Step 2 – Decode the job spec

What this job is actually asking for

These are the likely 3–4 core criteria you’ll be assessed on, written in plain English so you can aim your stories properly.

Criterion 1: Creating videos, photos and emails for customers

Estimated importance: 95 / 100
Theme frequency: This theme appears 8 time(s) in the job description.
Examples:

"Film, edit, and schedule social media content for Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest"
"Create and schedule marketing emails using tools like Beefree and Klaviyo"

What this really means

You will spend a lot of time making things people see online. This means filming and editing short videos, taking photos, and putting together email campaigns. You need to turn ideas into clear, attractive posts, reels and emails. Your work should make people want to look, read and visit the store or website.

What the hirer is nervous about

They do not want to hire someone who can use the tools but cannot turn them into strong, joined up content. They worry about content that looks messy, off-brand or is not planned properly across channels.

What to show in your stories

That you can plan and create a full piece of content from idea to final post or email.
That you can adjust your style for different channels like Instagram, Facebook and email.
That you can work with feedback to improve videos, photos or emails.
That you can manage a content schedule and hit posting or send dates.

Criterion 2: Designing clear, on-brand visuals

Estimated importance: 90 / 100
Theme frequency: This theme appears 7 time(s) in the job description.
Examples:

"Design website banners, graphics, and layouts to support campaigns and promotions"
"Produce and update tickets, store point of sale, signage and ad hoc artwork"

What this really means

You will design many different things that must all feel like the same brand. This includes web banners, in-store signs, tickets and spec sheets. You need to care about layout, fonts and colours so everything looks tidy and easy to read. Your designs should help customers quickly understand products and offers.

What the hirer is nervous about

They do not want to hire someone whose designs look off-brand or hard to read. They worry about mistakes in prices, text or layouts that confuse customers or create extra work to fix.

What to show in your stories

That you can follow an existing brand look and keep designs consistent.
That you can lay out information clearly so people can read it fast.
That you can check details like prices, spelling and sizes carefully.
That you can handle several design tasks at once without losing quality.

Criterion 3: Taking and styling photos that sell furniture

Estimated importance: 80 / 100
Theme frequency: This theme appears 6 time(s) in the job description.
Examples:

"Photograph product, lifestyle, and departmental photography, in studio and on location"
"Is customer-focused, with a genuine passion for interiors and home styling"

What this really means

You will take photos of furniture and home items in different settings. Sometimes this is simple product shots, other times it is styled room scenes. You need to think about light, angles and props so the furniture looks its best. Your pictures should help customers imagine these items in their own homes.

What the hirer is nervous about

They do not want to hire someone who can use a camera but does not understand how to make furniture look inviting. They worry about flat, dull images that do not match the brand or appeal to home lovers.

What to show in your stories

That you can plan and shoot both product and lifestyle photos.
That you can style a scene so furniture and accessories look appealing.
That you can edit and prepare images correctly for web and print use.
That you understand what home and interiors customers like to see.

This page takes your core stories and shows you how to reuse them.

For each criterion you’ll see:

1. Your main CAR story (Context, Action, Result), and
2. Three example questions: one “core”, one “challenge”, and one “future”, with examples of how to aim your story at each one.

About these answers These are your stories, written up in a strong interview style. You do not need to memorise them word for word.

In the interview, it’s completely fine if you say it more simply, forget parts, or only follow the main steps. What matters is that you remember the shape of the story (Context → Action → Result) and the key points, not the exact sentences.

Core questions and answers for each criterion

Criterion 1: Creating videos, photos and emails for customers

This is about taking an idea and turning it into clear, joined up content across social and email. The hirer wants to know you can plan, create and schedule content that looks consistent and goes out on time.

Your core story (CAR)

Context: In a previous role at a small retailer, I was asked to promote a weekend sale. I had one week to plan, create and schedule all the social content and an email newsletter. I used Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for images, Premiere Pro for video, and Klaviyo for the email.

