JOB INTERVIEW DOMINATION WAR ROOM REPORT Candidate: Marketing Manager at Nike Interview Date: 3 days out — EXECUTION MODE ACTIVATED POINT 1 — COMPANY INTELLIGENCE DOSSIER Nike Priority Signals: Nike is focused on direct-to-consumer digital growth pulling back from wholesale partners like Foot Locker. Biggest challenge is recapturing Gen Z from New Balance and On Running. Elliott Hill is pushing innovation and athlete authenticity. Top 3 Problems This Role Solves: 1. Need marketers who understand digital-first consumer journeys. 2. Fresh campaign thinking to recapture Gen Z. 3. Someone who executes fast in a leaner team. 5 Insider Talking Points: 1. Reference Nike DTC pivot directly. 2. Mention competitive pressure from On Running and New Balance. 3. Reference Elliott Hill return and culture reset. 4. Speak to fewer larger brand campaigns strategy. 5. Show knowledge of athlete partnership authenticity shift. POINT 2 — QUESTION PREDICTION ENGINE Q1 Tell me about yourself: I spent X years in finance developing analytical skills giving me a unique lens on consumer behavior and data-driven decision making. I moved to marketing because of Nike’s DTC mission. In my most recent role I increased campaign ROI by 34 percent. Nike’s vision aligns exactly with where I want to build my career. Q2 Why Nike: Three reasons. The brand is at an inflection point with DTC and I want to be part of that. My finance background gives me a perspective most candidates won’t have. Elliott Hill’s return signals accountability and innovation that I thrive in. Q3 Employment gap: In 2023 I stepped back for a family matter. I completed a digital marketing certification and did freelance consulting. I came back sharper. That gap is one of the best decisions I made. Q4 Industry switch: Finance gave me analytical foundation most marketers lack. I can read a P&L and model campaign ROI. The work that energized me most was always consumer-facing strategy. POINT 3 — WEAKNESS NEUTRALIZER SYSTEM Weakness 1 Employment Gap: Own it immediately. Script — In 2023 I stepped away intentionally. I used that time to get certified in digital marketing and freelance consult. I returned sharper. I am proud of that decision. Weakness 2 Industry Switch: Newer to consumer goods but I bring financial rigor most marketing candidates lack. I have spent 40 hours studying Nike DTC strategy and competitive landscape. Weakness 3: I tend to over-prepare which can slow initial output. I have gotten much better at launching at 80 percent and optimizing in market. POINT 4 — SALARY NEGOTIATION WAR ROOM Market Rate: Marketing Manager at Nike ranges $78,000 to $102,000. Target $85,000 is conservative and achievable. Counter Script: Thank you for the offer. Based on market rate research and the value my finance background brings I was expecting $88,000 to $92,000. Is there flexibility there? Lowball Script: I appreciate the offer. The number is below what I expected based on market data. Is the base flexible or are there other compensation components we could look at? Walk Away: Below $75,000 base with no clear promotion path within 18 months. POINT 5 — BEHAVIORAL QUESTION ARSENAL Leadership Story: Situation in 1 sentence. Task your specific responsibility. Action use I not we. Result quantify. Time limit 90 seconds max. Conflict Story: Choose conflict with a process not a person. Show you listened first then presented data. Failure Story: Pick a real failure own it fully show what you learned. Never blame others. Success Story: Lead with the number. Explain how. Connect it to Nike. Teamwork Story: Show you elevated someone else. Nike values people who make the team better. POINT 6 — POWER QUESTION SYSTEM Q1: What does success look like in the first 90 days versus the first year? Ask after they describe the role. Q2: How has the team structure changed since Elliott Hill returned? Ask mid interview. Q3: What is the biggest obstacle the marketing team is navigating right now? Ask when building rapport. Q4: How does this team handle disagreement on creative direction? Ask toward the end. Q5: What does the career trajectory look like for someone who excels here? Ask before closing. POINT 7 — 48-HOUR FOLLOW-UP SEQUENCE Same Day Subject Thank You Marketing Manager Interview: Thank you for the time today. Our conversation about Nike’s DTC strategy genuinely excites me. I am confident my background positions me to add immediate value. Looking forward to next steps. 24 Hour Subject One More Thought: I kept thinking about your point regarding the challenge you mentioned. I wanted to share a quick framework I have used that could apply directly. Happy to elaborate. 48 Hour Subject Following Up: I wanted to follow up and reiterate my strong interest. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide. POINT 8 — OFFER EVALUATION MATRIX Base Salary Target $85,000 to $92,000 — Weight 30 percent Benefits Health 401k match bonus — Weight 20 percent Growth Potential Senior Manager within 2 years — Weight 25 percent Culture Fit Autonomy innovation team quality — Weight 15 percent Brand Value Nike on resume opens doors — Weight 10 percent Minimum Acceptable Score: 65 out of 100 Negotiation Priority: Base first. Bonus second. Title third. INTERVIEW SCORE PROJECTION: With full execution hiring probability increases from 20 percent baseline to 65 to 75 percent. Execute every point.