1. Explain me why do companies need public relations?
There are two types of coverage, earned and paid. In the latter, company pays to share message, in the former, company works with editor to impact the message and because it comes from the editor, provides credibility to the company.
2. Tell me what opportunities do you see in PR for our organization?
Build client base, enter new areas to stay ahead of changes in industry. Will have more ideas as I learn more about company.
3. How flexible are you with your time?
While I like to find a good work-life balance, I understand that there are often time-sensitive issues that arise in the PR world, and a crisis can happen at any moment. The public never sleeps, and neither does PR. Knowing this, I am willing to do what is necessary to ensure that the job is done well, and if that means working occasional nights and weekends, I am on board.
4. Tell me how do you manage a press conference for a client?
This is a standard organizational role. Use an example which demonstrates all the following functions clearly:
☛ Putting together information for the press
☛ Arranging the conference and venue
☛ Clearing questions and subjects with the client
☛ Checking statement and information content
☛ Briefing reporters
☛ Managing client time.
5. Do you know how is PR different from advertising?
These two industries are very different even though they're commonly confused as being one and the same. The purpose of advertising is to create awareness about products or services in order to make a sale. It's a one way, paid for communication. The purpose of PR is to create and enhance the reputation of any company or individual. It's a two way communication that's real content. Use examples of the two to explain to your interviewer that you understand the difference. The answer to this question doesn't have to be long. It's more important to be clear and accurate.
6. Tell me how would you handle a PR crisis?
The first step in a crisis is to remain calm and understand that consumers are always going to be angry about something. The next step is to present the facts with total transparency. The public does not want to be mocked, and attempting to downplay the facts when they are clear for all to see never goes well. The last step is to, when appropriate, send a genuine, concise apology that addresses the issues without pointing a finger at others.
7. Tell me why you want to work in PR?
The kind of candidate that a PR agency looks for is a confident, people person with great communication skills who's an all round media junkie. Talk about your passion for multimedia such as newspapers (all of them, even the tabloids), magazines, TV, radio, websites, social media and blogs. You want to be giving off the impression of someone who is very involved not just professionally but on a personal level as well. Talk about your experiences that relate to the fast paced atmosphere of working in PR. Are you a good communicator? You need to prove this with every answer you give by delivering it in an enthusiastic, composed and confident manner. Don't waffle, a shorter more well crafted answer that's to the point is much more effective than a stretched one where your point can become vague.
8. Give us an example of solving a PR problem for a client?
Give an example of a situation which clearly involves good quality PR issues, and explain how your solution covered each issue. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) technique to give a structured narrative answer.
9. Tell us what does public relations mean to you?
The ability to liaise between client and influencers in order to deliver message.
10. Explain me on what basis will you give an exclusive interview with your client?
An exclusive interview is a targeted interview, matching an important market demographic. Emphasize the business values of the interview. Be clear about your intended goals in granting an interview and the benefits to the client.
11. Tell me what kind of opportunity are you looking for?
Chance to aid clients, help employees grow in skills and help agency to meet goals.
12. Tell me what do you like least about being a Public Relations Manager?
When everyone confirms for briefings and then need to wait on for for them.
13. Explain me why do you think companies or people need PR?
This kind of question is used to test how much you actually know about PR and its place in business so make sure you have done your research otherwise it will really show. PR is the process of assessing public attitudes, identifying the needs of an individual or an organization, before planning and carrying out actions to earn public acceptance and respect. With this definition understood it's easy to see how important it is for say; a company in the public eye or a celebrity launching a new product. With good PR you can change opinion, sell more products or get more people to listen or respect you by indirectly creating a positive image within the public. Use an example of a current news story where you have seen PR used successfully and unsuccessfully and perhaps make suggestions on what you might have done to counteract this in a similar situation. The interviewer will be looking for you to be picking up on detail that the average person would absorb passively and relaying back as a reason why it's important.
14. Do you know what qualities make a good public relations manager?
Listening to client, employees and editors and being able to meet the needs of each group.
15. Explain how you go about delegating work?
Divide and conquer based on skills, interests and availability.
