Regardless of whether you apply for a place in a study program related to marketing, or for any entry level job in the field, such as marketing trainee, marketing specialist, or a marketing assistant, the hiring managers (people who decide about your application) will inquire about your career choice. Why marketing, instead of sales, finance, HR, law, or some other field? What has attracted you to this profession?
You should always show enthusiasm for your future field of work. What’s more, you should explain why it is a good match for your strengths, and personality, and–when we talk about job interviews, also for your education and previous working experience. They should get an impression that you know what you are doing, and aren’t just following a dream of your parents, or applying for jobs at random, not having an idea of what to do with your life.
Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to the question. I tried to include on my list a variety of answers–a variety of reasons why a career in marketing may attract you. Pick one that resonates with your values, and with the message you try to convey in the interviews. And do not forget to check also my notes below the list of answers, for additional hints and explanations.
7 sample answers to “Why are you interested in marketing?” , or “Why marketing?” interview question
- I just love creating things. With my passion for creation and innovation, I cannot imagine a better field than marketing, and particularly advertising. Of course, I am just starting in the field, but I believe that in time I will get a chance to design some amazing campaigns for your customers, campaigns that convert and bring tangible results, ads that people find hard to forget. What’s more, I can also draw and paint nicely, which will without a doubt help me in the field.
- I am interested in marketing because I believe it rules the world of business today. People do not buy the best merchandise–in any form. They buy the stuff with the best marketing, products they are attracted to, often without consciously realizing it. Taking this into account, one can have a huge impact on the profit and loss of an organization while working in marketing, and also a huge impact on the behavior of customers. I always wanted to pursue a career in which I can have such an impact. Marketing was therefor an obvious choice.
- I am interesting in it, particularly in a job of marketing specialist at the moment, because it is the next logical step in my professional career. I’ve earned my degree and did my internship as a marketing assistant. Now I believe to be ready to handle the job, and to provide an actual value to both my employer and my customers. Of course, I know that I still have to learn a lot before I can become a true specialist in the field. I am looking forward to it though, and cannot wait to start.
- Marketing is simply my passion. I’ve been creating campaigns ever since I started at high school, first time for events we organized with my classmates, and later for my own online projects and websites, as you can see on my personal portfolio. In my opinion, we should do for a living something we enjoy doing. I enjoy marketing, and I also believe to have some talent for the field. Of course, “talent” comes with experience as they say, and I still have to work hard to become one of the best marketers out there But that’s my aspiration, and I will do what it takes to see it through.
- I am interested in marketing because I want to have my own advertising agency one day. Of course, you can start such an agency even without having a degree, but I believe I can learn a lot at your school, network with like-minded people, make connections, and also people look at you differently once you have a degree in the field. Following my dream of being my own boss and building one of the best marketing agencies in the area from scratch, I am applying for a place in your study program.
- I just try to pick a best match for my personality and strengths. I’m not a numbers guy, and I am not that strong in managing other people. But I understand what drives customer behavior, and what makes a difference between a successful campaign and one that fails. Considering everything, and thinking carefully about the place where I’d like to be in ten years from now, in my professional career, I decided to apply for a job of a marketing trainee with you.
- To be completely honest with you, at the moment I am not yet decided about what I would like to do in my professional career. But I also do not want to have a gap year or something similar. So I thought about it, and came to a conclusion that one can take many directions with degree from marketing, and benefit from what they’ve learned at school. At the end of the day, every single company in the world needs some marketing. What is more, going through your curricula, I found many courses and subject for this particular study program interesting. My parents always said that I have an eye for detail and can spot things others miss to notice, so I may even be a good match for the field. Anyway, I’m definitely interested in marketing, and let’s see what happens in five years from now.
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Your non-verbal communication is equally important
It is one thing saying how enthusiastic you are about marketing, your studies and first job in the field, and another to really look and sound that way. Remember that hiring managers, and any interviewers in general, observe also your non-verbal communication.
Can they hear enthusiasm in your voice? Is there a spark in your eye when you talk about your career in marketing, and things you would like to achieve in the field? Or, on the contrary, does your body tell a completely different story than your mouth? Think about it for the moment. To give your words some credibility, they have to see that your verbal language corresponds with your non-verbal language.
The more specific you are, the better
Saying that you enjoy creating things is nice, as well as explaining the role marketing plays in today’s world and the consumer behavior. But it is even better to have a specific position on your mind, or some goal you want to achieve once you earn your degree in marketing, such as running your own business in advertising, or applying for a job with this or that company.
It is the same story when you have to answer this question in an interview. Tell them what marketing means to you, but also explain where you see yourself in five or ten years, simply what the position you try to get with them should help you achieve in life. Just like with any other interview questions related to your career goals, the more specific you are, the better.
It is fine having no plans when you are young
You can benefit from a degree from marketing in many ways and fields. If you are still young, and unsure about what you want to do with life–or even not wanting to do anything, you can say so in an interview. Elaborate on your answer though.
Explain them that you see a variety of options in front of you, once you have the degree from marketing, and, at the same time, you consider the field a good match for your skills, strengths, and personality. Maybe you eventually won’t end up working in the field, but you will enjoy your studies, and will end up with a plenty of opportunities once you are done with them…
May also help you succeed in your interviews:
- Marketing specialist interview questions – Learn how to answer all questions you may face while trying to get this intriguing position.
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