8 Unique Interview Questions to Ask Marketing Candidates in an Interview & Their Impact

In the quest to find the best fit for marketing roles, we’ve gathered most questions asked to marketing Candidates in an Interview with industry experts, including Chief Marketing Officers and founders. They reveal their most telling interview questions, from discussing favorite and least favorite campaigns to engaging audiences amidst ad-blockers. Dive into the unique perspectives of eight seasoned professionals on uncovering marketing candidate potential.

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Discuss Favorite and Least Favorite Campaigns of a Marketing Candidates in an Interview

The line of questioning that I always like to use is: “What was your favorite campaign/project that you worked on and why?” After getting the answer, I would follow up with “What is the campaign/project that you did not enjoy or get good results on, and in retrospect, what would you have changed to make it better?” 

I always feel candidates are prepared to answer the first question to ask marketing candidates in an interview, but the second one disarms them, and it allows them to give a more honest and personal answer, giving me more insight into their thought process and their problem-solving abilities.

Garen Meserlian, Chief Marketing Officer, easyMarkets

Probe Resilience with Failed Campaigns

One question I always ask a marketing candidates in an interview is, “Describe a marketing campaign you initiated that didn’t go as planned. What went wrong, and how did you adapt?” This question assesses a candidate’s problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to learn from failures. It reveals their capacity to analyze situations, make data-driven decisions, and pivot strategies when necessary.

A strong candidate will showcase adaptability, accountability, and a growth mindset, emphasizing the valuable lessons derived from setbacks. This question goes beyond showcasing successes, offering insights into a candidate’s maturity, self-awareness, and capacity to turn challenges into opportunities for improvement.

Simon Brisk, Founder and SEO Strategist, Click Intelligence

Evaluate Disagreement with Marketing Trends

One of my go-to questions for marketing candidates in an interview is, “Can you describe a recent marketing trend you disagree with and why?” This question reveals the candidate’s knowledge about industry trends, demonstrates their independent thinking, and shows their willingness to challenge the status quo. It helps us gauge their understanding and their ability to innovate or adapt in a dynamic field such as marketing.

Zoltan Fagyal, SEO Consultant and Founder, Back Bay Digital

Assess Problem-Solving with Unplanned Projects

When interviewing marketing candidates in an interview, one question I always find valuable to ask is, “Can you share an example of a project that didn’t go as planned?” This question serves as a powerful tool to assess a candidate’s problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to learn from failures.

By inviting candidates to address a challenging project, it provides them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their capacity to navigate difficult situations.

Their response allows me to gain insights into their analytical thinking, their ability to make adjustments, and their aptitude for transforming setbacks into opportunities. This question helps me gauge their resilience, creativity, and their potential to thrive in the dynamic field of marketing.

Rubens Basso, Chief Technology Officer, FieldRoutes

Strategize Against Disruptive Innovations

Asking usual questions to marketing candidates in an interview about metrics and campaigns is monotonous and predictable. The one question I ask in interviews is: “Consider yourself as a brand manager for a well-established company. Suddenly, a disruptive innovation emerges that threatens your market. How would you develop a marketing strategy to navigate this disruption?”

I often ask this question to marketing candidates in an interview because it challenges the candidate to think beyond traditional marketing and consider future scenarios. It gauges their ability to identify threats, adapt quickly, and develop innovative solutions.

The question forces the candidate to consider potential downsides and contingency plans, demonstrates their understanding of the specific industry’s dynamics, and encourages the candidate to think beyond their marketing silo and consider cross-functional collaborations with other departments.

This question pushes candidates beyond routine marketing tasks and assesses their preparedness for the ever-evolving business landscape.

Fahad Khan, Digital Marketing Manager, Ubuy India

Imagine Brand as a Person

One unique interview question I ask my candidate is to imagine our company’s brand as a person, describe what kind of personality it would have, and share what social events or activities this individual would enjoy.

This question is a creative exercise that prompts candidates to show their ability to be imaginative because, in a dynamic marketing field where storytelling and brand persona creation are pivotal, assessing their ability to bring the brand to life provides valuable insight into their understanding.

Additionally, the question offers a glimpse into the candidate’s awareness of our target audience. The social events in their response will reflect their understanding of our customer preferences.

Lastly, the candidate’s response allows me to assess their communication skills with how effectively they articulate our brand personality, which shows their ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively and is a crucial trait in marketing.

Peter Bryla, Community Manager, ResumeLab

Solve a Company Problem Promptly

One unique interview question I ask marketing candidates is, “If you could solve one problem in your company by tomorrow, what would it be, and why would you pick that problem?” I always get different responses and face reactions from the candidates upon asking this question, which is pretty much understandable and hilarious at the same time. 

It is a very unpredictable question that tests the candidates’ mental capacity to think in a sudden situation. I also get unique ideas and insights from them, which is amazing. In the end, it is just one question that allows me to get to know the right candidates.

James McNally, Managing Director, SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]

Engage Audiences Amidst Ad-Blockers

I always ask candidates during interviews, “How do you connect with audiences effectively in a time where people use ad-blockers, without relying too much on traditional display ads?” 

Nowadays, ad-blockers have become the norm, rendering traditional display ads less effective. Knowing how candidates overcome this challenge and find other ways to engage with target audiences is a crucial subject matter. It helps to identify individuals who possess the creativity and adaptability necessary for success in the field of marketing.

Nikhil Soni, Founder, The Tribe Kids

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