Finding the right social media strategist can be a game-changer for your business. They’ll be in charge of your online presence, creating interesting content, connecting with your audience, and ultimately raising awareness of your brand and your bottom line. But there are a lot of good candidates, how do you pick the best one?
The answer lies in asking the right questions during the interview process. This guide will equip you with a comprehensive set of interview questions, categorized by skillset and experience, to help you identify the perfect social media strategist for your team.
Hard Skills Assessing Technical Knowledge and Abilities
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How do you make a social media plan that fits with the voice of our client’s brand?
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Why this matters A strong social media strategist understands the importance of brand voice consistency across all platforms. They should be able to analyze and adapt their approach to match the specific tone and style of each client.
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What to listen for Look for answers that demonstrate a meticulous approach to crafting client-specific strategies, a track record of successful campaigns, and a willingness to adapt and optimize based on current trends
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How do you ensure compliance when crafting social media strategies?
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Why this matters: Social media compliance is crucial for avoiding legal issues and maintaining brand reputation. A good candidate will be well-versed in the various regulations governing social media, including platform-specific rules, legal requirements, and ethical considerations.
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What to Listen For: Answers that show you know the community rules, care about doing the right thing, and pay close attention to detail are good signs.
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How do you use SEO or SEM to inform your strategies?
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Why this matters SEO and SEM play a vital role in maximizing the reach and visibility of your social media campaigns. A skilled candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of these concepts and how they can be leveraged to drive organic traffic and brand awareness.
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What to listen for: Answers should show that you know the latest best practices for SEO and SEM, are comfortable with data analytics tools, and can explain how certain SEO or SEM strategies can help your business.
Behavioral Intelligence: Uncovering Past Experiences and Problem-Solving Skills
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Tell me about a campaign you’re particularly proud of. What role did you play in achieving its success?
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Why this matters: This question delves into the candidate’s leadership abilities and their ability to translate strategy into action. It also reveals their passion for their work and their capacity to achieve results.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that demonstrate ownership, responsibility, and leadership. The candidate should be able to articulate their role in the campaign’s success, providing specific examples and metrics to support their claims.
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Describe a time you had to break down a technical concept or problem to a colleague outside your expertise.
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Why this matters: Effective communication and collaboration are essential for any social media strategist. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to simplify complex ideas and communicate effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that demonstrate patience, enthusiasm, and strong teamwork skills. The candidate should be able to explain technical concepts in a clear and concise manner, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
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Tell me about a time you previously created and executed a social media strategy for an organization like ours.
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Why this matters: This question gauges the candidate’s understanding of your industry and target audience. It also reveals their ability to adapt their approach to different organizational contexts and achieve specific goals.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that demonstrate prior experience in your industry or a similar field. The candidate should be able to articulate their understanding of your organization’s goals, target audience, and the specific challenges and opportunities presented by your industry.
Soft Skills: Evaluating Personal Traits and Cognitive Abilities
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What drives your passion for the field?
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Why this matters: Social media is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape. A passionate candidate will stay ahead of the curve, constantly learning and adapting to new trends and platforms.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that showcase genuine interest and enthusiasm for social media. The candidate should be able to articulate their passion, whether it stems from a love of storytelling, a fascination with technology, or a desire to connect with people online.
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How do you handle pushback or negative feedback?
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Why this matters: Social media can be a breeding ground for negativity. A resilient candidate will be able to handle criticism constructively, learn from mistakes, and adapt their approach accordingly.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that demonstrate emotional intelligence, maturity, and a willingness to learn from feedback. The candidate should be able to articulate how they handle negative feedback, whether it’s from clients, colleagues, or online audiences.
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How do you define professional success?
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Why this matters: This question reveals the candidate’s values and priorities. It helps you understand what motivates them and what they consider to be important in their career.
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What to listen for: Look for answers that align with your organization’s values and goals. The candidate should be able to articulate their definition of success, whether it’s measured by tangible results, personal growth, or making a positive impact.
Bonus: Additional Questions to Consider
- What are your favorite social media tools and platforms?
- What are your thoughts on the latest social media trends?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the ever-changing social media landscape?
- Can you share an example of a social media campaign that you found particularly innovative or effective?
- What are your salary expectations?
Remember:
- Adapt these questions to fit your specific needs and the requirements of the role.
- Ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into the candidate’s responses and assess their critical thinking skills.
- Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues to get a holistic understanding of the candidate’s personality and fit within your team.
By using these interview questions, you’ll be well-equipped to identify the social media strategist who possesses the skills, experience, and passion to take your online presence to the next level.
Soft skills interview questions
- How do you keep track of your tasks and decide which ones are most important when you’re in charge of several social media sites?
- Give an example of a time when you had to deal with bad comments on social media and explain how you did it.
- When it comes to social media, how do you keep up with the latest changes and trends?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a group or department to make a social media campaign work. How did you ensure effective communication and teamwork?.
- How do you know if your social media marketing is working and what changes need to be made to reach your goals?
- Could you give me an example of a social media campaign that worked well? What was your plan, and how could I measure its success?
- How do you keep up with the latest changes and trends on social media? As a social media strategist, can you give me some examples of how you have used these changes in your work?
- Could you explain how you come up with a social media strategy for a new client? What kind of research do you do? What do you think about?
- Did you ever deal with mean comments or feedback on social media? If so, how did you handle it? What did you do to make things better?
- Which social media site do you think is the most important for businesses to be on? Why do you think this?
Marketing Interview Questions and Answers
FAQ
How do I prepare for a strategist interview?
What does a strategist do in media?
What is the interview question for social media strategy?
How do I become a media strategist?
Media strategists must have a deep understanding of how consumers process information, as well as of the latest advertising and communication technologies. If you want to work in this exciting and growing field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough interview questions.
What skills do you need to be a media strategist?
Describe your experience with video editing and production. Video production is a key part of the media strategist’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with video editing and production software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
How do I prepare for a content strategist job interview?
Showcasing your ability to meet job requirements and contribute to business goals can show employers your motivation to succeed. If you’re preparing to interview for a content strategist position, it’s helpful to understand the questions interviewers are likely to ask.
What questions should a social media strategist ask a candidate?
Social media strategists need to understand the company’s goals, target audience, and overall brand identity in order to create a strategy that will be effective. By asking this question, the interviewer is looking for evidence that the candidate can create a comprehensive plan for a company’s social media presence.
