for the post by going to a stock image site.
• I always make sure there’s a clear call to action at the end of each post.
• For quality control , I make sure at least one other person has proofread it before publishing.
• I  optimize the title for a target keyword by looking at what terms people are searching for in Google.

After you have published your content, how do you promote it?

• I publish my content on WordPress, and then tweet it out as well.
• I publish the post on our blog using WordPress.
• I then schedule a minimum of four tweets at different times of the day in HootSuite.
• I email coworkers to retweet and share my post as well.
• I ask the  demand generation team  to include it in the next  email newsletter to our database.

How do you know if your content has performed well or not?

• Usually I just know if it’s done well or not.
• I look at Google Analytics after a few days to see how many page views it has received.
• I search on Google for the target keyword I was optimizing for to see if it ranked in the first page.
• I look at the Twitter counter on the post to see how many tweets cite this post.

How does Google rank content?

• Why it’s important to ask this: I am always surprised by how few marketers at any level understand how Google really ranks content . Though you’re not interviewing for an SEO position, content marketing is intrinsically tied to search engine optimization; everyone should know the basics when creating content.
• What to look for: You don’t need a candidate to know the PageRank formula, but rather the basic premise behind Google’s ranking algorithm, along with other auxiliary factors that help with SEO. For example, many naive marketers think Google ranks content largely on meta tags and keyword stuffing. In reality, Google primarily ranks content on inbound links, and the authority of the sites doing the linking. It’s a bonus if a candidate can mention other contributing factors such as the text of the hyperlink, the title tag, keywords in the URL, and others.

What are some good ways to get other people to link to your content?

• Why it’s important to ask this: The candidate may understand Google ranks content based on inbound links, but they also need to know how to accumulate inbound links.
• I interview influencers , not only because they have good things to say, but because they promote the resulting content to a large audience as well—and some of those people will end up linking back to my interview.
• I include content others can reuse. For example, I may create a quick infographic that other bloggers may want to curate or include in their own posts, with a link back to mine.
• I write long form content so I have the most comprehensive and authoritative post on a particular subject, which tempts others to link to me as the reference source.

Take Home Assignment: Produce an original writing sample

• Why it’s important to ask this: Many candidates may come in with writing samples from the past, but they may not accurately reflect the candidate’s capabilities. For example, the sample may have been proofed by a manager. Furthermore, it doesn’t accurately assess whether the candidate can create content that relates to your specific industry and topics.
• Grammar, spelling, and attention to detail. Did they care enough about the job to proofread the post?
• Title of the post.  Did they come up with a creative title for the post? Is it SEO optimized ? Or did they just copy the title of the eBook?
• Call to Action. Did they include a call to action to the full eBook at the end of the post?
• Paragraphs and structure. Is the post quickly skimmable? Or is it a wall of words?

Similar to interviews for other positions where candidates are asked riddles, the candidate may not use these skills every day on the job, but all of the above interview questions help tease out if they are cut out to be a well rounded content marketer.

The Interview: Where to Go From Here

Even if they make it through all the above interview questions with flying colors, it does not necessarily mean they’re a fit. It’s important to screen for cultural fit, and to make sure they have a good work ethic.

If they are a strong candidate on these fronts, as a hiring manager it’s your turn to answer some of the candidate’s interview questions: Why should they work at your company? How is your vision for content marketing  any different to any other marketing department out there?

Employers: What do You Think?

Since being a professional “content marketer ” is a relatively new role, we would love to hear which interview questions you have found to be effective. Please let us know in the comments below.

Content Marketers: Come Work at Curata

If you think you are cut out to be a content marketer, come work at Curata! There’s no better place to be a content marketer than at a company that serves content marketing departments of all sizes, big and small. Apply now to be our next content marketing superstar. 

We look forward to meeting you and grilling you on the above interview questions (although you now know the answers we’re looking for). For a full list of interview questions, ideal responses, and evaluation criteria, download Curata’s  Content Marketing Interview Template .

Pawan Deshpande

Pawan Deshpande is the founder and CEO of Curata, a Boston-based company offering content marketing software used by thousands of marketers around the world. He spearheaded the first-ever panel at SxSW on Content Marketing in 2011, and was a 2014 Finalist for MarketingProfs B2B Marketer of the Year. Pawan was an engineer at Microsoft and Google where he was awarded patents in social networking and machine learning. He previously attended MIT where his graduate thesis won top departmental and international awards.

Pawan is also a blogger for The Huffington Post, the Content Marketing Institute, CMO.com, Forbes, Marketing Profs, and other technology and marketing publications.

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Data sourced from Curata CMP, our content marketing platform. Find out how to use Curata’s powerful analytics and calendar functionality to upgrade your marketing  here .

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6 interview writing prompt examples to qualify content candidates

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Qualifying candidates for content can be a longer process than you think. After all, your content is how people find you, learn from you, and choose you. And good quality and execution of content are what may set you apart from others. So, how do you make sure they’re fit for the role? Or if they can deliver the results you’re looking for? A good place to start is by asking them to complete writing prompts as an early step in the interview process.

As a manager of a content team, writing is one of the most important things I need to vet in order to see if a candidate is fit for the role. And I don’t just want to see writing they’ve done in the past, I want to test them now . That’s why I’ve come up with several different written task prompts to put candidates to the test. Are they a good fit for the role? For the company? For the team?

When you're building your first marketing team, a content writer will be one of the first roles you should consider hiring for , and when working with a small team it'll be essential that you hire the right person the first time, rather than wasting time and resources training someone who's a poor fit. Writing prompts are a perfect way to allow candidates to show off their skills.

When should you ask content job candidates to complete a written task?

There are different stages of the interview process in which you can offer written assignments. First, if candidates maybe lack a portfolio or you need more information upfront, you can ask candidates to complete writing prompts before you even speak to them. Second, and my preferred method, you can ask them to complete writing prompts later on in the process. Alternatively, you can do a mix of both. I’ll let you decide what works best for your hiring funnel. 

Here are examples of what a typical interview process may look like and where the writing prompts may fall:

• Resume, portfolio & video introduction reviewed
• Pre-interview writing prompts completed
• Phone screen or initial interview
• Writing prompts completed
• Interview with the hiring manager (where writing prompts are presented)
• Interview with another member of the team 
• Interview with higher-level managers/CEO if needed
• Hired :) 

Let’s take a look at 6 different sample writing exercises for job applicants you may find helpful in your next round of interviews.

3 short writing prompt examples 

Now that your hiring pipeline is full, you’ve reviewed resumes, portfolios, maybe a quick applicant video introduction, and the like, and you’re probably ready to start scheduling interviews. At this stage, it might be wise to ask some of your top choices to do a bit of homework that applies to your product/company to kick it off. You can do this before you start the first round of interviews, or after.

These short writing prompts should give you just enough to test the legitimacy of their work. To make the most of their time and yours, make sure that all assignments and expectations are clearly explained to candidates, especially if it’s before they get the chance to speak to anyone.

Short writing prompts to choose from

These examples can be tweaked and modified to the position at your company or depending on what exactly you’re looking for. Nonetheless, they can help you get started on how to develop short writing prompts. 

1. ‘Wow’/awareness prompt  

Please choose something on our website that you can build upon and write a blurb to ‘wow’ our audience. Make sure to use language that draws them in and makes them the center (it should be less about us and more about them). Consider a headline that sparks interest or curiosity from the reader. 

Add a short description explaining what you expanded on and why you did what you did. 

2. ‘How’/Consideration Prompt

Write a short blurb that helps our audience answer questions they have or learn something to help them along their buyer’s journey—whether they’re in the awareness, consideration, or decision stage. This can be for website copy, an email—just something to show you know how to write for this stage of the funnel.  

Add a short description explaining how your writing piece guides readers along in their journey.  

3. ‘Now’/decision prompt 

Please write an email inviting someone to do something—download our new guide to X, reach out to us, schedule a demo, etc. Make sure to describe why you wrote what you did and how it requires action from the audience. 

These are good tests that force candidates to really think about their targeted audience and the stage of the funnel they’re in and how to write for them—a true marketing skill. They are interesting, yet broad topics you can have job candidates complete to really challenge them—both in writing and in marketing knowledge. 

Now, let’s take a look at project-based writing prompts that are a bit broader. 

3-part project-based sample writing prompt 

I personally prefer to ask candidates to complete a project-based writing exercise after an initial interview. This gives us the opportunity to learn more about them and their experience, so instead of short samples, the project-based writing prompts allow us to further determine if they are a good fit. 

For this project-based writing prompt, I ask candidates to complete 3 stages of a writing assignment. First, I test their ability to edit and improve their writing. Second, I test their ability to write a piece, and third, I test their ability to plan and build a content strategy. 

Of course, this is specific to what the content role does here at Kalungi on a day-to-day basis, but I’m confident any content marketer or content manager should know how to do these 3 tasks (or hopefully you can get some inspiration for how to tweak this for your company). As a note: no matter what, this longer, project-based writing prompt should specifically do 2 things:

• Allow the candidate to get a taste of what they will be doing during their day-to-day
• Allow you as the hiring manager to see if they will be a good fit for their job depending on the work they deliver 

Let’s dive into this 3-part writing project. You can choose to assign all the parts, or select one or two. However, we’ve found this to be a good test of whether they’re a good fit for us, and we’re a good fit for them.

Project-based writing prompt for job candidates

1. editing & improving writing .

Please edit, leave suggestions and optimize this blog: [insert blog here]. Let us know what you’d change or improve to make it the best it can be.

2. Writing a blog 

Please showcase your ability to create high-quality content that adds value, drives organic traffic, and boosts keyword rankings. Write an 800-1,000 word blog post on ‘[insert keyword here]’ for [website].

3. Planning & strategy 

Demonstrate your ability to strategize, plan, and advise a topic cluster content strategy . Put together a topic cluster strategy in this spreadsheet [insert link here]. 

This 3-part writing project requires the hiring manager and the job candidate to discuss the decisions that were made in the next interview. I prefer to invite candidates to schedule an interview with me right when this project is completed so we don’t delay the process. This is because I’ve found that although sometimes people don’t ‘nail’ these projects, or do complete them with the quality I hoped for, I can tell if they are on the right track or if they can learn quickly when they explain the approach they took—especially for the editing and planning projects. 

An example of what I added to the end of the project description: 

Present your work! Please schedule a 30-minute content interview with the hiring manager. Contact [email protected] to schedule.

An optional portion of the project I also like to include is a self-review where the candidate answers the following questions. 

• How do you think you did? What do you think you did well? 
• What did you struggle with? What do you want to learn more about?

I give them the option to answer these questions in the project document or to be ready to discuss them in our interview. These are questions that allow you to tell the kind of person they are and the attitude they have towards work and learning. I think it also opens up the conversation and makes us more human. After all, honesty is key, especially during interviews :)

Good luck with your next hire

I hope these writing sample prompts help you better determine which candidate is best for your business. Remember, it’s the work that should impress you, not their resume or their experience. 

If you do use any of these writing prompt examples—we’d love to hear your feedback on what you (or the candidate!) thought about them and how they helped you in your hiring journey. You can reach out to me personally at [email protected] . 

Looking to build your marketing team? See our resources on " What roles to hire first " and " How to hire your B2B SaaS CMO " or get in touch with our team to learn more about how Kalungi's outsourced marketing services could provide you with a full-service, instantly-on marketing team .

CTO and co-founder at Kalungi, Fadi has helped SaaS companies grow with Inbound Marketing strategy and tactical best practices. as well as Marketing & Sales alignment to generate over $250MM in revenue for companies globally.

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50+ Questions to Ask a Content Marketer in an Interview

When you want to succeed online, you need a blog. When you want to run a blog, you need a content marketer to manage it. When you're in the market for a content marketer, you need to know what to ask them when you interview them to make sure you're getting one who knows what they're doing.

What I've done here is put together a list of over 50 interview questions you can consider asking of your content marketer candidates. I've divided them into a few categories, and you should generally only pick a handful from each category. Trying to get through 50+ questions in a single interview is far too much, for you and the candidate.

Part 1 of 5: Questions About Content Marketing

This first batch of questions primarily focuses on content marketing. What does the candidate think about content marketing, how do they go about it, and what is their personal experience with it?

1. What topics do you specialize in? Some writers prefer certain topics over others or have plenty of experience with a specific kind of content. Ideally, they will specialize in your organization's primary topic, of course.

2. What topics do you refuse to write about? Some writers don't want to write about some topics. I know people who won't write about finances or medical topics because of their inexperience. I know many who refuse to write about alternative health for morality reasons. Make sure you know their lines, and if your business would cross them.

3. Tell us about a time you put extra effort into the quality of your content. You want to hear a story about going above and beyond, here.

4. What is your typical process for editing and proofreading content? A good writer goes through their content with a fine-toothed comb, using tools and techniques to make sure their content is top-notch.

5. What tools do you typically use as part of your process? They'll tell you about a word processor for sure, but you also want to hear about things like Grammarly, and even keyword research and other associated marketing tools as well.

6. What types of content are you used to creating? I mostly write blog posts, for example, but I also create infographics, and have never done a video myself. What skills does your marketer have?

7. How do you approach a topic you haven't looked into before? This should tell you how they research topics that are new to them, which they will probably encounter quite frequently if they aren't an expert in your subject already.

8. How do you verify the quality of a source of information? You want to know how they handle the fact that fake news and poorly sourced information can rank well in Google searches, and how they separate good sources from bad.

9. What do you explicitly not do, or need someone else to help you do? If your content marketer does the ideation, meta information, editorial functions, and writing, but needs a team member for images, video, or the bulk of the writing, will they fit with your team and company? Will they need a freelancer budget or a team member you also need to hire?

10. What is the most important aspect of the content you produce? There's no right answer here; what do they prioritize? Is it the writing, the meta information, the topic choice, or something else?

11. How do you determine the style, voice, and tone of your content? Any answer is good here, so long as they have an answer (unless it clearly goes against what you want for your company).

12. Do you focus on sales, education, instruction, or other type of content? A writer used to writing sales copy might not be great for a more educational blog, for example.

13. How do you handle topic ideation and keyword research? A content marketer does more than just writing, and you need to know how they do the other stuff that makes their job a success.

14. What makes a piece of content successful? Is it readers, is it sales, is it social shares, is it something else? What do they prefer, and what does your company want most?

15. How do you determine if a piece of content is successful? With the above question answered, how do they measure those metrics? Are they used to a proprietary tool, Google analytics, or something else?

16. How would you go about writing content on a topic that already has excellent content about it online? How do they deal with competition?

17. Explain to us how Google ranks content, please. You want to make sure they have a working knowledge of how to work within Google's algorithm.

18. How would you go about creating a piece of video content? Video is increasingly popular on the web, so having a content marketer who can make it is a huge asset.

Part 2 of 5: Questions About Collaboration

A good content marketer is part of a team larger than themselves . Even a rockstar marketer can't handle an entire company blog on their own, they'd burn out. These questions ask how a candidate works with a team.

19. Do you usually work solo or with a team? Solo marketers can work fine for small businesses, but the pressures of a large company might mean they require a team to get everything done.

20. Do you have experience managing a team? If your new hire is going to have a team working for them, experience managing a team like this is important.

21. Who is on your current team and what roles do they fill? If they have a team, asking them what their team members do gives you a good idea of how they work.

22. How much supervision do you usually expect? Some blog managers have direct and daily contact with their superiors, while others only deliver monthly status updates. Where do they fall?

23. How do you handle feedback about your content from a supervisor? Most will be deferential, though some might stand up for themselves and cite data for their decisions.

24. How do you handle feedback about your content from a customer? Do they take the "customer is always right" attitude, or do they defend themselves there too?

25. What would you do in your first week on the job? Know what answer you want here. Do you want them to take over immediately, spend time getting to know your existing processes, or start from scratch?

26. How would you work with a teammate who has different ideas of what needs to be done? Collaborating with someone with different views is one of the primary challenges of working on a team.

We create blog content that converts - not just for ourselves, but for our clients, too.

We pick blog topics like hedge funds pick stocks. Then, we create articles that are 10x better to earn the top spot.

Content marketing has two ingredients - content and marketing. We've earned our black belts in both.

Part 3 of 5: Questions About Work History

This set of questions focuses on past experiences with both company fit and with content marketing. Understand that many freelancers have NDAs or ghostwrote a lot of their content, so they might not have their best examples on hand, but they should have something to show for their efforts.

27. What companies have you worked for in the past as a content marketer? Most of the time you won't recognize them, but you can look them up later. Check to see how their content marketing looks when you do.

28. What performance statistics can you boast in your role? Did they increase sales by a given percent? Did they boost traffic? How did they do?

29. What is your definition of content marketing? You want to know what they consider part of content marketing and, thus, their purview.

30. How do you think your past clients could do content marketing better? Not to say anything bad about their past employers, but to point out ways they recognize that they could have done better, given free rein.

31. In what way do you think your past clients excelled in content marketing? The inverse of the previous question. If they know their past clients did something right, they should be able to speak on it.

32. Have you had a client ask for revisions, and how did you handle them? Being able to handle minor or major revisions to a piece is part and parcel of being a marketer with a boss.

33. Have you had content rejected, and what did you do? Rejection is part of the job, but you want to know if they're likely to fight a rejection or accept it and use the content elsewhere.

34. What is the piece of content you're most proud of creating in the past? Portfolio pieces can give a lot of insight into a candidates talent, and can show you what the best they have to offer looks like.

35. What is the piece of content you're least proud of, and why? Sometimes a marketer will publish something they didn't like. Does it still exist, and why is it bad? How bad is it?

Part 4 of 5: Questions About Culture Fit

Even if your content marketing team is somewhat divorced from other teams in your organization, it's still a team, and it's still part of your company. This is why you want to make sure that your new hire fits in with the culture of your company.

36. What is an example of a time you went above and beyond expectations? This can show you how ambitious a marketer is when they have a glimmer of success in their eyes.

37. Describe a time you received praise from your client or employer. Did they seem to let the praise go to their head? Did they feel they deserved it?

38. Describe a time you underperformed, and how you handled it. Everyone has a bad day. Did they take it in stride, or did they turn it into a bad week?

39. What was a low point during your last job, and how did you handle it? A low point is not necessarily their own fault; what did they experience and how did they work past it?

40. Describe a time you disagreed with your client/manager, and how you handled it. Disagreements can be common and perfectly acceptable if they're handled properly.

41. Do you enjoy content creation? Anyone who says they love it is worth some skepticism, but some genuine enjoyment isn't a bad thing.

42. How would you react if a major project has an issue? Some people let a bad project be water under the bridge, while others spiral down with it.

43. What industry-relevant blogs do you follow? Look for specific blog names, and look for blogs you might not have thought of before.  Anyone can just say Moz or CMI, even if they don't read blogs.

44. Looking at our blog as it stands today, what is its biggest flaw? You're looking for someone who has a unique perspective and a critical eye. If they don't have an answer, did they not look at the blog they'd be running?

45. Looking at our blog as it stands today, what is its best quality? Same as the above question, really, just from the other side.

Part 5 of 5: Questions About Test Assignments

I like to give content marketers a test or two as part of an interview process. The best test is to give them a topic or a prompt and have them write a blog post for it. I like to choose a topic where I know at least one of the highly ranked resources on the subject is wrong, just to see if they fall for the trap.

46. Did past experiences inform the way you created this content? Hopefully, they've been able to leverage their experience, if not specific knowledge on the subject.

47. How difficult was it to put this content together for us? You're looking for someone who judges the assignment fairly; neither too hard nor too easy.

48. How long did this assignment take you to complete? While the amount of time a blog post takes can vary, you want something reasonable.

49. What was the biggest challenge when completing this assignment? If you laid a "trap" for them, ideally, they will point it out.

50. If this were a real post, how would you promote it? Promotion is a huge part of successful content marketing, and this can show you their process.

51. How would you improve this piece of content? This is another related test. Offer them a piece of content you know is poorly written and see how they would make it better for your site.

Now, again, you won't be asking all of these in a single interview. This set of questions should give you an idea of what you want to ask, and you can certainly ask other questions besides.

James Parsons is the founder and CEO of Content Powered, a premier content marketing agency that leverages nearly two decades of his experience in content marketing to drive business growth. Renowned for founding and scaling multi-million dollar eCommerce businesses through strategic content marketing, James has become a trusted voice in the industry, sharing his insights in Search Engine Watch, Search Engine Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, and other leading publications. His background encompasses key roles across various agencies, contributing to the content strategies of major brands like eBay and Expedia. James's expertise spans SEO, conversion rate optimization, and effective content strategies, making him a pivotal figure in the industry.

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September 23, 2020 at 9:44 am

Very helpful. We're not marketers by trade so it's hard to know what to look for. At this stage, everybody sounds like a professional to me with all this lingo and software. We will use some of these questions, write down their answers and hopefully find somebody that knows what they are talking about!

September 23, 2020 at 12:15 pm

That sounds like a good strategy to me! These are tough questions for any content marketer and should really make the experts shine when they're asked. I know if I was asked a few of these I'd have to stop and think for a bit.

January 07, 2021 at 11:47 am

Do you pay for a sample blog post that an interviewee submitted?

January 08, 2021 at 9:18 pm

Hey Lauren! Yes, I've done this in the past several times.

Nobody wants to work for free and I don't want to leave a bad taste in anybody's mouth.

The way I see it, it feels bad enough already to not be chosen for the job you applied to. Not getting paid for your work on top of that just makes it worse.

Paying them for their test article is the classy thing to do 🙂

August 17, 2021 at 3:53 am

Would you mind if I ask how much do you pay for test article? Thank you!

August 18, 2021 at 6:35 pm

Hi Rachelle!

It varies quite a bit on the project, but usually between $50 and $150. It depends on the candidate and the details of the project.

February 24, 2021 at 8:40 am

Whew! Now I don't know what to ask LOL. I wanted to know the answers to all of the questions stated above of my future staff. Hope I will be able to assess the applicants correctly!

February 26, 2021 at 7:12 pm

It's a lot, I've used these questions more than once in an interview (in fact, I just used some last week!)

I found the most use out of asking how they approach a topic that they haven't heard of before. Tools, research, outlining process, structure - I think a great writer should be able to write effective content on just about anything.

Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for!

September 15, 2022 at 2:42 pm

Wow, that is a lot of great questions! Thank you!

September 16, 2022 at 3:52 pm

Hey Peter, you're welcome!

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Content Marketing Interview Questions from Hiring 100+

Caroline Gilbert • Director, Content Marketing

Last Updated: Nov 24, 2021

When I became a manager, interviewing applicants was my least favorite part of the job. The rehearsed answers to “where do you see yourself in five years?” left me feeling like I never got a realistic picture of a potential new hire.

Interviewing took me time — and plenty of mistakes along the way — to master. In 2021 alone, we spoke with 140+ candidates (and those were just the people we decided were worth talking to on the phone). We hired 30 people from that batch throughout the year (that’s roughly three new hires a month!). On the flip side, our turnover was only 17 people for the year.

Our hiring success isn’t only attributed to our interview process (training plays a huge role in this too) — I firmly believe proper vetting from the start sets our company (and the new hire) up for long-term success. I detailed our hiring process on our blog earlier, so if you want to see a full picture of our entire process (it’s roughly five steps) watch my video first. Here I’m going to share the interview questions we’ve crafted that help us cut through the candidate B.S.

Why You Need Interview Questions

Before diving in, it’s worth noting that some managers prefer to “wing it” or have an interview be mostly candid conversation. I can understand that — leaving out the formality will cut the potential for a bland, overly polished conversation (which is what frustrated me in my early days of interviewing).

But, unfortunately, very few managers and non-HR professionals can pull this off successfully. It results in too many “trash” questions — from the predictable “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” to the absurd “how many cows could fit in a 10,000 acre farm?”

I find the perfect mix for a 30-minute interview is having five to 10 “must ask” job function questions, one to three “culture fit” questions and some time at the end for them to ask questions.

• It’s OK to interrupt someone. Some candidates are long winded, so feel comfortable politely interrupting them if you feel their answers are going off track. I’ll usually say, “Thanks for your detail. I’m most interested in what you shared about [XYZ]…” and go from there.
• Make sure your questions are different enough from your colleagues’. Your candidates should be interviewing with more than one person at the company. With that, compare your questions across the team for minimal overlap. We take it a step further and provide each manager with a personalized “question bank” to follow.
• Create a post-interview scorecard. This is an easy way to summarize the entire team’s thoughts on an applicant, which you can then dive in to if needed. We use a “fit, fire, function” score on a scale from one to five (one = extremely poor, five = excellent). Anyone with an average of three or higher we discuss, below we let them go.

13 Interview Questions for Hiring Content Marketers

The core role we hire for is content marketing specialist. Most of our employees come in at the junior or entry level position, but these questions could also be modified for senior and manager roles.

Job Function Questions

Question 1: What content are you not interested in writing professionally?

Maybe they work in medical copywriting now and would like a new challenge. Or they’ve struggled writing on complex financial topics. I appreciate it when an applicant is honest about their weaknesses so we can ensure we pair them with the right client fit.

Question 2: Who is involved in the content creation process at your current job?

What is the team size? Are they expected to churn out content without much supervision or is there a lot of input from a manager or editor? Neither process is bad, but you can get insight on how closely it matches the way your business likes to work.

Question 3: One of our core values is “quality over profit.” Tell me about a time in your writing career where you reflected that value.

We care about the quality of work we create and we want that reflected in the candidates we hire. We’re not interested in writers who want to cut corners or save themselves some time.

Question 4: What type of content do you have experience creating?

See if they name content you know they’ll be writing consistently or if it’s just a rambling list of content you don’t create.

Question 5: Looking at your test project, did it feel familiar? Were you able to use past experience to complete it?

I highly recommend having some kind of test project, like a short, 200-word writing prompt for them to complete before the interview. Here you can try to get some honest answers from them on what came easy to them versus what took some extra time.

Question 6: Tell me about a time your work received a lot of feedback. How did you handle it?

With client work, you never know what type of client you’ll get (hands on, hands off, balanced). We look for candidates who keep a positive attitude when given feedback.

Question 7: How do you approach writing about a topic you’re not an expert in?

We have clients in all industries — from home decor and travel to construction and cybersecurity. Our specialists will also move accounts or juggle more than one client at a time that could be in vastly different industries, so hearing their research process is important.

Question 8: Your first month here will involve a lot of training, but what is something new that you could teach us?

Maybe they’re teaching themselves Python on the side. Or they have experience writing for non-English speakers. Whatever it may be, I believe there’s something you can learn from every new hire.

Question 9: What toolset are you using to complete your writing?

Does it match what your company uses? Will they be overwhelmed with the new technology or adapt to it? Answers can vary from editing extensions like Grammarly to keyword research methods.

Question 10: Give a brief summary of the role and see how they react.

This isn’t a question, per se, but we’ve found it useful to be 100% transparent about the expectations of the role early in the process and get their immediate feedback. Candidates are excited to speak to you and willing to please, so be frank about what some core challenges of the role are so no assumptions are made on day one.

Culture Fit Questions

While not something you’d immediately think about when hiring content marketers, culture fit can be equally (if not more) important. A star performer will mean nothing if they can’t collaborate with your team. Below are some questions we like to ask that reflect our company culture.

Question 1: Give me an example of when you went above and beyond the needs of a project.

Many of our core values reflect putting in the extra effort to deliver for a client. You can also pick up on what the candidate cares most about when they define “above and beyond” work. For example, was it helping out a fellow coworker when they were out on vacation, staying late to finish up a project or uncovering a new topic opportunity for a client?

Question 2: What was a low point during your last job? How did you get out of it?

Again, their answer to this will show you what they care most about in their career. Answers could include stagnation in their growth, reporting to a manager they didn’t have a good relationship with or moving to a new city and struggling to make it.

Question 3: Tell me about a time you disagreed with a manager or client. How did you handle it?

Our environment is collaborative and not everyone will have the same viewpoint on how one thing should get done. We listen carefully to tone and how they explain how they worked through the issue.

How to Write Interview Questions

Even if the questions above don’t match your company or needs, crafting interview questions shouldn’t mean Googling around and copying from the top-ranking articles. If you’re doing that to form the majority of your interview, then your candidate is doing the same to craft their answers.

These questions were crafted from trial and error, but I also found it helpful to list out core competencies to help us target “A Players.” This strategy is outlined in Who , which I recommend to anyone looking for hiring tips (although not all of them are applicable to modern hiring needs).

Figure out five to 10 core competencies for an excellent hire by asking yourself and talking to your management team. Not a good hire — an excellent one. Below is a list I compiled and used to spark interview question ideas:

• Organization and planning – Maintain control of workload and deadlines. Ability to schedule and plan in an efficient, productive manner. Focuses on key priorities.
• Intelligence – Learns quickly. Demonstrates ability to quickly understand and absorb new information.
• Flexibility – Adaptable. Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions.
• Enthusiasm – Exhibits passion and excitement for work.
• Work ethic – Possess a strong willingness to work hard to get the job done.
• Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and articulately.
• Creativity – Linchpin mindset . Generates new and innovative approaches to problems.

The same exercise can be done for any discipline at any leadership level to help you determine what questions get to the core of what you need.

How We Judge Content Marketing Interviewees

Preparing an interview list ahead of time frees you from having to think about the next question you’re going to ask once you’re in the interview. All this effort means nothing if you don’t closely listen to their answers.

While a candidate is answering my questions, I’ll keep a running tab of these checkpoints in my head:

• Was that answer sufficient? Was there something I was unclear on that I should follow up with?
• Did their body language or tone change at all between certain questions?
• What question(s) did they struggle to answer? How did they handle it?
• Did they act differently when answering job function questions vs. culture fit questions?

Finally, I find some of the most valuable intel not from their answers to my questions, rather the questions they ask me . You can immediately tell which candidates have researched your company as opposed to those who have Googled “good follow up interview questions.” Asking me a generic “how long have you worked at Siege Media?” is not as exciting compared to someone asking me “how does Siege Media onboard new clients?”

It’s a “Hell Yes” Or No

You may talk to a lot of average candidates: like applicants who seem solid and check a few boxes and those who you think you can look past shortcomings because you really need this position filled. This choice ends up coming back to bite you.

We try to remind ourselves time and time again that if it’s not a “hell yes,” it’s a no. We want to be equally enthusiastic about a new hire coming on board as they are to join, which means being honest with ourselves about what we like or dislike about each candidate we interview. For more, read our post on our full hiring process and what our training program looks like for new hires at Siege.

Caroline Gilbert

Caroline is Director of Marketing at Siege Media. With 8+ years experience in public relations and marketing, she loves talking about content creation, SEO and her dog.

