How do you handle negative comments or feedback on social media?
Theme: Crisis Management Role: Social Media Manager Function: Marketing
Interview Question for Social Media Manager: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Social Media Manager: Manages social media platforms and creates engaging content. This role falls within the Marketing function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Crisis Management with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Monitoring & Responding: I regularly monitor social media platforms for any negative comments or feedback
- Understanding the Concern: I take the time to understand the specific concern or issue raised by the comment or feedback
- Remaining Calm & Professional: I always respond to negative comments or feedback in a calm and professional manner
- Acknowledging the Feedback: I acknowledge the feedback and let the person know that their concerns have been heard
- Offering Solutions or Assistance: I provide possible solutions or offer assistance to address the issue raised
- Taking the Conversation Offline: If necessary, I suggest taking the conversation offline to resolve the matter privately
- Apologizing & Taking Responsibility: If the negative comment or feedback is valid, I apologize and take responsibility for any mistakes or shortcomings
- Educating & Informing: I use negative comments or feedback as an opportunity to educate and inform the audience about the brand or product
- Monitoring & Analyzing Trends: I monitor and analyze trends in negative comments or feedback to identify recurring issues and address them proactively
- Learning & Improving: I see negative comments or feedback as a chance to learn and improve the brand's social media strategy
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Conflict resolution skills: Assessing how well you handle and resolve conflicts in a professional manner
- Customer service orientation: Evaluating your ability to provide excellent customer service and address customer concerns effectively
- Crisis management: Determining your capability to handle and mitigate potential crises or negative situations on social media platforms
- Adaptability: Assessing your flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations and respond appropriately to negative comments or feedback
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Defensiveness: Avoid becoming defensive or argumentative when addressing negative comments or feedback. It shows an inability to handle criticism and may indicate a lack of professionalism
- Ignoring or deleting comments: Avoid ignoring or deleting negative comments as it can be seen as an attempt to hide or suppress feedback. It is important to address and respond to all comments, even if they are negative
- Lack of empathy: Avoid showing a lack of empathy towards the person leaving negative feedback. It is important to acknowledge their concerns and demonstrate understanding
- Inconsistent or inappropriate responses: Avoid providing inconsistent or inappropriate responses to negative comments. It is crucial to maintain a consistent and professional tone while addressing concerns
- Blaming others: Avoid blaming others or deflecting responsibility when responding to negative comments. Take ownership of any mistakes or issues and provide a solution or explanation
- Lack of problem-solving skills: Avoid showing a lack of problem-solving skills when addressing negative comments. Employers want to see that you can handle challenges and find solutions to resolve issues
- Inability to learn from feedback: Avoid demonstrating an inability to learn from feedback. Show that you value feedback and use it to improve your strategies and approach in the future