Interview Tactics That Work

Holly Wilkinson • November 10, 2025

Why It Matters

Interviews can feel daunting, especially in today’s competitive marketing and digital job market, where more candidates are applying for fewer roles. The good news? Preparation and presence give you the edge.


Whether you’re meeting face-to-face or over Teams or Zoom, interviews aren’t just about experience; they’re about connection, confidence and curiosity.


Tactics to Try

Do your homework
Go beyond the company website. Research their campaigns, tone of voice, social presence and competitors. Look at their recent press releases, client wins or brand updates, this gives you insight into their priorities and shows genuine engagement.


Understand the interview process
Before the day, ask your recruiter how many stages there are and who you’ll be meeting. It’s key to know whether this is a one-stage decision or the first of several rounds. If it’s a single-stage interview,
don’t hold anything back,  make sure you bring your strongest examples, demonstrate results and cover everything you’d want them to know.


Use your recruiter
Your recruiter knows the business, the people and how interviews tend to play out. They can guide you on what the hiring manager values most, which examples will resonate and how to navigate tricky questions. A quick prep chat can make all the difference.


Tailor your examples
Use the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result — to keep answers focused and outcome-driven. Marketing and creative roles are about impact, so use data, engagement metrics or campaign results to back up your story.


Show adaptability
Digital, creative and marketing landscapes evolve constantly. Be ready to share how you’ve adapted — new tools, changing trends or shifting business goals. Agility is a key selling point.


The Power of Tone, Energy and Body Language

Whether it’s in-person or via Teams, how you communicate matters as much as what you say.

  • Energy counts: Match the interviewer’s pace and enthusiasm, but don’t overdo it. Show natural warmth and interest.
  • Body language: Sit upright, maintain good eye contact (or camera contact), smile, and use open gestures. Avoid crossing your arms or looking distracted.
  • Tone: Keep it conversational and confident. Marketing and creative roles value personality, so let yours come through.


Video Call Etiquette

Online interviews are now the norm but they come with their own challenges.

  • Test your tech, lighting and sound beforehand.
  • Find a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.
  • Keep notes nearby but don’t read from them, glance if needed, but stay engaged.
  • Look into the camera when speaking, not at your own image.
  • Don’t be afraid to show personality, warmth and energy still translate digitally.


Asking Smart, Impactful Questions

One of the biggest missed opportunities in interviews is how candidates handle the “Do you have any questions for us?” moment.

Saying, “I think you’ve covered everything” might sound polite but it can come across as disengaged. This is your chance to demonstrate how much thought and research you’ve done.


Prepare a list of 3–5 well-researched questions in advance. Write them down and bring them with you. That way, even if most are answered naturally during the conversation, you can show the interviewer that you’d prepared thoroughly.


Examples of strong questions:

  • “How do you measure success for this role over the first six months?”
  • “How does marketing work with other teams, such as sales or product?”
  • “What’s next for the brand’s digital strategy?”
  • “What are the biggest challenges the team is focusing on right now?”


If by some miracle every question is answered, thank them for being so thorough and mention that you’d prepared several questions that have now been covered. It shows curiosity and effort, two qualities every employer values.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Overusing jargon or buzzwords.
🚫 Focusing only on “we”, remember to highlight your individual contribution.
🚫 Not preparing questions, it signals lack of curiosity.
🚫 Monotone delivery, energy and engagement go a long way.

Final Thought

Remember: interviews are a two-way conversation, not an interrogation. You’re assessing them as much as they’re assessing you.


Lean on your recruiter as they’re your inside guide to the business, the culture and the people you’ll be meeting. They’ll help you prepare, build confidence and show the best version of you on the day.


Book an interview prep session — we’ll help you feel ready, relevant and genuinely yourself.