Action: First, I wrote a simple plan with key messages, posting dates and chosen channels. I turned this into a content calendar with two Instagram posts, one Facebook post, a short reel and one email. Then I took product photos and short in-store video clips, focusing on bestsellers and new items. I edited them in Lightroom and Premiere Pro so colours and style matched the brand, and added clear, on-brand text overlays in Photoshop. Finally, I built a clean email in Klaviyo, reusing the same images and wording so it matched the social posts, and scheduled everything for the right times.

Result: All the content went out on schedule and looked consistent across Instagram, Facebook and email. The store saw a clear increase in website visits and footfall over the sale weekend, and my manager said the campaign felt much more joined up than before. Reusing assets across channels also saved time for the team.

How to reuse this story for different questions

Core question Tell me about a time when you planned and created a piece of content from the initial idea through to the final post or email.

How to aim this story at this question

Use the weekend sale campaign to show you owned the whole process from plan to posts and email. Emphasise the simple plan, the content calendar, and how you kept everything on-brand and on schedule.

For example, you could say:

C: In a previous role at a small retailer, I was asked to promote a weekend sale. I had one week to plan, create and schedule all the social content and an email newsletter using Adobe Creative Suite and Klaviyo.

A: I started by writing a simple plan with key messages, dates and channels. I built a small content calendar with two Instagram posts, one Facebook post, a reel and one email. Then I shot product photos and short in-store clips, and edited them in Lightroom and Premiere Pro so the colours and style matched our brand. In Photoshop, I added clear, on-brand text overlays, then built a matching email in Klaviyo using the same images and wording and scheduled everything.

R: All posts and the email went out on time and looked consistent across channels. The store saw higher website visits and footfall that weekend, and my manager said it felt much more joined up than previous campaigns.

Challenge question Can you describe a time when it was hard to adjust your content style for different channels and what you did to manage it?

How to aim this story at this question

Use the same sale campaign, but focus on how you adapted the same core content for Instagram, Facebook and email. Highlight how you tweaked format, text overlays and layout while keeping the look and message consistent.

For example, you could say:

C: At a small retailer, I had one week to promote a weekend sale across Instagram, Facebook and email. I needed each channel to feel right for its audience but still clearly part of one campaign.

A: I wrote a short plan that set one core message, then decided how it should look on each channel. For Instagram, I focused on strong product photos and a short reel, edited in Lightroom and Premiere Pro, with simple text overlays in Photoshop. For Facebook, I used fewer images but more detail in the caption, and for email in Klaviyo I reused the best images in a clean, easy-to-scan layout. I kept colours, fonts and wording consistent so everything felt like one joined up push.

R: The content felt tailored to each channel but clearly part of the same sale. Everything went out on time, and my manager said it was the most consistent cross-channel campaign we had run.

Future question If you joined us, how would you manage your content schedule to make sure videos, photos and emails are ready and sent on time?

How to aim this story at this question

Use the sale example as proof of how you already plan and schedule content. Then lightly link that approach to how you would do the same in their role, keeping the focus on planning, calendars and reusing assets.

For example, you could say:

C: In my last role at a small retailer, I had one week to promote a fixed-date weekend sale. I had to deliver videos, photos and an email newsletter on time using Adobe Creative Suite and Klaviyo.

A: I started with a simple content plan that listed key messages, channels and exact send dates. I turned that into a small content calendar, then blocked time for shooting, editing and building the email. I created photos and short clips, edited them so they matched the brand, and then reused those assets across Instagram, Facebook and the Klaviyo email. Finally, I scheduled all posts and the email in advance so nothing was last-minute.

R: Everything went out as planned and looked consistent across channels, which boosted traffic over the sale weekend. I would use the same clear planning, calendar and reuse approach in this role to keep content on track.

Criterion 2: Design & Brand Visual Execution

This is about making clear, tidy designs that feel like one brand. The hirer worries about messy layouts or wrong details that confuse customers or cause reprints.

Your core story (CAR)

Context: I was a designer for a local business running a seasonal promotion across its website and store. I had to create web banners, in-store signs and small price tickets that all matched the existing brand style. I used Adobe InDesign for layouts and Photoshop and Illustrator for image tweaks, with a three-day deadline and no room for price or date errors.

