Chatting Communications Recruitment with Laura Archer
We met up with Laura Kate Archer , former journalist & press officer and current PR pro to chat about challenges both candidates and employers face during the comms recruitment process.
Door 10: If you were interviewing to fill a Corporate Communications Manager position today, what are the criteria you’d judge candidates by?
Laura: The talent pool for these positions is really strong, particularly in a post-pandemic environment which really highlighted the business need for clear and coherent internal and external messages. I know from experience, there are a lot of fantastic comms professionals out there, so I would be looking to identify the truly exceptional candidates, who have a passion for what they do.
I would want them to showcase their work, rather than just listing their skills. If your work resulted in a demonstrable positive impact on the organisation you worked for, don’t just talk me through it, show me.
You can do this by bringing examples of your work, such as media coverage you have secured, or by explaining the crisis situations you have managed and how your work prevented a worst case scenario or contributed to the incident response.
I also want to be confident that they have thoroughly researched the job they have applied for; tell me what you think of our current comms outputs and how you see yourself contributing.
Door 10: Are there any pitfalls employers should avoid?
Laura: I think that as a potential employer you have a responsibility to have a very clear idea of what the role is you are advertising, how it will work in practice and what you will expect from the successful candidate in terms of their day-to-day responsibilities. Comms can be misunderstood by organisations, and often roles are all encompassing, meaning a candidate might be expected to stretch across all disciplines from corporate comms right through to marketing, so it is really important job specifications are clear. Is the role primarily corporate communications, or will crisis management also be a significant part of the job? Are you looking for a strategic thinker who can align communications with business objectives, or someone more focused on day-to-day media relations?
From a candidate’s perspective a clear advert will also help you decide whether this really is the best opportunity for you and if it is, tailor your CV to reflect what is expected of you and highlight skills and experience that show you are up to the task.
Door 10: And if you were a candidate, what points would you look to get across?
Laura: I have been in this position a couple of times, like everyone else. I have been fortunate to have some great comms jobs which I worked hard for in the recruitment process but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that there have definitely been instances where the hiring manager has taken a chance on me, because of my work ethic. Marginal advantages can sometimes be decisive, so make sure you PR yourself in the process.
I have worked across all aspects of corporate comms from internal, to media relations, digital channels through to crisis comms. What makes a good candidate is being able to flex your style and feel comfortable with the uncomfortable and taking a step out of your comfort zone. Fundamentally many of the principles remain the same across disciplines, so demonstrating you have an understanding and experience of all communications aspects can often put a hiring manager at ease, particularly if they want someone to come in and deliver from day one.
Doing your own research about the company is critical too, you want to make sure that the culture and role also is a fit for you.
Final Thoughts
By aligning both sides of the recruitment process—employers knowing what they need, and candidates showcasing how they can deliver—you set the stage for a more successful hiring outcome. And, for businesses looking to ensure their communications are in the hands of the best, partnering with a specialist recruitment agency can streamline the process and help you identify top talent more efficiently.
If you’re looking to hire a communications professional or explore new opportunities in corporate, crisis, or strategic communications, let’s start a conversation.
