Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a corporate communications specialist, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
Corporate communications specialists are the bridge between an organization and the public. They develop and oversee marketing and communication strategies, campaigns, and materials. In other words, they’re responsible for an organization’s image and how the public perceives it.
Before you can start managing an organization’s public image, you need to get the job. That means nailing the interview by preparing thoughtful, well-crafted answers to common corporate communications specialist interview questions.
In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of what to expect in a corporate communications specialist interview. We’ll also provide sample answers to some of the most common corporate communications interview questions.
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your commitment to ethical behavior in the workplace. This is because corporate communications specialists often work with journalists, who are members of the Public Relations Society of America. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of upholding ethical standards when working with the media.
Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the code of ethics for public relations professionals. In my previous role as a corporate communications specialist, I worked closely with local and national news outlets on behalf of my company. As such, it was important to me to maintain an honest relationship with these journalists. To do so, I always followed the code of ethics set forth by the Public Relations Society of America.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.
Example: “The most important skill for a corporate communications specialist is excellent communication. This role requires me to communicate with many different people from various departments within an organization. I also need to be able to write clearly and concisely because I am writing press releases and other content that will be published online or in print media. Another important skill is my ability to multitask. In this role, I may be working on several projects at once, so I need to be able to manage my time well.”
Working with people you may not get along with is a common occurrence in many workplaces. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and that you have the ability to resolve conflicts. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to compromise and collaborate with others. Explain how you would use communication skills to help solve any issues you might encounter.
Example: “I am an extremely empathetic person, so I always try my best to understand where other people are coming from. If someone has a problem or concern, I will do everything I can to listen to them and hear their side of things. This helps me learn more about what they need and why they feel the way they do. It also makes it easier for me to find solutions to problems we may be having.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for conducting research, including any tools or resources you use to gather information.
Example: “I start by identifying my sources. I prefer using online databases because they’re easy to search and provide me with relevant results. After finding several articles that are helpful, I read them thoroughly to make sure I understand the topic well enough to write about it. If I need more information, I’ll look at other websites and publications to find additional details. I also like to speak with experts in the field to get their perspective on the topic.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you handle difficult situations and whether you have experience with delivering bad news to a group of people. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to deliver the information in an effective way while also highlighting any skills or traits that helped you succeed.
Example: “In my last role as a corporate communications specialist, I had to inform employees about layoffs at our company. I scheduled a meeting with all department heads so we could discuss the situation together. This allowed me to get feedback from leaders on which employees were performing well and who might be laid off. It also gave us time to ask questions and process the news before it became public knowledge.”
This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career path and how they’ve grown over time. It also helps employers understand what you might do differently if given another chance at your career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of one or two things that you would change in your past experience.
Example: “If I had the opportunity to start my career over, I would have started networking sooner. In college, I was focused on getting good grades and completing all of my assignments for classes. However, I didn’t realize the importance of networking until later in my career. If I had started networking earlier, I could have built stronger relationships with professionals who are now mentors.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle interpersonal conflicts and whether you have strategies for resolving them. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to work with others and value collaboration.
Example: “I would first make an effort to resolve the conflict by talking to my colleague about what was bothering me. If this didn’t solve the problem, I would ask my supervisor if there were any other ways I could get support or assistance in working with my colleague. For example, I might request a different project partner or change my schedule so I don’t have to interact with my colleague as much.”
Corporate communications specialists often work under tight deadlines and with a lot of information. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress that comes with the job. In your answer, share how you manage stress in your life. Explain what techniques you use to stay calm and focused when working on projects.
Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. I find that having a deadline helps me get things done quickly and efficiently. When I have a set time frame for completing a task, I feel more motivated to do my best work. I also like to take breaks throughout the day to help relieve some of the stress. I find that taking five minutes to stretch or walk around the office grounds helps me clear my mind and refocus.”
This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the role. It’s also a good time to ask about any information you may have missed from the job listing or company website, such as benefits or work culture.
Example: “I noticed that this position has an excellent salary and benefits package. I’m very excited to learn more about what other perks come with working here. Also, I read on Glassdoor that employees enjoy the flexible hours and telecommuting options. I’d love to hear more about how those programs work.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and determine which tasks are most important. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you make these decisions, especially if they helped you achieve positive results.
Example: “In my last role as a corporate communications specialist for a large company, I had multiple priorities every day. However, I always started by checking my email inbox to see what urgent requests were there. After that, I would check my calendar to see what meetings or events I was scheduled to attend. Finally, I would look at my project management software to see what projects I needed to complete that day.”
Social media is an important part of any company’s communications strategy. Employers want to know that you have experience using social media and how you can help their organization improve its presence on these platforms. In your answer, explain which social media platforms you use and what strategies you would implement for each platform.
Example: “I’ve used Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn in my previous roles. I think it’s important to engage with followers regularly so they feel like the brand cares about them. For example, at my last job, we had a dedicated team member who responded to all customer service questions within 24 hours. We also created content specifically for our social media channels, such as blog posts or images, to keep followers engaged.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your writing style and how you would fit into their company. They want someone who can write clearly, concisely and in a way that is easy for readers to understand. When answering this question, describe the type of writing you do most often and explain why it’s important to you.
Example: “I am passionate about clear communication. I believe that everyone should be able to read what I write and understand it without having to look up words or search for definitions. To achieve this, I make sure my sentences are short and simple, and I use common language rather than industry jargon. I also try to avoid passive voice as much as possible because it makes sentences longer and harder to understand.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.
Example: “I have five years of experience in corporate communications, but I am still passionate about learning new things. In my last role, I took an online course on public relations and learned valuable tips for communicating with media outlets. This helped me improve my skills as a communicator, which is why I’m excited to apply for this position.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills you have that match the job description, such as public speaking or writing.
Example: “I’ve worked in both nonprofit and corporate environments, so I’m familiar with many different types of communications strategies. In my last role, I helped a small business develop its social media presence and create content for its website. Before that, I was working at a nonprofit where we were trying to increase our online visibility through blogging and other digital marketing tactics.”
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your understanding of what corporate communications entails. Your answer should include an explanation of why you feel this aspect is important and how it can benefit the company.
Example: “I think that the most important part of corporate communications is transparency. When companies are transparent with their stakeholders, they build trust and loyalty. This leads to more positive press coverage and better relationships with customers. I always strive to ensure my communication strategies promote transparency in all aspects of the business.”
This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your self-awareness and how you respond to mistakes. Your answer should show that you are willing to admit when you make a mistake, learn from it and move forward with your work.
Example: “I try my best not to make any mistakes in my work, but I am human and sometimes I do. When this happens, I immediately apologize to anyone affected by the mistake and take steps to correct it as quickly as possible. In my last role, I made an error in a press release that resulted in some media outlets publishing inaccurate information. I apologized for the mistake and sent out a new release correcting the information.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would respond to a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate effectively with customers.
Example: “I would first meet with my team members to discuss possible solutions. If we couldn’t come up with an immediate solution, I would contact the company’s communications manager or CEO for advice on how to proceed. After speaking with them, I would then call each customer who was affected by the policy change and explain what happened. I would also offer a discount or free service as compensation for any inconvenience.”