Action: I began by reviewing the brand guidelines for colours, fonts and logo use, and pulled recent examples to match tone. In InDesign, I built a master layout with the correct fonts, colour swatches and grid, then set up different page sizes for web, A3 posters and tickets using that structure. I cropped and adjusted product images in Photoshop, then placed them into the layouts, keeping strong hierarchy and white space so prices and offers were easy to read. Before exporting, I checked every price and date against the original spreadsheet, ran a spellcheck, and printed a draft to see how it looked at actual size. I then exported web banners at the right pixel sizes and print files with bleed, and clearly named and organised everything for the web and store teams.

Result: All the promotion materials looked consistent and on-brand, and the store team said customers found the signs easy to follow. There were no issues with wrong prices or dates, so there were no reprints or awkward till conversations. My manager later asked me to use the same master file approach on future campaigns because it kept quality high across many pieces.

How to reuse this story for different questions

Core question Tell me about a time when you designed visuals that followed an existing brand look and kept everything consistent.

How to aim this story at this question

Focus on how you used the brand guidelines and master layout to keep everything matching. Emphasise the consistent fonts, colours and structure across web banners, posters and tickets.

For example, you could say:

C: In a previous role, I designed a seasonal promotion for a local business across web and in-store. I had to create web banners, A3 posters and small price tickets that all matched the existing brand.

A: I started by carefully reviewing the brand guidelines and recent examples to match tone, fonts and colours. In Adobe InDesign, I built a master layout with the correct fonts, colour swatches and grid, then set up different page sizes that all used this structure. I adjusted product images in Photoshop and brought them into the layouts, keeping clear hierarchy and white space so the offer and price stood out.

R: All the materials looked consistent and on-brand, and the store team said everything felt very joined up. My manager later asked me to reuse that master file approach for future campaigns because it kept the brand look tight.

Challenge question Can you describe a time when you had to handle several design tasks at once and how you kept the quality high?

How to aim this story at this question

Highlight the tight three-day deadline and the different formats you handled together. Stress how the master layout, checks against the spreadsheet and test prints helped you keep quality and accuracy.

For example, you could say:

C: I once had three days to design a full seasonal promotion for a local business. This included web banners, in-store posters and lots of small price tickets all due at the same time.

A: To manage it, I set up a single master layout in InDesign with the right fonts, colours and grid, then created different sizes from that so I was not redesigning from scratch. I batch-prepared product images in Photoshop and dropped them into the layouts, keeping the same structure so everything stayed clear. Before exporting, I checked every price and date against the original spreadsheet and printed a draft to check readability at real size.

R: I delivered all pieces on time, and there were no issues with wrong prices or dates. The manager liked that the quality stayed high across all items, even under a tight deadline.

Future question If you joined us, how would you make sure your designs are clear and easy to read while staying on brand?

How to aim this story at this question

Use the past project as a model for your future approach. Explain that you would use brand guidelines, master layouts, white space and careful checks, just as you did for the seasonal promotion.

For example, you could say:

C: In my last role, I had to design a seasonal campaign across web and store while keeping everything on-brand. I would use a very similar approach if I joined you.

A: First, I would study your brand guidelines and recent examples to understand your tone, fonts and colour use. Then I would set up master layouts in InDesign with your styles built in, so every banner, poster or ticket starts from the same structure. I would keep key information like prices and offers large, use plenty of white space, and test at actual size to check readability.

R: Working this way has helped me produce clear, consistent designs with no price or date errors. It means your team can trust that what goes live will look on-brand and be easy for customers to understand.

Criterion 3: Taking and styling photos that sell furniture

This is about planning, shooting and editing furniture photos so they feel like real homes, not a warehouse. The hirer wants to see that you can style and light pieces so home lovers feel, “I can see that in my living room.”

Your core story (CAR)

Context: I was asked to photograph a small furniture collection for a website and a printed leaflet. The brief needed both clean product shots and lifestyle images that helped customers imagine the pieces in their homes. I had a basic camera, some simple props, a bright showroom corner, and used Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for editing.

