17 PR Account Executive Interview Questions and Answers

Public relations (PR) account executives are responsible for developing and executing communications plans for their clients. They work with the media, create content, and manage social media campaigns. In order to land a job as a PR account executive, you’ll need to be able to answer common interview questions related to your experience and skills.

In this guide, you’ll find a list of PR account executive interview questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview. We’ll also provide tips on how to showcase your experience and skills to potential employers.

Are you comfortable working with tight deadlines and multiple projects at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Your answer should highlight your ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and balance multiple projects at once.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment for several years now, so I am comfortable with tight deadlines and multitasking. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing multiple clients and campaigns simultaneously while also meeting client expectations and company standards. I find that having a plan of action before beginning each day helps me stay organized and focused on achieving my goals.”

What are some of the most effective ways you’ve developed relationships with clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you build relationships with clients and other professionals in your industry. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your communication skills, interpersonal abilities and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “I find that regular communication is one of the most effective ways I’ve developed relationships with clients. In my last role, I was responsible for developing a campaign strategy for a client who wanted to increase their brand awareness. We met regularly to discuss our progress and make adjustments as needed. This helped us develop a strong relationship where we were able to communicate openly about what worked and what didn’t.”

How would you handle a situation where a client is unhappy with the services you’ve provided?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you are willing to learn from mistakes and improve your performance.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy with the results of our campaign. I met with them to discuss their concerns and learned they were expecting more traffic than we could provide at the budget level they requested. We discussed other options for increasing traffic, including social media advertising, which would allow us to reach a larger audience at a lower cost. The client agreed to increase their budget so we could implement this strategy. In the end, they were happy with the increased traffic and sales generated by the new campaign.”

What is your experience with developing and implementing PR campaigns?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that is important for this role. Use examples from previous work to highlight how you developed and implemented successful PR campaigns.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for developing and implementing several different types of PR campaigns. One campaign I worked on focused on increasing awareness about our company’s new product line. To do this, I created a plan that included reaching out to journalists who covered similar topics as our target audience. We also used social media influencers to promote our products through sponsored posts. This resulted in increased sales and positive brand recognition.”

Provide an example of a time you used your research skills to find information about a client’s competitors.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your research skills to find information about clients and their competitors. Use examples from previous work experience that show you have strong research skills, such as using search engines or databases to find information on a client’s competitors.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with finding information about our competitor’s social media accounts so we could create a strategy for reaching out to them. I used several online resources to find the contact information of the company’s CEO and reached out to him directly to ask if he would be willing to do an interview with us. He agreed, and we were able to get some great press coverage because of it.”

If you could choose one skill to improve your performance as a PR account executive, what would it be?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are self-aware and willing to improve your skills. Choose a skill that you feel you need improvement in, but also one that will help you succeed as a PR account executive.

Example: “If I could choose one skill to improve my performance as a PR account executive, it would be public speaking. Although I have experience presenting at conferences and networking events, I am always looking for ways to improve my presentation style and delivery. I recently attended a seminar on public speaking where I learned some valuable tips that I plan to implement into my next presentation.”

What would you do if you were assigned to work with a client you didn’t get along with?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with clients you don’t necessarily like. Your answer should show that you are willing to put aside personal feelings for the sake of the client relationship.

Example: “I would try my best to get along with them, but if I couldn’t, I would make sure to communicate clearly what they need from me and what I need from them so we could still do our jobs effectively. If it was a situation where I felt like I needed to leave the company because of this conflict, I would let my manager know as soon as possible so they could find someone else to take over my account.”

How well do you handle criticism?

This question can help interviewers understand how you react to negative feedback and whether you’re able to use it to improve your work. When answering, consider what types of criticism you’ve received in the past and how you reacted to them.

Example: “I think that criticism is an important part of learning and improving my skills. In my last role, I was tasked with writing a press release for one of our clients. After submitting the draft, my supervisor gave me some constructive criticism about the content. I took her advice into consideration and rewrote the entire piece. She later told me she appreciated my willingness to take on more responsibility.”

