Importance of Writing Tests in Hiring for Marketing Positions

Having been on both sides of the interview process, I know that writing tests can be nerve-wracking. But as an interviewer, I can speak to how important and necessary these are. As a marketer, content is everything (I talk "content is king" here) so if you're bringing someone on, you want to be confident that they can deliver the goods. A candidate may look perfect on paper and they may have great work samples but really, how do you know for sure that they did all the work? You want to how well they perform in a timed environment and under pressure to deliver a well-articulated piece. Most times in the workplace, one has time to work on a written piece but there are times, like with press releases and social posts, when one has to write on the spot.

I recently had to take a writing test for a job. The assignment was to write a piece (300 words or less) in 30 minutes convincing someone to buy a smartphone. Here is what I wrote. I was pretty happy with something that I completed in 18 minutes. I considered my audience and thought that most people who are holding out on getting a smartphone are probably older so throwing it way back to the analog days would speak to them. Read and consider if I'm making a good connection.

When was the last time you waited for someone to get off the line so that you could make a call? What about having to wait until you got home to look something up on the internet? Or mapping out your route and printing directions before leaving the house? For those with smartphones today, these are no longer problems they have to grapple with. These herald a time long past, and reminiscing about them might bring about a smile but also memories of great inconvenience and frustration. These are obstacles that the progression of phone technology over the last 30 years has helped us overcome, leading to great advancements in the way we work and connect with others. In the end, the aim of phone technology and its use is not to have the fanciest gadget (though this may motivate some people). Ultimately it’s about connection—to people and to information—and the ability to facilitate relationships, work, and recreation. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to purchase a smartphone, the advantages described above could be the reasons you decide to take the plunge. If nothing else, by taking this step, you’re making an active decision to be a part of the future and all the possibilities it holds.

The biggest tip I have for people who are faced with a writing assignment is to practice, practice, practice. In the week before this test was scheduled, I wrote prolifically for my website, for my day job, and for my consulting agency La Marca. Practice makes permanence, not perfection, and gives you the tailwind you need to let the content and ideas flow.