16. What are your career goals as Public Relations Manager?
I want to be in Public Relations because I want to use my gift of creativity and helping others.
17. What skills do you think are most critical to this job?
Manage needs of employees, clients and agency.
18. Tell me how do you make the decision to delegate work?
Skills, timing and availability for porject.
19. Tell me do you like working here?
This question might take the interviewer back a bit, but his answer will be telling. A good sign is a confident smile and an enthusiastic "yes," paired with an explanation as to why. Consider it a red flag if he shifts in his seat, looks away, coughs and starts with "Well…"
Regardless of their answers, employers appreciate the chance to reflect on their own opinions, and it turns the interview process into more of a conversation.
20. Tell me what are your long-term goals?
Public relations is a passion of mine. I have known it was what I wanted to do since my early college days, and it remains all I can see myself doing in the future. However, I am still a novice in many ways and need time to strengthen my skills and gain more experience. For the foreseeable future, I plan on learning under more experienced mentors. Once I am ready, I hope to open my own public relations firm and pass on what I have learned to the next generation of PR managers.
Sometimes team members will not admit that they have too much to do, need to step in and reallocate tasks as soon as aware of situation., make it easy for team to keep you updated.
22. Explain with example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision?
Clients come on quickly and can leave quickly. Client in student online loans had immediate need for coverage with short timeline for launch and we were able to jump on it an deliver coverage.
You have to do the best with what you have in a situation, so few regrets, but always look at lessons learned.
24. Explain me about a time that you had to work on a team that did not get along. What happened?
Too many emails between members rather than talking. Encouraged social interaction and that worked for while, then needed to re-arrange team.
25. Tell me if I were to start tomorrow, what would be the top priority on my to-do list?
The answer to this question will give you more insight into the current state of the position while showing you're invested and interested in learning how you can start things off with a bang.
One team member did not pull his weight, we did cover for him, but then he was dismissed.
I feel pressure when clients have far-reaching goals. Need to make sure that meet their needs, manage expectations and manage media needs.
Editor, communication major, media, writing, telecom led to tech PR
International clients require availability outside work hours and I assure that I or team member is available. Work with editors to meet needs for sotry.
Overtaxed client did not deliver what we needed, we were able to step in and work on draft of items so that she could merely approve.
Better ways of compiling briefing sheets, media lists, use of Google docs to share info.
Although my job as a PR manager will be promoting my organization, I know it is important to remain as unbiased as possible. Sticking with the facts is a great way to ensure that I remain objective. When I work for a great organization, the facts will be enough. I simply need to present them in a positive way. This ensures I remain honest. However, I also understand that I don't have to disclose every last piece of information. I would always try to find that balance between telling consumers information they need to know without bias while also maintaining the best possible outcome for the organization.
I use various platforms, each depending on the target audience and goals for the organizations I am working for. Facebook is an excellent platform for people in their mid-to-late twenties and thirties or older, while Instagram, SnapChat and Twitter may be better platforms for younger individuals. Each has particular strengths that I can use to increase my reach to my target audience.
This question is sure to impress. It shows you researched the company, and gives you a chance to gain insight into what values the company holds highest.
35. Basic Public Relations Manager Job Interview Questions:
☛ Which PR firms do you admire and why?
☛ Which media outlets do you follow?
☛ Talk about the difference between PR and advertising.
☛ How do you choose angles for a story pitch?
☛ What media placements are you most proud of?
☛ Describe some affiliate networks you've collaborated with and why you chose them.
☛ How do you integrate social media with PR?
☛ How does PR support content marketing?
☛ How would you present the results of your work?
☛ What would you consider to be your most creative or effective campaign?
☛ What would you do if a client or manager disagreed with your PR strategy?
☛ How would you define thought leadership?
☛ Describe a time you had to manage negative media attention.
☛ Describe a time your PR communications were misunderstood by your target audience. How did you handle it?
☛ How have you worked with a team to handle a PR crisis?
☛ Who are the current members of your team? What are their respective roles?
☛ Describe a time you trained or mentored a colleague.
☛ What do you know about our products/firm? Why do you want to work here?
☛ What's interesting about our current PR work? What would you improve?
