How To Ace A Copywriting Interview

If you’re looking to enter a career as a copywriter, congratulations! You’ve made one of the best decisions of your life. Copywriting is one of the most fun and challenging careers out there, but it’s also something that many people don’t know much about. If you want to ace your next copywriting job interview and get that first job in the industry, this post is for you:

Copywriters are writers who have mastered the art of persuasive language. They know how to use words to make people take action; they’re often called upon by businesses or brands to write ads and sales letters that sell their products or services. 

If this sounds like an appealing career path for you (and let’s be honest, it should), then read on! Here are some tips on how to ace your next copywriting interview so you can land that first gig in the industry:

Takeaways
1. Research Thoroughly: Understand the company, its values, and the projects they handle. This knowledge shows your genuine interest and preparedness.
2. Showcase Your Portfolio: Bring a diverse range of writing samples to highlight your versatility and ability to adapt to different tones and styles.
3. Discuss Your Process: Explain how you approach copywriting projects, from research and understanding the target audience to crafting the final piece.
4. Emphasize Results: Share examples of how your copy has positively impacted conversion rates, engagement, or sales in previous roles.
5. Ask Thoughtful Questions: Prepare insightful questions about the company’s goals, projects, and expectations to demonstrate your enthusiasm and engagement.

Be Yourself

When you’re being yourself, you can be open and honest.

You won’t have to worry about trying too hard or not being good enough because those thoughts don’t apply to the real you. You’ll also be able to answer questions without overthinking them or second-guessing yourself, which will make for a more natural conversation.

If an interviewer asks a question that makes you uncomfortable especially if it’s about something personal it’s okay for them not to know the answer offhand either! It’s not always possible for an interviewer to know everything there is to know about every company they interview candidates from (and sometimes even their own company). 

This kind of question is just a way for them to gauge how well-rounded your experience is and whether or not you’ll fit into their culture (which means they may ask more specific questions later).

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Be Honest

Never lie. Lying will get you nowhere, and it’s a sign of immaturity that no one wants to hire. Even if you don’t have as much experience as you want to say on your resume, just be honest about what you do have and let the hiring manager know that there are areas where your skills need improvement (which is always true).

Be confident in yourself and what you can bring to the table; but also humble enough to recognize when someone else has more knowledge or experience than yourself (which is also always true). In other words: never brag!

Show Confidence

You should be confident in your answers. If you don’t know or aren’t sure of the answer, say that you will find out and get back to them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there are things about their copywriting job that are unclear to you.

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Don’t Be Afraid To Say, “I Don’t Know, But I’ll Find Out

If they ask a question and it seems like an easy one, respond with something like: “I’m not sure exactly what the answer is yet, but I’ll look into it and get back to you by tomorrow afternoon.”

Be Positive

It’s important to keep your responses upbeat. When you’re asked about your previous employment, focus on the good things about each job:

What did you like most about this company?

How did the team motivate your work?

Who was your favorite manager or coworker?

Focus on the positive aspects of any situation, rather than dwelling on what went wrong. Keep in mind that interviewers are looking for people who will fit into their corporate culture—and complaining about former bosses or jobs shows that you’re not a good fit.

Be Ready For Free Work

You may be asked to do a sample of your work. If so, give it 110 percent. If you’re not happy or comfortable with the sample, feel free to ask for a rewrite — but whatever you do, don’t let your client see any hesitation or discomfort on your part.

If they want more samples:

Give them more!

Make sure each one is better than the last (and at some point this probably stops getting easier).

Remember that if they like one and don’t like another, there could still be something about it that could fit into their specific project needs better than what they have now.  Also remember that even if there isn’t anything salvageable from an old idea/sample/draft etc., nothing is stopping them from asking for another one!