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Salary Scales
By Holly Wilkinson November 12, 2025
Why It Matters Talking about money can feel uncomfortable but it’s one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Your salary expectation sends a message: it tells an employer how you value yourself and where you see your level of contribution. Pitching it right is about balance , go too low, and you risk underselling your worth; go too high without context, and you might price yourself out of contention. Being open, informed and confident in that conversation shows self-awareness, professionalism and credibility, all qualities employers notice and respect. How to Talk About Salary with Confidence Do your homework Before the interview, research average salaries for your role, level and location. Market rates can vary significantly between agency and in-house, or between Milton Keynes and London. If you’re unsure, we can share real-time local salary benchmarks so you walk in informed. Give a realistic range It shows flexibility while setting clear expectations. If your research suggests £40k–£45k, it’s fine to say, “I’m ideally looking for something around the mid-40s, depending on the role and responsibilities.” Frame it around value, not just numbers Explain why your expectations sit where they do, link them to results, ROI, leadership experience, or specialist knowledge. For example: “I’ve managed multi-channel campaigns with £500k+ budgets, consistently delivering ROI, so I’m targeting roles around the £50k mark.” This shifts the focus from cost to contribution. Don’t undersell yourself If you say you’d “take less for the right role,” there’s a good chance you’ll be offered less. Employers typically work within budgets, not above them so set your expectation confidently and let your experience justify it. Consider the whole package Salary is important, but benefits, flexibility, progression and culture can all make a huge difference. Be ready to discuss the overall value of the opportunity, not just the pay packet. Be mindful of proof Some employers may ask for evidence of current or previous salary, such as a P60 or recent payslip. It’s not a trap, it’s part of ensuring internal parity. Just make sure your expectations align realistically with your documented history and market value. Employer Perspective Most employers set a salary range before a role goes live. If your expectations fit that window, the process moves smoothly. If they don’t, it’s better to clarify early than waste anyone’s time. And remember: once you’ve put a figure on the table, it’s rarely possible to negotiate significantly higher later so preparation really does pay off. Final Thought Salary conversations don’t need to be daunting. With the right insight and preparation, they can be empowering. Know your worth. Be honest about your expectations. And let your recruiter help position you in the best possible light, we’ll share market data, guide you through the discussion, and make sure you’re representing your value with confidence. Talk to us about salary benchmarks and negotiation advice
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Why It Matters Rejection hurts and there’s no getting around that. You put time, energy and hope into an opportunity, only to hear “we’ve decided to move forward with another candidate.” But in a competitive market, where marketing and digital roles attract hundreds of applications , rejection isn’t a reflection of failure, it’s feedback, redirection and part of the process. The truth? It’s not about how many no’s you get. It’s about how you respond to them because that’s what shapes your next “yes.” How to Handle Rejection and Move Forward Ask for feedback Don’t be afraid to ask why you weren’t selected. Sometimes it’s about fit, team dynamics or timing ,not your ability. Constructive feedback gives you clarity and helps you improve how you present yourself next time. If you’ve worked with us, we’ll always ask on your behalf and be honest about what we hear. Don’t take it personally It’s easy to think, “What did I do wrong?” But remember, recruitment is often about nuances, one candidate might have slightly more experience with a tool, or a particular cultural fit. It’s rarely black and white. Reframe rejection as redirection Every “no” gets you closer to the right opportunity. Think of it as refining your path rather than blocking it. Many of the candidates we’ve placed in career-defining roles started with a rejection or two but each one helped them refine their story, focus their search and prepare better for the next. Keep your momentum The hardest part after rejection is not losing motivation. Take a day to reset, then get back into action. Keep learning, keep applying, keep connecting. Every interview builds experience and confidence and you never know when the right door will open. Zoom out — one role doesn’t define your career Your career is a long game. You’ll have highs, lows and everything in between. What matters is consistency, curiosity and resilience. Marketing and digital are fast-evolving industries, those who stay adaptable and open always bounce back faster. Employer Perspective Hiring managers often make decisions between two or three excellent candidates. Missing out doesn’t mean you weren’t good, it means someone else was a slightly better match for that brief, at that time. And here’s the thing: we’ve seen candidates who were runners-up get called back six months later when the perfect opportunity arises. A “no” today can still be a “not yet.” Final Thought Rejection isn’t the end of your story, it’s just another chapter. The next opportunity might be the one that changes everything. If you’ve had a setback, talk to us. We’ll help you review feedback, strengthen your approach and get you in front of the roles where you’ll genuinely thrive. Talk to us about your next move
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By Holly Wilkinson November 12, 2025
Why It Matters Talking about money can feel uncomfortable but it’s one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Your salary expectation sends a message: it tells an employer how you value yourself and where you see your level of contribution. Pitching it right is about balance , go too low, and you risk underselling your worth; go too high without context, and you might price yourself out of contention. Being open, informed and confident in that conversation shows self-awareness, professionalism and credibility, all qualities employers notice and respect. How to Talk About Salary with Confidence Do your homework Before the interview, research average salaries for your role, level and location. Market rates can vary significantly between agency and in-house, or between Milton Keynes and London. If you’re unsure, we can share real-time local salary benchmarks so you walk in informed. Give a realistic range It shows flexibility while setting clear expectations. If your research suggests £40k–£45k, it’s fine to say, “I’m ideally looking for something around the mid-40s, depending on the role and responsibilities.” Frame it around value, not just numbers Explain why your expectations sit where they do, link them to results, ROI, leadership experience, or specialist knowledge. For example: “I’ve managed multi-channel campaigns with £500k+ budgets, consistently delivering ROI, so I’m targeting roles around the £50k mark.” This shifts the focus from cost to contribution. Don’t undersell yourself If you say you’d “take less for the right role,” there’s a good chance you’ll be offered less. Employers typically work within budgets, not above them so set your expectation confidently and let your experience justify it. Consider the whole package Salary is important, but benefits, flexibility, progression and culture can all make a huge difference. Be ready to discuss the overall value of the opportunity, not just the pay packet. Be mindful of proof Some employers may ask for evidence of current or previous salary, such as a P60 or recent payslip. It’s not a trap, it’s part of ensuring internal parity. Just make sure your expectations align realistically with your documented history and market value. Employer Perspective Most employers set a salary range before a role goes live. If your expectations fit that window, the process moves smoothly. If they don’t, it’s better to clarify early than waste anyone’s time. And remember: once you’ve put a figure on the table, it’s rarely possible to negotiate significantly higher later so preparation really does pay off. Final Thought Salary conversations don’t need to be daunting. With the right insight and preparation, they can be empowering. Know your worth. Be honest about your expectations. And let your recruiter help position you in the best possible light, we’ll share market data, guide you through the discussion, and make sure you’re representing your value with confidence. Talk to us about salary benchmarks and negotiation advice
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