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39 Interview Questions to Ask a Content Marketing Manager

By the BrightHire Team

Additional Interview Questions

• Collaboration Interview Questions
• Communication Interview Questions
• Decision-Making Interview Questions
• Innovation Interview Questions
• People Management Interview Questions

Today’s marketing team must be able to tell a compelling brand story, create actionable, entertaining content, and leverage a variety of digital channels to grow brand awareness. That’s where a content marketing manager comes in. This role is key for establishing a content strategy, developing short and long-form content, and distributing content across digital channels.

If you’re on the hunt for a content marketing manager who can make a meaningful impact on your marketing team and company, we can help.

In this article, you’ll find 39 interview questions to help you hire a content marketing manager. Along with general questions for a content marketing manager, you’ll also find questions for related competencies, including relationship building, efficiency, and persuasiveness.

Read on to uncover all of the interview questions to ask a content marketing manager.

General Interview Questions for a Content Marketing Manager

Relationship building interview questions, efficiency interview questions, persuasive interview questions.

• How do you determine the best marketing channels for your target audience?
• Describe your most successful content marketing campaign. Why was it effective, and what role did you play?
• You have an idea for a new campaign, but leadership doesn’t get it. How do you gain executive buy-in?
• What do you think sets our brand apart from our competitors’ brands?
• Tell me about a time when a project’s demands and scope changed significantly. How did you react, and what was the project’s outcome?
• Tell me about a time when you came up with a creative idea for a marketing campaign. What was the idea, and how did you bring it to life?
• Tell me about your experience managing brand social media accounts.
• What’s your process for understanding your target audience and their key pain points?
• Tell me about the metrics you rely on to measure a marketing campaign’s success. What metrics do you track, and how do you go about measuring them?
• Tell me about a time when a marketing campaign didn’t have the impact you wanted. What happened, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Tell me about a time when you managed a large, complex project with lots of moving pieces.
• Do you think it’s better to focus on the little details of a campaign or the big picture? And why?
• Tell me about a time when you set a goal and achieved it. What were the steps you took to be successful?

Building relationships with others is of utmost importance for content marketing managers. By forging strong bonds with industry thought leaders, they can gain valuable insights to incorporate into their content. Plus, this skill is also critical for cross-functional work with sales, customer success, and product teams.

The below questions can help you find candidates with a knack for relationship building.

• Describe a time when you built rapport quickly with a colleague who you didn’t see eye to eye with.
• Tell me about a time when you were able to understand a colleague’s needs and adjust your approach accordingly.
• Describe a time when you had to work cross-functionally to write a piece of content. What happened?
• Tell me about a time when you failed to manage an employee’s or your team’s work. What did you do?
• Tell me about a time when you helped motivate a team member. How did your support help them accomplish their goal?
• Describe a time when you were able to successfully complete a task because of your relationship with another team member. How did it impact your work on that project?

Filter questions by competency, department, and role with our free question-finding tool.

Successful content marketing managers can balance their workload and deadlines with ease by working efficiently.

The below questions can help you find candidates who excel at efficiency.

• Tell me about a time when you undertook a large project. How did you determine what to prioritize and how?
• Give me an example of a time when your schedule was suddenly interrupted and your plans completely changed.
• Tell me about a big work project that you had to plan. What steps did you take to organize your thoughts, plan out your steps, and get the project done efficiently?
• Tell me about a time when you successfully eliminated constant interruptions and fires. How did you stay focused and finish your work on time?
• Give me an example of a time when you had a lot of tasks you had to manage simultaneously. How did you tackle everything?
• Tell about a time when you made a mistake with a project that caused you to lose valuable time. How did that alter your initial plan? How did you get the project back on track?
• Share a time when you were able to successfully complete a project ahead of schedule. Describe the project and the steps you took to complete it.
• Give me an example of a time management skill that you value and have successfully applied in practice. What impact has this had on your work?
• Describe a situation that required multiple competing priorities. How did you manage prioritization, and what was the result?
• How do you measure efficiency in your day-to-day work?

Great content not only tells an interesting story but also persuades readers and encourages them to take action.

The below questions can help you find candidates who can easily persuade others.

• Tell me about a great idea of yours that you pitched to your colleagues or leadership team. How did you convey the idea, and what was the result?
• Tell about a time when you were able to encourage others to take a chance on a new project or idea.
• Describe a time when you anticipated a problem and persuaded your team to take an alternate route. What happened?
• Tell about a time when you used your leadership skills to gain support for something that was initially strongly opposed.
• Share a time when you successfully persuaded a colleague to support a controversial idea of yours.
• Tell me about a time when you communicated clearly to sell your team on an idea and work together to achieve the goal.
• Metaphors, analogies, or stories can sometimes be useful when making a case to get buy-in. Give me an example of a time when you were able to do so successfully.
• Share a time when you convinced your colleagues to follow a new process. What steps did you take to persuade your team?
• Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to follow a policy or guideline you didn’t believe in.
• Give me an example of a time when you used facts and reasoning to persuade a team member to accept your recommendation.

Hire better with help from 300+ interview questions

Looking for more helpful interview questions? With our interview question-finding tool, you can access 300+ interview questions that you can filter by competency, department, and role.

Download the Interview Question Finder to unlock a free bank of interview questions. Or, visit the Interview Question Resource Hub to find more interview questions by competency and role.

10 Interview Questions to Find the Best Content Marketers

• by Pawan Deshpande
• | Published: August 21, 2016

Organizations of all sizes and across a range of industries are busy hiring people to manage their content. After all, the expertise and skills needed to run a successful content marketing strategy differ from those of the average marketer, so it makes sense to bring content specialists into the fold.

But how do you go about finding the right person? What competencies should you look for? And how can you determine if a job applicant fits the bill? Below I outline three critical core competencies for content marketers of all levels, along with 10 interview questions you can ask to determine candidates’ proficiency in each area.

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Talent for writing AND passion for content marketing

Content marketers must be great writers and editors, with a strong ability to tell a story. However, beyond that, they need to love what they do. Ask:

1. What do you enjoy about writing?

Look for signs of excitement and enthusiasm. You likely have a keeper if the person touts the personal benefits of creating great content.

2. How did you determine the style, tone, and voice for a recent piece of content you wrote?

Content marketers should have their own voice and writing style. However, they also need to be able to adapt to fit the company , the audience, and the content format. Ask for specific examples of how they’ve modified their style — and why doing so was important.

3. Have you created content that entertained or educated your readers? Describe it.

Every content marketing piece should benefit readers in some way while maintaining their attention. Look for examples of storytelling, humor, or educational information that go beyond selling products .

4. Has your content been critiqued in the past? How so?

Watch their body language and listen for cues that indicate they see feedback as an opportunity to improve — and that they willingly apply it to their writing.

Ability to align content with readers’ needs

Content marketers must understand the market, industry, and audience they’re serving. That means listening to customers and influencers, identifying customer needs, and providing content relevant to the industry. Ask:

5. How do you decide what topics to focus on and what format to use?

It’s important to understand candidates’ thought process when it comes to generating ideas or deciding which are worth pursuing. You want someone who has a plan for surfacing the best ideas rather than relying on a supervisor to tell them what to do.

6. If it were your first day here, what steps would you take to develop a content marketing strategy?

This one tells you whether candidates can handle the role you have in mind for them. For example, if you need a complete overhaul, does the person have the initiative? Or if you need someone to step in to an established system, can the person adapt to your way of doing things?

Understanding of what drives successful content

Being a successful content marketer is equal parts writing skill and marketing acumen. Even the best writers won’t succeed if they don’t have a general awareness of what sells, how to measure performance, and how to translate data into action. Ask:

7. What makes content successful?

Candidates must be able to define what “success” is when it comes to generating content. As they respond, you should hear the words “traffic,” “repeat visitors,” “retweets and likes,” and “search engine ranking” to show their understanding. Even better if they provide details about their own successes in those areas.

8. How do you decide what content to create?

The ideal candidate will talk about industry news and trending topics , and explain how to use Google AdWords to find topics that will drive the most traffic to your website.

9. After you have published your content, how do you promote it?

With this one, you learn if candidates can think beyond writing and can come up with a plan for promoting content. Ideal candidates will lay out a marketing plan, including sharing it on multiple social media accounts, repurposing it in outgoing newsletters and emails, and finding influencers to link to it.

10. How do you know if your content has performed well?

Sending content into the world isn’t enough. Candidates should know how to monitor and analyze content by tracking social media shares and using Google Analytics to evaluate the success of each piece.

Of course, finding a well-rounded candidate doesn’t stop with those questions — you’ll need to dig deeper to find the perfect fit for your team. For a full list of questions, the ideal responses, and evaluation criteria, download Curata’s Content Marketing Interview Template .

• How to Prove Your Content Is Driving Revenue
• The Secret to Content Marketing ROI

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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Editor’s note: Curata is a Content Marketing Institute benefactor, which is a paid supporter of our website and content creation activities.

Pawan Deshpande

25 Content Producer Interview Questions and Answers

Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a content producer, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.

From website content to social media posts, video scripts, and even email marketing, content producers are responsible for developing and executing the content strategy for a company. This means that content producers must have a deep understanding of the company’s brand, target audience, and industry, as well as the ability to write, create, and edit high-quality content.

If you’re interested in becoming a content producer, you’ll need to be prepared to answer a range of questions during your interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of common content producer interview questions and answers to help you prepare.

1. Are you familiar with any content management systems?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of content management systems and how they can help you in the role. You can list any CMSs that you have experience with, but it’s also important to explain what a CMS is and why it’s beneficial for a content producer to use one.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with a variety of content management systems. In my current role as a Content Producer, I have been using WordPress for the past three years to manage our website and blog content. I also have experience working with Drupal and Joomla, which I used when creating websites for clients in the past.

I’m comfortable navigating all aspects of these CMSs, from setting up user accounts and managing permissions to creating custom templates and plugins. I understand how important it is to keep content organized and accessible, so I always strive to ensure that our content is well-structured and easy to find.”

2. What are some of the most important skills for a successful content producer?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a content producer and explain why they are so important.

Example: “As a content producer, I believe there are several key skills that are essential for success. First and foremost, it is important to have strong writing abilities. Being able to craft compelling stories and messages in an engaging way is the foundation of any successful content production.

Additionally, having an eye for detail is critical. Content producers must be able to review their own work and identify areas where improvements can be made. This could mean catching typos or ensuring that all facts and figures are accurate.

Lastly, being organized and efficient is also important. As a content producer, you will often need to juggle multiple projects at once. Having the ability to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively is essential for meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work.”

3. How do you determine what type of content to create for a specific target audience?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what strategies you use to create content that is engaging for a target audience. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you analyze an audience’s needs, interests or preferences to determine which types of content are most effective.

Example: “When determining what type of content to create for a specific target audience, I first consider the goals and objectives of the project. What is the purpose of the content? Is it meant to inform, educate, or entertain? Once I understand the goal of the content, I research the target audience in order to gain an understanding of their interests, values, and needs. This helps me determine which topics are most relevant and engaging for them.

I also look at current trends in the industry and analyze existing content that has been successful with similar audiences. This gives me insight into what types of content resonates best with this particular group. Finally, I use data-driven insights such as website analytics to identify areas where there may be gaps in content coverage. By combining all of these strategies, I am able to develop content that meets the needs of the target audience while achieving the desired results.”

4. What is your process for creating high-quality content?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a process for creating content and can create high-quality content. High-quality content is important because it helps attract more visitors, which leads to increased traffic and revenue. When answering this question, describe your process in detail so the interviewer knows how you plan out your work.

Example: “My process for creating high-quality content starts with research. I like to have a thorough understanding of the topic at hand before I begin writing, so I spend time researching and gathering information from reliable sources. Once I’ve gathered enough material, I create an outline that will serve as my roadmap for the piece.

From there, I start drafting the content while keeping in mind the target audience and any specific requirements or guidelines set forth by the client. As I write, I make sure to include relevant facts and figures, as well as engaging visuals such as images and videos. Finally, I review the content multiple times to ensure accuracy and readability.

I also take advantage of tools such as grammar and spell checkers to help me identify errors and typos. After I’m satisfied with the final product, I submit it for review and await feedback. This is an iterative process, so I’m always open to making changes based on constructive criticism.”

5. Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a large volume of content requests.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your ability to multitask, meet deadlines and communicate with team members.

Example: “I recently had the opportunity to manage a large volume of content requests while working as a Content Producer for an e-commerce website. The goal was to create engaging and informative content that would drive more sales on the site.

To meet this challenge, I developed a workflow system that allowed me to prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency. This enabled me to quickly identify which requests needed immediate attention and which could be handled later. I also created templates for each type of content request, so that I could easily replicate them in the future.

In addition, I worked closely with other departments within the company to ensure that all content requests were met in a timely manner. I coordinated with marketing, customer service, and product teams to make sure that everyone was on the same page when it came to deadlines and expectations. Finally, I provided regular updates to stakeholders throughout the process to keep them informed about progress and any changes that may have occurred.”

6. If you had to choose one type of content to focus on, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate prioritizes their work. It also shows you what they value in content and why. This can be an excellent time to ask about specific projects or types of content that they’ve worked on before, as well.

Example: “If I had to choose one type of content to focus on, it would be video production. Video is a powerful medium that can reach a wide audience and convey complex ideas in an engaging way. With the right combination of visuals, sound, and storytelling, video has the potential to captivate viewers and make them feel connected to the message being conveyed.

I have extensive experience producing videos for various clients, from creating storyboards to directing shoots and editing footage. My skillset includes shooting with both DSLR cameras and professional-grade equipment, as well as using Adobe Premiere Pro for post-production work. I also have experience working with motion graphics and animation software such as After Effects.”

7. What would you do if you discovered a mistake in one of your published pieces of content?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and challenges in your work. Use examples from past experience to explain what steps you would take to correct the mistake, apologize for it and learn from it so that you don’t make similar errors in the future.

Example: “If I discovered a mistake in one of my published pieces of content, the first thing I would do is assess the severity of the mistake. If it was something minor like a typo or incorrect formatting, I would correct it as soon as possible and ensure that the updated version was distributed to all relevant platforms.

However, if the mistake was more serious, such as an inaccuracy or misrepresentation of facts, I would take immediate action to rectify the situation. This could include issuing a public apology, making any necessary corrections, and providing additional context where appropriate. I would also work with the team to develop strategies for preventing similar mistakes from occurring in the future. Ultimately, my goal would be to maintain the integrity of our content while ensuring our readers are provided with accurate information.”

8. How well do you work under pressure?

Content producers often have tight deadlines and work under pressure to produce quality content. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the stress of working in a fast-paced environment. Use your answer to show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working under pressure in my current role as a Content Producer. I am very organized and can prioritize tasks quickly, which helps me stay on track when deadlines are tight. I’m also able to take feedback from multiple sources and adjust accordingly while still meeting the deadline.

I understand that there is often an element of stress involved with producing content, but I don’t let it affect my work. Instead, I use it as motivation to produce high-quality work within the given timeframe. I’m comfortable working independently or collaboratively, depending on the project’s needs.”

9. Do you have any experience working with social media platforms?

Social media platforms are an important part of content production. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to succeed in their role. If you do, share your experience and explain how it helped you produce better content. If you don’t, you can talk about what social media platforms you use regularly and why they’re important.

