The Social Media Job Stadium
Not so long ago, people turned to social media to unplug (ironic, yes) after a long day. Each platform offered a bunch of tools to play around with and connect to your pals, and that was it. Fast-forward to 2022, and it’s evident that social media has become a way of life, upheld by influencers whose ranks increase by the minute. All it took was a little scratching beyond the surface for people to wake up and smell the SMM potential coffee. The social media field went viral with every new strategy that was unearthed to promote brands’ online digital marketing strategies, and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Long story short, everyone wants a slice of the social media pie nowadays, and social media executives are prime candidates to serve clients the ludicrous profit they crave. Where does that leave you? At the gates to glory: the social media job interview.
Entering The Fast Lane
Let’s back up a bit before we go over the interview. You’re probably wondering whether a job interview in this field is that big of a deal. I use social media all the time, I’ve done my homework. I got this in the bag, right? Not quite. The field is the flavor of the season, which puts competition for viable jobs at an incessant high. Everyone with a smartphone has access to Twitter and Instagram in 2022, so what makes you any different? Even at a social media intern interview, the questions you face will pick at your brain and test your mettle. Social platforms are mere tools that are a means to an end.
- How can you leverage traction on these platforms for brands?
- What resources on the platforms will you use to reach the milestones you set?
- Where will you channel the funds made available to you?
It’s evident that you’re expected to go above and beyond basic knowledge of social media platforms. You’re not going to get hired just to put up a post now and then; there are bots who can do the same thing for free. When the competition is this tight, you can expect plenty of curveballs coming your way in any social media job interview. A moment of hesitation in your answers could make all the difference in your interview result. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In the next section, we’ll go over the prominent questions you can expect when you grab your portfolio and walk through that door.
Social Media job Interview Questions: The Basics
1) Most interviews begin with the basic formalities, then transition into the background information. To the interviewers, this is where they start painting a picture of your job profile in their heads. In other words, that’s your cue to make a first impression, so you better make the most of it!
Give them a short summary of your work so far, and stick to important specifics. You should focus on brand names (if you can disclose them) and campaign types.
2) Up next on the array of questions is your career motivation. Why are you in this field? Cliché answers like “I think social media houses so much potential for my career growth” won’t cut it in 2022, interviewers hear a dozen people say that every day. Keep your reasoning personal, with a case study from your own life. An answer centered around marketing perspectives will go a long way for your cause, even in a social media intern interview. Sound genuine, but don’t overdo it!
3)At this point in the interview, you might face your first curveball: What is the social media platform you’re most comfortable with? Questions along these lines are a classic bait-and-switch meant to assess your quick thinking. The best answer you could give is to level with the interviewer and tell them you’re adaptable to whatever the brand requires. Or you could be honest and speak your mind, but it could go either way!
What you see above is standard fare for SMM interview questions. The real challenge lies beyond when things get technical!
The Social Call
4)How often do you brief clients on social media metrics?
Transparency is a huge dealbreaker for social media marketing in 2022, so you must say without blinking that you brief your clients as and when any developments occur, keeping them in the loop about relevant metrics. Bonus points if you can sound convincing while doing so!
5)On what level can you grasp client briefs and convert them into an executable social media strategy?
For this question, you’ll need to support your confidence with a prior example from your career to sound authentic. Though this isn’t a common social media intern interview question, it’s best to be prepared.
6)Are you adept at damage control for a brand on social media?
2022 is the age of political correctness. A single misstep can throw a wrench into months upon months of hard work on social media. Sure, the better option is to avoid it altogether, but a good executive knows how to nip any problems in the bud. Therefore, that aptitude should reflect in your answer. Be prepared to think on your feet if the interviewers toss random hypotheticals at you!
7)What is your approach to competitor research for brands on social media?
Social media marketing is a booming field these days, with more brands vying for a permanent spot in lucrative niches online. Weave that into your answer, stating how learning from a competitor’s milestones and mistakes is a suitable way to develop a social media presence while also retaining core brand identity.
8)How would you handle differences of opinion with a client?
Yes, your job as a social media executive is to wow the client with your strategies, but not at the cost of going against their wishes. Put across to the interviewers that you are a team player and flexible enough to adapt to feedback from clients.
Handling clients is a cornerstone of the social media stint. There are more layers to the job in these types of interviews, however. Let’s enter the big leagues of social media job interviews now.
The Measure of Metrics
9)What metrics define social media success according to you?
Overarching questions require well-thought-out answers. Over time, social media has grown to include different goalposts from the usual “I want to grab maximum eyeballs”. Include this thought process in your response, defining the various goals you’ve worked towards in social media. E-commerce is a huge draw in 2022, maybe you could sprinkle that in too!
10)How do you go about compiling metrics into client reports?
Though digital marketing agencies used to be lax about this, they leave no stone unturned in 2022. Clients don’t want to see plain stats on paper, they want insights and a plan of action. You’re supposed to guarantee they get those two things. Sure, this is unlikely to be part of social media intern interview questions, but be prepared nevertheless.
11)Which is better in the long run, organic reach or boosted content?
Yet another one of those classic bait questions. For this one, you’ll have to straddle both lines. Say that boosted reach is better depending on the context, but in the long haul, organic reach pays better dividends.
12)What is your go-to lead generation campaign strategy?
Time to bring out the big guns. Lead generation is half the reason most brands come to social media anyway, so make a strong statement! Provide examples of your conversion strategies that have worked in the past and try to incorporate current trends into your answer.
