Communications Executive Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a Communications Executive job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our Communications Executive question bank of 16 questions, written for UK employers at mid-level level.

Eight Communications Executive interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What does a communications plan contain, and how would you build one for a new project or announcement?

Why they ask: A communications plan is the basic building block of the role and they want to see structure.

2. How would you write a press release or news story, and what makes one effective?

Why they ask: Writing is a core skill and they want to hear your professional standards.

3. How do you identify what is newsworthy and which media outlets or journalists to target?

Why they ask: To test news judgement and media targeting, which underpin PR and comms work.

4. How do you measure the success of communications activity?

Why they ask: To see that you can show value rather than just activity.

5. Which social media channels would you use for organisational communications, and how do you manage them?

Why they ask: Comms executives frequently manage owned channels, so they want practical knowledge.

6. A journalist calls asking for a comment on a sensitive issue and your spokesperson is unavailable. What do you do?

Why they ask: A common real situation requiring judgement under time pressure.

7. Tell me about a communications campaign you delivered and the impact it had.

Why they ask: To get evidence of delivery and measurement, not just tasks.

8. Why do you want to work in communications, and what skills do you think a good communications executive needs?

Why they ask: To assess motivation and self-awareness against the role's requirements.

A sample answer to question 1

What does a communications plan contain, and how would you build one for a new project or announcement?

I would start with the objective: what should people know, feel or do as a result. Then I identify the audiences, such as staff, customers, partners, media or regulators, and what each needs to hear. I would develop key messages, a core narrative and supporting evidence, then choose channels and timing for each audience, for example email and the intranet for staff, press release and social media for external audiences. The plan would include a timeline, spokespeople, approval routes, risks and a Q and A for tricky questions. I would assign owners to each task and build in a review point. For measurement, I would define metrics upfront, such as email open and click rates, coverage, social engagement, survey feedback or the behaviour we wanted to change. After delivery, I would evaluate against the objectives and record what to improve next time.

Common mistake to avoid: Starting with channels; no measurement

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Communications Executive interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.