Example: “Yes, I have extensive experience working with social media platforms. In my current role as a Content Producer, I am responsible for creating and managing content across various social media channels such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. I have experience in developing engaging content that resonates with target audiences, optimizing posts for maximum reach and engagement, and tracking performance metrics to measure success.

I also have experience in using social media analytics tools to identify trends and insights, which helps inform future content strategies. My ability to stay up-to-date on the latest social media trends and best practices has enabled me to successfully create campaigns that drive results.”

10. When is it appropriate to use visuals in content?

Visuals are an important part of content production. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand when visuals can be helpful and how to use them effectively. In your answer, explain that visuals help readers better understand the information in a piece of content. You can also mention that visuals can increase engagement with a piece of content.

Example: “Visuals are an important part of content production, as they can help to engage the reader and make complex topics easier to understand. When deciding when to use visuals in content, I consider a few factors. First, I look at the type of content being produced – if it’s a blog post or article, then visuals may be necessary to break up the text and keep readers engaged. If it’s a white paper or research report, then visuals could be used to illustrate key points or data.

Next, I assess the audience for the content. Visuals can be particularly effective with younger audiences who prefer visual content over long-form written pieces. Finally, I consider the goals of the content. If the goal is to explain a concept or process, visuals can be helpful in providing clarity.”

11. We want to improve our search engine optimization. What strategies would you use to improve our content’s visibility?

SEO is a common topic in content producer interviews. This question allows you to show your knowledge of SEO and how it can help improve the visibility of a company’s website. You should explain what strategies you would use to increase search engine traffic, such as creating high-quality content that includes keywords and using social media to promote the content.

Example: “I understand the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) and how it can help increase visibility for content. To improve our SEO, I would focus on a few key strategies.

The first strategy is to ensure that all content is optimized with relevant keywords. This means researching popular keywords related to our industry and incorporating them into titles, headings, and body text. Doing this will make sure that our content is more likely to appear in searches.

Another strategy I would use is to create backlinks from other websites. This involves reaching out to other websites and asking them to link to our content. This helps boost our website’s authority and makes our content more visible in search results.

Lastly, I would work on improving our website’s loading speed. Search engines prioritize faster loading websites, so making sure our website loads quickly is essential for improving our SEO.”

12. Describe your experience with video editing software.

Video editing software is a common skill for content producers to have. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re familiar with the tools they use in their company. If you don’t have experience using video editing software, consider watching some tutorials online or taking a class on it before your interview.

Example: “I have extensive experience with video editing software. I have been using Adobe Premiere Pro for over five years, and I am very familiar with the entire suite of tools it offers. I can create professional-looking videos quickly and efficiently, from basic cuts to complex transitions and effects. I also have a good understanding of color correction techniques, which allows me to make sure that my videos look their best.

In addition to Adobe Premiere Pro, I have also used Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer in the past. I understand how to use these programs effectively, as well as the differences between them. I’m comfortable working with different formats and codecs, and I know how to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.”

13. What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of three or four things that make you unique as a content producer. These could be skills you have, certifications you hold or personal qualities that help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I have a strong background in content production and I’m confident that I can bring a unique set of skills to this position. My experience includes creating, editing, and managing digital content for multiple platforms including websites, blogs, and social media accounts. I also have extensive knowledge of SEO best practices and the ability to optimize content for maximum visibility.

In addition to my technical abilities, I’m an excellent communicator who is able to collaborate effectively with teams from different departments. I’m comfortable working independently or as part of a larger team and I’m always willing to take on new challenges. Finally, I’m highly organized and detail-oriented which allows me to produce high-quality work efficiently and accurately.”

14. Which industries do you most want to work in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a specific interest in their company. It also helps them understand what your career goals are and how they might be able to support those goals. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done research on the company and its industry. You should highlight any similarities between your skills and the company’s needs.

Example: “I am passionate about creating content for a variety of industries. I have experience in the technology, healthcare, and education sectors, but I’m always looking to expand my knowledge and skillset into new areas. My goal is to become an expert in many different industries so that I can provide valuable insights and create engaging content.

I’m particularly interested in working with companies that are making an impact on their respective industries. For example, I would love to work with organizations that are pushing boundaries and innovating within their industry. This could include anything from developing cutting-edge technologies to launching groundbreaking initiatives.”

15. What do you think is the most important aspect of content marketing?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of content marketing and how it can be used effectively. Your answer should include a specific example of how you use content marketing in your current or past role.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of content marketing is creating engaging, valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Content should be tailored to meet their needs and interests while also providing them with a unique perspective or solution. It’s not enough just to create content; it must be well-crafted and strategically distributed in order to reach the right people at the right time.

Additionally, I think it’s essential to have an understanding of SEO best practices when producing content. This will help ensure that your content appears in search engine results, increasing visibility and driving more traffic to your website. Finally, it’s important to track and measure the performance of your content so you can identify what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments accordingly.”

16. How often do you think content producers should update their websites or social media accounts?

This question can help the interviewer understand your content production process and how you might approach updating websites or social media accounts. Use examples from past experience to explain how you would update a website or social media account, including when you would do it and what factors you would consider before making updates.

Example: “As a content producer, I believe it is important to keep website and social media accounts up-to-date. Depending on the type of content being produced, this could mean updating daily or weekly. For example, if you are producing blog posts, then I would suggest posting new content at least once a week. This will ensure that readers have fresh content to engage with and will help to build an audience over time.

If you are managing a social media account, then I think it is important to post regularly in order to stay top of mind for your followers. This could be as often as several times a day, depending on the platform and the goals of the account. It is also important to monitor comments and messages so that you can respond quickly and effectively.”

17. There is a lot of competition for attention online. How would you make sure your content stands out from the rest?

This question is a great way to assess the candidate’s creativity and ability to create unique content. It also shows how they can use their skills to benefit your company.

Example: “I understand the importance of creating content that stands out in a crowded online space. To ensure my content is as effective and engaging as possible, I employ several strategies.

Firstly, I make sure to stay up-to-date on industry trends and news so that I can create timely content that speaks to what’s happening now. This helps me craft content that resonates with readers and keeps them engaged.

Secondly, I focus on creating quality content that is well researched, accurate, and informative. Quality content will always stand out from the rest and be more likely to be shared.

Lastly, I strive to create unique content that offers something new or different. By thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative ideas, I am able to produce content that stands out from the crowd.”

18. Do you have any experience with content metrics and analytics?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with content analytics and how you use that information to improve your work. Use examples from your past job or a time when you used an outside tool to analyze your content’s performance metrics.

Example: “Absolutely. I have a deep understanding of content metrics and analytics, as well as how to use them to inform my work. In my current role, I’ve used Google Analytics to track website traffic, engagement rates, and other key performance indicators. I’m also familiar with tools like BuzzSumo and SEMrush that can help me understand the performance of my content across different channels. Finally, I have experience in creating reports that provide insights into the success of our content strategy. I’m confident that I could bring this knowledge and expertise to your team.”

19. How do you stay up to date on the latest trends in digital media?

Content producers need to stay up to date on the latest trends in digital media. Employers ask this question to see if you have a passion for learning about new technologies and how you can apply them to your content creation process. In your answer, share two or three ways that you keep yourself informed about current events in the digital media industry.

Example: “I stay up to date on the latest trends in digital media by reading industry publications, attending conferences and webinars, and networking with other content producers. I also follow key influencers in the space to get a better understanding of what’s happening in the industry.

Additionally, I use social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to keep an eye out for new developments. This helps me stay informed about the latest technologies, best practices, and emerging trends that could be beneficial to my work. Finally, I regularly review analytics data from past projects to identify opportunities for improvement and determine which strategies are working well.”

20. What strategies would you use to ensure that content is consistent across multiple platforms?

This question can help the interviewer assess your organizational skills and ability to multitask. Showcase your attention to detail, communication skills and time management abilities by describing a specific strategy you used in the past or how you would implement one if you haven’t done so before.

Example: “I understand the importance of maintaining consistent content across multiple platforms. To ensure consistency, I would first create a style guide that outlines key elements such as tone, language, and formatting. This will provide a framework for all content producers to follow when creating new pieces.

In addition, I would develop an editorial calendar that outlines when each piece should be published and who is responsible for its creation. This will help keep everyone on track and make sure deadlines are met. Finally, I would establish a review process where content is reviewed by other members of the team before it goes live. This will ensure accuracy and quality control.”

21. Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with other departments to produce content.

Content producers often work with other departments to produce content that is engaging and relevant for their target audience. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working in a team setting. Use your answer to explain how you worked well with others to complete projects on time.

Example: “I recently had the opportunity to work collaboratively with other departments on a content production project. It was an exciting challenge that required me to draw upon my experience in both writing and design.

The project involved creating a series of videos for a client’s website. I worked closely with the marketing team to develop the concept, while also working with the graphic design department to create visuals that would bring the concept to life. We collaborated on every aspect of the project from scripting to storyboarding, as well as designing graphics and animations.

Throughout the process, I made sure to keep everyone informed of progress and changes. This allowed us to stay on track and ensure that all departments were able to contribute their expertise. In the end, we delivered a successful product that exceeded our client’s expectations.

This experience demonstrated my ability to collaborate effectively with multiple departments and produce high-quality content.”

22. What challenges have you faced while working on content projects?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and how you overcame challenges in the past. Your answer should highlight your ability to overcome obstacles, collaborate with others and manage time effectively.

Example: “I have faced a variety of challenges while working on content projects. One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered is meeting tight deadlines. As a Content Producer, it is essential to be able to deliver quality work within a given timeline. To ensure that I meet these deadlines, I have developed strong organizational and time management skills.

Another challenge I have faced is creating engaging content for different audiences. It is important to understand who the target audience is and create content that resonates with them. To do this, I research the topic thoroughly and use creative approaches to make sure the content stands out.”

23. How would you handle feedback from clients or stakeholders about content?

As a content producer, you may receive feedback from clients or stakeholders about the content you produce. Employers ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you handle criticism. In your answer, try to show that you can take constructive criticism and use it to improve your work.

Example: “I understand the importance of feedback when it comes to content production. I believe that it is essential to have an open dialogue with clients and stakeholders in order to ensure that their needs are met. When receiving feedback, I would take time to listen carefully and ask questions if needed to gain a better understanding of what they are looking for. Once I understand the desired outcome, I would then work to create content that meets those expectations.

Additionally, I am always willing to make changes or adjustments as necessary to ensure that the client or stakeholder is satisfied with the final product. I strive to maintain a positive relationship with all parties involved by being proactive and responsive throughout the entire process.”

24. Explain how you prioritize tasks when managing multiple content projects at once.

This question can help the interviewer assess your time management skills and ability to multitask. Use examples from previous experience to highlight how you plan out your schedule, organize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “When managing multiple content projects at once, I prioritize tasks based on the project’s timeline and urgency. First, I assess each project to determine which ones are most urgent and need to be completed first. This includes looking at deadlines for deliverables, client expectations, and any other factors that could impact the timeline of a project. Once I have identified the most pressing projects, I create an action plan with specific steps and timelines for completing them.

I also make sure to keep communication open between myself and my team or clients throughout the process. This helps ensure that all parties involved understand what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by. Finally, I stay organized and use tools such as task lists and project management software to help me track progress and stay on top of deadlines. By following these steps, I am able to effectively manage multiple content projects simultaneously while ensuring that everything is completed in a timely manner.”

25. What tools do you think are essential for successful content production?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise in content production. It also helps them understand what you value most when producing content for a company or organization. Use examples from your previous work to explain which tools you think are essential, and why they’re important.

Example: “I believe that successful content production requires a combination of both technical and creative tools. On the technical side, I think having access to reliable editing software is essential for producing high-quality content. This could include programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. In addition, having a good understanding of SEO best practices can help ensure that your content reaches its intended audience.

On the creative side, I think it’s important to have an eye for detail when crafting content. Having a strong grasp on storytelling techniques and being able to effectively communicate ideas through visuals are key components of successful content production. Furthermore, it’s also beneficial to be familiar with various social media platforms in order to better understand how to optimize content for each platform.”

25 Dean Of Students Interview Questions and Answers

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The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Interview Questions From HubSpot's CMO

Updated: November 13, 2020

Published: November 12, 2020

Alright, everyone: I'm about to let you in on a few of my best-kept interviewing secrets.

In this post, I'll uncover real questions I use when interviewing candidates for inbound marketing positions and the answers I'm looking for .

Keep in mind that the best candidates aren't just qualified to do the job you're trying to hire them for. You want to look for people who are also passionate about marketing, fit with your culture , and show potential for growth at your company.

Here's a quick look into my interview approach, followed by 14 excellent interview questions I recommend adapting for your industry and hiring needs.

My Interview Approach

During interviews, I put a lot of stake into each candidate as an individual. My goal is always to find someone amazing who also has great long-term potential, no matter where they are in their career.

To uncover this, I like to ask questions that get at the core of who they are, how they think about things specifically, and how they've gotten things done in the real world. I then balance these questions with case-style questions, which usually involve a hypothetical business situation, because they give the candidate an opportunity to show how they think about and work on problems.

Below is a list of 14 questions that make for an effective marketing job interview, the majority of which I've asked candidates with whom I've personally gotten to meet.

Keep in mind that I don’t ask all of these questions during a single interview. In fact, one case-style question can evolve into a discussion lasting anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, so I often only have time to cover two or three questions during one session.

I also don't limit these questions to the position levels you'll see in each section below. This list is just one reasonable way to organize your job interviews based on the average experience of an intern, coordinator, manager, and director. Depending on the candidate and the needs of the role, a question to a marketing manager candidate might be a good question to ask a marketing coordinator candidate as well.

Before the interview starts, carefully choose the questions you want to use based on the person's role and background. For an inbound marketing generalist, you could ask any or all of these questions. For someone with a more specific role on a larger inbound marketing team, like a blogger, you could focus only on the questions about blogging and content creation.

Learn more in the following video, and check out some of my favorite interview questions below.

14 Interview Questions to Ask Marketing Job Candidates

Case-style interview questions, 1. "draw a funnel on the whiteboard showing 10,000 visitors, 500 leads, 50 opportunities, and 10 new customers (or any other numbers you think are interesting). now, pretend you're the cmo for the company, and you have to decide what your marketing team should do to improve on these metrics. which areas of the funnel would you focus on, and what would you do differently to change these results".

The Follow-Up: The follow-up here is simply pushing on the candidate's answers. Typically, they'll pick one part of the funnel to focus on. (And if they don't, I like to push them to do just that.)

Once they pick one area, I ask them follow-up questions like: "Which tactics would you think about changing?," "What have you done in your past role that's worked?," "Do you think our company has any unique advantages to get some leverage out of that stage of the funnel?" I don’t just want them to tell me to "improve the visitor to lead conversion rate" -- they need to tell me how .

If I have time, I'll tell them to pretend they've implemented their ideas, and I'll ask them to go back through the whole funnel and explain how they think each of those initial metrics have changed.

What to Look For: Everyone on the marketing team needs to be able to understand how to think about and optimize the funnel. Here's where you assess their thought process, whether they have an intuitive sense of what good and bad conversion rates are, and whether they understand how the funnel steps are connected.

You'll also gain some insight into whether they understand which different tactics you can use at each step to improve that particular step. (For example, if they say the lead-to-opportunity conversion rate is bad, the right answer is not to write more blog articles.)

2. "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?"