Action: I planned a detailed shot list covering each item from key angles, plus group shots and two styled room scenes. For the product shots, I used a plain background and positioned each piece so its main features were clear, adjusting angles to avoid distortion and reflections. For the lifestyle images, I added props like cushions, throws, books and plants, moving them until the scenes felt balanced but not cluttered, and kept to colours that suited the brand.

I chose a time of day when the showroom corner was brightest and used reflectors to soften shadows on darker pieces. After the shoot, I imported everything into Lightroom, corrected exposure and white balance so colours were accurate, then used Photoshop to clean up marks on the floor and background and exported web and print-ready versions at the right sizes.

Result: The final images made the website look more polished and inviting, and the leaflet used them without extra retouching. The owner said the furniture looked more like a real home and less like a warehouse, and online engagement on that collection improved compared with older, flatter photos. I also set up a clear folder structure and naming system so the team could easily find and reuse the images later.

How to reuse this story for different questions

Core question Tell me about a time when you planned and took both product and lifestyle photos for a project.

How to aim this story at this question

Use this story to show you can plan a full shoot from brief to final files. Emphasise the mix of clean product shots, styled lifestyle images, and careful editing for web and print.

For example, you could say:

C: I was asked to photograph a small furniture collection for a website and printed leaflet. The brief needed both clean product shots and lifestyle images that helped customers imagine the pieces at home.

A: I planned a shot list that covered each item from key angles, plus group shots and two simple room scenes. For the product images, I used a plain background and positioned each piece so its main features were clear, adjusting angles to avoid distortion and reflections. For the lifestyle shots, I added props like cushions, throws and plants, and moved them until the scene felt balanced and on-brand. I shot in a bright corner of the showroom, timed for good natural light, and used reflectors to soften shadows. Afterwards I edited in Adobe Lightroom for exposure and colour accuracy, then used Photoshop to retouch backgrounds and export web and print versions.

R: The images gave the website a more polished, inviting feel, and the leaflet used them without extra retouching. The owner said the furniture looked more like a real home than a warehouse, and online engagement on that collection improved.

Challenge question Can you describe a time when it was difficult to style a scene so the furniture looked appealing and what you did to solve it?

How to aim this story at this question

Use the lifestyle part of this story and focus on the challenge of making a simple showroom corner feel like a real home. Highlight how you used props, light and careful composition to fix the problem.

For example, you could say:

C: I once had to create lifestyle photos for a small furniture collection using only a basic showroom corner. The brief was to help customers imagine the pieces in their homes, but the space felt quite bare at first.

A: I started with a shot list, then set up two room-style scenes using the available furniture. At first the scenes looked either too empty or too busy, so I experimented with props like books, throws and plants, moving them until the layout felt balanced but not cluttered. I kept to colours that matched the brand so the props supported the furniture instead of distracting from it. I also chose a time of day with softer natural light and used reflectors to lift shadows on darker pieces, which made the whole scene feel warmer.

R: The final lifestyle images felt much more like real living spaces, not just a showroom corner. The owner commented that the furniture suddenly looked like it belonged in a home, and those images were used across the website and leaflet without further changes.

Future question If you joined us, how would you approach taking and styling photos to help customers imagine furniture in their homes?

How to aim this story at this question

Answer in the future tense but base it on this past project. Explain you would repeat the same steps: clear brief, shot list, thoughtful styling, careful light, then consistent editing for accurate, inviting images.

For example, you could say:

C: I would approach it in a similar way to a furniture shoot I did for a website and leaflet. That project needed both clean product images and homely lifestyle scenes.

A: First, I would agree a clear brief and plan a shot list that covers key angles, details and any group or room scenes. On set, I would keep product shots simple, with clean backgrounds and angles that show features clearly. For lifestyle images, I would use props like cushions, books and plants to build believable rooms, keeping colours and styling in line with your brand. I would pay close attention to natural light and use simple tools like reflectors to keep the furniture looking warm and true to colour. After the shoot, I would edit in Lightroom for consistent exposure and colour, then finish in Photoshop and export web and print-ready files.

