Tell us about a creative problem-solving solution you came up with in a previous role.

Sample answer to the question

In my previous role as a marketing coordinator, I encountered a challenge where our company needed to increase brand awareness among a specific target audience. We brainstormed ideas and came up with a creative solution of partnering with a popular social media influencer in our industry. We reached out to the influencer and proposed a collaboration where they would create engaging content featuring our brand and products. This collaboration not only helped us increase our social media following and engagement, but also boosted our brand recognition among our target audience. It was a creative problem-solving solution that successfully addressed our objective of increasing brand awareness.

A more solid answer

In my previous role as a marketing coordinator at XYZ Company, we faced a challenge of decreasing customer engagement on social media platforms. To tackle this problem, I conducted market research and identified that our target audience was more active on Instagram. With this insight, I developed a creative problem-solving solution of creating an Instagram campaign that focused on user-generated content. I collaborated with the design and social media teams to create a campaign hashtag and encourage our customers to share their experiences using our products. This customer-centric approach not only increased customer engagement and interaction on our social media platforms but also generated valuable user-generated content that we could repurpose for future marketing efforts. The success of this solution demonstrated my analytical and strategic thinking, my customer-centric approach to product strategy, and my capability to work with cross-functional teams.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides a more comprehensive description of the problem-solving solution by including specific details of the candidate's role, the challenge faced, the market research conducted, and the collaboration with other teams. It explicitly addresses the evaluation areas and aligns with the job description. However, it can still be improved by providing more information on the impact and results of the solution.

An exceptional answer

In my previous role as a marketing coordinator at XYZ Company, we faced a challenge of decreasing customer engagement on social media platforms. To tackle this problem, I conducted in-depth market research and data analysis to understand the trends and preferences of our target audience. Based on the insights gathered, I proposed a comprehensive social media strategy that involved leveraging user-generated content, interactive contests, and influencer collaborations. I worked closely with the design, social media, and customer service teams to implement this strategy. We created a hashtag campaign that encouraged customers to share their experiences and tagged our brand. Additionally, we collaborated with popular influencers in our industry to create engaging and relevant content. The campaign resulted in a significant increase in customer engagement, with a 30% boost in social media followers, a 50% increase in user-generated content, and a 20% increase in website traffic originating from social media platforms. This solution demonstrated my ability to think analytically, develop a customer-centric approach to product strategy, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and creatively solve problems.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer expands on the solid answer by providing even more specific details and measurable results of the problem-solving solution. It showcases the candidate's strong analytical skills, customer-centric approach, cross-functional collaboration, and creative problem-solving abilities. The impact and success of the solution are clearly communicated. This answer aligns perfectly with the evaluation areas and the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Before the interview, reflect on your past experiences and identify a problem-solving solution that involved creativity.
Think about the specific challenge you faced, the steps you took to come up with a solution, and the results achieved.
Consider how your solution aligned with the company's objectives and market demands.
Highlight your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and adapt to a dynamic work environment.
Practice describing your problem-solving solution in a concise and confident manner.
Be ready to provide specific details, such as market research conducted, collaborations made, and measurable results obtained.
Demonstrate your analytical and strategic thinking skills by explaining the insights and data analysis that informed your solution.
Emphasize your customer-centric approach by discussing how your solution addressed the needs and preferences of the target audience.

What interviewers are evaluating

Analytical and strategic thinking
Customer-centric approach to product strategy
Capability to work with cross-functional teams
Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment
Basic knowledge of project management methodologies
Strong time management and prioritization abilities
Creative problem-solving skills