The Interview Question That Stumped Me: “How Do You Know You Have Taste?”

I was once in a job interview for a marketing role when the VP leaned in and asked:

“How do you define taste—and how do you know you have it?”

It genuinely threw me. Not because I didn’t have thoughts on it, but because I’d never put language to something so instinctual. I’ve built a career in branding, design, and strategy - taste is part of the job. It’s baked into every campaign, every layout, every sentence. But I’d never been asked to define it, let alone defend my own.

Of course, I think I have taste. Who doesn’t? But what does that mean, really?

Looking back, the question struck me not just because it was abstract, but because of who asked it. The company in question operates in the "luxury" space. Their branding is polished, their marketing aspirational, and they’ve clearly spent time crafting an image of elevated living. But if you’ve spent time in the city, you’ve probably heard that what’s promised doesn’t always align with the lived experience in their buildings. It’s the kind of marketing that looks like luxury but doesn’t always feel like it.

So being asked to explain “taste” in that context, by someone who oversees branding for a product that leans so heavily on perception, felt a little ironic. Maybe even performative. It left me wondering: Was the question about my ability to recognize real quality? Or was it about whether I could sell an image of it?

Here’s the answer I wish I had given:

“Taste is less about liking the ‘right’ things and more about curating with intent. It’s about knowing what fits and understanding how to elevate it. You know you have it when people seek your eye, trust your choices, and respond to your work.”

In the end, the question taught me something. Not just about taste, but about how often it's used as a filter for exclusivity rather than a conversation about values, craft, or perspective. It’s not a bad question, but it’s definitely one worth asking back.

How do you define taste?