For those seeking employment in professional communications, the in-person interview is the most critical part of the job search process. After resumes and cover letters, phone and Skype calls, you've got to make a great face-to-face impression if you hope to land the job.
You're potentially being hired for your verbal and writing abilities, and you have to put those skills on display. It takes practice, and it also helps to know some of the types of questions or tasks you'll be asked to do. Let's take a look at four in particular.
Writing/editing test: Expect a writing and editing test to be administered on the same day and in the same place as your interview, even if you've already been given one online. Employers want to see your composition and proofreading abilities in-person.
Case study questions: Employers want to hear real examples of how you've handled problems in the past and how you plan to handle them in the future. Expect questions such as: "What do you do if you wake up in the morning to frantic texts regarding a crisis that's hit a client of yours?" "Tell me about a print campaign you've worked on?" and "What's an example of how you creatively solved a problem at work?"
Individual personality questions: Questions such as: "Why do you want to get into the PR profession?" "Why do companies need public relations?" and "What is this gap in your resume?" will give the employer a good sense of your background and motivation.
Brand background questions: Thoroughly research your prospective employer's website. If you get caught flat-footed with a feeble response to the question, "What do you think of our website?" you probably won't get the job.
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