How to Nail Your Social Media Job Interview: Questions to Expect and How to Prepare
Let’s be real. Whatever industry you’re in right now, the job hunt is intense. You’ve crafted your resume, maybe even slid into a few DMs with your portfolio. Finally, it’s interview time. Here’s the thing: With the right prep, you can walk in feeling confident, clear, and in control.
Social media job interviews are different, so we are bringing you community-led tips on how to bring your A-game when it counts most.
What Are Employers Actually Looking For?
Tbh, most employers know they need social media, but they don’t know how to translate it to impacting the business’ bottom line. This is where you come in.
This is your chance to remind employers not what they are looking for, but what they need:
A strategic thinker who understands more than just likes and follows
A problem solver who can stay calm when the comments get hot
A collaborator who can work across departments, not just in Canva
An interview for a social media role isn’t just a “this is my experience” pitch, it’s you taking the reigns on how you can be an individual contributor to the companies bottom line.
You get to put your expertise on a stage that you build, because you know how to build an audience that stays.
The Questions You’ll Probably Be Asked (and How to Answer Them)
Here’s your cheat sheet, but let’s make it honest.
💬 “Tell me about a campaign you worked on.”
Tip: Be specific. Talk about goals you set, how you led in your role, the tools you used, and, most importantly, the results. Use numbers if you have them. Focus on what you did to support the team and how you leveraged relationships to build something great.
💬 “How do you handle negative feedback or trolls online?”
Tip: With this one, they want to know if you can keep your cool and stay on-brand. Talk about escalation plans, tone management, and empathy. Even better if you have a crisis comms plan in place that you can elaborate on.
💬 “Which platform do you think brands are sleeping on right now?”
Tip: Hot take time. Are you betting on Threads, Pinterest, Reddit, or even email as a social tool? Back it up with logic, your experience and any notable trends.
💬 “How do you stay on top of social media trends?”
Tip: Mention your go-to sources, creators, communities, or newsletters. Show them that you're tuned in in a thoughtful, intentional way.
💬 “What would your first 30-60-90 days in this role look like?”
Tip: This is your chance to show initiative. Talk about learning the voice and tone, doing an audit, and offering quick wins within a reasonable timeframe. This is your moment to set expectations that are attainable for you while still showing you have a forward thinking approach.
What You Should Be Asking Them
You’re not the only one being interviewed here. Ask smart questions to see if this is the right move for you.
What tools and platforms does your team use?
How do you support your social media teams?
How is success measured on your social channels?
What does collaboration look like across teams?
How often does the content strategy get updated?
Bonus points if you reference something specific about their brand or recent content.
Final Prep Tips
Practice talking through your resume out loud
Have a few results and projects ready to share
Review their social channels and come with a few suggestions — not criticisms
Dress appropriately for the culture, whether that’s blazers or black hoodies
Send a thank-you email that recaps a highlight from the conversation
Interviews are tough, but you’ve got this. Social media professionals are expected to wear a dozen hats; content creator, strategist, customer service rep, trendspotter. You already do all that. Now it’s time to tell your story like only you can.
