20 The Trade Desk Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interview questions, The Trade Desk is all about specifics. The company is looking for digital media buyers who are well-versed in the latest buying tools and trends.

To ace your interview with The Trade Desk, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience with specific demand-side platforms and tools. You’ll also need to be able to speak to the latest trends in digital media buying.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the most common interview questions asked by The Trade Desk. We’ll also provide sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

The Trade Desk Interview Process

The interview process at The Trade Desk can be long and difficult, depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as Senior Software Engineer, the process can take up to four months. The process generally consists of an initial phone screen with a recruiter, followed by multiple interviews with potential managers, peers, and other team members. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a presentation or take-home coding assessment.

1. What do you think the future of digital marketing looks like?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have a vision for the future of digital marketing and how it will affect their company. In your answer, try to show that you are aware of current trends in digital marketing and can apply them to the future.

Example: “I think we’re going to see more automation in digital marketing as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced. I believe AI will be able to help us with many aspects of our jobs, including targeting audiences, managing budgets and analyzing data. This could free up time for humans to focus on higher-level tasks like creating content and developing strategies.”

2. How would you respond to a client who says that they’re not seeing results with The Trade Desk software?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you can empathize with clients while also explaining the steps you would take to help them achieve results.

Example: “I would first listen to their concerns and then explain why I think The Trade Desk is a good fit for their business. If they’re not seeing results after using our software for several weeks, I would offer to meet in person or over the phone to walk through the platform with them so we could identify any issues together.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to sell something people didn’t want or need.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle rejection and failure. It also helps them see if you have any experience selling to clients or customers who may not be interested in what you’re offering.

Example: “I once worked for a company that sold software to small businesses. We were trying to sell our product to a client who already had an established system in place, so they weren’t looking to upgrade their software. I knew we needed to find another way to convince this client to buy from us instead of continuing with their current system. So, I talked to the owner about how our software could save him money on his monthly expenses.”

4. Why do you want to work at The Trade Desk?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. Use your answer to highlight some of the reasons that attracted you to this role, such as the company culture or values.

Example: “I want to work at The Trade Desk because I am passionate about digital media buying. I have been working in this field for five years now, and I feel like I still have so much more to learn. I think The Trade Desk is an excellent place to continue my education and grow professionally. I also love how innovative this company is, which makes me excited to come into work every day.”

5. Would you be willing and able to travel 50% of the time?

Travel is a common part of working in the digital media industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re aware of how much travel may be required and if you’re comfortable with it. If you have any concerns about traveling, share them during your interview. Explain that you are willing to do what’s necessary for the job but want to ensure you can meet their expectations.

Example: “I am excited to learn that The Trade Desk has an extensive travel program. I understand that 50% of my time will likely be spent on the road. While I’m not a fan of long car rides, I love meeting new people and learning about different cultures. I think I would enjoy the opportunity to visit new places while doing my job.”

6. Do you have any experience working in the advertising industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the position. If you have experience working in advertising, share a few details about what you did and why you enjoyed that job. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about any relevant skills or knowledge you gained from previous jobs.

Example: “I worked as an account manager for a digital marketing agency for three years before I applied here. In my role, I helped clients develop their online strategies by creating effective ad campaigns. I learned valuable skills like budgeting, campaign management and analytics that I think will help me succeed in this role.”

7. Tell me about an instance when you were presented with a problem, how did you approach it?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to analyze and solve problems.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with finding new ways to increase the company’s revenue. After analyzing our current performance, I noticed we were missing out on several opportunities for ad placement. To address this issue, I created an outreach program that targeted specific audiences based on their interests. This resulted in a 20% increase in revenue.”

8. Describe your communication style.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with others. To answer, think of a time when you had to communicate important information to a group of people or individuals. Explain what steps you took to ensure everyone understood the message.

Example: “I believe in being direct and honest when communicating with others. I try to be as clear as possible when explaining things so that there are no misunderstandings. In my last role, I was responsible for managing our social media accounts. When we were launching a new product, I created a Facebook Live video to introduce it to our followers. I made sure to clearly explain all the benefits of the product and answered questions from viewers.”

9. What kind of questions do you ask during a technical interview?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have any questions about the company’s products or services. This can be a great opportunity for you to show your interest in The Trade Desk and learn more about what they do.

Example: “I always like to know how the company I’m interviewing with is different from other companies in their industry. In my last role, I asked my manager why our company was better than our competitors. He explained that we were able to provide clients with more data at a lower cost than our competitors because of our unique software. I think it’s important to understand the value of the company you’re working for.”

