17 Communication Strategist Interview Questions and Answers

In the business world, first impressions are everything. That’s why so many companies are willing to invest in communication strategists, also known as public relations specialists. These professionals help companies shape the way the public perceives them.

If you’re looking for a job as a communication strategist, you need to be able to answer some difficult questions during your interview. The interviewer will want to know how you would handle a variety of real-world scenarios. They will also ask questions to gauge your understanding of the public relations field.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of communication strategist interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the concept of the “inverted pyramid” as it relates to writing news stories?

The inverted pyramid is a style of writing news stories that starts with the most important information and works its way down to less important details. This question helps employers understand how you write, edit or proofread content for their company. In your answer, explain what the inverted pyramid is and give an example of when you used it in your previous role.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the inverted pyramid concept. When I worked as a freelance writer, I was often hired by local newspapers to write breaking news stories. The inverted pyramid helped me organize my thoughts so I could quickly write articles about current events. For instance, if there was a fire at a school, I would start my article with the basic facts like where the fire happened, who was injured and any other relevant information. Then, I would move on to more detailed information like the names of those involved and the cause of the fire.”

What are some of the most important skills for a successful communication strategist?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a communication strategist and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for a successful communication strategist are strong writing and public speaking abilities. Communication strategists need to be able to write compelling content that is easy for their audience to understand, and they also need to be able to deliver their message clearly and confidently when presenting it to others. These skills allow me to effectively communicate with my team members and clients while helping them achieve their goals.”

How would you go about developing a communications strategy for a new product launch?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach a project and the steps you take to complete it. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, ability to collaborate with others and organizational skills.

Example: “I would start by researching the target audience for the product launch. I would then create a list of key messages that support the overall strategy. Next, I would develop a timeline for when each message should be released. Finally, I would work with marketing and sales teams to ensure they have all the information they need to promote the new product.”

What is your experience with public speaking?

Public speaking is a common skill for communication strategists to have. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with public speaking and can do it well. If you don’t have much experience, explain what steps you would take to gain more experience.

Example: “I’ve given several presentations in my previous roles as a communications strategist. I find that the best way to get better at public speaking is by doing it often. I try to give at least one presentation every month so I can practice and improve. I also read up on tips for giving great speeches and presentations. I think these two things are essential to being successful at public speaking.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or customer.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and what steps you took to resolve the issue or disagreement.

Example: “In my previous role as a communication strategist, I worked with several clients who were unhappy with their current marketing strategies. Some of these clients would call me multiple times per week asking for updates on our progress. While I understood that they wanted to see results quickly, I had to explain that we needed time to implement new strategies. Eventually, I developed a plan where I would send weekly reports to each client detailing our progress. This helped keep them informed while also giving us enough time to make changes.”

If we were to look at your social media accounts, what types of posts would we see?

Employers ask this question to see if you are a good fit for their company culture. They want someone who is going to share content that aligns with the company’s values and goals. Before your interview, take a look at the company’s social media accounts. If possible, try to find out what types of posts they typically make. Try to emulate those in your response.

Example: “I would post mostly inspirational quotes or memes. I think it’s important to have some fun while also sharing valuable information. I would also include links to articles that support my points. I believe that people should be able to learn more about topics without having to click through multiple pages.”

What would you do if you noticed that a communications campaign was not having the intended effect?

This question can help interviewers understand how you adapt to challenges and make decisions. Your answer should show that you are willing to try new approaches when needed.

Example: “If a campaign wasn’t having the intended effect, I would first look at the goals of the campaign and see if they were met. If not, I would analyze what went wrong and determine whether there was something we could do differently or if it was time to end the campaign. In my experience, sometimes campaigns just don’t work out as planned, but I always want to give them a chance before making any changes.”

How well do you understand the legal aspects of communications?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the law and how you apply it in your work. Use examples from your experience that show you understand the legal aspects of communications, including copyright laws, libel and slander.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis on media law. In my previous role as a communications strategist for a large corporation, I worked closely with our legal team to ensure all content we published online was within the company’s legal guidelines. For example, I once wrote a blog post about the benefits of using social media in business. However, I had to remove the post because it included copyrighted material without permission.”

