Congratulations on landing an interview. It is no simple feat. However, it is essential to remember that your interviewer will be more thorough in the entry-level job interview than an internship interview.
Hiring a full-time employee is riskier than hiring an intern. Therefore, be sure to be relaxed, well dressed, and exceptionally on time. You might also want to research the firm to set a sense of their mission and culture and review the job description to figure out what skills and qualities the company is looking for.
Doing so will help you prepare for the interview questions and boost your overall confidence during the interview.
If you do not know about the questions you can expect, here is a descriptive list of the most common entry-level questions and the answers to help you land your first job ever.
The icebreaker question allows the hiring manager to know you and figure out your strengths and abilities. So, be careful not to drone on endlessly. It is easy to get caught up in your life story and lose the interviewer's attention.
A safe way to handle this is by giving a brief overview covering your strengths, interests, and motivations.
Sample script:
I am a self-motivated and curious digital marketer who is always elated to discover new ways to market brands for clients. I am also a passionate problem-solver who loves improving the status quo.
This question focuses on your attributes and helps the interviewer assess your level of self-awareness. The most suitable approach is to answer it assertively without hubris. Choose a strength that suits the vital qualifications of the job you want.
As for weaknesses, the best approach is to analyze the critical skills and strengths needed for the position you are interviewing for and come up with an honest shortcoming that is not essential for the job.
Sample strengths script:
I am an excellent writer. So far, I have pretty worked on everything writing-related: web copy, email marketing, blog posts, and I have ghostwritten a book for a client. I have also guest posted on various popular blogs like A and B.
Sample weaknesses script:
Numbers have not always been my cup of tea. Fortunately, as a copywriter, I can focus my time on curating creative posts for clients. However, in recent years, I have started familiarizing myself with digital analytic tools and found that it can be quite illuminating when you add context and numbers.
Your educational background is your most vital credential when landing an entry-level job in your career. Most firms require candidates to demonstrate they have effectively completed a specific level of certification or other relevant professional training.
Sample script:
I just graduated from the University of XYZ with first-class honors. I majored in digital marketing there and had the opportunity to write copy for the university's newspaper and radio station. I was also chosen for the Digitek Internship last summer and participated in the XYZ Digital Marketing Program, during which I helped create the 'Scarlet Seasonings' campaign.
The best way to gain professional experience in your field of choice is to complete paid or unpaid internships in the industry you want to join. Doing so places you ahead of other graduates whose experience is limited to classroom studies.
Sample script:
Yes, last month, I completed a one-year internship program at Digitek, where I learned about curating creative copy for brands.
Your response to this question allows the hiring manager to know if you share the company's values and be dedicated to its success.
Be specific about your goals and expectations and describe how your qualifications align with those needed for the position.
Sample script:
I am looking for an opportunity to build upon the digital marketing strategies I learned at XYZ University to help the company remain competitive and – hopefully, establish myself as a valuable employee.
Firms want to know if you will be a long-term employee, and of course, a terrific ROI in onboarding and training you, or if you are likely to jump ship and work for another company. This question also helps the employer assess if you have a clear career path and ambition to promote and advance.
Sample script:
I am planning, in five years, of course, to be recognized as an expert content marketer for ABC and to be one of your best copywriters, position for eventual advancement to the creative director role.
This is another entry-level interview question designed to test if you are applying for a specific position and being elective or applying whenever without caring much about where you land a job.
You might be getting sick of hearing this theme, but it's one of the most critical questions your potential employer will ask. So, be prepared to explain why you think that position is a perfect fit for your interest and career goals.
Sample script:
I majored in digital marketing, so working at the state's top digital marketing agencies would be a dream come true for me. That is the reason I was eager to apply and learn essential skills that will help me become not only a valuable employee but a world-class digital marketer.
There is no perfect or imperfect way of answering this question, provided you explain why you feel the way you do. The only mistake you can make is lying to the hiring manager. It is wrong to mislead the interviewer, but if you get hired, you might not be passionate about a position you are not suited for.
If you flourish in group settings, for instance, you probably won't thrive in a position that requires you to work alone – or worse, a job that requires you to work remotely. On the other hand, introverts might find it frustrating to work in a position that emphasizes in-person teamwork.
Sample script:
I found that multiple brains working to achieve a common goal for most content marketing projects were better than one. Moreover, I have always thrived in teams, ever since grade school, and participated in team sports. I also know that being open-minded and cooperative are essential aspects of being a great team member, and I pride myself on possessing those qualities.
Deadlines can be a stress and anxiety trigger, and if you are in a demanding industry, you will need to be prepared to handle these situations.
Therefore, to answer this successfully, you need to offer specific examples of how you managed stressful situations in the past. You might want to state instances when pressure made you work more productively.
However, be careful how you respond. If you state that you get anxious when given multiple projects and you know the position requires you to juggle numerous tasks at once, you will seem like a bad fit.
Consider mentioning how a dash of stress can be an excellent motivator for you. Try stating instances of when the pressure of a challenging project helped you become more creative and productive.
Sample script:
I work better under pressure, and I have found that challenging work environments bring out my best. As a creative, I thrive under tight deadlines and numerous projects. I find that when I have to work to a deadline, I produce compelling copy.
For instance, my latest project, which I received a healthy bonus, was assigned to me days before the due date. I used the pressure of the deadline to harness creativity and concentration.
A tough hiring manager will not let you off easy with this question, so do not try dodging the question. If your performance reviews have been flawless, you can point out that and offer to provide proof of your stellar reviews.
However, to simply state, 'I have never been carped at' can cost you your dream job. And saying you do not remember any criticism can be just as damaging.
You not only come off as sounding glib but also arrogant. So, think hard at a point in time where your lecturer or client questioned something you said or did. The hiring manager will not believe that you have never received any criticism in your life.
If nothing comes to mind, take time to reflect. This will show the interviewer that you are taking the question seriously.
Sample script:
When working on an ad campaign at Digitek, the client was not happy with our idea. He made us aware that the slogan did not align with their mission statement and that he was disappointed that we had not researched to find out the firm's mission statement before working on the campaign.
We apologized for the oversight and worked overtime to curate a new slogan, which we submitted to the client less than a week after the complaint at no extra cost. The client was pleased with the new slogan and appreciated the quick turnaround. He still does business with the firm today.
Now that you know what to expect, we hope you will blow your interviewers' minds and get the job of your dreams!
