Do you have experience conducting competitive analysis? If so, can you share an example?

Sample answer to the question

Yes, I have experience conducting competitive analysis. In my previous role as a PR Campaign Analyst at XYZ Company, I was responsible for regularly conducting competitive analysis to identify opportunities and challenges. For example, I analyzed the digital marketing strategies of our competitors, including their social media presence, content marketing efforts, and online advertising campaigns. By monitoring their activities and benchmarking against our own campaigns, I was able to identify areas where we had a competitive advantage and areas where we could improve. This analysis helped us refine our messaging, target the right audience, and allocate our resources effectively.

A more solid answer

Yes, I have extensive experience conducting competitive analysis. In my previous role as a PR Campaign Analyst at XYZ Company, I utilized PR measurement tools like Meltwater and Cision to analyze the media landscape and digital marketing channels. I conducted in-depth analysis of our competitors' PR strategies, including their media coverage, social media engagement, and online advertising campaigns. By working with large datasets, I was able to extract meaningful insights and identify industry trends. This analysis helped us refine our messaging, target the right audience, and optimize our PR campaign strategies. For example, based on my competitive analysis, I recommended adjustments to our content marketing efforts, resulting in a 20% increase in website traffic and a 15% rise in social media engagement.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more details about the candidate's experience with specific PR measurement tools and their ability to work with large datasets to extract meaningful insights. It also highlights the impact of the competitive analysis on the PR campaigns, mentioning specific recommendations and the resulting improvements. However, it could still be improved by providing more specific examples of insights and recommendations derived from the analysis.

An exceptional answer

Yes, I have extensive experience conducting competitive analysis in the PR industry. In my previous role as a PR Campaign Analyst at XYZ Company, I utilized advanced PR measurement tools like Meltwater and Cision to conduct comprehensive competitive analysis. I monitored competitor media coverage, analyzed their social media engagement, and evaluated the effectiveness of their online advertising campaigns. By working with large datasets, I was able to extract meaningful insights and identify industry trends. For example, through my analysis, I identified a gap in our competitor's content marketing strategy, which presented an opportunity for us to focus on producing high-quality thought leadership articles. As a result, we saw a 30% increase in website traffic and a 25% rise in social media engagement. Additionally, I provided recommendations for budget allocation based on the analysis, which resulted in a 10% cost-saving on digital advertising. My competitive analysis also guided the refinement of our messaging and audience targeting, resulting in improved campaign performance and increased brand awareness.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a more comprehensive and detailed example of the candidate's experience and impact in conducting competitive analysis. It includes specific insights derived from the analysis (i.e., identifying a gap in the competitor's strategy) and the resulting improvements (i.e., increase in website traffic and social media engagement). It also mentions the candidate's ability to provide recommendations for budget allocation and the overall refinement of messaging and audience targeting. The answer demonstrates a strong understanding of the evaluation areas, particularly analytical thinking and problem-solving, excellent communication and presentation skills, and the ability to work with large datasets to extract meaningful insights.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with PR measurement tools like Meltwater and Cision, as these are commonly used for competitive analysis.
Stay updated on current trends in the media landscape and digital marketing channels to better understand the competitive landscape.
Practice working with large datasets and extracting meaningful insights from them. This could involve conducting analysis on real-world scenarios or using publicly available datasets.
Prepare examples of specific insights and recommendations derived from competitive analysis in your past roles. Be ready to discuss the impact of these insights on campaigns and overall strategy.
Highlight your ability to provide recommendations for budget allocation and optimization based on competitive analysis.
Practice presenting detailed reports and presentations on campaign analysis and insights. Make sure you can effectively communicate the findings of your analysis to stakeholders.

What interviewers are evaluating

Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Proficient in PR measurement tools like Meltwater, Cision, or similar platforms
Ability to work with large datasets and extract meaningful insights
Strong understanding of the media landscape and digital marketing channels
Project management and organizational skills
Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy