To succeed in the Interdependence interview process, you must demonstrate a strong command of public relations fundamentals, excellent communication skills, and a clear understanding of the agency model. Preparation should focus on showcasing your past media wins and proving you can handle the fast-paced nature of client work.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must show a deep understanding of media relations, press release drafting, and client-specific industries. Be prepared to talk about your existing journalist relationships and how you navigate different media sectors.

Problem-Solving & Agility – Agency life requires constant prioritization. You will be evaluated on how you manage multiple client accounts, handle tight deadlines, and adapt when a media campaign does not go as planned.

Written Communication – Because writing is a core deliverable for an Account Executive, you must demonstrate exceptional writing skills. This includes the ability to craft concise, persuasive pitches and error-free press releases.

The interview process at Interdependence is structured to evaluate both your practical skills and your cultural fit within a remote agency environment. While the process is relatively straightforward, it requires candidates to be highly responsive and prepared for practical skills testing.

The journey typically begins with an HR phone screening to assess your background, career goals, and interest in the agency. Following a successful screen, you will move to a hiring manager interview, which focuses on your specific domain expertise (such as B2B Tech or Consumer PR) and your client management experience. For some senior or specialized roles, a second round with team leaders or directors may be required to dive deeper into your strategy and pitching style.

A distinctive and critical component of the Interdependence process is a timed, proctored writing assessment. This test is designed to evaluate your ability to write high-quality press releases or media pitches under pressure.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from your initial application to the final offer stage. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they allocate ample time to practice timed writing exercises before reaching the assessment stage. Be aware that internal scheduling can sometimes cause delays between rounds, so maintaining polite, consistent follow-up is highly recommended.

Client Management & Industry Alignment

At Interdependence, you are expected to hit the ground running with your assigned clients. Interviewers will closely evaluate your interest in and knowledge of the specific industries you will be supporting, whether that is Health & Lifestyle, B2B Tech, or SEO.

Be ready to go over:

• Client retention strategies – How you keep clients engaged, satisfied, and confident in the agency's value.
• Industry-specific trends – Your knowledge of the current news cycle and key media outlets in your target niche.
• Managing difficult conversations – How you deliver tough news to a client, such as a missed placement or a delayed campaign launch.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Online Reputation Management (ORM) crisis frameworks, technical SEO sales methodologies, and executive positioning strategies.

Example scenarios:

• "A client in the B2B Tech space insists on pitching a product update that has very little news value. How do you guide them toward a more pitchable angle?"
• "Describe how you would onboard a new Health & Lifestyle client and establish trust within the first 30 days."

Writing & Editorial Rigor

Your writing is the primary tool you will use to capture media attention. The timed writing assessment is highly influential in the hiring decision, testing your speed, clarity, and persuasive ability.

Be ready to go over:

• Pitch structure – Writing short, hook-heavy pitches that busy journalists will actually read.
• Press release formatting – Mastering AP style, writing strong headlines, and structuring information using the inverted pyramid.
• Tone adaptation – Shifting seamlessly between a professional corporate tone and a lively consumer-facing voice.

Example scenarios:

• "Drafting a 200-word pitch based on a dense, technical product brief."
• "Correcting common AP style and grammatical errors in a sample press release under a strict time limit."