Top Interview Questions for Social Media Jobs

Social media is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting fields around. From posting stories on Snapchat to creating engaging posts for Facebook, there’s a lot you can do as a social media manager to increase brand visibility and connect with customers. Whether you’re trying to land your first social media internship or an entry-level job as a social media manager, one of the keys to doing well in an interview is showing that you’re just as analytical as you are creative.

We sat down with Juliette Dallas-Feeney, Senior Social Media Manager at Birchbox, to get the inside scoop on what to expect during your interview.

Here are some questions you should prepare to answer in an interview for a social media job:

What is the future of social media?

“This is a really essential question because it shows that you’re thinking ahead and you understand that social media is a fast-moving industry,” Juliette explains. When she asks this question during an interview, she wants to know that candidates are thinking several steps ahead and that they’re able to anticipate new trends before they happen. “I want to know that you’re thoughtful and creative and are thinking more than just ‘in the now’,” she says.

To nail this answer, do some research on new platforms and trend forecasts for the upcoming year. Come prepared with at least two examples to discuss. One of these should focus on a trend for an existing channel while the other should mention an emerging platform that could be the next big thing.

How would you describe Facebook vs Snapchat vs Instagram vs any other social channel?

This is another key question that tests your knowledge of the industry and of the differences between platforms. “Not all channels are created equal,” Juliette explains. “You can’t just post something across all channels and have it be the same,” she adds. When she asks this question while interviewing potential candidates at Birchbox, it’s because she wants to know that candidates have a detailed understanding of each platform and can develop strategies that are specific to each one. “I really want to get an understanding from you that you have done your research on these channels, that you are a practitioner on these channels and you know what works and what doesn’t work on each one.”

To answer this question, give an example of a post that you think would perform well on a company’s Facebook page and another post that would do well on Instagram. Then explain why they would be successful on their specific channels.

Pro Tip: Looking at the company’s past activity and finding trends among channels is a great place to start. This will give you important insights into the brand voice and help you understand what types of posts perform well for them.

Who is your favorite brand/personality on social media and why?

This question is a great chance for you to give the interviewer an inside look at your personality and to talk about what media brands and personalities inspire you. When preparing your answer, be honest but don’t pick the most obvious choice. “Don’t say that it’s Birchbox because that’s cheating,” Juliette jokes. Instead, show that you know the social media space and that you’re familiar with brands and influencers who are making a difference. Mention the name of your favorite account, approximately how many followers they have and give a specific reason for why you like them such as the fact that they post funny memes on Instagram. This will show that you understand what goes into making a successful brand or personality on social media.

Tell me about your own social presence.

This is a chance for you to show off your own social media presence and talk about how the insights you’ve gained will help you increase engagement for the company’s brand. “I want to see that you have your own following,” Juliette says. She’s also interested in how you’re able to maintain a cohesive voice across different platforms while ensuring that you’re posting content that works best for each one. “I want to see something that shows me that you really understand social media so that you can bring that experience into working for a brand.”

When talking about your social presence, frame your experience in terms of goals. If you’re aiming to a thought leader in a specific area (like entertainment or politics), mention that. Then talk about the strategies you’ve used to increase engagement and reach your goals.

Pro Tip: Make sure to clean up your social media channels before the interview. This will ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward with the hiring manager and spotlighting the things that make your work unique.

In a fast-moving industry like social media, landing a great job is all about showing that you’re up-to-date with the latest industry trends and that you’re able to leverage them to build your personal brand and the brand of the company you want to work for. By preparing your answers to these questions, you’ll impress your interviewer and to get one step closer to your dream job at a great brand like Birchbox.

Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as Top 10 Things You Should Look For In An Internship and find answers to common interview questions such as Why Do You Want to Work Here?