The Follow-Up: This type of question should elicit a ton of questions from the candidate, like who the target audience for the homepage is. If it doesn't, then they're either making up their answer or don't have enough knowledge to address the situation. Follow up by answering their questions with hypotheticals and seeing how they work through the problem.

If they do pick one side or the other and give you a reason, ask them what the goals are for the homepage. Then, ask them how they'd determine which homepage meets those goals best. From there, tell them that Homepage A performed well based on one of the criteria, and Homepage B performed well based on another one of the criteria. This way, you can assess how they make choices when it's not possible to get data that's 100% conclusive, and they have to choose between two, imperfect variations.

What to Look For: While it might seem like this question is all about design, what you're really doing is understanding how candidates approach a conflict of interest. Do they care what each of these people think, or do they go to the data for their answers, such as through A/B testing, user testing, and customer interviews. The best candidates introduce logic and marketing methodology into their answers, while removing opinions. I also like when candidates say you should be constantly tweaking and improving the homepage, rather than always doing a complete redesign every nine or 18 months.

3. "Let's say you have an Excel spreadsheet with 10,000 leads from a few months back -- long enough that those leads' sales cycle has passed. The file contains information about each lead, like their industry, title, company size, and what they did to become a lead (like downloading an ebook). Also in the file is whether they closed as a customer and how much their order was for. Can you use this information to create a lead score? How would you do it?"

Note: I often start this question by simply asking, “How should you create a lead score?” This is how I sort out the people who don't take a data-driven approach. Folks who answer, “You create a lead score by talking to the sales team and then assigning five or ten points to each of the criteria they say they want” are actually wrong. That is not a data-driven approach to lead scoring , and it is way too simplistic to work effectively in most cases.

The Follow-Up: Most people will answer by talking about "looking at the data" and "sorting the data." Push them to tell you how they'd do that in Excel (or another program if they prefer something else). It's not practical to just "look" at the data when you have 10,000 rows -- you need to use statistical analysis.

They also might zone in on one factor, perhaps industry, all alone. If they do that, you should ask them what they would say if the small companies in one industry are good leads, but the big companies in another industry are also good leads? Basically, just keep pushing them until they're at a loss for what to do next.

What to Look For: This case-style question is meant to test a candidate's quantitative abilities, and I'd only ask it for people applying for certain marketing roles (like operations). Here, I'm trying to figure out how the candidate thinks about analyzing data and what their sophistication level is around data.

Most people don't get very far and are either unwilling or unable to look at more than one variable at a time, or understand how to analyze a lot of data in a simple way. At a minimum, you want to find candidates who:

• Look at the leads who closed in one group and compare them to the leads who did not close
• Look at multiple variables at a time
• Use statistical functions in Excel or another program to do that, like summary tables, pivot tables, and so on

If you find someone who starts making a coherent argument about why you might want to use logistic regression, factor or cluster analysis, actuarial science, or stochastic modeling to figure this out ... refer them to me.

Marketing Internship Interview Questions

4. "what is one of your hobbies how do you do it".

This question will help you assess a candidate's ability to explain a concept they know intimately to someone who isn't as familiar with it. If their hobby is training for a marathon, ask them what advice they'd give you if you woke up one day deciding you wanted to train for a marathon. Are they able to communicate it clearly?

One candidate taught me how to make tagliatelle, which is hand-cut Italian pasta. She gave me the full run-down on how you make the noodles, how you form them and cut them, and which ingredients go into the sauce. She relayed the step-by-step process to me in a way that was very clear and understandable. I felt like I could've gone home and made tagliatelle myself. Not only did this tell me she knows how to convey information clearly, but it also gave me insight into her personality and interests.

5. "What brands do you like or follow on social media and why?"

This is another casual but useful question, as it can tell you both about a candidate's personal interests and how they perceive marketing content on social media. The best answers go further than which companies a candidate likes buying from -- they indicate why he or she trusts certain companies, what about their content strategy appeals to the candidate, and what specifically about those companies the candidate looks up to (and maybe wants to emulate in their own work).

If you need a candidate to elaborate, follow up by asking them to describe a post from a brand they like or follow, and what made that post so memorable to them.

Marketing Coordinator Interview Questions

6. "what do you read, and how do you consume information".

Marketing is changing constantly at a rapid pace -- so anyone in a marketing role needs to know how to stay on top of and adapt to these changes. Do they know where to look for industry news? Are they familiar with and subscribed to top marketing blogs ? What do they do when they see a change has taken place, like when Google updates their algorithm?

7. "What's an example of a lead-generating campaign you'd be excited to work on here?"

Not every marketing campaign you run generates the same type or quality of leads. This is what makes this question so interesting. It's a chance for you to see how a marketing candidate thinks about the buyer's journey and what that journey should look like in your company.

If you do pose this question to a candidate, don't expect him or her to know exactly how your business generates its leads. The ideal answer simply demonstrates an awareness of your customer and perhaps some on-the-spot brainstorming the candidate might be asked to participate in while on the job.

Expect follow-up questions from the interviewee, too, especially if you pose this question to a more experienced candidate. For example, they might ask how qualified the leads should be, or how leads are scored as a result of this hypothetical campaign. The specific parameters matter less than the follow-up question itself -- a positive sign of an analytical marketer.

8. "What are three components of a successful inbound or digital marketing strategy?"

There's no "right" answer to this question -- a digital marketing strategy thrives on more than three things -- but certain answers show the candidate is up to date on how businesses attract and delight their customers today.

"A Facebook page," for instance, isn't a wrong answer, but it doesn't give you context around how a business would use this page in their marketing strategy. Here are a few sample answers to this interview question that are on the right track:

• A blog with calls to action (CTAs), landing pages for website visitors to download more content, and a defined social media strategy.
• An SEO strategy, website chat, and an analytics tool to track campaign performance.
•  Buyer personas, a Marketing and Sales Service Level Agreement , and a customer success strategy.

You won't learn everything about a candidate from just these terms and phrases. But you should listen for them as the candidate responds -- and expect more sophisticated answers if you pose this question to managers or directors.

Ultimately, the value you place on each of these inbound marketing components will depend on how important they are to your business and what the candidate would focus on as your employee. Before asking this question to anyone you interview, talk to your team and define your marketing strategy. Otherwise, you won't have an accurate measure on which to evaluate a candidate's answer.

Interview Questions for Marketing Manager

9. "why do you love marketing".

Or, "Which aspects of our business are you passionate about?" You want to hire someone who's both qualified and has the desire to do the work. Otherwise, why would they work for you instead of the company next door?

Part of their answer will lie in their body language and enthusiasm. The other part will lie in how concrete their answer is. Get at the details by asking a follow-up question, like: "Let's say you're at home, kicking around, and doing something related to marketing. What is it that you're doing?" Perhaps they're reading their five favorite marketing sites, or analyzing traffic patterns of websites for fun, or writing in their personal blog, or optimizing their LinkedIn profile. Whatever it is, you want to be sure they're deeply passionate about the subject matter you'd hire them for.

10. "Between videos, ebooks, blog articles, photos, podcasts, webinars, SlideShare, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest ... there's a lot of potential content our team should produce for inbound marketing. How do we do it all?"

The wisest candidates know you should not do it all, but rather, you should start with the content that's most important to your prospects and customers. They should also have a plan for talking to customers and prospects by way of interviews or surveys to figure out which social networks they use and which types of content they prefer.

11. "Let’s pretend we have very convincing data that shows none of our potential customers use social media. Should we still do it? Why?"

Look for candidates who understand that being successful in social media is important even if your customers aren't there today. Here are a few reasons qualified candidates might cite:

• Your customers will be there in the future, so you should get started now.
• You'll gain industry clout. After all, journalists and influencers in your industry are probably using social media -- and it's important for them to follow you even if they don't ever become customers .
• Social media activity impacts your organic search presence , helping your content rank higher in search engines.
• You'll have more control over your online presence.
• Your competitors are likely using social media.
• It may cost less to generate customers via social media.

Marketing Director Interview Questions

12. "we have a new product coming out in three months. what would you do to launch it".

This'll show you how well a candidate understands all the different tactics of inbound marketing and how to tie them together into a holistic plan . It'll also give you insight into how creative they are and whether they can come up with new and interesting ways to do marketing.

13. "Our CEO wants you to evaluate our blog. What would you say?"

Before giving you an answer, the best candidates will come back and ask you about the blog's metrics, how many leads and customers it generates, what the goals are for it, how much you're investing in it, and so on. This is also a great way to test whether they actually prepared for the interview by reading your blog.

14. "What's the main relationship between marketing and sales?"

The relationship between Marketing and Sales is known for its unrest (Sales wants better leads from Marketing, and Marketing wants Sales to close more, faster). 

Similar to question #8, there's no right answer here, but there are answers you should listen for. "M arketers are the lead generators and salespeople are the lead closers" isn't necessarily wrong, but the candidate who ends his/her answer here might not be someone who can align both departments around a single, unified approach.

The best answers describe the responsibilities that Sales and Marketing have to each other, and the duties each commits to as part of this partnership. They have a plan for forging consensus on what makes leads marketing-qualified versus sales-qualified, creating a shared Service Level Agreement with agreed-upon metrics, and using content at different points in the marketing and sales funnel to turn strangers into customers.

The Candidate's Follow-Up

Most candidates know to follow up with each of their interviewers in the form of a thank-you note or email. But part of my assessment is the depth at which candidates follow up with me.

The most impressive follow-ups are the thoughtful ones, where candidates call upon details of our discussion to show they're really engaged in the interview process. Perhaps they did more concrete thinking about a specific question I asked, and they send a long email including research on a question they don't think they nailed. Many times, they'll send me a light strategy document with ideas and/or research on something we talked about. These candidates tend to stand out.

Well, the cat's out of the bag. You'll have to use these marketing interview questions as a basis to create your own, similar questions that are relevant to your industry and hiring needs. Good luck, and happy hiring!

Want more interview tips? Learn about some of the questions candidates should ask hiring managers.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Table of Contents

Basic content writer interview questions, intermediate content writer interview questions, get one step closer to your dream job, top 20 content writer interview questions and answers.

The realm of the content industry has been attracting a lot of new talents of late. Freshers, as well as seasoned professionals, aspire for an illustrious profession in writing content as it offers several perks. Content writing is one of those fields which would never cease your learning. Rather, it would boost your knowledge and develop your intelligence. It is normal for you to have plenty of questions revolving in your mind regarding what you might be asked in the interview. So, here are some common content writer interview questions that you should be familiar with before the interview. 

For your ease, the content writing interview questions are divided into the following sections:

• Basic content writer interview questions
• Intermediate content writer interview questions

1. What do you think are the integral components of good content?

Usually, there exist a plethora of aspects to make a content piece outstanding. However, like other content writer interview questions and answers, the interviewer is expecting you to discuss the key elements that are an integral part of any write-ups. 

• Engagement: Your write-up should be engaging to the audience. Elements such as proper headlines, images, and structure contribute towards an engaging read. 
• Utility: You should create content by keeping in mind the needs of the readers. This has a great impact on audience engagement and also affects the rankings of the blogs and the articles. 
• Credibility: While writing any content, your foremost duty is to make it credible. The information included in an article or blog should be from a credible source. 
• No Plagiarism: In the realm of content writing, plagiarism is a serious crime. It can harm the reputation of your company and can also influence the performance of the write-up negatively on a search engine.

Here's your quick guide to crack a content marketing interview. Use the tips and tricks shared in this video to accelerate your digital marketing career today!

2. What are the ways to decide the tone of a particular content?

Like other technical content writing interview questions, you should be confident while answering this one. If you can answer this question perfectly, you are one step closer to impressing the interviewer. 

While providing an answer to this question, including the points mentioned below:

• The personality of the brand: It is worthwhile here to note that the content plan is based on the features of the brand you are writing for. Thus, the tone of the content should reflect the core ideologies of the brand. 
• Audience: You can choose the approach and nature of writing by knowing your readers and target audience. You have to know the brand’s audience to write content that can impress them. 
• Medium: Content writing requires you to draft write-ups for various mediums. For instance, social media posts differ by a great margin from SEO blogs . Hence, it is important to keep in mind the medium for which you are writing. 

3. How can you make your information credible?

Through this question, the interviewer wants to know whether or not you do your research carefully. Including credible information in your blog is quite crucial to make them acceptable amongst the readers. In other words, the information which you would quote in your articles or blogs should be from a credible source. 

4. Illustrate the basic difference between an article and blog

This is one of the most asked content writing interview questions through which the interviewer wants to analyze the basic skills you have in content writing. To be precise, articles are written by following a more formal format. They are usually informative and give insights to the readers about a particular subject. In articles, you are free to use various types of facts and can even make your analysis, present research work and draw insights from there for your readers. A blog differs from an article in terms of tonality. The blogs are usually drafted informally. Note that in the case of blogs, you can be casual and talk one on one with your readers.   

5. Content writing at times can be downright monotonous. What are the ways through which you can dispel boredom while writing content?

This content writer interview question from the interviewer’s end is usually asked to analyze your passion and seriousness about the job position. When pursued as a passion, content writing would never be monotonous. Instead, content writing is one of the very few fields which give you the unique opportunity to learn and grow. 

It is also one of the most asked content writer interview questions which you should answer with care. Well, you may communicate to the interviewer that sometimes you feel annoyed while writing on the same topic or niche. But quickly state that you also have your own ways of overcoming this state. 

For instance, you can tell the interviewer that while writing for the same niche, you like to experiment with different tones and styles. Your ability to experiment with various writing styles and tones also highlights the important skills you have in your arsenal to curate various types of articles and blogs. While providing an answer to this question, always be specific about your creative skills in writing. A tactical answer, like the one as mentioned above, would also cast a good impression on the interviewer. 

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6. What are the things you enjoy most about content writing?

The main motive behind asking this question is to assess your seriousness about the job role you have been offered. It is worthwhile here to note here that the answer to this question would differ as per your experience level. If you are a fresher, you should concentrate on bringing forth the inner abilities that inspire you to be a content writer . On the other hand, if you have the experience, you can portray how content writing has shaped your career in a purposeful manner. Through both these perspectives, you should always depict content writing as your most preferred field. 

For Freshers

Focus on your key talents and connect them with the craft of content writing. For instance, if you have a penchant towards creative writing, tell the interviewer how you want to transform this skill to earn. On the other hand, if your favourite hobby is playing the guitar, tell the interviewer that online articles on guitars inspire you to write easy-to-understand content for your fellow musicians. 

For Experienced Professionals

Ensure to emphasize on the various skills you have learnt in your previous workplace. You can also communicate to the interviewer that you have developed a large number of skills which have made you better. You can also state that with years of experience, you have now started taking various writing assignments as a challenge. Also tell that you love to experiment and innovate with various writing styles, tones and formats.     

7. Do you possess a good work ethic?

With this content writer interview question, the primary aim of the interviewer is to assess your discipline towards your profession. Always exercise caution while providing an answer to this question as the answer can either make or break your reputation in front of the interviewer. 

To answer this question, always try to communicate your ability to maintain your work schedule without compromising on the content’s quality. You may start your answer by referring to everyday chores where you like to maintain discipline. 

Subsequently, introduce the importance of planning in your daily work schedule. This would no doubt cast a positive image on the mind of the interviewer. You can also tell the interviewer about the phases of planning you normally execute in writing high-quality content. 

On the other hand, you can also answer this content writer interview question by stating your dedication towards the profession of content writing. For instance, you can state that you have rarely missed a deadline in your previous job. You can also tell the interviewer that you strictly adhere to a writing plan which enables you to not compromise on quality. 

