Public Relations Manager interview questions and answers
This Public Relations Manager interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions.
10 good public relations manager 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?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. Which PR firms do you admire and why?
This question gauges the candidate’s industry awareness and what they value in a PR firm.
Sample answer:
“I admire X for their innovative campaigns and Y for their focus on data-driven strategies.”
2. Which media outlets do you follow?
This question assesses the candidate’s knowledge of the media landscape.
Sample answer:
“I regularly follow The New York Times for its in-depth analysis and TechCrunch for industry updates.”
3. Talk about the difference between PR and advertising.
This question tests the candidate’s understanding of the fundamental differences between PR and advertising.
Sample answer:
“PR is about building long-term relationships and credibility, while advertising is more about direct promotion and sales.”
4. How do you choose angles for a story pitch?
This question evaluates the candidate’s creativity and strategic thinking in crafting a story pitch.
Sample answer:
“I consider the target audience, the uniqueness of the story, and current trends to find an angle that will resonate.”
5. What media placements are you most proud of?
This question delves into the candidate’s past achievements and their ability to secure valuable media placements.
Sample answer:
“I’m most proud of a feature story placement in Forbes that significantly increased our client’s brand visibility.”
6. Describe some affiliate networks you’ve collaborated with and why you chose them.
This question assesses the candidate’s experience in leveraging affiliate networks for PR campaigns.
Sample answer:
“I’ve collaborated with ShareASale and CJ Affiliate because they align well with our target demographics.”
7. How do you integrate social media with PR?
This question tests the candidate’s ability to create a cohesive strategy across different platforms.
Sample answer:
“I use social media to amplify our PR messages, engage with the audience, and monitor the impact of our campaigns.”
8. How does PR support content marketing?
This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of how PR can complement other marketing strategies.
Sample answer:
“PR can help distribute and amplify the content, making it more credible and far-reaching.”
9. How would you present the results of your work?
This question gauges the candidate’s ability to analyze and present the outcomes of their PR efforts.
Sample answer:
“I would use a mix of quantitative metrics like reach and engagement, along with qualitative outcomes like brand sentiment.”
10. What would you consider to be your most creative or effective campaign?
This question assesses the candidate’s creativity and effectiveness in executing PR campaigns.
Sample answer:
“My most effective campaign was a CSR initiative that not only boosted our brand image but also had a positive social impact.”
What does a good Public Relations Manager candidate look like?
A strong Public Relations Manager candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of media relations, strategic thinking, and the ability to integrate PR with other marketing channels. They should also be creative, analytical, and have excellent communication skills.
Public Relations Manager Interview Questions
Keep in mind that the role of Public Relations Manager differs from company to company. You’ll want to tailor your questions based on whether you’re hiring a PR Manager for an in-house team or for an agency. Your team may have specific needs as well. For example, you may want to hire an industry veteran who has built strong relationships with the media through the years. Or, you may want to hire an ambitious career changer with relevant experience who has a fresh perspective and can develop both your team and key relationships on the job.
This role requires creativity, resourcefulness, and strong communication skills. In addition to the interview, take a close look at your candidates’ portfolios. To evaluate written communication skills, request a writing sample. To evaluate verbal communication skills, have them talk you through the process of creating a recent PR campaign.
The goal is to start purposeful, open-ended conversations with candidates that help you to understand how much practical experience they have in this profession. Your most promising candidates will have done their homework on your company. They’ll be sure to mention campaigns, media outlets, and affiliate networks that are aligned with your brand and strategy. They’ll ask prepared and spontaneous questions about your work, and may even offer suggestions for improvement.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more to assist you further.
Role-specific 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?