9 Content Marketing Interview Questions You Should Prepare for
To help job seekers excel in interviews for entry or mid-level Content Marketing roles, we asked industry leaders for their top advice. From staying updated on industry trends to detailing successful campaigns, here are nine essential questions and answers shared by CEOs and digital marketing directors.
- Stay Updated on Industry Trends
- Learn From Campaign Failures
- Suggest Strategy Improvements
- Incorporate Feedback Effectively
- Generate Unique Content Amid AI
- Share Career Inspiration
- Highlight Human Creativity Over AI
- Create Content That Converts
- Detail Successful Campaigns
Stay Updated on Industry Trends
An important question is, “How do you stay updated with content marketing trends and changes in the industry?”
This inquiry tests the candidate’s commitment to ongoing education and their proactive approach to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving field. It reflects their ability to anticipate and adapt to industry shifts, ensuring their content strategies remain cutting-edge and effective.
In responding to staying updated with industry trends, candidates should mention specific resources they use, such as leading content-marketing blogs, podcasts, or continuous education courses. They could also discuss how they apply what they learn to their strategies, demonstrating a practical application of their ongoing learning and commitment to innovation.
Jason Hennessey, CEO, Hennessey Digital
Learn From Campaign Failures
A key interview question I suggest preparing for in a Content Marketing role is, “Can you describe a campaign you worked on that didn’t go as planned, and what did you learn from it?”
You can respond with something like this: “During my previous role, I managed a social media campaign promoting a health product that struggled to gain traction. We employed a popular advertising platform that was effective three years ago, but by the time of our launch, audience engagement had shifted dramatically. I learned the importance of conducting thorough market research and staying updated on industry trends. This experience taught me to adapt our strategies quickly and reassess our content to resonate with our audience’s current preferences.”
Mike Drouin, Co-founder, Digital Marketing Director, Gardening & Home Improvement Expert, Reefertilizer
Suggest Strategy Improvements
“What’s one thing you would improve about our strategy?”
This interview question can take many forms. The interviewer could ask you about their blog, website, external communications, or email newsletter, but in my 8 years as a content marketer, this question has come up time and time again.
This question is an excellent test of your content-marketing skills and how well you know the employer. As a content marketer, you should arrive at the interview with at least two or three ideas that you can pitch. These ideas don’t need to be instant fixes, but they should demonstrate that you understand the employer’s niche and the channels that they market through, be it editorial content, blogging, podcasts, or video.
My advice is to review the company’s core content and take note of their topics of interest and content-creation style. Then ask yourself how this approach could be improved to better direct users toward the company’s core products or services.
For example, if the employer is a tour operator who principally markets through a blog on their website, then review their featured content and latest posts. What topics does their blog appear to be addressing? How could their coverage be improved? Are there any gaps in their content? And most importantly, are they adequately addressing the needs and interests of their target audience?
Sebastian Morgan, Senior Content Specialist, CV Genius
Incorporate Feedback Effectively
One question most of the interviewers ask: “How do you incorporate feedback into your content?”
Understanding the importance of incorporating feedback into your content, you can explain that this opportunity can enhance your skills and help you understand your content’s intent with business goals.
You can further add: “The first thing I do is review the feedback given to me so that I can understand what the main points are. Next, I make changes in order of their importance and adjust accordingly with precision, such as refining the message, making it clear, or altering the tone. I usually ask for more comments from people after this and consequently advise on whether these changes are necessary. This part has always been useful to me since it enhances my abilities for knowledge acquisition and helps improve the quality and efficiency of my content at last.”
Soubhik Chakrabarti, CEO, Icy Tales
Generate Unique Content Amid AI
If you’re pursuing a role in content marketing, one question you’re likely to encounter in your interview is about standing out in a world now heavily congested with AI content: “With the mass adoption of AI, how will you generate content that stands out in an increasingly congested space where the bar for creating content is now much lower?”
The best way to approach this question is to emphasize the importance of creating content that delivers real value to your audience. In a world where AI can churn out content rapidly, what sets great content apart is thought leadership that is valuable, useful, and infused with personal anecdotes and a human touch.
A strong answer would acknowledge that while AI can be a helpful tool for handling the heavy lifting, it’s crucial to invest time in planning your content and editing the AI-generated copy to ensure it doesn’t come off as generic. Highlight the need to personalize content, correct any factual inaccuracies, and add your unique voice to make it resonate with your audience. This approach not only differentiates your content in a crowded space but also showcases your ability to blend technology with creativity effectively.
Jonathan Buffard, Digital Marketing Director, Bottom Line Marketing Agency
Share Career Inspiration
As someone with over 25 years of experience in the corporate world, I have seen my fair share of interviews and interview questions. However, one question that always stands out to me when interviewing candidates for an entry- or mid-level Content Marketing role is, “What inspired you to pursue a career in content marketing?”
This question not only gives the interviewer insight into your motivation and interests but also allows them to see how well you understand the industry. As the founder of a European travel blog with a background in recruiting, it is essential for me to have team members who are not only passionate about content creation but also knowledgeable about the travel industry.
Renee Hannes, Founder, Dream Plan Experience
Highlight Human Creativity Over AI
Content marketers must address the elephant in the room: “What can you do that AI can’t?”
As AI tools become more integrated into content marketing, interviewers want to know how you can stand out and add value beyond what AI offers.
To answer this question, emphasize your ability to bring creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking to the role—qualities that AI currently can’t replicate. For instance, highlight how you can craft content that emotionally resonates with audiences, adapt messaging to fit nuanced brand voices, and develop strategies that align with broader business goals. These are areas where human intuition and creativity shine, making you indispensable.
At the same time, show that you’re savvy in leveraging AI to enhance your work. Discuss how you use AI tools for tasks like data analysis, SEO optimization, and content generation, using them as a starting point while ensuring that the final output reflects a human touch. Emphasize that AI is a powerful tool that helps you work more efficiently, but it’s your unique skills and insights that bring real value to the role.
Vivian Chen, Founder & CEO, Rise
Create Content That Converts
One question you should be ready for is: “Can you walk me through your process for creating compelling content?”
To nail this question, emphasize your strategy for understanding the target audience. Share how you identify their pain points, desires, and interests. Explain how you use this information to craft content that not only engages but also converts. For example, you might talk about using tools like Google Analytics to pinpoint popular topics or creating buyer personas to tailor your message.
Make it clear that your approach isn’t just about writing well but about driving results. Mention a specific project where your content strategy led to increased engagement or higher conversion rates. This shows you not only understand the theory but can also deliver tangible outcomes.
Casey Meraz, Owner & Digital Marketing Expert, Casey Meraz
Detail Successful Campaigns
My most insightful question for job candidates is: “Can you give me an example of a content marketing campaign you developed and the results it achieved?”
As a recruiter, I want the job seeker to outline a specific campaign. The best way to answer the question is to provide details. I want them to detail their role, strategy, and tools used. I also want them to highlight the outcome. This question gives them the chance to show practical experience and the ability to get results. These are two essential factors that I look for in a job candidate.
Dan Brown, Founder and CEO, Textun
