Dakno Marketing Interview Questions
& Process

A day after submitting my portfolio and resume to Dakno, I got an email for an interview the very next day. I was expecting to meet some formal marketing people, but instead, I met the CEO and Creative Director, and they were super friendly. The interview was all about my work and me as a person. They really cared about if I'd be a good fit for their company culture and if I had the skills for the job. A big part was going over my portfolio. They were really direct and honest about my work, which was different from the usual strength/weakness talk, and I actually found it helpful for my own creative growth. It seemed like they cared about growing their company and also about my long-term success and development. Even though it was an entry-level role, they listened to my creative ideas and treated me like a colleague. That's really important to me when looking for an agency, and Dakno seemed like they really offer a place that's inspiring, challenging, and fun to work at.

I had applied for a job on Dakno's website over a year ago after meeting them at a real estate marketing event. A year later, they reached out to see if I was interested in a different role. I sent my resume and was immediately called for an interview with the CEO. The CEO, Brad, was easy to talk to and focused on whether I'd be a good fit for the company culture, emphasizing long-term commitment and growth over just a job. I appreciated his honesty about his reservations and that he gave me a chance to explain why I'd be a good fit. A week after that 1:1 interview, I had a phone interview with the CEO, Director of Operations, and Executive Assistant. This was similar to the first interview but allowed me to meet more staff and learn more about the company. It helped me see if I was comfortable with the team and if they thought I'd be a good fit. Despite being nervous, Dakno's open communication throughout the process put me at ease. I could share how I stood out and have honest conversations about potential fits and challenges. The company's clear direction, growth, and focus on hiring motivated people were impressive, as was their apparent high retention and employee satisfaction. I felt respected and valued at every step, leading me to accept the offer without hesitation.

It was one of the worst interviews ever. First, I had to do a grammar quiz on stuff like their/they're/there. Then, I had an in-person interview with the CEO and two marketing managers. The CEO hadn't even looked at my resume or writing samples, but decided I couldn't do the job. A marketing manager had to point out that my samples showed I could write, but the CEO hadn't reviewed them. He then told the manager he didn't like me, right in front of me, and asked if I could write like another applicant whose cover letter he pulled up. It felt disrespectful and unprofessional, especially from the company's top person. It felt like the decision was made before I even got there. The CEO then asked me to write a sample pitching a neighborhood. I emailed it to the marketing manager I'd been talking to, and got an offer two days later. I couldn't work for someone who disrespected me like that. The CEO also bad-mouthed another copywriter to me during the interview.

I had a 30 minute phone screening first where we talked about my technical aptitude and the technologies I've used. Then, about two weeks later, I came in for an in-person interview. I met with Brad, who is the CEO, and Philip, the Development manager. It was an hour long and was mostly about seeing if I'd fit in with the team culture, rather than testing my technical skills.