R: This approach helps customers see how the furniture could fit into their own homes, not just a studio. It also gives you a consistent set of images that work across your website, leaflets and future campaigns.

Bonus: “Something went wrong” story (CAR)

This is your gentle “something went wrong” example. It can be used for questions about mistakes, weaknesses, or how you handle difficulty. For the general questions later this will be woven into the answers.

Context: I created an email campaign for a promotion in Klaviyo, with matching social graphics designed in Photoshop. After the email was sent, a colleague spotted that one of the prices in the email banner did not match the website, which could confuse customers. The promotion was already live, so I needed to correct the mistake quickly and reduce the risk of it happening again.

Action: As soon as I heard about the issue, I checked the live email and compared it to the website and the original price list to confirm the error. I told my manager what had happened and suggested a fix, then updated the Photoshop file with the correct price and re-uploaded the image to Klaviyo. I sent a short follow-up email to the same list with a clear, friendly correction and made sure the social posts used the updated graphic. Afterwards, I reviewed my process and created a simple checklist that included a final price and date check against the master spreadsheet before exporting any graphics or scheduling emails.

Result: The quick correction meant customers had the right information, and there were no major complaints or refund issues. My manager appreciated that I was open about the mistake and focused on a solution rather than getting defensive. The new checklist helped me and the team avoid similar errors in later campaigns, and my accuracy improved on future projects.

Answers to the most common interview questions.

These answers reuse the same stories you just built and cover some of the most common interview questions you’re likely to be asked. The system has drawn on your CAR stories and your “what went wrong” story where helpful.

Core general questions and example answers

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your experience for this kind of role?

I am a creative who enjoys turning ideas into clear, practical content that helps customers. My main experience is in creating marketing materials like emails, social posts, web banners and in-store graphics for small retailers. I am confident using Adobe tools such as Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, and I have used Klaviyo for email campaigns. I like planning work in a structured way, so that designs stay on-brand and details like prices and dates are correct. This means I can take a brief from start to finish, from planning and photography through to final files and scheduling.

For example, I planned and delivered a full weekend sale campaign, including Instagram posts, a Facebook post, a reel and a Klaviyo email, all using shared images and wording so everything felt joined up. In another project, I created web banners, posters and price tickets for a seasonal promotion, building a master InDesign layout so all pieces matched the brand and there were no price or date errors. I have also photographed a furniture collection, styled the scenes, edited the images and prepared them for both web and print, which made the website and leaflet look more polished. Across these projects, my work helped increase engagement, reduce mistakes and save time for the team.

(Built from a mix of your stories.)

What would you say are your main strengths for this role?

My main strengths are attention to detail, consistent visual design and organised planning. I am careful with things like prices, dates, layouts and brand colours, and I like to set up clear structures so work is easier to reuse. I also enjoy making content feel joined up across channels, so customers see the same clear message in email, social and in-store. This reduces confusion, avoids errors and makes collaboration with others smoother.

For example, when I designed web banners, posters and price tickets for a seasonal promotion, I built a master InDesign layout with correct fonts, colours and grids, then checked every price and date against the spreadsheet and printed a draft to test it. This meant everything looked consistent and there were no reprints or awkward till conversations. In another role, I planned a weekend sale campaign with a simple content calendar, then reused the same images and wording across Instagram, Facebook and a Klaviyo email. This made the campaign feel more professional and saved time for the team because assets were consistent and easy to find.

(Built mainly from: Design & Brand Visual Execution.)

What is a development area or something you find difficult, and how are you working on it?

A development area for me has been checking small details like prices under time pressure. I can become very focused on the design and layout, and in the past I have not always left enough time for a final detailed check. I am working on this by building clear checklists and slowing myself down at the end of a project, even if the deadline feels tight. This has helped me reduce mistakes and feel more confident in my final work.

For example, I once created an email campaign in Klaviyo with matching social graphics in Photoshop, and after it was sent a colleague spotted that one price in the email banner did not match the website. I quickly checked the email against the website and price list, told my manager, updated the graphic and sent a short, clear correction email, and also fixed the social posts. Afterwards, I created a simple checklist that includes a final price and date check against the master spreadsheet before exporting or scheduling anything. Since then, my accuracy has improved on later campaigns, and the checklist has also helped the wider team avoid similar issues.

