15 Strategic Communication Interview Questions and Answers

In the business world, first impressions are everything. You only have one chance to make a good impression on a potential employer, so it’s important to be prepared for your interview. One way to do this is to anticipate and practice answering common interview questions related to your field of study.

If you’re studying strategic communication, you know that this field encompasses much more than just public relations or advertising. Strategic communicators are responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans that achieve specific organizational objectives.

To help you prepare for your next interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample strategic communication interview questions and answers. These questions will test your knowledge of the field as well as your ability to think strategically and solve problems.

1. What is the definition of strategic communication?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the field. It also allows you to show how you apply what you know in your daily work. A good answer will include a definition and an example of when strategic communication was used successfully.

Example: “Strategic communication is the process of developing a plan for communicating with stakeholders, employees and customers about important information. This includes creating a message that’s clear and concise so everyone understands it. I’ve found this method to be very effective because it helps me create a consistent message across all channels.”

2. Can you explain what a corporate communications plan is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the corporate communications process. It also allows you to show how you would create one for an organization.

Example: “A corporate communications plan is a document that outlines all aspects of communication within a company, including who will be responsible for what and when they’ll do it. I’ve worked on several corporate communications plans in my career, and I find them very helpful because they allow me to see where there are gaps in communication and make sure everyone has access to important information. They’re also useful for helping companies develop their public relations strategies.”

3. What are some examples of strategic communication planning in action?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills to a real-world situation. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your communication and planning abilities.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for developing a strategic communication plan for our company’s social media accounts. This included creating content calendars for each platform we used, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I also created guidelines for what types of posts were appropriate for each platform and who could post them. In addition, I developed a list of key influencers in our industry and reached out to them to start building relationships.”

4. What do you understand about stakeholder analysis? How important is it to a successful strategy?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of a key strategic communication skill. You can answer by explaining what stakeholder analysis is and how it’s important in developing successful strategies.

Example: “Stakeholder analysis is the process of identifying all stakeholders who are affected by or have influence over a company’s strategy. It’s essential for strategists to understand their audience, including who they are, what they want and how they think. This information helps us develop effective messages that resonate with our target audiences. I’ve used stakeholder analysis many times when working on projects, as it allows me to identify my own personal stakeholder groups and ensure that I’m considering them during the development of a strategy.”

5. Why is it important for companies to have a crisis management plan?

This question can help interviewers assess your knowledge of how to handle a crisis and the importance of having a plan in place. Use examples from your experience or other research to explain why it’s important for companies to have a strategy in place before a crisis occurs.

Example: “Crisis management is an essential part of strategic communication because it helps you prepare for any negative press that could impact your company’s reputation. Having a plan in place allows you to respond quickly, which can minimize damage control efforts and ensure stakeholders are informed about the situation. In my last role, I helped develop our organization’s crisis management plan by researching similar situations and developing strategies based on those outcomes.”

6. Why is internal communication as important, if not more so, than external communication?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of internal communication and how it can affect an organization. Use examples from your past experience to explain why internal communication is important for organizations.

Example: “Internal communication is just as important, if not more so, than external communication because it allows employees to feel like they are part of the company’s success. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to work hard and perform well. In my last role, I noticed that our team was struggling with meeting deadlines on projects. After talking with some of the employees, I learned that many of them felt undervalued by their managers. We started having weekly meetings where we discussed what each employee was working on and how they were contributing to the overall success of the company.”

7. What types of messages should be prioritized during a time of crisis?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a specific crisis you faced in the past and how you prioritized your messages. This can show the interviewer that you have experience with handling these types of situations and are able to prioritize important information for stakeholders.

Example: “In my last role as a communications manager, we had a major data breach where sensitive client information was leaked online. I immediately informed our CEO about the situation so they could inform their board members and other key stakeholders. Then, I worked with our IT department to create a website where people affected by the breach could check if their information was compromised. We also created a hotline for anyone who wanted more information.”

8. What makes an effective spokesperson?

A strategic communicator needs to be able to speak publicly on behalf of their organization. Employers ask this question to make sure you know what makes a good spokesperson and how to choose one. In your answer, explain that a strong spokesperson is someone who can clearly communicate information in an engaging way. Explain that they should also have the ability to think quickly on their feet and remain calm under pressure.

