20 Interpublic Group Interview Questions and Answers

Interpublic Group is one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies. With a network of over 5,000 offices in more than 100 countries, Interpublic Group provides a wide range of services to its clients, including advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and media planning and buying.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Interpublic Group, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge of the advertising and marketing industry. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Interpublic Group interview questions and answers.

Interpublic Group Interview Process

The interview process at Interpublic Group can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, one with a recruiter and one with a hiring manager. For some positions, you may also be interviewed by a panel of employees. The interviews are generally fairly relaxed and casual, with questions focused on your experience and qualifications.

1. How would you handle a difficult client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with challenging personalities. Your answer should show that you have experience working with difficult clients, but also how you resolve conflicts.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding. He would constantly change his mind about what he wanted in our campaigns, which made it hard for us to meet deadlines. I tried to be patient with him, but after several weeks of this behavior, I scheduled a meeting with him to discuss my concerns. I explained that while we were happy to accommodate his requests, we needed some stability from him so we could plan ahead. After this conversation, he became more organized and we were able to complete his campaign on time.”

2. What are some of your favorite brands and why?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with the company’s brands. It also helps employers learn more about your personality and what types of brands you like. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention brands that are similar to Interpublic Group brands.

Example: “I really enjoy Nike because I love their products and how they stand out from other athletic brands. I also think Apple has done an amazing job creating innovative technology while still maintaining its brand image. Another favorite of mine is Starbucks because I love coffee and the atmosphere at their locations.”

3. Tell me about a time that you had to go above and beyond for a client.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a client and how that helped them or benefited their business.

Example: “When I was working as an account executive at my previous company, one of my clients had been struggling with their social media marketing strategy. They were having trouble finding the right balance between organic and paid content on their platforms. I spent several days researching different strategies and eventually found a solution that worked well for them. The client ended up implementing my suggestions and saw a significant increase in engagement.”

4. Do you have any experience working with advertising software?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience with advertising software, describe what you know about it and how it applies to this position. If you don’t have any experience working with advertising software, explain that you are willing to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve worked with several types of advertising software in my previous positions. I’m familiar with Google AdWords, Facebook Ads Manager and other social media ad platforms. These tools allow me to create effective campaigns for clients by targeting specific audiences and tracking their performance.”

5. Why do you want to work at Interpublic Group?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know that you have done some research on the organization and are excited about working there. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the job description and look at any recent news articles or social media posts from Interpublic Group. This will help you understand what they value as an organization and show that you are prepared for the role.

Example: “I am very interested in working for Interpublic Group because of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. I believe that everyone should be able to work in an environment where they feel safe and supported. Your company has been recognized by many publications for your efforts in creating a diverse workplace, which makes me even more eager to join the team.”

6. Have you ever had to deal with a conflict in the workplace, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to resolve conflict in the workplace and how you did so successfully.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to collaborate with several other employees. One of these employees was not as active in the collaboration process as the rest of us were, which made it difficult for us to complete our tasks on time. I approached this employee about their lack of participation and they explained that they felt overwhelmed by the amount of work we needed to do. I suggested dividing up the workload among all team members and giving them smaller assignments to help them feel more comfortable.”

7. Describe a time when you were asked to complete a project on short notice.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle unexpected tasks. Use your answer to highlight your ability to adapt and complete projects under pressure.

Example: “At my previous job, I was asked to create a social media campaign for a client on short notice. The client wanted the campaign completed in two weeks instead of the usual three-week timeline. I immediately assembled a team of five people who were available to work overtime. We worked long hours each day to meet the deadline. In the end, we successfully created the campaign within the client’s timeframe.”

8. Do you have any experience managing a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you managed a team and helped them achieve goals or objectives.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of five people who were all account managers. My role as manager was to ensure that each member of the team had everything they needed to complete their work. For example, if one person didn’t have enough clients, I would find more accounts for them to manage so they could meet their quota. I also held weekly meetings with my team members to discuss our progress and any challenges we faced.”

9. Are you comfortable with public speaking?

This question is a common one for employers to ask because they want to know if you can effectively communicate with their clients and other employees. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are comfortable speaking in front of others and have experience doing so.

Example: “I’ve been giving presentations since I was in college, so I’m quite comfortable with public speaking. In my last position, I gave a presentation every month on our company’s progress. My team members would often come up to me after the meeting to tell me how much they enjoyed my presentation.”