(Built mainly from your “something went wrong” story.)

Why are you interested in this role and working with our organisation?

I am interested in this role because it matches the work I enjoy most: creating clear, on-brand visuals and content that help customers understand products and offers. I like roles where I can use tools like Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom and email platforms to turn a brief into consistent designs across web, social and print. I also enjoy working with clear processes and brand guidelines, because they help me produce accurate work and support the wider team. Working with your organisation would let me build on this experience and contribute to campaigns that feel joined up and professional.

For example, in a previous role I planned and delivered a full weekend sale campaign, from content calendar to final Instagram posts, Facebook post, reel and Klaviyo email, all using shared assets so the message was consistent everywhere. In another project, I created web banners, in-store signs and price tickets for a seasonal promotion, carefully following brand guidelines and checking all prices and dates. Both times, my work helped increase engagement and avoid errors, and I would like to bring that same structured, detail-focused approach to your campaigns.

(Built from a mix of your stories.)

Can you tell me about a time when something went wrong and how you handled it?

There was a time when I created an email campaign for a promotion in Klaviyo, with matching social graphics in Photoshop, and one of the prices in the email banner was wrong. The email had already been sent and the promotion was live, so there was a risk of confusing customers. As soon as I heard about it, I checked the live email against the website and the original price list to confirm the error. I then focused on fixing it quickly and clearly, rather than getting defensive.

I told my manager what had happened and suggested a fix, then updated the Photoshop file with the correct price and re-uploaded the image to Klaviyo. I sent a short follow-up email to the same list with a clear, friendly correction and made sure the social posts used the updated graphic. This meant customers had the right information and there were no major complaints or refund issues. Afterwards, I created a simple checklist that includes a final price and date check before exporting any graphics or scheduling emails, which has improved my accuracy and helped the team avoid similar mistakes.

(Built mainly from your “something went wrong” story.)

How do you handle stress, for example when a deadline changes or the workload increases?

When things become stressful, I handle it by breaking the work into small, clear steps and setting priorities. I like to write a simple plan or checklist so I can see what must be done first and what can wait. If a deadline changes or the workload increases, I will often check in with my manager to confirm priorities and adjust the plan. This helps me stay calm, avoid mistakes and keep the quality of my work consistent.

For example, when I had one week to plan and create all the content for a weekend sale, I started by writing a simple plan with key messages, posting dates and channels. I turned this into a content calendar with specific tasks: two Instagram posts, one Facebook post, a short reel and one email. Then I worked through the list step by step, from taking photos and video to editing and scheduling. Because I had a clear structure, all the content went out on time, looked consistent and supported an increase in website visits and store footfall.

(Built mainly from: Creating videos, photos and emails for customers.)

Can you tell me about a time you had to manage several tasks or deadlines at once?

A good example is when I was asked to promote a weekend sale and had one week to plan, create and schedule all the social content and an email newsletter. I needed to produce two Instagram posts, one Facebook post, a short reel and one email, as well as take and edit photos and video. To manage this, I wrote a simple plan with key messages, posting dates and channels, and turned it into a content calendar. This helped me see the whole week at a glance and decide what to do each day.

I started by taking product photos and short in-store video clips, then edited them in Lightroom and Premiere Pro so they matched the brand. I added clear text overlays in Photoshop and then built a clean email in Klaviyo, reusing the same images and wording so everything felt consistent. By reusing assets and following the calendar, I could handle several tasks without losing track. As a result, all content went out on schedule, looked joined up across channels, and the store saw more website visits and footfall over the sale weekend.

(Built mainly from: Creating videos, photos and emails for customers.)

Can you tell me about a time you worked closely with someone else to get something done?

In my experience, good teamwork often means making your own work clear and easy for others to use. When I worked on a seasonal promotion for a local business, I had to create web banners, in-store signs and price tickets that the web and store teams would use. I made sure I understood their needs, such as correct sizes, clear pricing and easy-to-read layouts. I also organised files and naming so they could find what they needed quickly.

