17 Social Media Strategist Interview Questions and Answers

Social media strategist interview questions will vary depending on the company you’re interviewing with, but there are some common questions that are asked in almost every social media strategist interview.

In this guide, we will go over some of the most common social media strategist interview questions and answers. We will also provide tips on how to answer these questions and what to wear to your interview.

Are you familiar with the different types of social media platforms?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience using different social media platforms. They want to know that you can use the platform they’re most familiar with and understand how it works. In your answer, try to name a few of the major social media sites and explain what makes them unique.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of social media platforms in my previous roles. I’m very comfortable using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter because I find each one has its own strengths. For example, I prefer Instagram for visual content while Twitter is great for live tweeting events or breaking news stories. Facebook is good for reaching an older audience.”

What are some of the most important elements of a successful social media strategy?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of social media strategy and how it can be used to achieve success. When answering this question, consider the company’s goals and objectives when deciding which elements are most important.

Example: “I believe that a successful social media strategy starts with an understanding of the target audience. It is essential to know who they are, what their interests are and how they use social media. This information helps me create content that will resonate with them and get them to engage with our brand. Another important element of a successful social media strategy is creating a plan for measuring results. I always develop KPIs before beginning any campaign so we have benchmarks to measure against.”

How do you determine which social media channels are best for reaching a specific target audience?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your knowledge of social media to create effective marketing strategies. Use examples from previous experience to show that you can analyze a target audience and choose the best platforms for reaching them.

Example: “I first start by researching my client’s target audience, including their interests, demographics and locations. Then I look at which social media channels are most popular among this group. For example, if I’m working with a company that sells products to millennials, I would research which social media sites they prefer, such as Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. From there, I would determine which platform is best for promoting our client’s brand and products.”

What is your process for monitoring and responding to comments and questions on social media channels?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage social media accounts and respond to users. Your answer should show that you have a process for monitoring comments, questions and other interactions on social media platforms and that you know how to respond in an effective way.

Example: “I use several tools to monitor my social media channels, including Hootsuite and Sprout Social. I set up alerts so that I receive notifications when someone mentions me or one of our brand’s social media profiles, when someone leaves a comment on any post and when someone tags us in a photo or video. This allows me to quickly respond to any questions or comments from followers.”

Provide an example of a social media campaign you created and its success.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience and skills. When answering, you can describe a specific campaign that was successful or highlight the steps you took to create it.

Example: “In my last role as social media strategist for a marketing agency, I created a campaign for a client who wanted to increase their online sales. We started by researching our target audience and finding out what they were searching for on search engines. Then we used paid ads to promote content related to those searches. The strategy worked well, and within six months, the company saw an increase in online sales of 30%.”

If we were to look at your personal social media accounts, would they represent our brand?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re aware of the company’s brand and how it should be represented. They want someone who can create a positive image for their organization, so they’ll likely look for evidence that you know what your personal social media accounts look like. In your answer, explain why your personal accounts would represent the company well.

Example: “I have been following your brand for quite some time now, so I am very familiar with its values and mission. If I were to look at my own social media accounts, I would see that they are professional but still fun. I post things that align with your brand, such as inspirational quotes or photos of beautiful places. My followers often comment on how much they love our brand.”

What would you do if you saw a negative comment about our company on one of your social media channels?

Employers want to know that you can handle negative comments and respond appropriately. In your answer, show the employer that you have experience with this situation and how you would react.

Example: “I would first try to resolve the issue by responding to the comment. If I couldn’t solve it, I would contact my supervisor or manager for help. If they were unavailable, I would take a screenshot of the comment and send it to them so they could see what happened. Then, I would delete the comment from the social media channel.”

How well do you understand the target audience of our company?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of their company’s target audience. To answer, you can describe the characteristics of the target audience and how you use that information to create content for them.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working with companies who sell products to millennials. I know that many brands struggle to connect with millennial customers because they don’t understand what makes them unique. For example, I worked with a brand that sold athletic apparel. They wanted to appeal to young women who were interested in fitness but also liked fashion. I suggested we feature models wearing our clothes at different types of workouts so that we could show off both sides of the brand.”