8. What are the various types of content assets, and which amongst them is your forte?

Content assets refer to various types of content that businesses can use to help people understand what they do and build trust with their audience. These content pieces can be easily shared and engaged with by potential customers. Some examples of content assets include articles, videos, infographics, webinars, e-books, and interactive tools.

• Long-form content: Long-form content refers to any type of content that provides in-depth information on a particular topic, usually over 2,000 words in length. This type of content is designed to offer valuable and actionable information to the audience, and it can take many forms, including blog posts, articles, whitepapers, and e-books. It is an effective way to attract traffic, improve user engagement metrics and answer the questions that your target audience is asking.
• Articles: An article is a piece of content written on a particular topic that provides valuable information to the reader. Articles can be published on a website, either as a standalone post or as part of a series. They can vary in length but are generally shorter than long-form content. Articles are often used to attract traffic to a website and can cover a wide range of topics from news to opinion pieces.
• Videos: Videos are a highly effective form of content marketing that can help businesses connect with their target audience. They can be used to educate, inform, and entertain viewers, and can be shared across multiple platforms to increase visibility and engagement. With the growing popularity of video content, it's important for businesses to incorporate videos into their content marketing strategy to stay relevant and competitive in today's digital landscape.
• E-books: E-books are digital books that can be downloaded and read on a variety of devices. They are used to provide in-depth information on a specific topic, or as a way to generate leads by requiring users to provide contact information in order to access the content.
• Infographics: Infographics are a type of visual content that presents complex information and data in an easy-to-understand and engaging way. They use graphics, charts, and other visual elements to help the audience quickly grasp key points and statistics. Infographics are often used to share research data, explain concepts, or showcase information in a visually appealing format.
• Cheat Sheets: A cheat sheet is a concise and handy reference guide that provides important information on a specific topic. It usually comes in the form of a graphic or a document that can be printed out and kept for easy access. Cheat sheets are created to help users quickly understand and remember key information without having to read through long texts or search for information online. They are particularly useful for beginners or those who need a quick reference guide for a specific task or topic.
• Resource Pages: A resource page is a web page on a website that contains a collection of valuable and informative content related to a specific topic or theme. It can include links to articles, ebooks, whitepapers, guides, and other helpful resources. Resource pages are used by businesses to attract visitors to their websites, provide value to their audience, and improve their search engine rankings through link building . They can also be used to generate leads by requiring users to provide contact information to access the content.
• Studies/Surveys: Studies and surveys are a type of content asset that involves conducting research on a particular topic to gain insights into consumer behavior or industry trends. They are a valuable marketing asset that can be used in various forms of content such as blog posts or press releases.
• Webinars: A webinar is an online video presentation or workshop that can be live or pre-recorded, where one or more speakers share information on a specific topic. They are time-based and can be used to generate leads by requiring attendees to provide contact information. Webinars are an effective way to engage with your audience, provide valuable content, and generate leads for your business.
• Interactive Tools: Interactive tools are digital applications that allow users to interact with content in a more engaging and dynamic way. They can be customized to provide personalized recommendations or experiences and can be used to explore complex data sets. Interactive tools are a powerful way to demonstrate the value of a product or service and can be particularly effective in providing a personalized experience to the user.

9. What are the types of procedures you emphasize on to get your write-ups finally done?

The interviewer asks this question to assess your written skills on various types of write-ups. It is important to mention here that there exists an array of write-ups and each write-up needs a different kind of approach. For instance, the research you conduct before writing a blog would differ when you write white papers. 

Through this content writing interview question, the interviewer wants to analyze your attitude towards research. The purpose of asking this question is to get an idea from where you usually source your content. The interviewer also wants to know the kind of websites you usually refer to while writing a specific piece of content. To be precise, not all websites are the same. They differ in terms of their overall quality. If you are referring to these sub-par websites, then it is normal that your write-up would be inferior and of low quality. 

Hence, while providing an answer to this question, you should include these points: 

• In-depth research on the topic you are writing
• Emphasize the fact that you use good and relevant external as well as internal links
• Quoting the latest trends to make your write-up more credible
• Implementing necessary content checks to guard against grammatical mistakes and plagiarism

10. What kind of writing style are you most comfortable with? What tones of writing have you come across?

To be precise, every writer has his/her own unique writing style of forging a piece of information. For instance, some explain stuff in detail, some write while referring to a third person and some focus on readability more. Usually, this query is raised by the interviewer to assess your knowledge on the technicalities of writing. 

Your tone of writing along with its structure and syntax can either make or break a piece of content. Through this content writer interview question, the interviewer wants to be sure of your writing skills. While providing an answer to this question, it is crucial on your part to be aware about the various tones of writing. 

Here is the list of some of the writing styles commonly used by modern-day content writers: 

• Argumentative
• Descriptive 

It is worth noting here that while providing an answer to this question, you need to have sufficient knowledge about the writing style you are selecting. In all probabilities, the interviewer may ask you in detail about the writing style. You may also be asked to quote various examples in describing the writing style. 

On the other hand, the majority of times, the answer also depends on the voice which the readers want to read. As a proficient professional, it is important that you identify your audience and select a writing style which best caters to their interests. 

11. What is the importance of target personas while writing an article?

Target personas are fictional characters or representations of a business's ideal customer or audience. Marketers create these profiles by collecting specific data about their top consumers, including their pain points, goals, desires, and previous purchases. These profiles are used to create a clear understanding of the target audience, allowing writers to create content that resonates with them and addresses their specific needs. Essentially, target personas are a tool used to identify the characteristics, behaviors, and motivations of the ideal customer or audience, and help businesses to develop effective marketing strategies and create content that drives results.

Target personas are important because they help you to understand your audience better and create content that is relevant and valuable to them. This can increase engagement and make your article more effective and persuasive. By knowing your audience's motivations and concerns, you can create content that builds trust and establishes you as an expert. Target personas can also help you to focus your writing and make it more clear and more concise, which can make it easier for people to read and understand. Overall, creating target personas can help you to write better articles that connect with your audience and achieve your content marketing goals. 

12. How do you proofread a content piece?

Proofreading is an essential part of the writing process that involves checking a content piece for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. The word “proofreading” comes from the traditional publishing industry where a final review of the printed proof was performed by a proofreader who is responsible for catching any grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors or inconsistencies. Although the text or manuscript might have gone through top editing, line editing, and copy editing, some errors can still get missed in these early review stages. Proofreading, however, is the last opportunity to correct any errors that might have slipped past before it’s published. Here are some steps you can follow to proofread a content piece effectively:

• Take a break: Take a break before proofreading to get a fresh perspective
• Read aloud: Read your content aloud slowly and carefully to catch mistakes
• Use spell-check: Use a spell-check tool, but be aware it may not catch everything
• Check for grammar and punctuation: Check for grammar, punctuation, verb tense, and subject-verb agreement
• Review for style: Check for consistency in style throughout the piece
• Use a checklist: Create a checklist of common mistakes and review it
• Get a second opinion: Get a second opinion from a colleague or friend

Using these techniques will help you minimize the mistakes on your document before submitting it. By following these steps, you can effectively proofread a content piece and ensure that it is free of errors before publishing or submitting it.

13. Are you adept in planning and scheduling your work?

The main objective of forecasting and developing content is to manage it effectively. In other words, you should be able to meet objectives and deadlines without affecting the quality. Here are few steps which you should narrate in case the interviewer asks these kinds of content writer interview questions: 

• Comprehend the tactics of writing a specific piece of content
• Create a bunch of topics
• Assess the number of times your write-ups have been published
• Emphasize on a proper workflow
• Set targets and deadlines to segregate priorities on the basis of importance 

14. What are the ways through which you integrate SEO into your content?

This is one of those content writer interview questions to assess your knowledge of Google algorithms and on-page SEO tactics. Thus, it is too important knowledge about the intricacies of SEO. 

Here are some on-page SEO strategies that content writers should know:

• Meta Tags - They play a decisive role in illustrating the content of a specific page. But, always note that they are not included in the overall word count. 
• Keyword density - Keywords are the building blocks of your content. You should know how to include keywords naturally in your content to increase its readability score. Also, note that the keyword density should be maintained between two to six per cent. 
• Structure of the URL - This is probably where even the most experienced content writers stumble. URLs in content should always be small and integrated with proper keywords. This enables the search engines to discover them easily. 
• Body Tags - You cannot undermine the significance of headings in a particular content piece. H1, H2 headings segregate the content based on important sections. 

15. Are you a professional content writer? What are the ways through which you manage deadlines?

Note that deadlines and submitting work on time are not only limited to the field of content writing. It is one of those work ethics which is present in every field. Hence, while providing an answer to this content writer interview question, you need to emphasize your dedication levels. Usually, this question is asked to determine how well you cope up with time in pressure situations. Moreover, the interviewer also intends to analyze the extent to which you are serious about completing your work on time. Being a content writer, it is normal that you would be assigned various kinds of assignments. Moreover, the topic of these assignments would also vary as per the requirements. 

Some are based on niches while some are typical and complex in nature. Note that you cannot take the same approach of time planning with different niches. Thus, while providing an answer to this question, lay emphasis on the significance of proper planning as per the importance of the topic. 

In other words, state that the less important topics need less planning when compared to the important topics. Your research levels should be thoroughly based on the topic of the subject. Furthermore, the urgency of the work should also be considered while meeting deadlines efficiently. Being flexible is the best way to handle deadlines in pressure situations.  

16. How would you capture our company’s vision?

As a writer, it is normal for you to possess your style of writing. The interviewer expects you to write compelling content by keeping in mind the objectives and message of his/her organization. This is the reason that you should familiarize yourself with the company’s goals and vision before the interview. This will help you with other content writing interview questions as well. 

17. What are the ways through which you handle feedback?

The main objective behind asking this question is to analyze your attitude towards managing negative criticisms and comments. Always remember that feedback and criticism are an integral part of any profession. Without feedback, you cannot improve your job performance. 

So, there is nothing negative about getting feedback and criticized for your performance. While providing an answer to this question, make sure that you are always convinced about your job role. But at the same time, also state that you aren’t obstinate. In other words, you are always open to accepting criticisms of your work. 

You can also state that you are adept in learning from your mistakes in your workplace . You have to portray to the interviewer that you are always willing to implement changes as asked by the superiors. If you have the experience, you can state some previous incidents in your earlier workplace from where you have bounced back strongly after being criticized. 

It is also important for you to state that you maintain a genial bond with clients and seniors at the same time so that you can fix the serious loopholes without depicting any signs of distress. By answering in this manner, you can cast a good impression on the interviewer. 

18. Are you comfortable working in a team or separately?

Through this content writer interview question, the interviewer wants to assess your adaptive skills as a coworker. Well, it is a tricky question, and answering a straightforward “yes” or “no” can send wrong vibes to the interviewer. Thus, you have to be strategic while providing answers to this question. While providing an answer to this question, sound certain that you are open to collaborate in a team as well as individually. 

In other words, you can state that you are quite adept at managing your workload with negligible support. However, if you are a fresher, you should always emphasize the strength of working in a team. You can state that collaborating in a group would help you to realize the company’s mission and vision. 

Moreover, you would be acquainted with the work culture of the company while working in a team. Don’t forget to state that you are a fast learner and possess the ability to resolve intricate affairs independently. Interestingly, your answer would vary if you have gained experience in content writing before. 

You can state that you are open to working in both situations. Portray your achievements in the previous job where you have achieved success without working in a team. At the same time, don’t forget to underline the importance of teamwork and how you excelled at it to the interviewer.  

19. What are your strengths as a content writer?

Through this content writer interview question, the interviewer wants to determine your level of self-awareness and confidence. For this question, you should identify the areas where your expertise lies. Note that answering only job-centric areas of expertise would not impress the interviewer. You have to emphasize also on your soft skills as well as inner attributes to get past this question. 

For instance, you can state that your strength as a content writer should be on your adaptability. Ensure to clearly state that you are comfortable working with a team as well as individually. You can highlight your ability to adapt to organizational change as your core strength. 

You can also state that your proficiency in using various types of styles and the ability to switch between various formats is your core strength. On the other hand, it would be great if you emphasize your key content writing skills. For instance, tell the interviewer how you conduct research to curate highly credible articles and write-ups which drive engagement from the reader’s end. You can also cite examples of your ability to experiment with varied writing styles.  

20. How do you examine your content's performance?

Examining your content's performance involves tracking and analyzing various metrics to evaluate how well it's resonating with your target audience and meeting your business goals. Here are some steps to help you examine your content's performance:

1. Decide on Your Goals

Before you can evaluate your content's performance, you need to define what success means to you. What are the goals of your content marketing strategy? Do you want to increase website traffic, generate more leads, improve engagement on social media , or something else? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can begin to track the metrics that will help you determine whether or not you are meeting those goals.

2. Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for content marketing, as it allows you to reach a large audience and engage with them directly. To use social media effectively, you need to understand which platforms your target audience is using and how to create content that is optimized for each platform. You also need to be prepared to engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages and participating in conversations.

3. Other Media Sources

In addition to social media and SEO, there are many other media sources that you can use to promote your content and attract more visitors to your brand. This might include email marketing, influencer marketing, and paid advertising. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each of these media sources, you can create a comprehensive content marketing strategy that leverages each channel to its full potential.

4. Use Analytics Tools

To track your metrics, you'll need to use analytics tools such as Google Analytics or social media insights. These tools provide data on audience demographics, traffic sources, engagement rates, and other relevant metrics. It's important to set up tracking correctly and use the right tools to get accurate data.

5. Adjust Your Strategy

Based on your data analysis, adjust your content strategy and optimize your content for better performance. Experiment with different types of content and distribution channels to see what works best for your audience. This step is about continuous improvement, and it's important to stay flexible and willing to adapt your strategy based on your results.

6. Analyze Previous Data and Repeat 

Finally, it's important to regularly analyze your content's performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. By tracking metrics over time and identifying trends and patterns, you can refine your content strategy and improve your results. Don't be afraid to experiment with new types of content or distribution channels to see what works best for your audience.

7. Track Your Content Conversions

Conversions are another important metric for evaluating the performance of your content. A conversion might be a purchase, a sign-up, or any other action that you want your audience to take. By tracking conversions, you can determine which pieces of content are most effective at driving your audience to take action.

Let’s hope that the top content writer interview questions, as mentioned above, would help you to pass your test with flying colors. In interviews for creative jobs, you must be aware of your capabilities. Also, keep your past work file handy in case the interviewer wants to see it. Last but not least; ensure that you are at your creative best during the interview. To add to it, you should also explore and enroll in IMT Ghaziabad Digital Marketing Program  to prove to your employer that you are a market-ready writer who has a strong understanding of content , SEO , and marketing in general.

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Top 20 Content Creation Interview Questions & Answers

Master your responses to Content Creation related interview questions with our example questions and answers. Boost your chances of landing the job by learning how to effectively communicate your Content Creation capabilities.

Content creation is the heartbeat of digital marketing and online presence. As a content creator, you have the power to engage audiences, drive traffic, and build brand loyalty through compelling storytelling and valuable information. However, before you can put your creativity to work in this role, you must first navigate the interview process successfully.

To assist you in preparing for what lies ahead, we’ve gathered some typical interview questions that you might encounter when applying for a position in content creation. These will not only help you reflect on your experiences and skills but also provide a framework for crafting responses that highlight your unique abilities as a storyteller and digital communicator. Let’s dive into understanding what it takes to stand out as a candidate in the field of content creation.

