Public relation is a significant position that influences how your coworkers talk about your firm and, more crucially, how the general public perceives it. PR assistants and managers have a significant impact on messaging and perception, from processing press releases to determining the statistics and information about the company to sharing to undertaking damage management for the organization. We will present Public Relations Interview Questions here.
Public Relations Interview Questions
Employers want to know if you’re a strong writer and researcher, if you’re a creative and quick thinker and if you’re well-spoken because you’re usually the one speaking on behalf of a firm, whether you’re applying for a PR internship an entry-level position in PR. Expect the unexpected in PR, and these popular PR interview questions are no exception:
- What is it about public relations that you find so fascinating?
This question assesses your passion for the field in which you work. Give an honest answer to what about the job appeals to you. The best responses will link your passion for public relations to the company’s objective. Avoid self-centered responses.
Sample Answer: I enjoy public relations because it allows me to promote the purpose, goods, and services of business in which I believe. It’s a delight to put my writing abilities to good use to raise awareness for worthwhile causes.
- What does the phrase “public relations” imply to you?
Because there are so many distinct types of public relations work, from social media management to celebrity promotion to crisis management, it’s only logical that your response recognizes this. Then you may go on to the one in which you have the greatest experience and relate it to the firm or agency with whom you’re interviewing.
Sample Answer: While I’m proficient in numerous forms of public relations, social media is my preferred method of establishing public relations. According to studies, engagement marketing appeals to younger, more tech-savvy generations, and social media is a great tool for sustaining interaction with one’s audience base.
- Which question do you find the most difficult to answer when responding to media and public inquiries?
This question assesses your ability to think quickly. Respond truthfully. If you state you don’t have any difficult questions to answer, it may appear as if you’re trying to avoid answering them. However, be strategic: don’t bring up a subject that you’ll frequently ask in this position.
Sample Answer: I don’t enjoy queries from trolls who merely want to bash our company. I attempt to diffuse these situations with sarcastic humor and firm facts that vehemently dispute the criticism.
- What makes you unique enough for us to want to hire you?
This is your chance to sell yourself as a candidate by answering this question. You can talk about your qualities (hard worker, good communicator), but attempt to show how you’ve been a valuable addition in past jobs.
Sample Answer: I’m an excellent communicator dedicated to ensuring that my clients receive favorable press coverage. I raised [client name’s] press mentions by 30% from one quarter to the next while working with ABC agency.
- What kind of work atmosphere would you prefer?
This is where your agency or company research will pay dividends! If the firm is known for its fast-paced environment, you might say that you work best when you’re busy and are continuously checking your email.
Sample Answer: I enjoy working in challenging surroundings where fresh flames are always extinguished and difficult to solve. My favorite employers have emphasized continual development as a business culture. This was motivating since there was never a dull moment because there were always fresh methods to better one’s talents.
- Describe a time when you experienced a social media catastrophe. How did you deal with it?
You should outline the circumstances in your response. Then explain what you did. Finally, discuss the outcomes. The STAR method is a technique that assists you in providing a logical and meaningful response.
Sample Answer: A customer’s merchandise had to be recalled. We had a plan for this type of case, which we tweaked to meet the occasion. We held a conference call with the customer, who was apprehensive about making remarks online at first. We used case studies from similar company recalls demonstrating why that was a mistake. In the end, because we could avoid unfavorable news, this turned out to be a PR victory.
- In this profession, social media is a crucial tool. Tell us about your preferred platforms and why you like them.
There is no right or wrong response here. However, it’s probably preferable to avoid criticizing any platform. Focus your response on how the platform benefits clients rather than on your own personal experiences with it.
Sample Answer: I employ a variety of platforms, based on the target audience and objectives of the organizations for which I work. For adults in their mid-to-late twenties and thirties or older, Facebook is a wonderful network, although younger people may choose Instagram, SnapChat, or Twitter. Each has unique characteristics that I can leverage to expand my reach to my target group.
- What is your favorite brand, and why do you like it so much?
If you work in public relations, you must be aware of which marketing strategies are effective and not. Employers want to know you’re curious about how other businesses market themselves. Check out a few of your favorite brands. What is it about them that allows them to be so relatable? What do you think they’re doing to make their products or services appeal to their target market, and how do they present themselves on social media? What are the opinions of other publications about them? That way, you’ll be well prepared to ask specific questions regarding their excellent public relations and marketing strategies.
Sample Answer: Red Cross is my favorite brand. Obviously, there is some debate over the non-profit and its activity on the internet. Regardless of the pay of their top executives, the Red Cross positively affects the lives of millions of individuals throughout the world. But they won’t be able to do so until they obtain massive donations from individuals, businesses, and even governments, which is precisely why I like them. They know how to shoot videos that pique donors’ interest, and they know their game inside and out. Still, they usually utilize it to help the world’s most vulnerable and underprivileged people, which is why they are number one on my list.
- What distinguishes public relations from advertising?
Even though they’re sometimes misunderstood as the same, these two industries are vastly distinct. Advertising’s goal is to raise awareness of items or services to generate sales. It’s a one-way, for-hire communication system. The goal of public relations is to build and enhance a company’s or individual’s reputation. It’s a two-way conversation with genuine substance. To demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand the distinction, give instances of both. This question does not require a lengthy response. It is more vital to be precise and clear.
Sample Answer: Both advertising and public relations aid in developing brands and the communication of messages to target audiences. The most fundamental distinction is that advertising space is purchased, but public relations outcomes are won by delivering information to the media in news releases and pitches. You must, for example, purchase online banner ad space, but you may pitch a story to a journalistic organization.
- What role does routine have in your life?
“Are you the type of person who gets agitated out by schedule changes?” interviewers want to know when they ask this question. “Are you able to manage a job that isn’t 9 to 5?” Because many public relations problems strike without warning, you must be prepared to put out a fire or act on new information at any time. A decent response to this question should be sincere: if you know you live a structured, ordered life, it will only injure you and the firm.
Sample Answer: I think regularity is vital in life, but I also love it when unexpected things happen that I can handle, regardless of how the day went.
Lastly:
It takes a lot of effort to get through the first stages of the application process. You must still demonstrate that passing up your abilities and expertise would be a huge mistake. The optimum time to do it is right before your interview. An interview is your chance to shine and wow the hiring manager, leaving them wanting more. Although you should anticipate being asked some general questions about your schooling, why the firm should hire you, and your talents and expertise, the rice and beans of the interview will come from the public relations-specific inquiries. As a result, you should always be prepared to answer some basic public relations interview questions, wow the hiring manager, and walk away with a job offer when you go into an interview.
Best Wishes!
Also read Top 10 Public Relations Interview Questions To Prepare
