Penske Media Corporation is a leading digital media and information services company that owns iconic brands across entertainment fashion, and lifestyle. Landing a job interview at Penske Media is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic organization with incredible growth potential. However, the interview process can also be daunting if you don’t prepare adequately.
In this article, we provide an in-depth look at 12 of the most common Penske Media interview questions along with sample answers to help you craft winning responses. Whether you’re interviewing for an editorial, sales, tech or management role, these insightful tips and examples will help you stand out from the competition.
1. Why do you want to work at Penske Media?
This is likely to be one of the very first questions asked during a Penske Media interview. Interviewers want to gauge your motivation for wanting to join the company. The best way to answer is to demonstrate genuine passion for Penske Media’s portfolio of brands and the work they do.
Sample Answer: I have been an avid follower of Penske Media’s iconic brands like Variety, Rolling Stone and Women’s Wear Daily for many years. What draws me to Penske is the company’s track record of delivering engaging, high-quality content while continuing to push boundaries and redefine industries. I would love to be part of an organization with such a strong culture of innovation. Specifically, the opportunity to collaborate with exceptionally talented editorial teams and contribute to brands with such rich legacies is highly appealing to me. This role aligns perfectly with my personal interests and professional goals, which makes Penske Media my top choice as an employer.
2. What do you know about Penske Media and our brands?
Interviewers ask this question to determine if you’ve taken the time to research the company and familiarize yourself with their diverse portfolio of brands. Thorough background research is essential to acing any job interview.
Sample Answer: Through my research, I’ve gained deep admiration for the breadth of iconic and influential brands that Penske Media has assembled over the years across entertainment, fashion and lifestyle verticals. Just to name a few, brands like Variety, Rolling Stone, Women’s Wear Daily, Robb Report, SheKnows, and Sourcing Journal have such rich histories and immense value in their respective industries. I’m also impressed by Penske’s forward-thinking approach of continually evolving these legacy brands for the digital age while preserving their core essence and identities. For instance, initiatives like expanding Variety’s video content production demonstrate how Penske continues to innovate. Additionally, the company’s steady growth through strategic acquisitions of new brands like ARTnews and Indiewire underscores the leadership’s vision for the future. I’m excited by the prospect of what we can continue achieving through such a diverse portfolio of influential brands.
3. Why do you want to work in media/entertainment/fashion (customize to the role)?
For roles focused on specific industries like media, entertainment or fashion, interviewers want to understand your genuine interest and fit for that particular niche. Convey your unique passions, background and motivations related to the field.
Sample Answer: I’ve always had a deep fascination with the world of entertainment and media. Even as a child, I was drawn to the magic and creativity of movies, music and television. This interest only grew over the years as I actively followed trade publications like Variety to learn about the business side as well. I even began writing entertainment reviews for my college newspaper which further fueled my passion. After graduating, I knew I wanted to build a career where I could collaborate with creative professionals and be part of bringing quality entertainment content to audiences. That’s why I’m so thrilled to interview for this role at Penske Media, where I’ll have the opportunity to work for renowned brands like Rolling Stone that perfectly align with my interests and aspirations. The prospect of being immersed in such a dynamic industry is truly exciting to me.
4. What skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this role?
This is your chance to directly match your background with the role’s requirements. Pull out the most relevant highlights from your resume and expand on how they have equipped you with the qualifications needed to excel in this position.
Sample Answer: I believe my track record as a digital content producer makes me well-suited for this role. For instance, at my previous position with XYZ Company, I spearheaded the launch of their online magazine which quickly became one of their most popular web properties. This involved producing high-quality written, graphic and video content on tight deadlines. My technical expertise across multiple content formats coupled with proven project management abilities position me well for this opportunity at Penske Media. Furthermore, I have accumulated 5+ years of experience in your industry working for leading publications like Business Insider and TechCrunch. This has equipped me with in-depth knowledge of emerging trends, audience preferences and effective digital content strategies that I can leverage to contribute value in this role. Overall, my skills and experience make me confident I will hit the ground running and quickly become an asset to your team.
5. Why do you want to leave your current job?
This is a common question interviewers ask to determine what motivated you to explore new opportunities, and whether any red flags exist with your current employment. Avoid badmouthing your employer. Instead, focus on positive reasons that convey your drive and ambition.
Sample Answer: I’ve learned a tremendous amount and built strong skills in my current role. However, I’m now looking to take on more responsibilities and challenges that will accelerate my career growth. When I came across this opportunity at Penske Media, I was instantly drawn to the company’s culture of innovation and collaboration. I was excited by the prospect of working with such prestigious, trailblazing brands and being part of an organization that is constantly reimagining the future of media. I believe a role here will expand my skills and push me to achieve more, which perfectly aligns with my personal and professional growth goals. While I’m thankful for my current job, I know it is the right time to take the next step in my career path by joining Penske Media.
6. What are your salary expectations?
When asked about salary, avoid naming an exact figure unless you know the standard compensation at the company. Instead, reiterate your flexibility and interest in finding an offer compatible with your experience level and Penske Media’s compensation structure.