In that project, I reviewed the brand guidelines and then built a master layout in InDesign with the right fonts, colours and grids. I checked every price and date against the original spreadsheet, ran a spellcheck and printed a draft to see how it looked at actual size, before exporting web and print files with bleed. I then clearly named and organised everything for the web and store teams. Because of this, they could put the materials in place without changes, customers found the signs easy to follow, and there were no issues with wrong prices or dates, which made collaboration smoother for everyone.

(Built mainly from: Design & Brand Visual Execution.)

Can you give an example of how you learnt a new system or process and became confident using it?

A good example is learning to use Klaviyo for email campaigns alongside my existing design tools. At first, I focused on understanding the basic steps: building a template, adding images and text, setting links and scheduling. I learned by exploring the system, using simple test emails and checking how they looked on different devices. Over time, I added more structure to my process, which made me more confident and reduced errors.

For example, when I created a weekend sale campaign, I designed the images in Photoshop and then built a clean email in Klaviyo that reused the same assets and wording as the social posts. After a later campaign where a price error slipped through, I updated my process by adding a checklist step to compare prices and dates against the master spreadsheet before scheduling. This combination of practice, testing and process improvement meant my emails went out on time, matched the brand and contained accurate information, which made campaigns smoother for both customers and the team.

(Built from a mix of your stories.)

Can you tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or stakeholder, and how you resolved it?

I have not had many serious conflicts, but I have had small disagreements about details and how to handle mistakes. When this happens, I try to focus on the facts, the customer impact and the shared goal, rather than on who is right. I also find it helps to be open about my own part in the situation and suggest a practical next step. This keeps the conversation calm and solution-focused.

For example, when a colleague spotted a price error in an email banner after it was sent, there was a risk of frustration because the promotion was already live. I responded by checking the email against the website and price list, confirming the mistake and telling my manager what had happened. I suggested a clear fix, updated the graphic, sent a short correction email and made sure social posts were updated too. By focusing on correcting the problem and then improving the process with a checklist, we avoided major issues for customers and kept a good working relationship in the team.

(Built mainly from your “something went wrong” story.)

Questions you could ask them

Pick one or two of the following that feel natural and genuinely useful for you.

What would a typical week in this role look like?

How will you measure success in the first three to six months?

How does the team prefer to communicate and share updates?

What kind of support or onboarding do new starters receive?

Is there anything about the role or team that you wish candidates asked more about?

Interview Answer Pack

Creative Assistant

Step 1: Original Job Spec

Job Title: Creative Assistant

Overview

Responsibilities

Tools You’ll Use

What We’re Looking For

Benefits

Key Application Questions

What this job is actually asking for

What this really means

What the hirer is nervous about

What to show in your stories

What this really means

What the hirer is nervous about

What to show in your stories

What this really means

What the hirer is nervous about

What to show in your stories

This page takes your core stories and shows you how to reuse them.

Core questions and answers for each criterion

Criterion 1: Creating videos, photos and emails for customers

Your core story (CAR)

How to reuse this story for different questions

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

Criterion 2: Design & Brand Visual Execution

Your core story (CAR)

How to reuse this story for different questions

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

Criterion 3: Taking and styling photos that sell furniture

Your core story (CAR)

How to reuse this story for different questions

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

How to aim this story at this question

For example, you could say:

Bonus: “Something went wrong” story (CAR)

Answers to the most common interview questions.

Core general questions and example answers

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your experience for this kind of role?

What would you say are your main strengths for this role?

What is a development area or something you find difficult, and how are you working on it?

Why are you interested in this role and working with our organisation?

Can you tell me about a time when something went wrong and how you handled it?

How do you handle stress, for example when a deadline changes or the workload increases?

Can you tell me about a time you had to manage several tasks or deadlines at once?

Can you tell me about a time you worked closely with someone else to get something done?

Can you give an example of how you learnt a new system or process and became confident using it?

Can you tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or stakeholder, and how you resolved it?

Questions you could ask them