Copywriter interview questions and sample answers

A copywriter interview usually mixes two kinds of question: ones that test whether you know the job, and behavioral ones that ask for proof from your past. Below are 10 of the first with a short model answer, and 5 of the second with what the interviewer is really checking. Rewrite every answer in your own words and with your own numbers.

Job-specific questions

1. How do you write a headline that converts?

I lead with the single biggest benefit stated as specifically as possible, then A/B test two or three versions. On a landing page test, swapping 'Save Time' for 'Save 5 Hours a Week' lifted click-through by about 18%.

2. How do you approach writing for a product you've never used?

I request a demo or trial access first, then interview three existing customers about the words they use to describe the value. I never write from the spec sheet alone because customer language always converts better than internal jargon.

3. What's your process for writing a landing page from scratch?

I start with the offer and CTA, then work backward to the headline, subhead, and proof points like testimonials or a stat. I keep the above-the-fold section to one clear promise and push feature lists below the fold.

4. How do you handle A/B testing copy?

I test one variable at a time, usually the headline or CTA button text, and run it until I hit statistical significance, typically a few hundred conversions per variant. I resist declaring a winner after just a day of data.

5. How do you write for direct response versus brand awareness?

Direct response copy needs a clear CTA, urgency, and proof within the first screen, while brand copy can breathe and lean on story. I ask the client upfront which metric matters, clicks or recall, before choosing the structure.

6. How do you handle strict legal or compliance review on your copy?

I write the strongest version first, then keep a swipe file of pre-approved claim phrasing for regulated industries like finance or health. On a fintech project I learned to say 'may help' instead of 'will' to pass compliance.

7. What's your approach to writing email subject lines?

I keep them under 50 characters, avoid spammy trigger words like 'free' in all caps, and test curiosity versus benefit-driven angles. A subject line using a specific number, '3 mistakes,' outperformed a generic one by about 12% open rate.

8. How do you write persuasive copy without overpromising?

I anchor every claim to a real number or testimonial, so 'boost productivity' becomes 'customers reported a 20% drop in ticket volume.' If I can't back a claim with data or a quote, I soften it or cut it.

9. How do you adapt copy length for different formats?

A Google ad headline gets 30 characters, so I lead with the sharpest hook; a sales page can run 1500 words if every section earns its place. I always cut a draft by at least 10% before calling it final.

10. How do you handle writer's block on a tight deadline?

I switch from writing the headline first to writing the bullet points or FAQ section, which unlocks the rest. I also keep a swipe file of proven formulas, like problem-agitate-solve, to restart momentum instead of staring at a blank page.

Behavioral questions

Answer these with STAR: the Situation in one sentence, the Task, the Action you took (most of the answer), the Result with a number.

11. Tell me about a result you are proud of.

What they are checking: A specific outcome with a number, and what you personally did to get it.

A result to build the answer around: Wrote a product launch email series that drove $800k in first-month sales.

12. Describe a time you improved how something was done.

What they are checking: That you notice waste and fix it without being told, then measure the difference.

A result to build the answer around: Rewrote a pricing page, lifting paid signups by 24% in an A/B test.

13. Tell me about a time you had to deliver under pressure.

What they are checking: How you prioritise, communicate early and still finish to standard.

A result to build the answer around: Created ad copy for 30 brands across social, search and out-of-home.

14. Give an example of working with a difficult colleague or customer.

What they are checking: Calm, the other person's view stated fairly, and a result that helped both sides.

A result to build the answer around: Defined brand voice guidelines used by a 15-person marketing team.

15. What is something you learned from a mistake?

What they are checking: Ownership without excuses, and the habit you changed so it did not happen again.

A result to build the answer around: Wrote 12 video scripts with an average 62% completion rate.

Before the interview

Interviewers read your resume just before they walk in, and most questions come from it. Every bullet on it should be one you can expand into a two-minute STAR story. Check that it matches the posting with the free ATS Match Score, and look at the copywriter resume keywords the ad is likely to use.

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