Do you have experience working with PR agencies?

Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with other professionals in the industry. They want to know that you can collaborate and communicate effectively with others. In your answer, explain how you worked with a PR agency in the past and what made it successful.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different agencies throughout my career. I find that having multiple perspectives on a campaign is beneficial because each team member has their own unique ideas. However, I also think it’s important to work well together as a team. I always make sure to be respectful of everyone’s opinions and try to incorporate all suggestions into our campaigns.”

When was the last time you updated your knowledge of industry trends?

Employers want to know that you are committed to learning more about the industry and staying up-to-date on current events. They may ask this question to see if you have a passion for your work, or they might be looking for someone who can help them stay informed in their own company. In your answer, try to show that you are passionate about your career and eager to learn new things.

Example: “I am always trying to learn more about my field. I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs so I can keep up with what’s happening in the world of public relations. I also attend conferences and seminars to meet other professionals and learn from their experiences.”

We want to expand our social media presence. What social media platforms would you focus on?

Social media is an important aspect of public relations. Employers want to know that you understand the importance of social media and how it can help their company’s brand. In your answer, explain which platforms you would focus on and why they are beneficial for the company.

Example: “I think Facebook and Instagram are two of the most effective social media platforms for brands like yours. They have a large audience and allow users to interact with content in different ways. I also think Twitter is still relevant because it allows for quick updates and news stories. It’s also a great platform for interacting with journalists and other influencers.”

Describe your process for handling customer inquiries.

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for handling customer inquiries, including the tools you use to keep track of tasks.

Example: “I start by listening carefully to what the client is saying so I can fully understand their concerns. Then, I research the issue to find out if it’s something we’ve encountered before or if there are any existing solutions. If not, I’ll reach out to my team members to see if they have any ideas on how to handle the situation. Once I have all the information I need, I’ll contact the client with our findings and proposed solution.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates applying 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 the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or knowledge you have that will help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I am passionate about public relations and communications. I’ve been working toward my bachelor’s degree in communications for three years now, so I’m very familiar with the industry and all of its current trends. In addition to my education, I also completed an internship at a local PR firm last summer where I learned valuable skills like writing press releases and pitching stories to journalists. These experiences make me uniquely qualified for this position.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it relates to their company. It’s important to show that you have relevant experience for this role, but also that you’re open to learning about new industries.

Example: “I’ve worked in both consumer goods and technology PR. I find these two industries are quite different, but they do share some similarities. For example, both industries value innovation and forward-thinking ideas. In my previous position, I helped a tech startup create press releases and other content to promote their products. This experience has given me valuable insight into how similar companies work.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of PR?

This question is a great way for employers to assess your knowledge of the industry. They want someone who understands what makes PR successful and can apply that knowledge to their own work. In your answer, try to explain why you think this aspect is important and how it relates to your experience in the field.

Example: “I believe the most important part of public relations is building relationships with journalists and other influencers. I have always been passionate about connecting with others and making them feel valued. This has helped me develop strong connections with many reporters over the years, which has led to several opportunities for my clients.”

How often do you recommend changes to a PR campaign?

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions and whether you’re able to work independently. Your answer should show that you have the ability to analyze data, interpret information and make informed decisions about a campaign’s success or failure.

Example: “I recommend changes to a PR campaign when I see it isn’t working as well as expected. For example, if we aren’t getting enough engagement on social media posts, I might suggest changing our strategy to something more effective. If we are getting good engagement but not enough conversions, I may suggest adding new content to our website or other marketing materials.”

There is a miscommunication between you and a client about a campaign. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and resolve issues. It also helps them determine your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work under pressure. In your answer, try to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to solve problems.

Example: “I would first apologize for any miscommunication or misunderstanding. Then I would explain what happened and why it occurred. If there is a way to fix the issue, I would offer that solution. If not, I would make sure they understood my sincere apology and tell them I will do everything in my power to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”