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30 Copywriter Interview Questions to Ask Candidates

In the marketing and advertising world, the written word holds immense power. All businesses need copy that resonates with their customers, ultimately persuading them to take action.

Copywriters are nothing short of pivotal to a company’s success. But these wordsmiths must be exceptionally talented in today’s highly competitive marketplace.

Let’s take a closer look at the copywriter role, copywriter interview questions, and what you need from a professional when hiring for this position.


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30 Copywriter Interview Questions to Ask Your Candidates

The best way to find out if your copywriting candidates fit your marketing needs is by asking the right copywriting interview questions.

Here are six categories of over 30 interview questions for copywriters to get the information managers need to make the best hiring choice.

1. Questions on Basic Copywriting Skills

  • Can you describe your experience as a copywriter and provide examples of your work? Have you written for clients in our industry, and can you share specific examples of what you wrote for them?
  • What types of copywriting projects or formats are you most familiar with or experienced in, such as email, landing pages, social media, etc.?
  • Describe your research process before starting a copywriting project.
  • How do you ensure that your copy is persuasive—from headlines and hooks to the body text—and has the power to compel your audience to take action? What attributes do you consider and use when trying to appeal to prospects’ and customers’ needs and desires? For example, do you appeal to a sense of urgency or a unique selling point (USP)?
  • Can you share the details of a successful copywriting project where you got measurable results for your client? Have you conducted any A/B testing, also known as split testing? Additional measurable results include tracking and analyzing website data and sales and conversion data.

2. Copywriting Interview Questions on Creativity and Adaptability

  • Do you have a swipe file for inspiration? Can you share some of your favorite copy and let us know why it appeals to you? Have you done any reworking of that copy, and may we see it?
  • Have you ever written for an unfamiliar niche industry? If so, how did you adapt? What type of research—and to what extent—did you do to gain a peak understanding of the audience?
  • How do you come up with creative ideas to maintain a fresh approach to your copywriting? Perhaps you rely on your swipe file or one of the following strategies:
    • Brainstorming
    • Mind mapping
    • SCAMPER method
  • Have you worked on a campaign where you took some type of creative risk? What was the creative risk, and what were the results?
  • How do you stay updated with the latest trends in copywriting and marketing? Do you have a favorite blog, journal, or podcast that you regularly consume?
  • What copywriting strategies do you use to tailor your copy to different target audiences and demographics? Do you conduct audience research, focus on benefits, or something else?
  • How do you handle writer’s block or challenges in maintaining creativity during a copywriting project? Some of our team members do additional research, brainstorm together, or go for a walk.

3. Collaboration and Communication Questions

  • How do you collaborate with designers, marketers, and other team members to create cohesive campaigns? It’s important for us to understand your ideal work style and that you are also flexible and open to other work styles for the benefit of the project and our company.
  • How do you feel and respond when receiving general feedback or even constructive criticism on your copy? Could you describe a specific instance and how you handled it? What changes did you make, and what was the final result?
  • How do you manage competing priorities and deadlines when working on multiple projects? Do you rely on productivity apps or an online calendar like Google? Do you maintain a spreadsheet laying out the details of your projects?
  • Can you provide an example of a time when you had to communicate complex ideas clearly through your copywriting? Could you describe a specific situation and how it turned out?
  • How do you handle disagreements or differing opinions when collaborating on a project? Do you refer to and implement any specific conflict resolution strategies?

4. Questions About Alignment with Company Values and Goals

  • What steps do you take to understand a client’s brand and align your copy with their values, mission and vision, and overarching objectives?
  • Can you share an experience where you needed to modify your writing style to fit a specific brand’s tone and voice? Did you rely on the company’s branding and mission? Did you research their audience?
  • How do you ensure consistency in messaging across various marketing channels and materials? Did you work from the company’s or client’s brand messaging guide?
  • What role does storytelling play in effective copywriting, especially in relation to brand narratives? Did you work according to the brand style guide?
  • How do you approach writing copy for diverse audiences, including international or multicultural markets? Do you work with your client to obtain audience research, or do you conduct your own research?

5. Copywriter Interview Questions on Problem-Solving and Strategy

  • Have you ever faced a challenging copywriting problem, and how did you resolve it? For example, were you unclear about a project when sitting down to research and write? Did you reach out to your client or project leader?
  • How do you strategize and plan for long-term content campaigns, such as content calendars and editorial schedules? Do you rely on content marketing best practices and the use of apps or something else?
  • Can you provide an example of a project where you had to adjust your copywriting strategy due to unforeseen circumstances or market changes?
  • How do you measure the effectiveness of your copywriting? What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you focus on, such as social media shares, click-through rates, or conversion rates?
  • What tools or software do you use in your copywriting process, and how do they enhance your productivity and creativity? Do you use grammar and plagiarism checkers or SEO tools, for example?

6. Questions on Personal Development and Continuous Learning

  • How do you stay motivated and improve your copywriting skills over time? Do you refer to your swipe file and continue adding to it? Do you practice regularly, especially when your assignment load is low?
  • Are there any copywriting mentors, books, podcasts, or resources that have influenced your approach to writing? Can you name some of your favorites and discuss why their style and work appeal to you?
  • Do you attend copywriting workshops and seminars for professional development and industry networking?
  • Do you ever mentor up-and-coming writers, and if so, do you believe you can learn from them?
  • Can you share your long-term career goals as a copywriter and how they align with our company’s vision?

By asking these interview questions, you should be able to assess a copywriting candidate’s qualifications and suitability for a copywriting position on your team or project. Feel free to customize or adapt these questions to reflect your specific needs and requirements.


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Ask Your Copywriter Candidates Interview Questions That Help Them Stand Out

We hope these questions will give you a great start in interviewing your top copywriting candidates. And if you’re still searching for your ideal copywriter candidates, contact us today.

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We've been in the staffing industry for more 20 years—filling more than 50,000 positions last year alone. Let us know your hiring needs below. Questions? Call us toll-free: 855-485-8853