10. We are looking for someone who is comfortable working independently as well as on a team. Are you comfortable with both?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are a good fit for the company culture. They want to know that you can work independently and also collaborate with your team members. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork while also being able to complete tasks on your own.

Example: “I am very comfortable working both independently and collaboratively. I find that my best work comes when I have time to think about it alone before presenting ideas to my team. However, I also enjoy collaborating with others to brainstorm new ideas or solve problems.”

11. How often do you like to check-in with your manager?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your work ethic and how you feel about regular feedback. Your answer should show that you value the opinions of others, but also that you’re confident in your own abilities.

Example: “I like to check-in with my manager at least once a week. I find it helpful to get their input on projects or ideas I have so that we can discuss them together and come up with solutions. It’s important for me to know that they are always available if I need help.”

12. What made you choose software engineering over another field?

This question can help the interviewer understand your motivations for pursuing a career in software engineering. Your answer should reflect your passion for technology and innovation, as well as your commitment to continuous learning.

Example: “I chose software engineering because I love solving complex problems with innovative solutions. Software engineers are constantly developing new technologies that make our lives easier, so I find it rewarding to be part of this process. In my previous role, I worked on a team that developed an algorithm that improved ad targeting by 20%. It was exciting to see how our work helped businesses improve their sales.”

13. If you could start at any one company, which would it be?

This question is a great way to learn about the candidate’s career goals and what they hope to achieve in their future. It also gives you an idea of how much experience they have working for large companies. If you’re looking to hire someone with experience, this can be a good time to ask them about their previous roles.

Example: “I would love to start at Google because I’ve always been interested in digital media buying. I think it would be interesting to see how one of the biggest tech companies operates.”

14. Have you ever worked in a high pressure environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure. High-pressure situations can be common in the digital media industry, so it’s important that you’re able to handle them well. In your answer, try to explain how you manage stress and stay productive when working under tight deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as a digital media buyer, I often have to meet strict deadlines for buying campaigns. While these deadlines can sometimes feel overwhelming, I’ve learned to use my time wisely and prioritize tasks based on their importance. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I’m always meeting campaign goals.”

15. Give an example of a time you struggled at work.

This question can help interviewers understand how you overcame challenges in the past and what steps you took to improve your performance. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you faced a challenge at work but were able to overcome it with the support of your team or supervisor.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager for a digital media company, I was tasked with managing multiple accounts that had different budgets and KPIs. This led to some confusion on my part about which campaigns to focus on first. My supervisor helped me create a system where I could prioritize my tasks based on budget and KPI so I could better manage all of my clients.”

16. Tell us about some of your favorite brands. How have their marketing strategies changed over the years?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your knowledge about digital media and how it’s changed over time. It also helps them understand what you like to do, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone who has specific strengths or interests.

Example: “I’ve always been a fan of Nike. I remember when their marketing was all about performance and quality. Nowadays, they seem to focus more on celebrity endorsements and flashy ads. While those are great, I think there’s still room for both in a successful campaign.”

17. Can you tell us about a particularly difficult customer service situation and how you handled it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you handle conflict. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to interact with customers or clients, and highlight the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my last role as a digital media buyer, I worked on several large accounts that required me to work with multiple vendors for different aspects of their campaigns. One day, one of our main vendors was experiencing technical issues with their platform, which caused delays in completing some of our campaign goals. I called the vendor’s account manager to discuss the issue, and we came up with a solution to complete the campaign by the deadline.”

18. Sometimes our clients get frustrated with what seems like a small issue but can actually cause major problems. Tell me about a time you dealt with a similar situation and how you handled it.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with clients.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they couldn’t find the ‘buy’ button on our platform. They were used to buying media through traditional channels, so it took some time for them to get comfortable with how we do things. I explained that we don’t have a buy button but instead use algorithms to determine when to bid on inventory based on what the client wants. This helped them understand why we didn’t have a buy button.”

19. Tell us about a time you had to explain a complex process to someone who didn’t understand. Did you find it easy or difficult?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with others and your ability to explain complex processes. Use examples from previous jobs or personal experiences that highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, there was a lot of confusion about what we were doing on The Trade Desk. There were many questions about how it worked and why we did certain things. I found this challenging because I had only been using The Trade Desk for a few months myself. However, I used visuals and analogies to make the process easier to understand.”

20. What interest rates do you use in financial models?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of financial modeling and the tools you use. Use examples from previous experience that show how you apply interest rates in your calculations.

Example: “I usually use an annual rate for my financial models, but I also know when it’s appropriate to use other rates such as monthly or quarterly rates. For example, if I’m calculating the cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) for a campaign, I’ll use the CPM rate instead of the annual rate because it’s more relevant to the number of times ads are shown.”