How to Hire a Google Ads Manager: Insights, Skills, and a Step-by-Step Guide

As a hiring manager, you might find yourself searching for a Google Ads Manager who can enhance your company's digital marketing efforts and drive significant results. The right candidate should bring a strategic approach, a robust understanding of Google Ads, and the ability to manage budgets effectively. However, many companies often overlook the importance of aligning the candidate's skills with their specific business goals, leading to mismatched expectations.

In this article, we break down the Google Ads Manager hiring process, covering key skills, qualifications, and interview structures to help you find the best fit for your company. Explore various platforms to recruit talented individuals, and learn how to use skills tests like the Google Ads Test to screen candidates effectively.

Table of contents

Why Hire a Google Ads Manager?

A Google Ads Manager can solve critical advertising challenges your business might be facing. For instance, if your current campaigns are underperforming or you're struggling to reach your target audience effectively, a dedicated manager can optimize your strategy and improve ROI.

Consider hiring a Google Ads Manager when:

• Your ad spend is increasing but results aren't improving
• You need to scale your advertising efforts across multiple platforms
• You want to leverage advanced features like automated bidding and audience targeting

If you're unsure about committing to a full-time hire, start with a Google Ads assessment test to evaluate potential candidates. This can help you gauge the skills needed and decide whether to bring someone on board or work with a consultant initially.

Google Ads Manager Hiring Process

The hiring process for a Google Ads Manager typically spans 4-6 weeks. Here's a quick overview of the timeline and steps involved:

1. Post a well-crafted job description on relevant job boards
2. Review resumes and applications (1-2 weeks)
3. Conduct initial screening assessments to evaluate skills (1 week)
4. Schedule and conduct interviews (1-2 weeks)
5. Make a job offer to the best candidate

Each stage requires careful consideration to ensure you find the right fit for your team. In the following sections, we'll dive deeper into these steps, providing checklists and helpful resources for a smooth hiring process.

Key Skills and Qualifications for a Google Ads Manager

Hiring a Google Ads Manager can be challenging, especially when defining the ideal candidate profile. What one company views as essential might be merely a nice-to-have for another, making it crucial to understand the specific needs of your business.

It's important to distinguish between required and preferred qualifications. Required skills are must-haves for a candidate to be considered, while preferred skills can enhance a candidate's profile but aren't mandatory.

Top Platforms to Hire Google Ads Managers

Once you've crafted a compelling job description for your Google Ads Manager role, the next step is to list it on various job platforms to attract the right candidates. Leveraging popular job listing sites ensures your vacancy reaches a wide audience, increasing the chances of finding the ideal candidate for your requirements.

LinkedIn Jobs

Ideal for professional full-time positions. Allows targeting based on skills, experience, and location. Provides access to a large pool of qualified candidates.

Indeed

Versatile platform for all job types. Offers a wide reach and allows detailed job descriptions. Good for attracting a diverse range of candidates.

Upwork

Excellent for hiring freelance Google Ads Managers. Provides access to a global talent pool with various expertise levels. Ideal for project-based work.

Beyond the initial platforms, consider options like Fiverr for gig-based projects or Glassdoor to attract candidates informed about company culture and benefits. FlexJobs serves well for remote positions, whereas Toptal targets elite freelancers. Guru provides a range of specialized freelancers, and Craigslist helps with local hiring. Finally, AngelList is perfect for startups seeking innovative talent. For a better insight into this hiring process, you might want to explore more on recruitment strategies.

Keywords to Look for in Google Ads Manager Resumes

Resume screening is a key step in finding the right Google Ads Manager. It helps you quickly identify candidates with the most relevant skills and experience before moving to interviews.

When manually screening resumes, focus on primary keywords like 'Google Ads', 'PPC', and 'campaign management'. Look for specific metrics, certifications, and experience with tools like Google Analytics. This approach helps you shortlist candidates efficiently.

Using AI tools can speed up your resume screening process. You can input your desired keywords and criteria, then let the AI analyze and rank candidates based on their resumes. This saves time and ensures consistency in your initial screening.

Here's a sample prompt for AI-assisted resume screening:

TASK: Screen resumes for Google Ads Manager role

INPUT: Resumes

OUTPUT: For each resume, provide:
- Email id
- Name
- Matching keywords
- Score (out of 10)
- Recommendation
- Shortlist (Yes, No, or Maybe)

KEYWORDS:
- Google Ads management
- PPC experience
- Campaign optimization
- Conversion tracking
- A/B testing
- Analytics and reporting

Customize this prompt based on your specific requirements for the Google Ads Manager role.