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Change The Paradigm Of Free Work

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. You should always be prepared to do free work for a company for as long as necessary, whether it be for one project or multiple projects over an extended period. There is no shame in this it’s just part of the process. And if you can’t stomach doing pro bono work, then this isn’t the career path for you! That being said:

Be prepared to do it in large quantities (if not all at once)

Be prepared to do it over an extended period

Be prepared to take whatever job is offered (even if it’s not exactly what you want)

Be nice to your receptionist

If you know your receptionist, be sure to say hello. Chances are good that they’re going to remember you when you return from vacation and need to get a document faxed over at the last minute, or if they get promoted into an HR position after only two years with the company and need someone to recommend for an open position in marketing. 

And sometimes it does pay off: one of my clients told me that one of his best friends works as a receptionist at his company (and is also in charge of hiring new employees) because he always treats her so well.

So next time you see your friendly coworker at the front desk, take a moment to say hi and ask how they’ve been doing!

Dress Appropriately

You should always dress for the job you want, not the one you have. You never know what opportunities may come your way, so you must look presentable at all times.

Dressing appropriately for an interview will help convey that you are serious about being considered for the position and also that you understand the company’s culture and values. Depending on your industry or location, some dress codes can vary greatly so do your research!

When in doubt about whether or not to wear something specific, ask yourself: “Will wearing this outfit give me an advantage over other candidates?” If there is any doubt whatsoever (which there shouldn’t be), just don’t risk it.

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Fail Well

Don’t freak out when you fail. Failure is a part of life and a learning experience, so don’t get too down on yourself if you can’t ace your interview.

When I was in college, I applied for an internship at The New Yorker and got rejected because I hadn’t written anything substantial in their style. It was devastating I had spent hours studying the magazine’s content, trying to write like them, but it all came back around as a rejection letter. 

Instead of being crushed by this blow to my ego and sense of worthiness (and probably having my parents call me more), I took it as an opportunity to learn how to write well enough that maybe next time they wouldn’t say no!

I know this isn’t always easy advice to follow: sometimes rejection feels like the end of everything good that could happen with your career or career aspirations…but remember! It’s not just about getting hired in one place.

It’s about making connections with people who might help your career later down the road when you’re looking elsewhere or starting up something new on your terms.

Do Your Homework On The Company

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a copywriting interview is research the company. This means learning about what they do and who they serve, but it also means learning about their culture, mission, goals, and values. 

You want to know if there are any specific issues or gaps in their current messaging that might inform how you approach your work for them. Most importantly: understand how this job will fit into your career trajectory. 

Does it seem like a good step towards your goal? Or would it be better to spend some time at another firm first? And make sure you understand what makes this company different from its competitors – both in terms of product offerings and culture/environmental details (like office setup).

Know about the company’s clients, too.

Know About The Company’s Clients, Too

It’s important to know who your client is and who they serve. Do they sell products or services to consumers? To businesses? If you’re writing for a law firm, knowing that they work with individuals and businesses would be helpful. 

If you’re writing for a non-profit organization, knowing that most of their clients are other nonprofit organizations may be relevant (and give you some insight into how to approach their copy). 

The more specific information you can get about your client their target market, where they market their product/service, and what kind of advertising has been effective for them the better prepared you will be when it comes time for the interview.

Get Your Tone Right For The Job

Copywriting is a job where you’ll be writing words that people read, and if you have an off-putting tone in your application materials, it can be the difference between getting an interview or not.

So what should your tone be?

Be positive but not overly so.

Be friendly and conversational, but also professional (i.e., avoid slang).

Be clear and confident about your skills, but don’t sound arrogant or cocky (even if it’s true!).

Show enthusiasm for writing! Even if this isn’t a career you’ve been dreaming about since childhood and even if it requires long hours at a desk staring at a computer screen it still might end up being the right fit for you!

Smile A Lot – It Helps With Tone And Confidence

While it’s not possible to “fake” confidence, you can use your body language to help project a more confident persona. The simplest way to do this is through smiling. Smiling helps you feel more confident and sound more confident. Smiling helps you appear more confident, especially when the person across from you is doing the same thing!

But That’s Not All

Smiling also makes people like you better, which will help give them an impression of someone they want to spend time with and work with and those are two things that matter in any interview scenario. Finally, smiling can make people perceive us as being friendlier and more approachable (which we all know is a huge plus).