Do you have any experience with graphic design?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience with the design software they use. If you do, share your previous experience and how it helped you in your role. If you don’t, let them know that you’re willing to learn new programs or hire a designer for your team.

Example: “I’ve used Adobe Creative Suite before, but I’m not an expert. However, I am eager to learn more about graphic design and would be happy to hire a professional to work on my team. In my last position, I worked with a graphic designer who created our social media graphics and website designs. I learned from her how important good visuals are to marketing.”

When planning a communications strategy, what is the importance of market research?

Market research is an important part of any communications strategy. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of market research and how it can help your company achieve its goals. In your answer, explain why market research is so important and give examples of how you have used market research in previous roles.

Example: “Market research is one of the most important parts of a successful communications strategy because it helps me understand my target audience. I use market research to learn about what types of content they like to read, what social media platforms they prefer and more. This information allows me to create better content that will resonate with our target audience.”

We want to improve our customer service reputation. What is the first step you would take to do so?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can use them to improve an organization’s reputation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of the steps you would take to implement a new customer service strategy or process.

Example: “I would start by researching what customers are saying about our company online and in social media. I would then create a list of common complaints and concerns that customers have with our brand. Next, I would meet with my team to discuss ways we could address these issues. We would come up with solutions for each complaint and determine which ones we could implement immediately and which ones we would need more time to develop.”

Describe your process for managing multiple projects at once.

Communication strategists often have to manage multiple projects at once. Employers ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills and how you plan your time. In your answer, explain the steps you take to stay organized while working on several projects at once. Explain that you use a calendar or planner to keep track of deadlines and other important information.

Example: “I find it helpful to create a schedule for myself each week. I start by looking at my calendar to see what days I am available to work. Then, I look through all of my current projects to decide which ones are most urgent. I try to prioritize these projects based on their urgency and importance. Once I have decided which project I will focus on each day, I write down the tasks I need to complete for each project in my planner.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of three things that make you unique from other candidates. These could be skills or experiences that are relevant to the job description. Share these with your interviewer so they know what makes you special.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which is why I love working in communications. In my last role, I was responsible for creating weekly reports on our social media channels. This helped me stay up-to-date on all of our metrics and allowed me to identify areas where we needed improvement. Another thing that makes me stand out is my ability to work independently. I thrive in fast-paced environments and have experience managing multiple projects at once.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know if you have the skills they’re looking for in a candidate, but also whether you’ve worked with their company’s industry before. When answering this question, try to mention industries that are similar to the one you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I’ve mostly worked in the financial sector, however I am open to working in other industries as well. In my last role, I helped develop communication strategies for a large bank, which is why I’m interested in applying here.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of public relations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you would approach a project. Your answer should show that you know what public relations is all about, but it can also be an opportunity to highlight some of your skills.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of public relations is communication. It’s essential for me to make sure that everyone involved in a campaign understands their role and knows how they can contribute to its success. I’ve found that clear communication helps ensure that we’re all on the same page and working toward the same goal. This has helped me build strong relationships with my team members and clients.”

How often do you recommend updating a company’s strategic plan?

This question can help the interviewer understand your communication strategy process and how often you update company plans. Your answer should show that you have a strong understanding of when to update strategic plans, which can be important for helping companies achieve their goals.

Example: “I recommend updating strategic plans at least once per year. This allows me to evaluate progress toward goals and make any necessary changes or additions to ensure we’re on track to meet our objectives. I also like to do smaller updates every six months so that I can monitor projects as they are in-progress and adjust them if needed.”

There is a miscommunication between two departments. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and resolve issues. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work with others.

Example: “I would first meet with both departments separately to find out what each department’s expectations are for one another. I would then schedule a meeting between the two departments so they can discuss their miscommunications in person. After this meeting, I would create an action plan that outlines specific goals and objectives for each department. This helps me ensure everyone is on the same page and reduces future miscommunications.”