Interview Process Overview for Senior Copywriter at MasterClass

If you’re preparing for the Senior Copywriter position at MasterClass, here’s a comprehensive guide based on my experience and feedback from others who have gone through the interview process for this role. The interview process typically assesses both your creative writing skills, ability to communicate effectively, and your fit within the MasterClass brand. Below is an overview of the interview stages, the types of questions you can expect, and tips on how to succeed.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Senior Copywriter position at MasterClass generally consists of several stages: a recruiter call, portfolio review, writing exercises, and interviews with senior leaders from the creative team. The process is designed to evaluate your creative skills, writing style, ability to work cross-functionally, and how well you align with MasterClass’s high standards for written content.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The first stage of the interview process typically involves a screening call with a recruiter. This call lasts around 30-45 minutes and is aimed at assessing your fit for the role, as well as understanding your experience, skills, and motivation for applying to MasterClass.

Typical Questions:

• “Can you tell me about your background as a copywriter and how it relates to the work MasterClass does?”
• “Why are you interested in working at MasterClass, specifically as a Senior Copywriter?”
• “What is your approach to creating compelling copy, especially for a brand with a premium image like MasterClass?”
• “How do you ensure your writing aligns with a brand’s tone and voice?”

During this call, the recruiter will also explain the position in detail and provide insight into the expectations for the role, as well as the company’s culture.

2. Portfolio Review

After the recruiter call, the next step is typically a portfolio review. MasterClass will want to see your portfolio to evaluate your writing style, versatility, and creative direction. This is a key stage in the process as your ability to communicate effectively through writing is crucial for the role.

Portfolio Tips:

• Showcase your best work: Make sure your portfolio includes a range of pieces that demonstrate your creativity, versatility, and understanding of different types of writing (e.g., long-form content, product descriptions, email campaigns, advertising copy).
• Highlight relevant experience: Focus on projects that align with MasterClass’s tone—premium, sophisticated, yet approachable. Include examples of writing for brands that value quality content or any educational projects.
• Emphasize storytelling: MasterClass values storytelling, so ensure that your portfolio highlights how you craft compelling narratives, whether in short-form copy or long-form content.
• Include collaborations: Since MasterClass often works with teams, be sure to showcase projects where you collaborated with designers, marketers, or product managers to create cohesive content.

During this stage, the interviewer will assess your ability to write in different tones, your creativity, and whether your work aligns with the high-quality content MasterClass is known for.

3. Writing Exercise

For the Senior Copywriter role, it is very common to be asked to complete a writing exercise. This task typically evaluates your ability to write under pressure, follow creative briefs, and meet the specific demands of a project while adhering to the brand’s tone.

Sample Writing Exercise:

• “Write a short piece of promotional copy for a new MasterClass course. The tone should reflect the brand’s premium nature while being inspiring and approachable.”
• “You are tasked with writing a tagline for a campaign. The product is related to learning or personal growth. What messaging would you use to capture the attention of MasterClass’s target audience?”
• “Create a description for a course in a series that introduces users to a new skill. Keep it compelling, concise, and aligned with the brand’s ethos.”

When completing this exercise, focus on:

• Clarity and conciseness: MasterClass values clear, direct messaging that conveys the benefits of learning while maintaining a high level of sophistication.
• Brand voice: Make sure your writing reflects MasterClass’s tone—authoritative yet welcoming, inspiring yet grounded in expertise.
• Creativity: Use creative storytelling techniques, even in shorter pieces. MasterClass emphasizes the power of storytelling, so think about how to make even promotional content feel like a part of a larger narrative.

This exercise is your chance to demonstrate your creativity, flexibility, and alignment with the brand’s high standards.

4. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview assesses how well you collaborate with others and fit within the MasterClass culture. Since MasterClass is a fast-paced, high-performance company, they want to ensure that you can handle feedback, collaborate with diverse teams, and manage multiple projects efficiently.

Sample Behavioral Questions:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to write for a brand with a very specific voice. How did you adapt your style to match it?”
• “Describe a situation where you received critical feedback on a piece of your work. How did you handle it and what changes did you make?”
• “How do you prioritize projects when you’re juggling multiple deadlines?”
• “Can you tell us about a time when you worked with designers or marketers to create content that aligned with a brand’s visual and messaging guidelines?”

This stage evaluates how well you manage your workload, how you handle feedback, and how you approach collaboration in a team environment. Being open to critique and maintaining high standards under pressure is important in this role.

5. Final Interview with Senior Leadership

The final stage often involves meeting with senior leadership or executives. This interview is strategic and assesses whether you are a good fit for the long-term vision of the creative team and MasterClass overall. You’ll likely discuss your leadership approach, your vision for the role, and how you contribute to the company’s creative direction.

Sample Leadership Questions:

• “What do you think is the most important factor in creating successful copy for MasterClass? How would you influence and mentor junior writers on the team?”
• “How do you balance creativity with the business objectives when writing promotional or marketing copy?”
• “Where do you see opportunities for growth in the MasterClass copywriting team, and how would you contribute to that growth?”

This stage assesses your ability to think strategically, your leadership qualities, and how well you align with MasterClass’s mission and values.

Key Skills and Tools for Success

To succeed in the Senior Copywriter interview at MasterClass, you should focus on the following:

• Writing Skills: Strong writing skills across various formats (e.g., long-form, short-form, digital content, video scripts).
• Brand Voice: Ability to write in a distinctive voice that aligns with MasterClass’s premium, sophisticated, yet approachable tone.
• Creativity: Think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the table. MasterClass values innovative approaches to writing that elevate its brand.
• Collaboration: Experience working cross-functionally with designers, marketers, and other teams to produce cohesive, impactful content.
• Time Management: Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring that every piece of copy is polished, accurate, and aligned with brand guidelines.

Final Tips for Preparation

• Refine Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant experience, particularly in writing for premium brands or educational content. Show versatility in different types of writing.
• Prepare for Writing Tests: Practice writing copy that aligns with MasterClass’s tone. Be ready to demonstrate how you would write for a variety of audiences.
• Know MasterClass’s Brand: Familiarize yourself with the company’s educational content, marketing campaigns, and tone. Understanding their messaging and target audience is critical for the interview.
• Showcase Your Leadership Skills: If you’ve managed teams of writers or collaborated with other departments, be sure to highlight those experiences during the interview.