What Do Hiring Managers Really Look for in Candidates?

My article for the April 2022 issue of PRSA Strategies & Tactics is now available: What do Hiring Managers Really Look for in Candidates? As the PR profession continues to rapidly evolve, it is expected that experienced comms leaders, hiring managers and talent acquisition professionals will likely deviate from, and expand upon, what they have historically sought in candidates for their strategic staffing needs.

Specifics vary from the agency side to the brand side and everything in between, but the hard skills are often the same: exceptional writing and research skills, a keen understanding of media across various platforms, and a demonstrated strategic acumen to navigate all kinds of key moments for an individual, organization or brand. Soft skills, often much harder to vet for than tactical skills, are usually among the first things considered when reviewing an application and interviewing a person for a PR role. “Soft skills” is a commonly used term that captures intangibles, such as interpersonal communications capabilities, emotional intelligence or ability to take initiative. I spoke to some PR leaders for their thoughts on soft skills and the various gauges for success in today’s market. Read more here.