Don’t make jokes unless you are Prince (or a comedian). In which case you’re probably not here looking for copywriting interview tips.

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Do Not Make Jokes. Just Don’t Do It

Don’t make jokes about your competitors. It sounds like a good idea, but it’s not it doesn’t even work in casual conversation and will just come across as immature and unprofessional.

Interviewers are looking for people they can count on to take themselves and their work seriously, so keep the humor to yourself unless you’re interviewing with someone who has a great sense of humor (e.g., Prince).

Don’t make jokes about your interviewer or their company or industry, even if they seem like an easy target (e.g., “I read on Glassdoor that your CEO once got caught sleeping at his desk”). 

This is not the time or place for jabs like those; if anything, you should be doing everything in your power to reinforce the fact that you are 100% invested in this opportunity because it’s so important for both parties involved!

Speak Clearly & Confidently

The first thing you need to know is that clarity and confidence are key. The interviewer will be paying close attention to the tone of your voice, so make sure it’s strong and clear. 

If there’s any doubt in your mind about the words coming out of your mouth, it will show up in your speech. And if you sound unsure of yourself when talking about a topic you know well and can talk about confidently, then why should they believe that you’re confident enough to write copy?

Also, keep in mind that most people can speak faster than they think they can; this means that if someone asks you a question quickly and expects an immediate answer, just take a breath before answering (which shows them that what they asked didn’t catch you off guard). 

When answering questions from employers like this one or during interviews at large companies like Google or Facebook where candidates may have hundreds competing for each spot available (or even just for internships), having good communication skills is essential and not just verbally: Expressing yourself clearly through body language is equally important!

Don’t Mention Controversial Subjects Like Politics Or Religion

This is a mistake you should never make. The copywriting industry is one of the most progressive fields in the world, and it’s important to know that your employer will be just as accepting. 

When asked about controversial subjects like religion and politics, choosing to remain silent could give the impression that you are uncomfortable with those topics or don’t want to discuss them which isn’t a good thing for anyone looking for a new job!

If you’re passionate about your political beliefs, then it’s best not to bring them up during an interview (or any situation). Instead, focus on talking about yourself: why did you choose this career field? What do you enjoy most about working here? 

What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? These questions give employers insight into who they’re potentially hiring while also giving candidates time to practice answering them.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is that you’re there for an interview. You want to get a job and make money, but you also want the company to want you. You want them to think long-term about their investment in hiring you, so it’s not just a transaction. 

The best way I found to do this was by being myself and being positive as much as possible. This will help your tone come across positively on top of everything else – because if they don’t like your tone now then there won’t be much hope later!

Further Reading

For more insights on copywriting interviews and related topics, you might find these resources helpful:

Indeed’s Copywriter Interview Questions: Explore a list of common questions asked during copywriting interviews, along with tips for crafting effective answers.

Career Karma’s Copywriter Interview Questions and Answers: Discover a comprehensive guide to copywriter interview questions and find sample answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Filthy Rich Writer’s Copywriting Q&A: Tough Interview Questions Copywriters Get: Gain insights into challenging interview questions specifically tailored for copywriting positions, along with expert advice on how to respond.

FAQs

What skills are essential for a successful copywriter?

A successful copywriter needs a strong command of language, creativity, the ability to understand target audiences, and a knack for persuasive writing.

How can I showcase my copywriting portfolio during an interview?

You can present your portfolio by sharing digital links or providing printed samples that highlight a variety of your writing styles and demonstrate your ability to adapt to different projects.

What kind of questions might I encounter in a copywriter interview?

Copywriter interviews might include questions about your experience, examples of past work, how you approach different writing projects, and your familiarity with specific industries.

How do I prepare for a copywriting interview?

To prepare, review common copywriter interview questions, practice your responses, research the company and its brand, and be ready to discuss your relevant experiences and achievements.

How can I demonstrate my understanding of target audiences in an interview?

You can demonstrate your understanding by discussing how you conduct audience research, tailor your writing to specific demographics, and create content that resonates with the intended readership.