It’s a new year—thank goodness—and now’s the time for vowing to do things that will change your life. It often comes down to the interview, even if you have a great portfolio, a lot of experience, and great recommendations. Are you the right person for this particular role?.
We want you to be totally ready to impress your potential employer, so we came up with 7 questions to help you get ready for the interview. They will make you think about how you did at your last job, what you want in your next job, and how you can be your best self at work. You can also check out our video series on the best job tips in quick two-minute snippets.
Interviewing at Aquent Talent? You’ll want to be prepared to answer some common interview questions. With over 30 years of experience in creative and marketing staffing, Aquent has established itself as an industry leader. When hiring, Aquent looks for candidates that are a cultural fit and can help them continue their success.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most frequently asked interview questions at Aquent along with tips on how to best demonstrate your qualifications. Whether you’re interviewing for a creative digital marketing or other role, these strategies can help you stand out from the competition.
Overview of Aquent Talent’s Hiring Process
The hiring process at Aquent often starts with a preliminary phone or video screening interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. This gives them a chance to learn more about your background and assess your potential fit
Some candidates report positive experiences with friendly interviewers and a smooth process. However others have found the interviews disorganized or lacking in communication. Experiences can vary so being adaptable and putting your best foot forward is key.
While the process isn’t perfect, Aquent invests heavily in its people. Taking time to understand the company’s values and culture will serve you well in any interviews.
Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Let’s look at some of the most frequently asked interview questions at Aquent Talent and tips for crafting strong responses:
1. Why do you want to work at Aquent?
This question is commonly asked early in Aquent interviews. Hiring managers want to gauge your passion for the company and the sincerity of your interest.
- Do your research beforehand so you understand Aquent’s mission, values and culture
- Share specific, authentic reasons why you find the company appealing rather than generic answers
- Highlight aspects of the work culture, approach to staffing, and opportunities for growth that excite you
Example response: “After learning about Aquent’s pioneering approach to marketing and creative staffing over the past 30+ years, I’m really excited by the opportunity to be part of this innovative industry leader. The commitment to connecting exceptional talent with transformative opportunities strongly aligns with my own values. I’m drawn to Aquent’s collaborative culture and the investment you make in employees’ growth through initiatives like the training portal. Being able to leverage my skills as part of a company shaping the future of work deeply appeals to me.”
2. What can you bring to the role that someone else cannot?
With this question, interviewers want to understand what makes you stand out as a candidate. Avoid generic strengths and focus on tangible skills, experience and attributes that make you uniquely qualified.
- Highlight specialized expertise, creative capabilities, technical knowledge or methodologies you would bring
- Emphasize soft skills like work ethic, problem-solving abilities or relationship-building experience that enable you to excel
- Back up claims with specific examples of how you’ve applied these strengths in past roles
Example response: “In addition to my background in digital marketing strategy, I bring a creative approach to problem-solving and an ability to connect quickly with clients and team members. For example, in a past role I spearheaded a viral content marketing campaign that boosted engagement rates by 40% in just 2 months. I also have experience leading remote teams and fostering collaboration across global offices. My personable communication style coupled with data-driven strategic thinking would be assets in this position.”
3. How would you describe your work style?
With this common question, interviewers want to understand your approach to work and assess your fit with the role and Aquent’s culture. Be honest while emphasizing your strong suits.
- Share whether you prefer working independently or collaboratively in a team
- Describe your thought process, such as being analytical, creative or detail-oriented
- Highlight your work ethic, organization, time management and communication style
Example response: “I have a very collaborative work style. I enjoy brainstorming with team members to generate solutions and thrive in energetic environments where people work together towards a common goal. At the same time, I’m able to focus independently to execute tasks efficiently. Organization is critical for me, so I like to clarify objectives, create plans, and meet deadlines. Communication is also a priority – I aim to keep teammates and clients updated and provide clarity when needed. My enthusiasm coupled with a structured approach has enabled me to deliver excellent results in past roles.”
4. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Aquent places high expectations on performance, so being able to manage stress is essential. Share how you stay productive and focused when under pressure.
- Describe your stress mindset – do you view it as a challenge or hindrance?
- Discuss tactics you use such as managing time effectively, seeking support from others, taking breaks
- Share examples of times you’ve successfully delivered work despite tight deadlines or high pressure
Example response: “I see times of stress as opportunities to test my capabilities. When the pressure ramps up, I stay focused on priorities and tap into my energy to raise the bar on performance. For instance, when we suddenly lost a team member on a tight-deadline project, I worked with my manager to redistribute tasks and had individual check-ins with my teammates to ensure we were aligned. We ended up meeting the deadline successfully
What made you apply for this job?
Sure it’s obvious, but it’s amazing how many people don’t think this question through. You want to sound less like you’re running from a dumpster fire at your current job, and more like you’re running toward something. Career Sidekick founder Biron Clark says you’re being asked this or two reasons. 1) How well did you research the company and the role itself? And 2) Have you really thought about your career and where you want to go? Tailor your response to what this particular company does and why it’s appealing to you—maybe it’s what they make or sell, their company values, that you think the culture would be a good fit, etc. Make sure they know that you’re not just applying to jobs like throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks.
What three words or phrases would co-workers use to describe you?
This is an oldie but goodie, a quintessential interview question. You want to come across as genuine but also need to toot your own horn a bit too. The Muse shares this bit of advice: paraphrase from a recent performance review. The idea is that it’s easier to say you’re someone who takes the initiative if someone else actually said that about you. Also, be sure to choose things that really highlight your differences and your strengths. Saying that you’re “nice,” for example, doesn’t necessarily set you apart from the herd.
#AskAquent – Top Tips To Make Your Talent Interview Process Not Suck
How do you ask a creative interview question?
This creative interview question requires a delicate balance, though— the thought process here is that you want their honest answer, but you also want them to be respectful and professional. This one’s as much about how they answer as what. Hiring managers need to consider how candidates will fit into their existing team.
How do you answer design interview questions?
Design interview questions recap. Use these design interview questions as a guideline, but pay special attention to how the interviewee uses their communication skills and interpersonal skills to answer. That way you will be able to tell whether or not they would be a good fit.
What are the best design interview questions?
Here are ten design interview questions to help you discover if a designer has the conceptual and collaborative skills, attitude, and—of course—the design mojo, to be a part of your creative team. 14 best creative interview questions. 1. “Where do you find inspiration?” This design interview question is a great starting point.