13)How many posts for a set period do you think a brand needs to promote its online presence?
The answer to this lies in the balance of brand exposure and user engagement. Mention factors like core brand values, tone, target audience, and content type to make the answer sound legitimate.
14)Are you well versed in Google Analytics? How often do you use it?
The point of this question is to test the waters of your technical knowledge. Google Analytics may seem more SEO-oriented, but knowing your way around it pays off, setting you apart from the competition. Answer honestly, and convey your interest in the platform.
15)Which platform is the best to work with from a technical standpoint according to you?
If you’re sharp, you’ll realize that this is a ploy to get you to pick aside. All things considered, Instagram is a safe bet in most social media job interviews. Alternatively, you could play the field and state that you’re flexible with any social media interface!
Metrics are fine for analysis. What about the creative side of things? At this juncture, the interview will take a turn into abstract territory of creative input.
Creative Social Media Job Interview Questions
16)Where do you draw creative inspiration from on social media?
When you come across this question, think fast. State relevant (preferably current) examples that reflect the portfolio they’re flipping through. Add that you only derive inspiration and not direct influence for effect and that you treat it as an integral part of competitor research.
17)Do you have experience with podcasts/video scripts?
In 2022, YouTube and Spotify have merged with mainstream social media thanks to seamless integration. Being familiar with scripting and long-form content creation will definitely win you brownie points in a social media interview. If you have prior work experience with podcasts, make a strong case for yourself!
18)What makes a good copy in your eyes?
Any social media executive worth their salt has an eye for good copy. Some go a step further and practice copywriting actively to add it into their resume! Pick some strong examples from your portfolio and present your idea of a good copy. It helps if the examples are from different niches and incorporate different styles!
19)How does your creative approach differ between B2B and B2C clients?
For the most part, this question is to gauge your understanding of tone and style in social media content. It’s a staple in SMM interview questions, so give them a short speech about how the goals of the respective industries dictate the approach and methods. For example, in B2B, you could say that your focus is more towards lead generation and less on user activity and engagement.
20)Do you have experience with community management on social media?
Understand that this is a make-or-break aspect for certain brands, especially those that are centered around YouTube. In other words, they want to check how good your “listening” skills are on social media. With that in mind, you’ll have to state examples and even hypotheticals to convince them that you’re the real deal.
21)What are your ideas to crack “viral” content online?
This is your cue to dig deep and give them an abstract yet definitive answer. Start with the remark that “viral” content depends on many variables like audience pulse and posting time. Weave buzzwords like market research and insight derivation into your strategy for viral marketing content. Don’t stop there, keep going and tell them how you’ll sustain the spike in engagement and leverage it for your brand!
22)Is there an ideal content calendar formula you follow?
If you’re sharp, you’ll discern that this is a way for the interviewer to discern what makes your mind tick. Brands want every penny’s worth from their marketing budget in 2022, so go for it and give them a fitting example. Use the “accepted” terms like “filler post”, “outreach post”, “CSR” to sound professional.
23)How do you think of content from an ROI perspective?
This question is often asked as a follow-up to the previous one. It’s used to discern whether you are able to churn out quality content within the ambit of client financials and goals.
Mention specific factors like budgeting for product shoots, boosting expenses, and record maintenance to reflect your professionalism in this regard.
The Usual Deal
Along with the in-depth questions mentioned above, you’ll also encounter certain classics. Going over them individually is beyond the scope of this article, so we’ll give you the general overview which you can work with. These are part of social media intern interview questions too, so don’t sleep on them!
24)The Budget Scenario
In this bracket, you’ll be presented with questions ranging from budget management to reporting. The goal is common, however: assessing how much potential ROI you can bring the client (and the company). Convey a transparent approach and smart approach to budgeting campaigns, emphasizing your meticulous attention and planning before execution. If you’re presented with hypotheticals, always play it safe, never go reckless.
25)Team Spirit Trials
Social media managers need to know how to collaborate and work together. Nothing would get done otherwise. Aside from noting your tone and body language, the interviewers may also ask generic questions about how you fit into teams and your leadership skills. Put your best foot forward and come across as approachable and a go-getter. It isn’t rocket science!
26)Career-Specific Social Media Interview Questions
No interview would be complete without them, would it? Here’s the hall of fame for your consideration:
Where do you see yourself in the social media field in five years?
Whatever you want to say, avoid clichés. Take a compelling future goal and build your answer around that, but most of all, be genuine.
27)How much are you expecting in terms of the pay package?
Asking for quotes has become rarer in 2022 because budgets have become tighter. Nevertheless, have a quote in mind, so you don’t get caught off guard. Ask for what you deserve first, then drop it down to what you need.
28)Why do you think you’ll be a good fit here?
There have been countless possible answers to this popular question. What truly matters is that you level with the interviewer and say it like it is. Honesty will be a pleasant surprise here, don’t put on any airs!
29)Can you work flexible hours?
It’s understood that social media management isn’t your average 9-to-5er, it’s about ready response and action. That being said, however, make it clear that work-life balance is a priority to you.
The Best Impression
Mind you, this guide isn’t set in stone, it’s obvious that there will be some degree of deviation in the actual interview. We hope that this article prepped you well for your next stint in the social media field! All the very best! Have you encountered any interesting social media interview questions in your career? Feel free to share them in the comments!