Common Content Creation Interview Questions

1. how do you measure the success of your content.

Creating content that resonates, engages, and achieves specific objectives is a multifaceted task. Interviewers delve into this question to understand if a candidate can employ analytical skills, utilize various metrics (such as engagement rates, conversion rates, and audience growth), and align content performance with business goals. It also reveals if the creator is adaptable and continuously improving content strategy based on performance data.

When responding to this question, it’s important to speak about specific metrics that you track, such as page views, social shares, time spent on page, or lead generation. Explain how these metrics inform your understanding of what works and what doesn’t, and how you use this data to refine your content strategy. It’s also valuable to discuss any tools or software you use for tracking these metrics and how you report on content performance to stakeholders or use the data to make decisions about future content.

Example: “ To gauge the success of my content, I primarily focus on engagement metrics and conversion rates. Engagement metrics like page views, social shares, and average time spent on a page are critical indicators of how compelling and relevant the content is to the target audience. For example, a high number of social shares suggests that the content resonates well enough with readers that they’re compelled to disseminate it within their networks, amplifying its reach and impact.

However, while these metrics provide a snapshot of content popularity, I place a stronger emphasis on conversion rates to assess the content’s effectiveness in driving business objectives. This involves tracking how many readers take a desired action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase, after interacting with the content. Utilizing analytics tools like Google Analytics and social media insights, I analyze user behavior flows and conversion paths to understand which pieces of content are not just attracting attention but are also contributing to the bottom line. This data-driven approach enables me to refine my content strategy continuously, ensuring that it aligns with both audience interests and business goals.”

2. Describe a piece of content that failed. What did you learn from it?

When content doesn’t perform as expected, it’s an opportunity to gain valuable insights. The question serves to reveal if the candidate can critically analyze their work, learn from their mistakes, and apply these lessons to future projects. It also shows how a candidate defines failure and success, their level of self-awareness, and their ability to pivot and adapt strategies based on feedback and data.

When responding to this question, start by briefly describing the content piece and what the goals were. Then, explain why it didn’t meet expectations—be specific about which metrics fell short. Discuss any factors you believe contributed to the underperformance, such as timing, messaging, platform choice, or audience targeting. Most importantly, share what you learned from the experience. Perhaps you discovered a need for better audience analysis or a more thorough testing phase for content types. Conclude by detailing how you’ve implemented these learnings in subsequent work to improve performance, demonstrating growth and resilience in your content creation approach.

Example: “ A video series I created aimed to engage a younger demographic, intending to increase brand awareness and user engagement. Despite high production quality, the series underperformed in view count and engagement metrics. The content didn’t resonate with the target audience as the humor and references were outdated, and the promotion strategy lacked sufficient presence on platforms where the demographic spends most of their time.

From this experience, I learned the critical importance of current cultural relevance and platform-specific content strategies. It became evident that my audience research was too surface-level. I had not fully immersed myself in the latest trends and communication styles of the demographic. Additionally, I realized the promotion strategy needed to be as tailored and dynamic as the content itself.

Moving forward, I’ve incorporated a more robust research phase, focusing on real-time trends and platform analytics to inform content development. I’ve also diversified promotion strategies, ensuring content is optimized for each channel to maximize reach and engagement. This approach has significantly improved the performance of subsequent content pieces, with marked increases in both engagement and conversion rates.”

3. What strategies do you employ to understand and target your audience effectively?

Tapping into the audience’s interests, problems, and preferences is crucial for audience engagement and retention. This question delves into how a candidate ensures their content resonates with their intended demographic. It reveals their research skills, adaptability to audience feedback, and proficiency in utilizing analytics to inform strategy.

When responding, it is essential to highlight your approach to audience research, such as analyzing metrics, social listening, or conducting surveys to gather insights. Discuss how you translate this data into actionable content strategies that align with audience preferences. Mention the importance of staying current with trends and how you incorporate feedback loops to refine content continuously. Emphasize your ability to pivot strategies based on performance indicators and audience engagement levels to demonstrate your dynamic approach to content creation.

Example: “ To effectively target and understand my audience, I start with a data-driven approach, analyzing metrics from various platforms to gain insights into audience demographics, behavior, and preferences. This quantitative analysis is complemented by qualitative methods such as social listening and targeted surveys, allowing me to capture the nuances of audience sentiment and identify emerging trends.

From this rich data set, I craft content strategies that resonate on a personal level with the audience, ensuring that each piece of content is tailored to their interests, pain points, and aspirations. I stay abreast of industry trends to keep the content fresh and relevant, and I establish feedback loops through comment sections, social media interactions, and content performance analysis. This enables me to refine strategies in real-time, pivoting as necessary to optimize engagement and ensure that the content remains aligned with the evolving preferences of the audience.”

4. In what ways have you integrated SEO best practices into your content creation process?

By asking about SEO best practices, the interviewer is looking to evaluate whether a candidate has a strategic mindset and the technical know-how to craft content that is both discoverable and valuable. It shows that they are searching for someone who grasps the dual nature of content creation in the digital age: the art of engaging storytelling and the science of search engine algorithms.

When responding, it’s important to highlight specific techniques you’ve used, such as keyword research and optimization, crafting compelling meta descriptions, or using analytics to refine content strategies. Discuss how these practices have increased visibility and engagement with your content. Be prepared to share examples that demonstrate a measurable impact on content performance, showing a clear understanding of how SEO contributes to broader business objectives.

Example: “ In integrating SEO best practices into content creation, I start with comprehensive keyword research to identify both high-volume keywords and long-tail phrases that align with user intent and the content’s subject matter. I ensure these keywords are naturally incorporated into titles, headings, and throughout the body, maintaining readability and engagement. Meta descriptions are crafted to be compelling and include targeted keywords, effectively improving click-through rates from search engine results pages.

Beyond the initial creation, I leverage analytics to monitor the performance of the content, using metrics such as organic traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rates to refine and iterate on the SEO strategy. This data-driven approach allows me to adjust keyword usage, improve internal linking, and update content to keep it relevant and authoritative, which in turn supports the content’s ranking and visibility. The measurable impact of these practices is evident in increased organic reach, longer dwell times, and higher engagement rates, all contributing to the content’s success in supporting broader business objectives.”

5. Provide an example of how you’ve adapted your content strategy in response to analytics data.

When discussing analytics, the focus is on whether a candidate is not only data-literate but also agile and responsive, able to pivot strategies based on empirical evidence rather than just intuition or assumption. Analytics serve as a window into the audience’s soul, revealing what resonates and what falls flat.

When responding, you should highlight a specific instance where a dip or surge in analytics data prompted a reassessment of your content approach. Describe the data trends you noticed, the hypotheses you formulated about content performance, and the concrete actions you took to refine your strategy. This might include tailoring topics to audience interests, adjusting posting schedules for maximum engagement, or even overhauling content formats. Be sure to emphasize the outcomes of your adjustments, showcasing a clear link between data-driven decisions and improved content performance.

Example: “ Upon analyzing our content analytics, I noticed a significant decline in engagement and time spent on our long-form articles, despite them historically being a cornerstone of our strategy. Diving deeper, I hypothesized that our audience’s consumption preferences might be shifting towards more digestible content formats. To test this, I spearheaded a pivot towards creating shorter, more visually engaging pieces, incorporating infographics and short videos that could be easily consumed on mobile devices.

This strategic shift was informed by a blend of quantitative data, such as bounce rates and average session duration, and qualitative feedback gathered from comments and social media interactions. The results were compelling; we saw a 30% increase in engagement and a 20% rise in content shares within the first quarter post-implementation. This data-driven approach not only revitalized our content’s performance but also underscored the importance of agility and responsiveness to audience behavior in content strategy.”

6. How do you maintain brand voice consistency across various types of content?

Maintaining a consistent brand voice across all platforms is crucial because it reinforces brand recognition, fosters trust among the audience, and maintains a cohesive brand image. A disjointed voice can confuse the audience and dilute the brand’s message, potentially harming the company’s reputation and customer loyalty.

When responding to this question, you should focus on your strategies for understanding and internalizing the brand’s core message, values, and tone. Discuss your process for creating a style guide if one isn’t provided, or how you adhere to and interpret an existing guide to suit different content formats. Highlight your attention to detail and your adaptability in tailoring the voice to various channels while keeping the brand’s essence intact. Share examples of how you’ve successfully maintained brand voice consistency in past projects, and be prepared to explain how you measure the effectiveness of your content in upholding the brand’s identity.

Example: “ Maintaining brand voice consistency across various types of content starts with a deep understanding of the brand’s core values, target audience, and the unique personality traits that set it apart. I immerse myself in the brand’s culture and communication style, often working closely with the brand team to absorb the nuances of its voice. Once I have a solid grasp, I create or utilize an existing style guide as a reference tool that outlines the brand’s tone, language, and messaging pillars. This guide becomes the benchmark for all content, ensuring that whether I’m crafting a blog post, social media update, or video script, the essence of the brand is unmistakable.

For each piece of content, I adapt the voice to suit the medium’s context and audience expectations while maintaining the brand’s core messaging. For instance, a tweet might be more casual and concise, but it will still carry the brand’s signature tone. I also employ regular content audits, using both qualitative and quantitative feedback, to measure the effectiveness of the content in upholding the brand’s identity. By analyzing engagement metrics and audience sentiment, I can fine-tune the approach to ensure consistency and resonance across all platforms. This methodical yet flexible approach has allowed me to successfully maintain brand voice consistency, driving brand recognition and loyalty in my past projects.”

7. When starting with a new topic, what is your research approach?

A content creator’s research approach reveals their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex information into accessible content. The question serves to assess not only the candidate’s proficiency in research methods but also their curiosity, resourcefulness, and strategic thinking in how they gather and apply information to create compelling narratives or content pieces.

When responding to this question, a candidate should outline a systematic approach that begins with identifying key information sources, both primary and secondary. It’s important to describe the process of evaluating the reliability of these sources, as well as any tools or methodologies used to organize and analyze the data. A good response might also include how you stay updated with the latest trends and information relevant to the topic, and how you differentiate your content from existing material. Demonstrating an ability to adapt your research approach to different topics will show versatility and a proactive mindset in content creation.

Example: “ When embarking on a new topic, my research approach is methodical and tailored to ensure depth and accuracy. Initially, I identify authoritative primary sources such as academic journals, industry reports, and interviews with subject matter experts to establish a solid foundation of facts and insights. Concurrently, I utilize secondary sources like reputable news outlets, blogs, and forums to gauge current discourse and public sentiment.

I critically assess the credibility of these sources through cross-referencing information and checking for recent peer reviews or citations. To synthesize and analyze data, I employ tools like content analysis software and mind mapping to organize themes and identify gaps in the existing literature. This not only streamlines the content creation process but also enables me to pinpoint unique angles that differentiate my work. Staying abreast of the latest trends is achieved through RSS feeds, keyword alerts, and continuous networking with professionals in the field, ensuring my content remains relevant and innovative. This adaptive research strategy is pivotal in crafting authoritative and compelling content that resonates with the target audience.”

8. Share an experience where you had to create content under tight deadlines. How did you manage?

Handling pressure while maintaining standards is a testament to a content creator’s discipline, organization, and expertise in their craft. This question delves into the candidate’s process for producing quality work swiftly and reveals their prioritization skills, adaptability, and whether they have effective strategies for dealing with constraints without sacrificing the integrity of the content.

When responding, it’s crucial to outline the specific situation, actions taken, and the result. Begin by setting the scene with the context of the deadline and the content requirements. Detail your process for managing the workload, such as breaking the project into manageable tasks, using time-tracking tools, or prioritizing critical aspects of the content. Highlight any creative solutions you employed to stay on track and ensure quality. Conclude with the outcome, emphasizing how the content performed, the feedback received, or the lessons learned, which demonstrates reflection and the capacity for growth.

Example: “ Faced with a tight deadline to produce a comprehensive guide on emerging technologies, I immediately set to work by outlining the core topics and identifying the most current and relevant data. Recognizing the time constraints, I prioritized sections that would offer the highest value to the target audience, ensuring the most critical information was covered first. To maintain efficiency, I utilized a project management tool to break down the tasks into daily goals and tracked progress meticulously.

As the deadline loomed, I leveraged my network of industry experts for quick insights and collaborated with a graphic designer to concurrently develop visuals that would complement the text. This parallel processing approach maximized productivity without sacrificing quality. The guide was delivered on schedule and received high engagement, with readers praising its depth and clarity. The experience reinforced the importance of strategic planning and agile execution in content creation, particularly under pressure.”

9. What’s your process for incorporating feedback or edits from stakeholders?

Adapting and refining work based on input from stakeholders is a vital skill for ensuring the final product meets or exceeds the project’s objectives. It also reveals how a candidate handles critique, collaborates on revisions, and maintains the integrity of the content while accommodating necessary changes.

When responding, it’s essential to outline a clear, systematic approach that demonstrates your openness to feedback. Begin by explaining how you initially receive and review the feedback, then detail the steps you take to assess its validity and relevance to the project’s goals. Discuss how you prioritize suggestions and incorporate them into your revisions, ensuring to communicate effectively with stakeholders throughout the process. Highlight specific examples from past experiences where you successfully integrated feedback to improve a piece of content, and emphasize your commitment to delivering high-quality work that aligns with the stakeholder’s vision.

Example: “ Upon receiving feedback or edits from stakeholders, my first step is to thoroughly review the input, ensuring I fully understand the perspectives and intentions behind the suggestions. I then evaluate the feedback against the project’s objectives and audience needs, discerning which pieces of feedback will enhance the content’s effectiveness and align with the strategic goals.

Once I’ve identified the most pertinent feedback, I prioritize the edits based on their impact on the content’s quality and the project’s timeline. I maintain an open line of communication with stakeholders, discussing potential trade-offs and confirming that the proposed changes will meet their expectations. For instance, in a previous project, I received feedback to simplify technical jargon in an article. By collaborating closely with the subject matter expert, I revised the content to be more accessible while preserving its accuracy, resulting in increased engagement and positive reception from the target audience. This systematic approach ensures that the final content reflects a harmonious balance between stakeholder vision and audience needs, ultimately leading to a successful outcome.”

10. Have you ever dealt with a PR crisis through your content? How did you handle it?

In the event of a PR crisis, a content creator’s crisis management skills come to the forefront. Employers ask this question to assess your ability to think strategically under pressure, and your competence in mitigating the potential fallout from negative publicity. They are looking for evidence of your problem-solving capabilities, your communication skills, and your judgment in handling sensitive information.

When responding, provide a clear example that showcases your approach to crisis management through content. Outline the situation, your role in it, and the steps you took to address the issue. Highlight how you prioritized transparency, accountability, or damage control in your content strategy. It’s essential to demonstrate that you remained calm and collected, made informed decisions based on the crisis’s nature, and measured the effectiveness of your response in rebuilding or maintaining trust with the audience.

Example: “ Yes, I have managed a PR crisis through strategic content creation. During a situation where a product malfunction led to customer dissatisfaction, my immediate response was to acknowledge the issue publicly. I crafted a statement that was transparent about the problem, empathetic towards affected customers, and clear about the steps being taken to resolve the issue. This statement was disseminated across all relevant platforms to ensure a unified message.

