20 Weber Shandwick Interview Questions and Answers

Weber Shandwick is one of the world’s leading public relations and communications firms. With over 80 offices in more than 50 countries, Weber Shandwick provides a full range of services to clients around the globe.

If you’re applying for a job at Weber Shandwick, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Weber Shandwick interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Weber Shandwick Interview Process

The interview process at Weber Shandwick can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a written test or work assignment. Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and efficient, although some candidates have reported being ghosted after their interviews.

1. What is your experience with designing and executing communications strategies?

This question is an opportunity to showcase your expertise in the field of public relations. Use examples from previous work experience that highlight your skills and abilities as a communicator.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating and implementing communications strategies for several brands within a client’s portfolio. One of these brands was a large retailer with many different product lines. My team and I developed a plan to create brand awareness through social media channels, influencer marketing and traditional media outlets. We also created a content calendar to ensure we were consistently publishing new content on our website and across social media platforms.”

2. How do you think social media has impacted the marketing industry?

Social media has changed the way companies market their products and services. It’s become a vital part of any marketing campaign, so it’s important to understand how social media can help you succeed in your role. In your answer, explain how social media has impacted your previous roles and why you think it’s an important tool for marketers.

Example: “Social media is one of the most effective ways to reach consumers. I’ve seen firsthand how it can positively impact a brand’s reputation and sales. For example, when I worked at XYZ Company, we were launching a new product that was geared toward millennials. We used social media influencers to promote our product on Instagram, which helped us gain more followers and increase sales.”

3. Do you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment?

Working in a public relations firm can be quite fast-paced, especially during major news events. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working in such an environment and that you have the skills necessary to succeed. In your answer, explain what it is like to work in a busy environment and highlight any experience you have doing so.

Example: “I’ve worked in a fast-paced environment before, and I enjoy it because it allows me to multitask and get many things done at once. At my last job, we were always on deadline for our clients’ campaigns, which meant we had to work quickly but efficiently. I am confident that I could handle a similar situation here.”

4. We want our employees to be able to work independently on projects. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of how you feel about working in a team environment. It’s important that you show your ability to work independently, but also with others on projects and campaigns.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for this type of environment because I’m used to working independently on my own projects. However, I’ve always found it helpful to bounce ideas off of other people when I’m working on something new or trying to solve a problem. I find that having someone else there to help me brainstorm can really make a difference.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and challenges at work. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a public relations specialist for a large corporation, I had a client who was very demanding. They would constantly call me with questions about their social media accounts and wanted immediate answers. I learned that it’s important to be patient with clients, so I always responded to them within 24 hours of receiving their emails or phone calls. This helped keep the client happy while also allowing me time to research their questions thoroughly.”

6. Give an example of a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict in the workplace. It’s important for employers to know that you can work well with others and resolve issues effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention what steps you took to solve the problem and highlight your communication skills or teamwork abilities.

Example: “In my last position as an account executive at a marketing agency, I was working on a campaign with another team member who had different ideas about how we should approach the project. We both wanted to do our best work but were unsure of which direction to take. After discussing our options, we decided to try out her idea first and then reevaluate if it wasn’t successful. The campaign ended up being very successful, and we learned from each other.”

7. Describe a time where you had to prioritize multiple tasks at once. How did you decide what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your time and manage multiple projects. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight your ability to multitask effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing a team of five social media specialists. This required me to oversee all aspects of their daily tasks while also completing my own responsibilities. To ensure that everyone on my team completed their assignments in a timely manner, I created weekly checklists with specific deadlines so they could see what needed to be done each day. This helped them stay organized and ensured that we met our client’s expectations.”

8. Have you ever worked remotely before? If so, describe your experience.

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working remotely and how you feel about it. If you have never worked remotely, you can describe what you think of remote work and why you would or wouldn’t enjoy doing it.

Example: “I’ve done some freelance writing from home before, but I prefer to be in an office setting. I find that when I’m at home, I get distracted more easily and don’t focus as well on my work. However, if I were given a choice between working remotely and losing my job, I’d definitely choose to work remotely.”

9. We are looking for someone who can stay calm under pressure. Can you give an example of a time when you felt pressured?

This question is a great way to see how someone handles pressure. It can be helpful for employers to know that you have experience with this type of situation and how you handled it. In your answer, try to explain what caused the pressure and how you overcame it.

Example: “I was working on a campaign where we were trying to get more people to visit our website. We had a deadline coming up, and I knew we needed to increase traffic by 20% in order to meet our goals. I worked hard to find ways to increase traffic, but I wasn’t sure if we would make the deadline. Luckily, I found some new social media platforms that helped us reach our goal.”

10. Why do you want to work for Weber Shandwick?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in Weber Shandwick and how you plan to contribute to their team. Your answer should include specific details about why you’re interested in working with this company, what you’ve heard about them or any research you’ve done on the organization.

