Marketing HR Questions

1. Sell yourself to me identifying key value proposition, brand attributes, target segment
requirements
KVP and Brand attributes are your strengths and weaknesses. Target segment are the companies
you will be applying for during placements. So you should explain the reason why you want to
work for those companies. You can start with why marketing, and then why that particular
company.
2. Most interesting project of your lifetime and learning from it
You should have clear deliverables associated with that project, which may be internship or any
other academic project. The learning that you mention must be applicable to a wide range of
situations and should not be specific to that project alone. The insights like people
understanding, people handling and expectation management are the ones which are pertinent to
marketing jobs.
3. Your understanding of marketing strategy to be explained through reference to
work-ex or past projects
Structured thought should be visible through your answer. Any action taken during the project
must have a specific reasoning leading to the fulfillment of the final objective. A critique of the
project showing the positives, the scope for improvement and the utilisation of the knowledge
gained from past mistakes to improve future decisions will bring out your understanding.
4. Favourite Ad campaign what was special about communication, what technology used
You must explain why that ad campaign stands out from the others related to the products in the
same segment. For example, Bajaj Pulsar: Highlighting the experience of riding for its target
segment through the 'definitely male' tagline rather than the product attributes like pickup and
mileage.
5. Two-word tests: group or individual, learn or try, test or apply, fun at work or
recognition at work
Any company wants people who will perform. They recognize the needs of people to make
mistakes in order to learn, irrespective of how senior they are. DO not be afraid to answer
something like 'I want to learn early on in my career but with the aim of applying the learning as
early in my career as possible.' The two word questions don't necessarily have one word answers
or clear choices.
6. Describe yourself in one word with supporting examples
Look at the examples which you can give from your activities which you have undertaken till
now. Project the quality that you feel best describes you in the answer. This question is similar to
'what are your strengths.'
7. Worst character trait
Be ready to give examples of how your trait (weakness i.e.) has harmed you in the past and how
you have tried to improve on that aspect. Positives disguised as weaknesses are a strict no-no.
8. Why not a career in consulting?
You do not have to portray consulting as a bad career but justify why you would like to begin
your career in marketing. The opportunity to start learning from the basics, working with all
Acknowledgement : Chaitanya Tambay

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Marketing HR Questions
kinds of people right from the consumer to the top management instead of just the decision
makers of your client firms differentiates marketing from consulting and what to prefer is a
personal choice.
9. Case: You are an ASM, an experienced stockist/dealer has an idea that he wants to be
executed throughout your region, but that idea isnt feasible. What do you do to motivate
him after rejecting his idea?
Since the plan is said to be infeasible, you should mention what probable reasons might be
involved for the same. You can choose any one of the possibilities and then go on to explain
how the dealer can be motivated to alter his projections or beliefs with regard to his plan based
on the reasoning provided. He should be encouraged to modify his plan and maybe assure him
that if the feasibility of the modified plan is verified, then the company will be willing to start
with a pilot in his region and based on the results, take future course of action. He should not be
promised full scale implementation, but assured that all support will be provided for any plan
which has good potential.
10. Case: You are given Rs. 1 Crore and you need to generate max revenues from a
restaurant business in your hometown/Ahmedabad. How do you go about the process?
Check for STP, 4Ps in response
11. Case: An electric bicycle with charged batteries capable of doing 50 kms with one
charge identify marketing strategy (includes STP, pricing)
Segmenting targeting and positioning should be derived from one another keeping in view the
product attributes. The cost savings done by the consumer can be estimated to gauge the
premium that he/she might be willing to pay. The newness of the product will lead to doubts
over its adaptation. Any framework can be used to tackle this problem.
12. Case: Pricing 50g Vaseline new Naturals jar techniques of pricing (consumer
driven, costs? Competition?)
Think about why is there a need for a new product in the first place. Is Vaseline as a brand
lagging? If yes, in which regards and how does the new product alleviate the problems? Does it
command a premium due to its attributes? Are there similar products available? What is their
pricing?

Acknowledgement : Chaitanya Tambay

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