Unlocking Success in Hiring: Key Prescreening Questions for a Senior Dedicated Media Buyer

Tell us briefly about who you are. Why should we hire you?

Asking candidates to sell themselves allows you to gauge their self-awareness and communication skills. More importantly, it gives them the chance to highlight their unique strengths and qualities that make them the perfect fit for the job.

Tell us about a project or a campaign that you would consider a "Win". Why was it a win?

This question provides insight into what the candidate considers a successful campaign. It helps you understand their goal-setting process, strategic thinking, and ability to achieve results.

Tell us about a project that didn't go well. Why didn't it go well and what did you learn from it?

Understanding how a candidate handles failure and learns from their mistakes is crucial. Their response will give you a glimpse into their problem-solving abilities, resilience, and capacity to learn from past experiences.

What is your #1 skill in media buying? And what is your WORST skill/talent in media buying/marketing?

This question can help you understand where the candidate's strengths and weaknesses lie. It can also show their level of self-awareness and honesty.

How do you define success and excellence in the media buyer position?

The answer to this question can provide a clear picture of the candidate's understanding of the job role and their expectations. It can also shed light on their values and work ethic.

When was the last time you attended a course, an event, or developed your skill as a media buyer? Tell us about it.

This question can reveal the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and staying updated in their field. It shows their initiative and drive to improve and adapt to industry changes.

Do you have experience working with advertising platforms like Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and LinkedIn Ads?

Knowing the platforms a candidate is familiar with can help you assess their technical skills and experience. It can also give you an idea of their ability to target and reach the right audiences.

Have you ever worked with a large budget for a media buying campaign? If so, can you share some details?

This question can provide insight into the candidate's experience with managing large budgets. It can also give you an understanding of their strategic thinking, planning, and execution skills.

What strategies do you use for optimizing a media buying campaign?

This question is crucial for understanding the candidate's approach to optimizing campaigns for better performance. It can reveal their strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to make data-driven decisions.

Can you please share an example where you used data metrics to drive decision-making in a media buying campaign?

This question can demonstrate the candidate's ability to use data to inform strategy. It can also give you an idea of their analytical skills and understanding of key performance metrics.

How would you handle a situation where a campaign is not delivering the expected results?

Understanding how a candidate handles setbacks is crucial. Their response can provide insight into their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to make tough decisions under pressure.

What experience do you have with programmatic buying?

Programmatic buying is a key skill for any media buyer. The candidate's response can give you an idea of their technical skills, understanding of the digital advertising landscape, and ability to leverage advanced tools.

How do you stay updated on the latest digital advertising trends and technologies?

This question can reveal the candidate's commitment to continuous learning and staying on top of industry trends. It can also give you an idea of their ability to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing field.

Can you describe your process for tracking and analyzing the performance of media buys?

Understanding the candidate's approach to tracking and analyzing campaign performance can give you an idea of their analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to make data-driven decisions.

What steps do you take to ensure the alignment of media buying strategies with the overall marketing goals?

This question can help you assess the candidate's strategic thinking and understanding of integrated marketing. It can also show their ability to align their work with broader company objectives.

Describe a time when you had to negotiate media prices. What strategies did you use?

This question can provide insight into the candidate's negotiation skills, which are crucial for getting the best deals and maximizing ROI.

How have you handled tight deadlines or high-pressure situations in your previous roles?

This question can reveal the candidate's ability to handle pressure and manage time effectively. It can also give you an idea of their resilience and problem-solving skills.

Do you have experience managing multiple media buying campaigns simultaneously? If so, how do you prioritize?

Understanding how a candidate manages multiple projects can give you an idea of their organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and manage their workload effectively.

What, in your opinion, is the most challenging aspect of a media buyer's job?

This question can shed light on the candidate's understanding of the role's challenges. It can also provide insight into their potential areas of struggle and how they plan to overcome them.

Can you explain a time when you had to modify or adjust a media strategy mid-campaign? How did you handle it and what were the outcomes?

This question can give you an idea of the candidate's adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ability to make tough decisions on the fly.