I’ve helped several clients hire project managers for their agencies. It is hard to hire PMs because there are a lot of organized people, but not all of them are good with clients or can plan ahead to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Asking good interview questions will help you find better PMs—and find them faster. As soon as you find the right person, they can start taking care of your agency’s projects and retainers!
Landing a job as an advertising project manager is no easy feat. With so much competition you need to really stand out during the interview process. This means having thoughtful and compelling responses to some of the most common advertising project manager interview questions.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the key questions you’re likely to encounter along with sample answers to help you impress your interviewers. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’re a seasoned pro, preparation is key for acing any advertising project manager interview.
Common Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral interview questions aim to understand how you might approach actual situations you’ll face on the job. With these questions, interviewers want specific examples and details not just hypothetical responses.
Question: Tell me about a time when you successfully managed an advertising campaign from start to finish. Walk me through the process.
Example Answer: I was in charge of a campaign for the launch of the new Acme Sneaker line from the beginning to the end. First, I worked closely with our creative team to come up with ideas that would appeal to our target audience, which we did by researching the market. Once we agreed on the logo and message, I made project plans with budgets, timelines, resources, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
I collaborated cross-functionally to execute the campaign across channels like digital ads, social media, and influencer partnerships. We tracked performance daily using analytics and optimized as needed. The entire campaign came in under budget at $250k and resulted in a 20% lift in sales of Acme sneakers. This success was thanks to my meticulous planning, clear communication across teams, and ability to keep the project on track.
Tell me about a time when your creative team and a client had a disagreement that you had to settle. How did you handle this situation?.
Sample Answer: When launching a new product line, my creative team proposed an edgy, irreverent branding concept. However, the client envisioned something more mainstream. I could tell both sides were passionate about their ideas. Rather than choosing one direction over the other, I found common ground.
I highlighted aspects of the creative concept that aligned with the client’s brand vision, like showcasing the quality and innovation of the new line. We agreed to maintain the essence of the team’s idea while adapting the tone and visuals to be more universal. This collaborative resolution strengthened team-client trust. My takeaway was that inviting perspectives from both sides and finding balance leads to better outcomes.
Question: Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly to a major change during an advertising campaign.
Sample Answer: We had just launched a new digital campaign when our product packaging unexpectedly changed due to a supplier issue. Our ads and website content no longer matched the actual product. I immediately assembled my team to ideate solutions. We decided to pause the product-focused campaign and shift to promoting brand awareness more generally through impactful visuals and engaging social media content.
This agile pivot minimized disruption while also enhancing our brand presence. I was proud of my team’s flexible, creative problem-solving. The experience reinforced that I need to anticipate and prepare for potential changes, while also being ready to adjust strategies on the fly when the unexpected happens.
Leadership Interview Questions
Advertising project managers must demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Interviewers will want to know how you motivate teams, delegate tasks, and foster collaboration.
Question: How would you describe your leadership style and approach to managing a team?
Sample Answer: My leadership style is collaborative. I aim to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute their skills and perspective. I provide the overarching vision and guardrails, but leave room for people to get creative in how we achieve our objectives.
When delegating tasks, I take time to understand individual strengths and development areas. This allows me to assign responsibilities that play to each person’s abilities. I check in regularly, both one-on-one and as a team, to monitor progress and address any obstacles proactively.
By being hands-on yet giving space for individual growth, I build trust and foster a culture where people feel comfortable voicing ideas and collaborating openly with each other and with me.
Question: Tell me about a time you motivated your team to deliver exceptional work under a tight deadline.
Sample Answer: We had a major advertising campaign launching that suddenly got moved up by two weeks. This compressed the timeline significantly. I brought my team together and explained the situation openly. I acknowledged it would require extra effort but also emphasized that I had full confidence in our ability to deliver.
To motivate the team, I focused on frequent positive feedback when deadlines were met and ideas executed well. We also did mid-week check-ins to celebrate small wins. Additionally, I brought in lunch catering and organized game time to help boost morale and energize people. By the launch date, we had an amazing campaign ready that exceeded all expectations. The experience showed me the power of clear communication, recognition, and maintaining an upbeat and supportive environment.
Question: How would you go about building strong relationships across different teams on an advertising project?
Sample Answer: Strong cross-functional relationships are crucial in advertising. My approach is to first understand each team’s role and objectives. With this insight, I can better align planning and processes to set everyone up for success.
I also make it a priority to have regular check-ins, both one-on-one and as a group, to facilitate open communication. This not only improves collaboration but also allows us to course correct quickly if needed.
Lastly, I look for opportunities to build connections beyond just work. We celebrate wins together and occasionally do team building activities to foster camaraderie. Developing trust and interpersonal bonds inspires people to communicate openly and work together more effectively.
Technical Interview Questions
Today’s advertising project managers need to have a strong grasp of digital platforms, analytics tools, and emerging technologies. Technical interview questions aim to determine your level of expertise and comfort working with these tools and solutions.
Question: What experience do you have using digital advertising platforms, and how have you leveraged these in past campaigns?