Sample Answer I’m open to discussing salary based on the details of the role and compensation levels at Penske Media for comparable positions. My priority is finding a job that is the right fit in terms of responsibilities growth opportunities and company culture. I’m confident we can agree on a fair offer that aligns with the market value for my skills and experience. What matters most to me is joining an organization where I feel fulfilled challenged and able to substantially contribute. I’m excited by everything Penske Media has to offer and am optimistic we can work out an equitable compensation package.
7. What do you consider your greatest strength?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions in any job interview. Be ready with a concrete example that highlights a skill directly applicable to the role you are interviewing for. Quantify your strengths with specific accomplishments whenever possible.
Sample Answer: My greatest strength is my creative thinking skills and passion for conceiving innovative ideas. For example, at my current company, I spearheaded a collaborative brainstorming program across our editorial teams which generated over 200 new article ideas each month. This led to a 5% increase in website traffic within two quarters. Not only do I have a track record for ideation, I’m also skilled at executing new initiatives across editorial calendars, social media and video content. I’m constantly looking for ways toRefresh creative approaches while enhancing results. These strengths make me well-suited for this role at Penske Media where I can leverage my innovation to help take your esteemed brands to the next level.
8. What is your greatest weakness?
When asked to name a weakness, share an authentic challenge you have faced but position it as an area of growth rather than a fatal flaw. Demonstrate self-awareness and highlight the proactive steps you are taking to improve.
Sample Answer My greatest weakness used to be prioritizing my workload As an eager contributor, I often wanted to tackle every project with the same intensity This resulted in difficulty managing competing priorities. However, with my manager’s guidance over the past year, I’ve made significant improvements through better time management. For example, I’ve become more diligent about creating task lists and setting aside dedicated time for my core responsibilities first, before taking on additional assignments. This more structured approach has really helped me optimize my productivity and focus. On a personal level, I also try to identify stress triggers and manage them proactively through better work-life balance. I still have room to improve, but I’m proud of the progress made in effectively prioritizing, thanks to my learning mindset.
9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Interviewers commonly ask this to gauge your career goals and level of ambition. Showcase how your aspirations align with growth opportunities at the company. Highlight your desire for continuous learning rather than just a promotion.
Sample Answer: In 5 years, I hope to have grown as an influential editorial leader within the digital media space. I aim to have
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PMC provides a paid Aetna PPO Health Plan that covers medical, dental, and vision care for employees and their eligible dependents. There is no cost to the employee. You can choose the best plan for your needs from three more PPO medical plans that have different plan designs and contribution levels. All plans include infertility and transgender healthcare options. PMC also provides three choices for dental coverage through MetLife, and two Vision Plans through VSP. Â.
PMC offers a competitive 401(k) plan with an employer match contribution to help employees save for retirement. We also believe in a “living wage,” which means that all workers should make at least $25 an hour, no matter what the city or state minimum wage is. PMC knows that life is hard outside of work too, so they created the Angel Fund program to help employees and their families deal with things that are out of their control. Funds are aimed to help with medicine, childcare, food and other personal challenges.
It is possible for eligible employees to get paid while they are on an approved parental leave to care for a child after birth, adoption, or placement in foster care. The primary caregiver gets an amount equal to 10% of their base salary for up to three months, and the non-primary caregiver gets an amount equal to 10% of their base salary for up to three weeks. The Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) base options are fully paid for by PMC through Unum. Employees can purchase additional LTD coverage as well. Â.
PMC believes in the importance of good health and wellness for all employees. In each of the cafeterias in the NY and LA offices, PMC employees can choose from a range of healthy foods. We keep you up to date on different wellness topics and give you resources on a wide range of topics for your physical, mental, and financial health. Our Employee Assistance Program helps you and your family deal with different problems in life by giving you and your family confidential counseling services. There are also numerous health 7 wellness discounts available to you through our partners Perkspot and LifeMart.
Iâve learned to trust bringing my own approach and style to reporting tough stories. As a younger reporter, I thought there were only a few ways to handle tough situations. But as time and experience have passed, I’ve learned that I can use my personality in interviews and when I’m writing. Katie KilkennyLabor & Media Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter.
I hope to encourage anyone to always look for the humanity in stories: the whispers that need amplifying. And to be skeptical of anything people who have too much power and not enough responsibility say, especially when the stakes are high. Jasmin ChuaSourcing & Labor Editor, Sourcing Journal.
I was impressed with PMCâs portfolio and the caliber of its respective brands. I was interested in Robb Report because of the stories—who doesn’t like stories about fancy cars and watches?—and the writing was good. To me, the tone the magazine has established is the perfect mix of authoritative, pithy, and witty. Rachel CormackDigital Editor, Robb Report.
An important lesson Ive learned in my role is the value of being humble. Having integrity as a leader, putting ego aside, finding the good in bad situations, and owning up to mistakes while learning from them The mindset of failing fast but learning quickly has been instrumental in my professional and personal growth. Edward StepankovskyRegional Vice President, Brand Partnerships, Billboard NO. 04.
10 Minutes to Hired – Penske
FAQ
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