10. We need people who can think creatively. Give an example of a time when you thought outside of the box.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you have the creativity and problem-solving skills they’re looking for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you used your creative thinking skills to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “When I was working as a copywriter at my previous job, we were tasked with creating a campaign for a new product. We had only one week to come up with ideas and write them out. I knew that if we all worked individually, we wouldn’t get much done in such a short amount of time. So instead, I suggested that we work together to brainstorm ideas. This allowed us to bounce ideas off each other and create more unique campaigns.”

11. What is your experience working with social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter?

Social media platforms are a major part of the advertising industry, and many companies want to know if you have experience with these types of platforms. If you do, discuss your previous work in detail. If you don’t, explain that you’re willing to learn how to use them.

Example: “I’ve worked with Facebook and Twitter before, but I’m always looking for new ways to engage audiences on social media. In my last position, I was responsible for creating content for our company’s Instagram account. I learned how to take high-quality photos using only my phone and some editing apps. I also used hashtags effectively to reach more people.”

12. What interests you most about being an intern at Interpublic Group?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the internship and what you hope to gain from it. Your answer should include a few things that interest you about the company, such as its mission statement or values, and how they align with your own goals.

Example: “I’m most interested in learning more about the advertising industry and how I can use my skills to help companies grow their brands. I’ve always been passionate about marketing and public relations, so this internship would be a great way to learn more about Interpublic Group’s services and apply those lessons to real-world scenarios.”

13. Can you tell us about a time where you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential coworkers and how you might fit in with them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that the team did or accomplished together.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a team of five people who were all tasked with creating an ad campaign for a new product launch. We each had different ideas for what we thought would work best, but we also knew that combining our ideas could create something even better. After discussing our ideas, we decided to combine two of our concepts into one idea. This led to us creating a marketing plan that was much more effective than any of our individual plans.”

14. Explain to me what a brand is and how it relates to marketing.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. It also shows that you have an understanding of what brands are, which will help you work with clients who may not know much about marketing themselves.

Example: “A brand is essentially the personality of a company or product. It’s important to understand the brand so you can create marketing strategies that align with it. For example, if I was working for Coca-Cola, my strategy would be different than if I were working for Pepsi because they’re both very different brands.”

15. What is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. Employers ask it to learn more about your personality and how you handle challenges. When answering this question, try to be honest but also highlight the steps you’ve taken to improve that weakness.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my attention to detail. I am always working on improving my organizational skills, so I have started using an app to help me stay organized. It has helped me keep track of important deadlines and assignments.”

16. If hired, how would you use your past experiences to help our company grow?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done some research on the company and are eager to help it succeed. When answering this question, make sure to highlight how your past experiences can benefit Interpublic Group’s goals.

Example: “I believe my previous experience working for an advertising agency would be beneficial to Interpublic Group because I know what it takes to create successful campaigns. In my last role, I helped develop marketing strategies for several brands, including one of Interpublic Group’s clients. This knowledge will allow me to hit the ground running when I start my new position.”

17. Tell me about a time when you exceeded expectations.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are capable of going above and beyond. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you were able to exceed the expectations of your manager or supervisor.

Example: “In my previous role as an account executive for a marketing agency, I was tasked with creating a social media campaign for one of our clients. The client wanted to increase their followers on Instagram by 10% within two weeks. I exceeded those expectations by 20%, which helped the company gain more exposure online.”

18. What is your experience with production billing?

This question is a great way to see how your experience matches up with the company’s needs. If you have previous experience in production billing, discuss what you did and why it was important. If you don’t have any experience, talk about what you would do if faced with this task.

Example: “In my last position as an account executive, I worked closely with our production team on client projects. We had weekly meetings where we discussed the current status of each project and made sure everyone knew their responsibilities. This helped me stay informed about the progress of each project and ensured that clients were getting the best service possible.”

19. What skills do you feel you bring to this position?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer to the job description or any other materials you reviewed before your interview. This will help you connect your answer to what the employer is looking for in a candidate.

Example: “I feel that my communication skills are one of my greatest strengths. I am always prepared with clear and concise presentations and reports. My ability to work well under pressure also helps me meet deadlines and manage multiple projects at once. Another skill I bring to this position is my attention to detail. I have always been very thorough when completing tasks, which has helped me achieve high marks in school and receive positive feedback from previous employers.”

20. What is your greatest strength?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your best qualities and show the interviewer that you are confident about yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a strength that relates to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to help others succeed and make sure everyone on my team feels supported. In my last role, I noticed that some employees were struggling with their workloads. So, I started organizing weekly meetings where we could all ask questions and get support from each other.”