Recommended Skills Tests to Screen Google Ads Managers

When hiring a Google Ads Manager, using skills tests helps ensure you find candidates with the right expertise to navigate the complexities of online advertising. These tests provide a straightforward way to assess practical skills, complementing resume and interview evaluations. Here are our top recommendations:

Google Ads Test: This test evaluates a candidate's proficiency with Google Ads, covering campaign setup, keyword research, and performance analysis. It's an excellent way to confirm their hands-on experience with the platform.

PPC Advertising Test: Assess your candidates' knowledge in pay-per-click advertising strategies with this test. It ensures they understand bid strategies and can manage budgets effectively.

Digital Marketing Test: A broader assessment, this test gauges a candidate’s overall digital marketing skills, including SEO and content marketing, to ensure a rounded understanding of digital campaigns.

Google Analytics Test: Understanding data is crucial for any Google Ads Manager. This test assesses their ability to analyze and interpret data to improve ad performance.

Growth Marketing Test: Evaluate if candidates can drive scalable marketing strategies. This test looks beyond traditional methods to explore growth hacking techniques.

How to structure interview stage for hiring Google Ads Managers

Once candidates have passed the initial skills tests, it's time to bring them into a technical interview to further explore their hard skills. Skills tests are perfect for filtering out unfit candidates, but they don't always pinpoint the best match for the role. Technical interviews are a crucial step to evaluate the candidate’s deep understanding of Google Ads management and their ability to handle real-world challenges.

Here are some interview questions to consider: 1. How do you stay updated with the latest Google Ads features? This question assesses continuous learning and adaptability. 2. Can you describe a successful Google Ads campaign you managed and the outcome? This reveals practical experience and results orientation. 3. How do you approach keyword selection and bidding strategies? This examines their strategic thinking and knowledge of Google Ads. 4. Explain how you use Google Analytics to optimize ad performance. This question checks their analytical skills. 5. What steps do you take to ensure compliance with Google Ads policies? This ensures they prioritize adherence to standards.

What's the difference between a Google Ads Manager and a Google Ads Specialist?

Google Ads Manager and Google Ads Specialist roles often get mixed up because they're both integral to the success of online advertising campaigns. However, they differ significantly in terms of focus and responsibilities.

A Google Ads Manager is generally at a mid to senior level, tasked with developing overall advertising strategies and managing teams. They are responsible for overseeing large budgets, making strategic decisions, and reporting directly to upper management. Key skills include leadership and strategic planning, and they commonly use tools like Google Ads, Analytics, and CRM platforms.

In contrast, a Google Ads Specialist usually works at an entry to mid-level. They focus on implementing campaigns and analyzing performance, making tactical decisions on specific campaign budgets. Their role requires strong analytical and technical skills, using tools such as Google Ads, Keyword Planner, and Analytics. Specialists typically report to an Ads Manager or a similar role.

For recruiters looking to hire the right person for the job, understanding these differences is crucial. You can explore role-specific tests to better evaluate candidates for these positions.

What are the ranks of Google Ads Managers?

Many organizations struggle to differentiate between various Google Ads roles. Understanding the hierarchy can help recruiters and hiring managers identify the right talent for their specific needs.

1. Google Ads Specialist: This entry-level position focuses on day-to-day campaign management. They handle tasks like keyword research, ad creation, and basic optimization.

2. Google Ads Manager: A step up from specialists, managers oversee multiple campaigns and team members. They develop strategies, set budgets, and report on performance to stakeholders.

3. Senior Google Ads Manager: These professionals have extensive experience and often lead larger teams. They're responsible for high-level strategy, complex optimizations, and client relationships.

4. Google Ads Director: At the top of the hierarchy, directors shape the overall Google Ads strategy for an organization. They manage budgets, set KPIs, and coordinate with other marketing departments.

When hiring for these positions, it's crucial to assess candidates' skills thoroughly. Consider using Google Ads interview questions to evaluate their expertise and ensure they're the right fit for your team's needs.

Hire the Right Google Ads Manager for Your Needs

In this blog post, we've discussed the importance of hiring a Google Ads Manager, the hiring process, key skills and qualifications to look for, and how to structure the interview stage. We've also touched on the differences between a Google Ads Manager and a Google Ads Specialist, and the career ranks within this field.

The most important takeaway is to ensure that you use accurate job descriptions and skills tests to make the hiring process precise. Utilizing tools like the Google Ads Test can help you screen candidates effectively. Remember, a well-structured hiring process ensures you find the right fit for your organization.

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