Applying for a pay per click job

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Applying for a pay per click job

I have conducted many interviews in my time for paid search analysts, executives, planner buyers, campaign managers, search account managers and account directors, here are some pointers to prepare for an agency interview

No matter how casual the interview, dress well. The agency world may well look casual, though i have yet to interview someone who doesnt strike me as impressive the first second when i see them wearing a suit, i immediately think professional.

Listen, it’s very important, you can get through so much in life if you listen, works with women, works with your interview also! Don’t be too quick to answer questions, take time to think to give a smart answer, you cant answer properly unless you listen and fully take in the question. I cant count how many times i’ve had people thinking they understand the question i asked them from 2-3 words in the question and linking it in their own mind and giving me half and answer!

Smile, this is very important, you need to show some personality in your interview and it’s very important you seem like a people person, smiling helps everyone in the room feel comfortable no and honestly its far less likely they will start asking very difficult questions from you after they warm to you.

Prepare, this means dont just look at the companies website, look beyond, have a look at historic data through trade press from media week, nma, campaign etc. for new wins, updates about the company. The IPA gives a good amount of indication of the work of the company, the company heads, where they stand and an indication of some of their clients which may well not be on their website. The NMA gives some indication of digital spends though this is inaccurate most the time, it’s still impressive that you took time to research these facts. Linkedin is a favorite of mine, get to know who your interviewer and the heads of the company, research their background, connecting to people is very important in your interview.

Never lie, i personally never interviewed an individual which i didnt catch out if they lied, sometimes im open about it, others i leave it till the end and never make connection with the individual again after the interview. Be honest, very humble. If you don’t know something, very calmly say i don’t know, don’t ask the interviewee what the answer is, instead open a discussion about the question and try and share your knowledge or lean forward to show interest and really try and take in what he/she is telling you regarding the topic.

Learn your keywords, alot of the agency role unfortunately is to use alot of technical jargon to confuse the hell out of the clients, leads to less specific questions about the account performance! This gives an indication if you are capable to be talking to clients verbally or face to face.

Really learn what you talk, this automatically gives you confidence and helps you present better.

Attend conferences, know people in the industry, throw a few names, clients you worked with in the past, look at the agencies current clients, have a look at the good points and bad points of current optimisation activity, come up with some ideas on how to run it better and casually run it past the interviewee once the point comes up.

Be innovative, agencies want innovative, creative individuals who are passionate. Don’t always look at search by the book.

Just to end this, i’ll just say what i look for when i hire someone,

Dedication
Innovation
Creativity
Logical approach
Presentation skills
Verbal skills
Team player
Potential team leader
Value brought to the company
Value brought to the team
Value brought to the client
Can i sustain this individual for min 2 years?

Best of luck finding the job you deserve.

Visit my Pay Per Click Forum for advanced tips, advice and strategies or to find pay per click jobs under our employment section

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