What to Expect in Copywriting Interviews
Transitioning careers or breaking into full-time writing felt like David and Goliath to me. As an outsider, there were so many unknowns. And you don’t know what you don’t know, as they say. So you don’t have to deal with the same soul-sucking stress I did, I’m drawing back the curtain on what copywriting interviews really looked like for me in 2021 and 2022.
This article highlights my personal experience in this arena and so take these notes with a grain of salt. But rest assured that as a former hiring manager myself, I’ll be seasoning liberally with my own commentary.
Let’s dive into what to expect in a copywriter interview, how to best prepare, and what will set you up for success (and the job)!
Recruiter Screen
Their Priority: Ensuring you look good on paper, have the right experience
Your Priority: Be professional, on time, and polished
The Spice: Speak in soundbites or headlines
If your application is accepted for an interview, you will probably need to pass a screening first. This can be the hiring manager, an HR staffer, or even a third-party staffing agency. They are basically trying to overlay your credentials with a written job description from your prospective boss. Their goal is the see if you match enough to schedule you with that supervisor.
Typically they are very short meetings because they have to wade through tons of candidates to surface the best. So you’ll present well with succinct, snappy answers that carry some weight. When you prepare for your screen, go over your projects or challenges you’ve encountered and think of how to communicate them quickly. Think, if you were writing a blog post, what would the headline and bullet points be?
Supervisor Interview
Their Priority: Make sure you are a good fit for the job right now and won’t leave too quickly
Your Priority: Demonstrate you’ve got what it takes and vet the job/the boss
The Spice: Allow a little personality and candid conversation; it goes a long way to establishing a trusting relationship
Be honest about your expertise in interviews. I recommend this because it relieves the pressure on you to perform at an out-of-reach level and they know how you’ll fit in the team. Of course, never sell yourself short. As a woman in the workforce, I’m aware of how easy it is to self-deprecate or minimize my contributions. Just be open. And there is a way to talk about your skill gaps in a way that makes you an irresistible candidate…
How to Spin a Knowledge Gap into a Positive
For example, during my latest interview, there were pointed questions about my blog writing skills, since it would be a huge part of my day to day. I’d never managed a blog full-time for an enterprise before. Basically, I had experience, but on a much smaller scale. I flipped that into a positive by saying that I had managed three small company blogs while working full time (the absolute truth), so that really taught me time management and resourcefulness (two critical skills for a writer). I also mentioned that I was excited to work with the enterprise tools and professionals in a start-up environment because it felt like the natural next step for my career. (Totally true also, and it worked ‘cause I went on to the next phase of the process.)
The supervisor is probably going to ask granular questions and challenge your answers a little bit. They’re digging to find the truth.
Of course, they want to know you’ve got the expertise to do the job, but they also want to know about your soft skills. How do you problem solve, collaborate, communicate…
In my experience, this one usually resembles the traditional “interview" format more than any other. Questions and answers, the deep dive into your background, and career goals.
Vetting the Role and the Boss
I believe that just as interviewers will question and challenge you, you should also be vetting them. I like to ask questions, using their responses as a litmus test to ensure that the role, boss, and company will be a great fit for me. Sometimes it is the answers that let me know one way or the other. Other times, it isn’t what they say, but how they say it that tells me everything I need to know.
This is where I’m checking for culture, expectations of the role, the general conditions, and so on. I really listen to how they respond because that can tell you a lot. Never ignore your instincts when something doesn’t sit right… Red flags during an interview when they are on their best behavior are indicative of the real environment.
Writing Skills Test
Before you take up a C-Suite’s valuable time, you’ll be asked to complete a writing skills test. Depending on the job you’re applying for, the format of the test will vary.
This should never be actual work the team would be producing. If it is, then you should be compensated for that effort. However, it is common for you to complete small projects or quizzes. In my experience, they don’t take more than a few hours to complete.
Types of Writing Skills Tests
Editing test (curating a pre-written draft for narrative, readability, or timeliness)
Writing assignment (based on a provided prompt, you’ll write a short piece)
Grammar/English Quiz (multiple choice or short answer–Try these New York Times quizzes to practice!)
Your interviewer will probably give you a generous timetable to complete the projects, but I recommend getting it done and submitted as quickly as possible. You never know if there is another equally-qualified candidate and you miss your opportunity just because they turned in their assignment faster.
Final Interview with Department Head or CEO
Their Priority: You will move the team forward, stick around, and help their company or department
Your Priority: Be ready with examples, stories, and stats
The Spice: More philosophical and big-picture than nuts and bolts
Provided you sailed through your Writing Skills Test, you’ll be meeting with the department head or a C-Suite (that’s someone with “chief” in their title such as Chief Marketing Officer or Chief Executive Officer). This is the last checkpoint before a hiring decision is made.
When you meet with this person, they want to ensure you’ll move the team forward. This is broad strokes, the 30,000-foot view, the big-picture. I like to think of this one as the philosophy conversation. You’ll be talking about the industry at large, trends in the market, challenges at scale… those sorts of things.
Ultimately, the big-wigs want to ensure the success of the department or company. They want to make sure that not only are you a culture add, but you’ll stick around. That’s why, I believe, they ask deep questions.
So they are looking for clues as to your core values, your career goals, and your general approach to work. All hires reflect on the boss, so if they gave you a rubber stamp, want to ensure you’ll stick around and not fluff off. Even better, they want to hire rising stars because everyone wins that way.
How to Prepare for a Copywriting Interview
Now that you know what to expect, now it’s time to prep. Here are the steps I recommend you take to prep and ace your copywriting interview:
Steps:
Build a kickass portfolio
Develop your 3 Stories
Do drills and take tests
Read up on the industry
Practice out loud
Building a kickass portfolio
A wonderful by-product of curating your portfolio is that is the best interview prep. Building a portfolio forces you to organize and prioritize your work. Your best content will surface, any meaningful projects, and leadership moments. You need a portfolio in order to apply for most, if not all, legit content/copywriting opportunities.
If you do nothing else to prepare for your interview, please create a fabulous portfolio. It is the absolute best thing you can do for your nerves ahead of any conversation about a new role.
Developing your three stories
Your “3 Stories” is a spin on that old interview question “Describe yourself in three words.” Choose your three words then match them with examples from your experience. Interviewers will ask you to explain why you’re a “creative problem solver” or “tenacious.”
I actually described myself as “a jasmine candle, Seabiscuit, and grout” once when asked that question. Of course, I really needed to explain since those were wild describing words and phrases. But the manager loved that so much she called over another manager for me to repeat my answer.
Doing drills, taking tests, and practicing
Doing drills and reading up on the industry is also a critical component to you seeming like a well-rounded, smart candidate. And then, practice your answers out load… Your 3 Stories, a walkthrough of your work history, a walkthrough of your portfolio… These are all things that are fair game in an interview so running through it beforehand will help you to speak more fluently when the time comes.