Example: “An effective spokesperson has excellent public speaking skills. They are able to deliver important messages in a clear and concise way that everyone understands. A great spokesperson also knows how to connect with people emotionally. This helps them get their message across more effectively. Finally, a good spokesperson is someone who can stay calm under pressure. They need to be able to think quickly and solve problems when things don’t go as planned.”

9. In your opinion, how can public relations be used to change the perception of the company?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of public relations and how it can be used to benefit the company. When answering, you should focus on how you would use public relations to change the perception of the company in a positive way.

Example: “In my experience, I have found that public relations can be used to change the perception of a company by creating content that is interesting and engaging for the audience. For example, if a company has negative press, I would create content that shows the company’s side of the story and provides more information about what happened. This helps people understand the situation better and may even make them feel more positively toward the company.”

10. What’s the difference between public relations and advertising?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the two most common types of communication. It also allows you to show how you can use both effectively in your work.

Example: “Public relations and advertising are two very different things, but they’re often confused for one another because they both involve communicating with the public. In my last role, I worked on both sides of this equation. My team would create content that was useful and interesting to our target audience. Then we’d promote it through social media channels and other outlets where people were already looking for information. This allowed us to reach new audiences while still providing value to those who had been following us for some time.”

11. What is the importance of media training for executives and other senior employees?

Media training is an important skill for strategic communicators to have because they often need to train senior employees on how to handle the media. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you understand why media training is so important and what it looks like in practice. In your answer, try to explain why media training is beneficial and give examples of how you’ve helped others with media training in the past.

Example: “Media training is a very useful skill that can help executives prepare for interviews or other public speaking events. I recently worked with a company where the CEO was going to be interviewed by a journalist. The journalist asked him several tough questions about his business practices, which made the interview feel more like an interrogation than a friendly conversation. He felt unprepared for the interview and didn’t know how to respond to some of the questions.

I offered to do media training with him before the interview. We practiced answering difficult questions and discussed ways he could use his answers to promote his business. After our training session, he felt much more confident and ready to face the interviewer. His confidence showed through during the interview, and he answered all of the journalist’s questions confidently.”

12. Can you give me some examples of good press releases?

Press releases are a common part of strategic communication. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to write them well and what makes them effective. In your answer, share two or three examples of press releases that you have written in the past. Explain why they were good and highlight any skills you used to create them.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different types of press releases in my career. One example is when I was working for a local business. The company wanted to announce its new product line. We wrote a release about the products themselves, as well as the benefits of using them. We also included quotes from the CEO about the company’s goals. This helped spread awareness about the company and its new products.”

13. What’s the best way to build relationships with journalists?

Journalists are an important part of any organization’s strategic communication plan. They can help spread your message to a wide audience, so it’s important that you have good relationships with them. Your answer should show the interviewer that you know how to work with journalists and get them on board with your company’s goals.

Example: “I find that the best way to build relationships with journalists is by being honest and transparent. Journalists want to tell accurate stories, so if we’re open with them about our plans, they’ll be more likely to write positive articles about us. I also make sure to send them advance copies of press releases and other information so they can prepare their stories in advance. This helps ensure that they’ll cover our announcements when we release them.”

14. What are some common mistakes made when drafting a news release?

This question can help an interviewer determine your ability to avoid common mistakes and ensure you’re able to produce quality work. Your answer should include a list of the most common errors made when drafting a news release, along with strategies for avoiding them.

Example: “The biggest mistake I’ve seen in news releases is not including enough information about the company or organization’s goals. When writing a news release, it’s important to make sure that all relevant information is included so journalists have everything they need to write their stories. Another common mistake is failing to proofread thoroughly before sending out a news release. It’s important to read over each news release multiple times to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors.”

15. Why are social media channels like Facebook and Twitter such powerful tools?

Employers want to know that you understand the importance of social media in today’s world and how it can be used as a strategic communication tool. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of these channels, their purpose and how they can benefit an organization.

Example: “Social media is one of the most powerful tools for reaching large audiences quickly. It allows organizations to connect with customers and stakeholders on a personal level, which builds trust and loyalty. I have seen first-hand how effective social media can be when implemented correctly. For example, my previous employer was able to increase sales by 10% after launching a new campaign on Facebook.”