Hiring a Publication Director: Publisher Guide for Conducting the Interview

Prioritize candidates who demonstrate strong organization, deadline management, client communication, and problem-solving skills. Watch for red flags such as poor time management, lack of initiative, weak leadership, or inability to handle multiple priorities. If the candidate is a strong fit, discuss the next steps for training and onboarding.

Introduction & Overview Script

Hello [Candidate Name],

Thank you for your interest in the Publication Director position for [Publication Name] City Lifestyle! I’d love to give you a better understanding of what City Lifestyle is and what your day-to-day as a Publication Director will look like.

City Lifestyle is a franchise business with over 200+ publications across the U.S. As a local publisher, I focus on running and growing [Publication Name], and I rely on a great team—including a Publication Director—to help ensure smooth operations and client satisfaction.

Your Role as a Publication Director

As a Publication Director, your main responsibilities will include:

• Client Onboarding – Ensure new advertisers understand deadlines, submission guidelines, and the customer portal.
• Ad List Management – Track ad placements, monitor deadlines, and communicate with clients to ensure all materials are submitted correctly and on time.
• Operations & Organization – Manage workflow, deadlines, and client interactions to keep the publication running smoothly.
• Support Publisher & Sales Efforts – Assist with customer retention, renewals, and identifying new opportunities for business growth.
• Deadline & Production Management – Work within our set production cycle to ensure a smooth handoff of materials to the corporate team.

I’d love to hear about your experience and how you see yourself fitting into this role. Let’s start with a few questions…

Interview Questions

Experience & Organizational Skills

1. Question: This role involves managing multiple deadlines and keeping clients on track. Do you have experience with deadline management and organizing projects?
   1. Desired Response: Organized, strong time management, experience with scheduling, CRM tools, checklists, or spreadsheets.
   2. Red Flag Response: No clear structure for staying organized, last-minute approach, overwhelmed by deadlines.
2. Question: How do you track and follow up with clients to ensure they meet deadlines?
   1. Desired Response: Uses reminders, follow-ups, and structured systems to ensure compliance. Communicates proactively.
   2. Red Flag Response: No system in place, forgets to follow up, expects clients to remember deadlines on their own.

Client Communication & Problem-Solving

1. Question: How would you handle a client who consistently misses deadlines?
   1. Desired Response: Firm but solution-oriented approach, offers deadline reminders, suggests pre-submission plans, escalates if necessary. 
   2. Red Flag Response: Avoids conflict, lets clients miss deadlines without intervention, blames clients instead of finding solutions.
2. Question: A client uploads the wrong ad file just before the deadline—what do you do?
   1. Desired Response: Quickly notifies the client, provides clear instructions to fix the issue, and ensures a resolution before the deadline.
   2. Red Flag Response: Ignores the issue, blames the client, or fails to take timely action.

Attention to Detail & Ad List Management

1. Question: How would you keep track of multiple ad placements, sizes, and deadlines for different clients?
   1. Desired Response: Mentions using tracking tools, spreadsheets, or software. Understand the importance of accuracy.
   2. Red Flag Response: No clear system, relies only on memory, struggles with details.
2. Question: A client’s ad is missing key details and doesn’t meet specs. How would you handle it?
   1. Desired Response: Quickly notifies the client, explains what’s needed, offers guidance for corrections, and follows up before the deadline.
   2. Red Flag Response: Lets the issue go unresolved, doesn’t review ad specs, lacks attention to detail.

Qualifications & Commitment

1. Question: Do you live within 15-30 miles of the publication city?
   1. Required Response: Yes
   2. Red Flag Response: No (Does not meet location requirements.)
2. Question: This role requires approximately 40 hours per month. Do you have the time to commit?
   1. Desired Response: Yes (Clearly states availability)
   2. Red Flag Response: No (May struggle with deadlines.)

Community Engagement & Future Goals

1. Question: How familiar are you with the local businesses and community?

   1. Desired Response: Active in community, familiar with local businesses, has relationships with potential advertisers.
   2. Red Flag Response: No local involvement, unfamiliar with the area.
2. Question: What are your 3-5 year professional goals?
   1. Desired Response: Interested in business, marketing, operations, or publishing growth.
   2. Red Flag Response: No long-term interest, sees the job as temporary.

Closing Questions

1. Question: Do you have any additional questions for us?
   1. Desired Response: Asks about next steps, training, or workflow. Shows curiosity about growth.
   2. Red Flag Response: No questions, low engagement, unclear understanding of the role.