Example: “I want to work for Weber Shandwick because I’m passionate about public relations and marketing. I’ve heard that this company has an excellent reputation when it comes to both of these areas, so I would love to be able to work here and help build upon that reputation. I also think that my skills as a writer and communicator would be beneficial to the company.”

11. What is your opinion on the current state of the public relations industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your critical thinking skills and how you approach challenges. Your answer should include your opinion on the industry, as well as what you would do to improve it if necessary.

Example: “The public relations industry has changed dramatically over the last decade with the introduction of social media and digital marketing. I believe that this change has been beneficial because it allows companies to reach their target audiences more effectively than ever before. However, I think there are still some improvements that can be made in regards to transparency and ethics. For example, I think that all journalists should disclose any conflicts of interest when reporting on a story.”

12. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or client and how it helped them achieve success.

Example: “When I was working as an account executive at my previous job, one of my clients had a big presentation coming up. They were nervous about the presentation because they hadn’t done many before. I offered to help them practice their presentation with me in front of our team. We practiced together multiple times until they felt confident enough to present on their own. The client ended up doing well during their presentation, which led to more business.”

13. Are you comfortable working with clients from different industries?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients from different industries. Use your answer to highlight any previous work experiences that involved working with a variety of clients and how you were able to adapt to their needs.

Example: “I’ve worked in public relations for five years now, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from many different industries. In my last position, I was responsible for managing several accounts at once, including one client who was in the technology industry and another who was in the financial services industry. While these two clients had very different goals, I was able to use my communication skills to effectively communicate with both teams.”

14. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in a fast-paced environment can be challenging, and employers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for the job. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can handle pressure well. You can talk about a time when you worked under pressure and how you handled it successfully.

Example: “I’ve always been able to work well under pressure. In my last position as a public relations specialist, I was responsible for handling media inquiries during a crisis situation. The company experienced a data breach, which made national news. I had to answer questions from reporters while also fielding calls from customers who were concerned about the breach. I stayed calm and answered all of their questions, and we ended up getting good press coverage because of my actions.”

15. How do you measure success?

This question helps employers understand your goals and how you achieve them. Your answer should show that you have a plan for success, whether it’s through teamwork or individual achievements.

Example: “I measure my success by the results I get in my work. If I’m able to exceed client expectations, meet deadlines and provide quality content, then I know I’ve done my job well. In my last position, I was tasked with creating social media campaigns for several clients. I met with each of them to learn more about their target audience and what they wanted to accomplish with their campaign. After researching each company, I created a unique strategy for each one based on their needs. This helped me reach my goal of increasing brand awareness and sales.”

16. How often do you like to be in contact with your team when working on a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your team and what type of technology you use to communicate. Your answer should show that you value teamwork and enjoy communicating with others in a timely manner.

Example: “I like to be in contact with my team members as often as possible, especially when working on a project. I find it helpful to check in with my team at least once per day to see if they have any questions or concerns about their work. This helps me ensure that everyone is getting along well and staying productive. I also like to hold weekly meetings where we discuss our progress and celebrate our successes.”

17. What is your experience with measuring ROI?

ROI, or return on investment, is a common metric used in the marketing industry. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with ROI and how you measure it. Use your answer to explain what ROI is and give an example of when you measured it for a client.

Example: “Return on investment is one way marketers can measure their success. It’s calculated by dividing the revenue generated from a campaign by the cost of that campaign. I’ve worked with clients who want to know their ROI so they can make informed decisions about which campaigns are worth investing in. In my last role, I helped develop a social media strategy for a client. We were able to increase sales by 10% through our efforts.”

18. Which area of public relations are you most interested in?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your knowledge of public relations and which areas you are most passionate about. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list specific skills or tasks that you enjoy doing in your current role.

Example: “I am very interested in digital marketing because I think it’s important for companies to have an online presence. In my last position, I was responsible for creating social media accounts, writing blog posts and developing content for our website. I also really enjoy crisis communications because I like helping clients navigate through difficult situations. For example, when one of our clients had a data breach, I helped them create a plan to communicate with their customers.”

19. Our company values collaboration. Give an example of a time when you collaborated with others to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that show your teamwork skills, communication skills and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last job as a public relations specialist, I worked on a campaign for a client who was launching a new product. My team and I had to come up with ways to get media attention for the product launch. We decided to hold an event where we could showcase the product and invite members of the press. The event went well, and we got a lot of positive coverage.”

20. Describe a time when you disagreed with your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to disagree with your manager without damaging relationships. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can be assertive while also maintaining a positive relationship with your manager.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about an approach we should take on a client project. I was passionate about one idea but my manager felt differently. Instead of arguing with her, I asked for time to research more information about both ideas and then presented them with additional data to support my original idea. My manager agreed that the new information helped make my case stronger and we went forward with my plan.”