Following the initial response, I developed a series of content pieces aimed at educating customers about the remediation process, including safety measures and quality checks being implemented to prevent future incidents. I also engaged with customer feedback directly, providing updates and addressing concerns in real-time. Throughout the crisis, I monitored sentiment and engagement metrics to gauge the effectiveness of the content strategy, making adjustments as necessary to ensure that the messaging was resonant and trust was being restored.”

11. Tell us about a time when your content significantly boosted user engagement. What was key to its success?

When interviewers ask about a past success in engagement, they are looking for evidence of a candidate’s strategic thinking, adaptability, and ability to analyze data to refine content for maximum impact. The ability to consistently produce engaging content is not just about creativity; it’s about understanding audience needs and leveraging analytics to inform strategies.

To respond effectively, outline the specific instance where your content led to increased engagement. Detail the strategy behind the content, the target audience, and the metrics used to measure success. Discuss how you utilized user feedback or engagement analytics to iterate on your content strategy. Emphasize the results, such as increased likes, shares, comments, or conversion rates, and explain how this success informed your future content creation efforts.

Example: “ In one instance, I created a series of educational videos that aimed to demystify complex topics within our niche. The key to their success was a combination of relatable analogies, high-quality visuals, and interactive elements that prompted viewers to engage directly with the content. By breaking down the information into digestible parts and encouraging user participation through quizzes and call-to-action prompts, we saw a significant uptick in user engagement.

Metrics like watch time increased by 50%, and the videos garnered a high share rate, indicating that the content resonated with our audience and provided value. Additionally, the comment sections became hotspots for discussion, further amplifying engagement. Analyzing the engagement data, I refined the content strategy to focus on interactive and educational formats, which continued to drive higher engagement rates across our platforms. This approach not only fostered a more engaged community but also positioned our brand as a thought leader in the space.”

12. How do you stay updated on current trends and incorporate them into your content?

Staying current with trends is about understanding the pulse of public interest and ensuring content resonates with the intended audience. By asking this question, interviewers are looking for candidates who actively engage with the evolving nature of content, demonstrate an ability to adapt swiftly, and can creatively integrate fresh ideas to maintain the content’s appeal and effectiveness.

To respond, outline a systematic approach for trend monitoring, such as following industry news, using social media listening tools, and engaging with online communities. Explain how you analyze trends for alignment with brand values and audience interests. Provide examples of how you’ve incorporated trends into your content to drive engagement or refresh existing material. Emphasize your agility in content planning and your proactive strategies for staying ahead of the curve.

Example: “ Staying abreast of current trends is crucial for creating relevant and engaging content. I employ a multi-faceted approach to trend monitoring, which includes leveraging social media listening tools to track conversations and sentiment in real-time. I also subscribe to industry newsletters, follow thought leaders, and participate actively in niche online communities where trends often emerge first.

When incorporating trends into content, I perform a critical analysis to ensure they align with the brand’s values and resonate with our target audience. For instance, I’ve harnessed trending topics to craft timely blog posts that not only attracted immediate attention but also provided long-term value through SEO. Moreover, I’ve revitalized evergreen content by weaving in fresh, trending elements, thus extending its lifespan and relevance. My approach is always to be agile in content planning, allowing for the integration of trends without compromising the overarching content strategy.”

13. What tools do you find indispensable for content planning and execution?

The question about familiarity with industry-standard tools aims to reveal the candidate’s approach to leveraging these tools for efficiency and effectiveness. It also hints at the candidate’s ability to stay current with evolving technology and trends, which is vital in an industry that thrives on innovation and adaptability.

When responding, candidates should list specific tools they use, such as content management systems, graphic design software, social media schedulers, SEO tools, and analytics platforms. They should explain how each tool fits into their process and contributes to the success of their content strategy. Elaborating on personal experiences with the tools demonstrates practical knowledge and shows how they’ve used these resources to achieve tangible results.

Example: “ For content planning, Trello and Asana are indispensable for organizing workflows and collaborating with team members. These project management platforms enable me to visualize content pipelines, set deadlines, and assign tasks, ensuring that the content strategy is executed smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, I leverage Google Docs for real-time collaboration on content drafts, which streamlines the editing process and accelerates content turnaround times.

In terms of execution, WordPress paired with Yoast SEO is a powerful combination for publishing and optimizing content for search engines. Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Premiere Pro, are my go-to tools for creating visually compelling graphics and videos that enhance the storytelling aspect of content. For distribution and performance tracking, I rely on Hootsuite for scheduling social media posts across various platforms and Google Analytics for monitoring content engagement and user behavior, which informs future content decisions and strategy refinements.”

14. Could you walk us through the development of a content campaign you’re particularly proud of?

A content campaign showcases a creator’s capacity to drive a narrative, coordinate across multiple platforms, and measure success against predefined objectives. Employers ask this to discern the candidate’s ability to conceptualize, execute, and reflect on a content strategy, as well as their creativity, project management skills, and adaptability to feedback and analytics.

When responding, outline the campaign’s goals and how they align with the broader business objectives. Detail the steps you took from brainstorming to execution, emphasizing your role in the process. Highlight the tools and techniques you used for content creation, distribution, and performance tracking. Be prepared to discuss the results, what you learned, and how you adapted the campaign in response to data and audience feedback. This will demonstrate your strategic approach and ability to drive tangible business outcomes through content.

Example: “ Absolutely. In one campaign that stands out, the primary goal was to increase brand awareness and user engagement for a new product launch. Aligning with the broader business objectives, the strategy was to leverage a multi-platform content approach, focusing on storytelling that resonated with our target audience’s challenges and aspirations.

The development process began with in-depth audience research to inform the content themes and formats that would be most effective. From there, I spearheaded a content calendar that balanced educational articles, engaging videos, and interactive social media posts. Utilizing SEO best practices and data analytics tools, the content was optimized for discoverability and tailored to audience behavior patterns observed across our channels.

Throughout the campaign, I closely monitored performance metrics, such as engagement rates, conversion data, and social shares, to gauge the content’s impact. This data-driven approach allowed for real-time adjustments, such as A/B testing different headlines and visuals to improve click-through rates. The campaign ultimately exceeded KPIs by a significant margin, with a notable increase in time spent on our website and a surge in social media interactions, which underscored the content’s resonance with the audience. The success of this campaign was a testament to the power of targeted content and adaptability in response to audience feedback.”

15. How do you balance creativity with commercial objectives in your content?

Balancing unique voice and fulfilling strategic goals is crucial for producing content that not only resonates with audiences but also drives the desired business outcomes. Employers are looking for content creators who understand that while creativity is their superpower, it must be harnessed to meet specific commercial targets without compromising the integrity of the content.

When responding to this question, emphasize your understanding of the target audience and how you tailor your creative process to appeal to that demographic while achieving business goals. Share examples of past work where you’ve successfully integrated feedback, analytics, and market trends to inform your creative decisions, and how these efforts led to measurable results. Highlight your ability to adapt and iterate on your creative ideas to align with commercial objectives, and your willingness to collaborate with other departments to ensure the content serves the broader vision of the company.

Example: “ Balancing creativity with commercial objectives begins with a deep understanding of the target audience and the strategic goals of the content. By leveraging data analytics and market research, I ensure that my creative process is informed by user behavior and preferences, which guides the development of engaging content that resonates with the audience while serving the business’s objectives. For instance, in a recent campaign, I integrated SEO best practices with compelling storytelling to boost organic reach and engagement, resulting in a significant uptick in both traffic and conversion rates.

Collaboration across departments is also key to aligning creative content with commercial goals. By working closely with the marketing, sales, and product teams, I can gain insights into the company’s broader vision and tailor my content to support those aims. This approach allows for iterative feedback, ensuring that the content not only captivates but also converts. In one project, by incorporating feedback from the sales team, I was able to adjust the content’s messaging to better address customer pain points, which ultimately led to a higher lead generation and a more favorable ROI.”

16. In what way have you used video content to enhance your content marketing efforts?

Video content’s high engagement rate is due to its ability to combine visual and auditory elements to tell a compelling story. Employers are looking for creators who not only appreciate the power of video but also understand how to integrate it effectively into their content marketing strategies to increase brand visibility, improve SEO, and drive conversions.

When answering this question, discuss specific campaigns or projects where you have incorporated video content. Highlight how you tailored the video to your target audience, the goals you set out to achieve, and the metrics you used to measure success. Share any creative challenges you overcame and how the video content complemented or amplified other marketing efforts. It’s important to demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you are not just creating videos for the sake of it, but that every piece of content has a purpose and fits within a larger marketing plan.

Example: “ In leveraging video content, I’ve found that it significantly amplifies engagement and conversion rates when strategically integrated within a broader content marketing strategy. For instance, I spearheaded a campaign where we utilized short-form video content to distill complex product features into digestible, compelling narratives. These videos were tailored to our target audience’s preference for quick, informative content that could be easily consumed on social media platforms.

The campaign’s goal was to drive product awareness and generate leads, and we measured success through metrics such as view count, watch time, click-through rate, and conversion rate. By analyzing these metrics, we were able to iterate on our content, optimizing for the platforms where our audience was most active. Moreover, the video content was designed to complement blog posts and infographics, creating a cohesive storytelling experience across all channels. This approach not only bolstered our SEO efforts but also provided a multi-faceted touchpoint strategy that nurtured leads through the sales funnel more effectively.”

17. Detail a complex concept you had to simplify for your audience. What approach did you take?

Simplifying intricate or technical information into an accessible format requires a delicate balance of clarity, engagement, and educational value. This question seeks to assess not only the candidate’s expertise in the subject but also their creativity and skill in communication, ensuring they can make the complex understandable and interesting to those without specialized knowledge.

When responding, you should describe a specific instance where you broke down a complex topic, highlighting the steps you took to ensure comprehension. Start by explaining how you identified the key elements that needed simplification, and then discuss your method for restructuring the information, such as using analogies, visual aids, or storytelling techniques. It’s important to detail how you gauged the audience’s understanding and the feedback mechanisms you used to ensure the content was resonating. Your answer should reflect your ability to think critically about content delivery and demonstrate a user-centric approach to content creation.

Example: “ In a recent project, I was tasked with demystifying the intricacies of blockchain technology for a non-technical audience. Recognizing the complexity of the subject, I distilled it down to its fundamental principles: decentralization, immutability, and transparency. To make these concepts more relatable, I employed a combination of storytelling and analogy. I likened the blockchain to a digital ledger, similar to a communal notebook, where each entry is verified by multiple people, making it nearly impossible to alter unnoticed.

I supported this narrative with visual aids, such as infographics that illustrated how a blockchain transaction works step-by-step, akin to the journey of a package from sender to receiver, with checkpoints along the way. To ensure the content was resonating, I incorporated interactive elements where the audience could engage with the material, such as quizzes to test their understanding. The feedback collected was overwhelmingly positive, with analytics showing increased time spent on the educational pages and a significant decrease in support queries related to the topic, indicating enhanced comprehension. This approach not only made the content more digestible but also reinforced my commitment to a user-centric content strategy that prioritizes clarity and engagement.”

18. Have you ever repurposed content? If so, describe the process and outcome.

Transforming a blog post into a video, a podcast episode, or a series of social media snippets signifies a content creator’s strategic thinking and adaptability in the digital landscape. Repurposing content is an essential skill, allowing for the maximization of a single piece of work across various platforms and formats.

When responding to this question, detail a specific instance where you took a single piece of content and adapted it for different uses. Explain the thought process behind the decisions you made, the tools and strategies you employed, and the results you achieved. Highlight how this repurposing effort led to increased engagement, reached new audience segments, or achieved specific marketing goals. Be prepared to discuss any challenges you faced during this process and how you overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving skills and creativity.

Example: “ Yes, I have repurposed content to maximize its reach and impact. In one instance, I transformed a well-received long-form blog post into a series of micro-content pieces. The original article was rich with data and insights, which I identified could be leveraged across multiple platforms. I distilled the key points into infographics for visual appeal on social media, created short-form videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and developed a podcast episode to discuss the topic in depth. Each piece of repurposed content was tailored to the platform’s audience and their content consumption preferences.

The outcome was a significant increase in audience engagement across all channels. The infographics drove a 30% uptick in social media shares, the videos captured a higher retention rate, and the podcast episode became one of the most downloaded in that quarter. This strategy not only amplified the reach of the original content but also reinforced the brand’s authority on the subject. It demonstrated the power of repurposing content to extract additional value from a single piece of work, while also catering to diverse audience preferences and behaviors.”

19. What role does community management play in your content creation strategy?

Community management embodies the engagement and relationship you foster with your audience. By querying about community management, the interviewer seeks to evaluate whether a candidate recognizes that content creation isn’t a one-way street but rather a dynamic conversation that helps in shaping the brand’s voice and in turn, driving loyalty and growth.

When responding, you should highlight how you monitor and engage with your audience through comments, social media, and other platforms to gather feedback. Discuss how this feedback informs your content calendar, topic selection, and even the tone and style of your content. Emphasize any tools or methods you use for tracking engagement metrics and how you translate this data into actionable insights to continuously refine your content strategy and strengthen your community ties.

Example: “ Community management is integral to my content creation strategy as it provides a direct feedback loop from the audience to the content we produce. By actively engaging with the community through comments and social platforms, I am able to gauge the resonance of our content and collect qualitative insights that inform future content development. This engagement not only helps to tailor the content calendar to the community’s interests and needs but also fosters a sense of belonging among members, which is crucial for long-term audience retention and brand loyalty.

I utilize a suite of analytics tools to track engagement metrics such as comments, shares, and time spent on content. This data is then analyzed to identify patterns and preferences within the community, allowing for a data-driven approach to content creation. The insights gained are used to refine the tone, style, and substance of the content, ensuring that it remains relevant and impactful. By placing community feedback at the heart of the content strategy, I ensure that the content we create is not only engaging but also serves as a catalyst for an ever-evolving and dynamic community conversation.”

20. How do you assess and decide on the mix of content formats for different campaigns?

The choice of content formats must align with where the target audience spends their time and how they consume information. Moreover, the format should complement the campaign’s goals, whether that’s to educate, entertain, or convert. This question reveals your strategic thinking, your adaptability to trends, and your ability to innovate while balancing effectiveness and resource allocation.

When responding, it’s beneficial to describe a systematic approach that starts with audience research and campaign objectives. Discuss how you analyze data to understand content performance and how you experiment with different formats to engage with the audience effectively. Share specifics about a successful campaign where you selected a particular mix of content formats and explain the rationale behind each choice, linking it back to measurable outcomes.

Example: “ To determine the optimal mix of content formats for any campaign, I start by delving deep into audience research to understand the preferences, behaviors, and content consumption patterns of the target demographic. This involves analyzing existing data from previous campaigns, social media engagement metrics, and current content trends within the industry. By aligning this research with the overarching campaign objectives, whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or customer retention, I can tailor a content strategy that resonates with the audience and meets the campaign goals.

For instance, in a recent campaign aimed at increasing user engagement, I leveraged a combination of short-form videos, infographics, and interactive polls based on insights that our audience favored visual and interactive content. The short-form videos were designed to capture attention quickly and drive shares, the infographics distilled complex information into digestible visuals, and the polls fostered a two-way conversation. The success of this approach was evident in the increased engagement rates and time spent on our platforms, which surpassed our KPIs by 20%. The data-driven selection of content formats, coupled with continuous A/B testing and performance analysis, ensures that the content strategy remains agile and effective.”

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