1. Explain me how do you use social media to help your clients?

Share an example that puts you in a good light. Remember, numbers can always be a meaningful way to tell a story. If you helped a client gain followers, share the before-and-after numbers, for instance.

2. Tell me your customer service experience?

After I graduated from high school, I worked for a clothing retailer for a while. There, I learned that customer service is about more than just selling; it is about building relationships. I really enjoyed working with people and learning about the business, so I decided to go to school for business management. As I earned my bachelor's degree, I was able to put my new knowledge to work at my job.

3. Tell us why do you love PR?

Tips for responding: Give an honest response about what appeals to you about the position. The best answers will connect your passion for PR with the company's mission. Avoid answers focused on yourself (e.g., "I love going to client events and drinking cocktails for free.").

4. Explain me what sources of media do you follow regularly, and why those ones?

As well as general PR news outlets and social media feeds, it makes sense to mention media sources in your area of expertise or the agency's focus. For instance, if you're applying to work in celeb-focused PR, you should probably keep up with People magazine.

5. What are your salary expectations as Senior Relationship Officer?

Many consider this question to be a loaded gun – dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Often times, an interviewee will start talking salary before they've had an opportunity to illustrate their skill set and value making any sort of leverage valueless. Here, knowledge is power, as salary often comes down to negotiation. Do some research into your industry to establish base rates of pay based on seniority and demand but keep in mind – your employer is hiring you for what they believe you are worth, and how much benefit they feel you will provide.

6. Please explain what is your ideal work environment?

Tips for responding: Here's where your research on the agency or company will pay off! If the company is known for a fast-paced environment, you can mention that you work best when busy and are the kind of person who's always on email.

7. Can you explain me what are your favorite social media platforms?

There's no wrong answer here, but it's likely best to avoid being negative about any platform. Frame your answer not around your own interactions with the platform personally, but around how it's beneficial to clients. For instance, "Now that Instagram has introduced commerce options, I've been able to help [client name] drive more sales."

8. Explain me what does "public relations" mean to you?

Since there are many types of public relations work, from managing social campaigns to promoting celebrities to crisis management, it makes sense for your answer to acknowledge that there are a lot of types of PR work. Then, you can pivot to talking about the one you're most experienced in, and connect it back to the company or agency that you're interviewing with.

9. What are your weaknesses as Senior Relationship Officer?

Another tricky one. The purpose of this question is to see how you view and evaluate yourself.

One the one hand, if you suggest you don't have any weaknesses, your interviewer will almost certainly see you as a lair, egotistical, or both.

Don't fall into the trap of trying to present a positive skill in disguise as a weakness, like “I work too hard” or “I am a perfectionist”. Any experienced interviewer will see through this in a heartbeat.

Additionally, revealing that “I'm not really a morning person and have been known to come in late” raises immediate and obvious red flags.

10. Why did you leave your last job as Senior Relationship Officer?

Unless you're still working, you will get asked this question. Even if you are working, they will ask you why you want to leave. But more often than not, if you are not working, chances are that you were laid off, terminated, or quit. You just have to let them know the reasoning behind why you are not working at your most recent job.

If you left of your own free will, then explain why you left and what your plans were in doing so. If you were fired for performance reasons, a simple explanation is all that is needed, but make sure this will not affect the requirements for this new job. If you were laid off, let them know several members of your team were laid off due to the economy and slowing product sales. But warm that up a bit and put it into your own words so it makes sense.

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