Do you have experience creating graphics and videos for social media?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience with the tools they use for social media. If you do, share your past experience and how it helped you complete projects on time. If you don’t have any graphic design or video editing experience, you can still answer by describing what you would do in that situation.

Example: “I’ve never had formal training in creating graphics or videos, but I am familiar with some of the most popular software used for these purposes. I also know a few basic photo editing programs that I could use to create simple images and graphics. In my last role, I worked with a team of designers who created all of our graphics and videos. However, I learned from them which types of content perform best on social media.”

When planning content, how do you determine what is relevant and interesting to our target audience?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to create content that is engaging and relevant. Use examples from previous experience to show the interviewer how you plan content for social media platforms.

Example: “I first determine who my target audience is, which helps me understand what they are interested in. Then I research popular hashtags related to our brand or industry so I can see what types of content people like to share. This gives me a better idea of what type of content would be most interesting to them. For example, when working at XYZ Company, I found out that many people shared articles about business tips and tricks. So, I planned more content around these topics.”

We want to increase engagement on our social media channels. What would you do to achieve this goal?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of social media engagement and how it can be increased. When answering this question, consider the goals of the company and what they want from their social media channels.

Example: “Engagement is a key factor in determining the success of a social media channel. I would first determine which platforms are most important for the company and then create content that will appeal to those audiences. For example, if the company sells products to millennials, I would post more relatable content on Instagram and Facebook. If the company wants to reach a wider audience, I would post more general content on Twitter and LinkedIn.”

Describe your experience with using social media analytics tools.

Social media analytics tools are a common part of the social media strategist’s job. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using these tools and how you use them to improve their company’s social media presence. In your answer, try to describe which tools you’ve used in the past and what you learned from using them.

Example: “I have extensive experience using social media analytics tools like Google Analytics, Sprout Social and Crowd Analyzer. I find that these tools help me understand my audience better by providing data on things like where they’re located, what times of day they’re most active on social media and what types of content they engage with the most. This information helps me create more effective strategies for reaching our target audience.”

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 three things that make you unique from other candidates. These could be skills or experiences that are relevant to the job. Share these with your interviewer so they know what makes you special.

Example: “I have five years of experience in social media marketing, which is more than most applicants for this position. I also have a degree in communications, which means I am familiar with many different types of communication strategies. Finally, I have worked as an independent contractor for several companies, which means I understand how to work within a team.”

Which social media platforms do you prefer to use and why?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with various social media platforms. It also helps them understand which ones you prefer to use and why, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone who is passionate about a specific platform. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention two or three platforms that you are familiar with and explain why you like each one.

Example: “I have used all of the major social media platforms at some point in my career, but I find Instagram to be my favorite. I love how easy it is to create visually appealing content and share it with followers. I also enjoy using Twitter because it’s an excellent way to connect with other professionals in my field and learn from their experiences.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of social media strategy?

This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you would approach a social media strategy for their company. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think is most important about creating an effective social media presence.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of social media strategy is understanding the target audience. I always start my strategies by researching who our customers are, what they like and what kind of content they engage with. This information helps me create a plan for which platforms we should be on and how we can use them to reach our target audience in the best way possible.”

How often do you recommend posting on social media channels?

Employers want to know how often you recommend posting on social media channels. This is because they may need to schedule posts for their clients or company accounts. Your answer should include the frequency of your recommendations and why you make those decisions.

Example: “I typically recommend that my clients post at least once a day, but I also take into account their target audience. For example, if they’re targeting millennials, then I would suggest posting multiple times per day. However, if they’re targeting baby boomers, then I might suggest only one post per week. The reason for this is that different age groups use social media differently.”

There is a new social media platform that hasn’t been widely adopted yet. Would you use it for our company’s social media strategy? Why or why not?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the current social media landscape and how you would approach new platforms. Your answer should show that you are aware of what’s happening in the industry, but also that you can use common sense when deciding whether or not to incorporate a platform into your strategy.

Example: “I think it’s important to be open-minded about new platforms because they could become very popular quickly. However, I would only consider using a new platform if it was something our target audience would use. For example, I wouldn’t use Snapchat for my company’s social media strategy because we don’t have an audience who uses it. However, if there were a new platform that had features similar to Instagram, I would definitely consider using it as part of our strategy.”