Sample Answer: I have extensive experience with platforms like Meta Ads Manager, Google Ads, and LinkedIn Campaign Manager. I use these regularly to create targeted ad campaigns, track performance metrics, and optimize based on data insights.
For example, I managed a LinkedIn campaign using their Lead Gen Forms to capture high-quality leads for a B2B startup. By monitoring lead volume and cost per lead daily, I was able to tweak targeting and bidding strategy to lower CPL by 15%. These platforms are incredibly valuable in executing data-driven campaigns and allowing me to adjust strategies based on real-time insights.
Question: How do you incorporate data analytics into your advertising project management process?
Sample Answer: Data is at the core of how I manage advertising projects. Before starting any campaign, I work with our analytics team to identify key performance indicators and success metrics based on campaign objectives. These KPIs guide campaign development, channel selection, and resource allocation.
Once a campaign launches, I monitor analytics dashboards regularly to track progress on our identified KPIs. If some aspects are underperforming, I can quickly take corrective actions like shifting budget or revising creative. This data-driven approach ensures our campaign execution aligns with strategic goals and we continuously optimize performance.
Question: What is one advertising technology or solution that has recently caught your interest? How do you stay on top of new developments in this fast-moving industry?
Sample Answer: I’m fascinated by the applications of artificial intelligence in areas like predictive analytics and ad targeting. To stay current, I make learning a daily habit. I read industry publications, listen to marketing podcasts, and subscribe to blogs by thought leaders. I also attend webinars and virtual conferences as much as possible. These provide a great window into new technologies and innovations.
Additionally, I like browsing the analytics and martech sections of websites like G2 to discover new tools. Experimenting with free trials and demos allows me to test solutions hands-on rather than just reading about them. Staying actively engaged helps me recommend and adopt technologies that can give our advertising efforts an edge.
Expect the Unexpected
While the above covers some of the most common questions, there are usually a few wildcards at each interview. The key is not to get flustered. Stay calm, listen closely, and ask for clarification if needed before responding. Even unusual questions are designed to assess your critical thinking, communication skills and compatibility for the role. With the right preparation and confidence, you can tackle any curveballs that come your way.
By understanding the key areas interviewers will explore, and having compelling stories and examples ready, you can truly shine throughout the advertising project manager interview process. Be sure to send thank you notes post-interview and follow up on next steps. With persistence and the right preparation, you can land your dream job leading innovative, impactful advertising campaigns.
Ideal: opinionated and flexible
Some of the questions here are “trick questions. ” For instance, most agencies do a mix of Agile and Waterfall—rather than 100% one or the other. And the ideal answer to #7 (on-time, on-budget, or on-scope) is: “It depends on the particular client’s priorities” rather than one of the three.
Being a PM is mostly about getting things done through other people, so they often have to convince the team to do things. But they also need to be able to adapt to different situations. If someone is set on a single method or approach, it could mean they won’t be able to deal with the changes that agencies have to make.
PM interview questions for agencies
Past performance tends to predict future performance—especially in PM, where people often learn best from past mistakes. What’s important is that their values (what they believe) and behaviors (how they act) match what you need in a PM. Be sure to ask followup questions to drill down into their answers.
- What size budgets did you manage at
? - How big were your teams, and what did each person do?
- What appeals to you about this job?
- In a month, how would you like to divide your time between coordinating with other people inside the company, helping clients outside the company, planning with clients, and doing paperwork?
- What was the key to your
? - What did you do that no one else could have done?
- What’s more important: to finish on-time, on-budget, or on-scope?
- Walk me through a typical day at
. - Tell me about the hardest project you’ve ever managed.
- As a project manager, how do you stay on top of changes in our field?
- How have you approached switching to a new PM tool?
- How do you keep track of your own tasks?
- Tell me about the most difficult client you’ve ever had.
- What are the pros and cons to Waterfall vs. Agile? What’s your own preference?.
- How do you choose between comping a client’s request and require a change order?.
- Tell me about a time when you needed information from a client but they wouldn’t give it to you.
Project Manager Interview Questions [+ANSWERS!]
FAQ
What does a project manager do in advertising?
How to prepare for an interview for a project manager?
How to crack an advertising interview?
How do you answer a marketing interview question?
Marketing projects can often have tight deadlines, so interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle working under pressure. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work quickly and efficiently while still maintaining high-quality results. Example: “Yes, I have had to work on projects with tight deadlines.
What does a marketing project manager do?
Marketing project managers must ensure that the end product meets client expectations. This question allows you to demonstrate your ability to meet deadlines and manage projects effectively. In your answer, explain how you plan for potential issues before they occur.
How do you handle the workload of a marketing project manager?
Marketing project managers often have to multitask and prioritize their work. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the workload of a marketing project manager position. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable working on multiple projects at once. Explain how you plan out your time and manage your priorities.
How do you handle the stress of being a marketing project manager?
Marketing project managers often have to manage multiple projects at once. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress of being a marketing project manager. In your answer, share how you plan ahead and prioritize tasks to help you stay organized. Explain that you also use time management skills to keep yourself on track.
