You’re about to interview for a strategic communications role. What common mistakes should you avoid?

If you're interviewing for a strategic communications role, don't make the mistake of coming in with pre-conceived notions of what they "should" be doing or what the company has "done wrong." Rather, come in with your thoughts on how the company is perceived externally and seek to understand what they are trying to accomplish so that you can provide your point of view.

Not knowing your audience is a sin when it comes to crafting strategic communication as it needs insights alignment, empathy, connect and relatability. If the communications lacks on the audience mindset, you are bound to fall and fail. #targetaudience #marketing #marketingstrategy #brandstrategy #strategiccommunication

??Research the organization. Know its leaders' names and backgrounds; its services and programs; and its communications, including websites, social media and news coverage. Be prepared to ask insightful questions about the organization's initiatives and its strategic plan. Identify how you can be an asset to their mission and vision.

Strategic communications is a broad field with a lot of subspecialties, from crisis communications and public affairs to internal communications, corporate communications and consumer PR. As a threshold matter, it’s crucial to understand the type of role you’re interviewing for, and the type of work you will be expected to do. Different subspecialties demand different skillsets, expertise and experience. As one example, communicating around public policy is very different from promoting products.

Interviews are great opportunity to build a new professional connection and get real insight into the culture of the organization. Honest and friendly conversation, with direct eye contact and genuine interest can go a long way in differentiating yourself among a sea of other candidates. Ask questions about what you can’t find on company website or social media or other publicly available materials. How do they view failure or mistakes? What is their approach to learning? What kind of leadership style does the team leader in question have? What are the values they abide by? Unwritten rules to follow? While it is unlikely recruiters will reveal it all as is, these responses allow a chance to build connection and show genuine interest.

It's easy to get excited about new ideas, but don't get overly distracted by tactics. A solid communications strategy always starts with a clear goal and actionable objectives. Instead of focusing on features, define the outcomes or impacts that you want to achieve. Define the 'why' and make sure your great ideas flow from there.

We have all been in a meeting or read an email that seemed like an ineffective use of time. Plan and engage communications with intentionality and purpose. With those two concepts in the forefront, you can actively curate the language, time, objectives, agenda, etc to align with the goals of the project, team, or organization and the attendees will recognize this effort.

When preparing for an interview for a strategic communications role, it's crucial to dedicate time to thoroughly researching the organization. Evaluate their current communications efforts, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and brainstorm innovative solutions. It can actually be a fun exercise. You should aim to bring exciting ideas to the table, demonstrating your capability to elevate their communications efforts to new heights. Showcase your ability to develop strategic and practical steps, supported by your proven experience and expertise, to drive tangible results for the organization.

If you want to be succesful on your project you better be sure you clearly understand it's goals. Everything you have to work it's based ond this objectives and you can also make changes in the middle of the process, but always focused on your goal.

Messaging that lacks a clear goal will confuse your audience and provide a lesser chance of communication saturation, high product sales, or client education.

It's critical to establish during the preliminary discussions that you NEED and EXPECT to be at the table for important strategic decisions. Remember, this is your opportunity to interview a potential employer as much as it is their opportunity to interview you, and if you aren't going to be an actual part of the management team better get that established right away before you waste more time. Strategic comms is not about writing news releases and handling media interviews; it's about managing the trust portfolio for the entire organization.

I love it when someone follows up an interview with a link to their portfolio or some of the work they have done in the past. It gives me a clear look at what they have already done and how they can adapt to various channels and brand voices. Another big one when it comes to a communications role is the ability to carry on a conversation, so it's not just a Q&A. There is a lot you can discover about a candidate in a short conversation.

When interviewing for a strategic communications role, avoid starting with communication tactics. It’s about so much more than writing a memo. Provide examples that highlight how you identified or helped solve a business problem - or how you expedited workforce adoption by using specific strategies and tools, and fostered positive and productive relationships to achieve common-ground goals. Finally, be clear about what measurable outcomes you delivered.

There‘s a good reason why we have been gifted with TWO ears but only ONE mouth. Listen more than you talk, process the information, connect it to what you can being on the table and you will most likely excel - unless there‘s someone who does it better. That‘s not a failure but a chance to refine the craft of LISTEN - PROCESS - CONNECT

Approach your interview like you would a communications project. What are the key messages you want to get across and how can you best deliver them? Don't wait for potential employers to ask the right questions. Be proactive and create a presentation that shows off your communications skills and how your experience would serve the role. Consult a list of achievement verbs and integrate them into your resumé, presentation and responses.

Preparation is key to any interview, but perhaps even more so for strategic communications. You need to have a very clear picture of what the goals of the company are and where you can add value with your communications. If the company information is difficult to find, prepare your questions in advance so you can ask them in your interview.

Asking questions is a great way to bring clarity for the company’s expectations for a specific job’s role. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions!

It's not just about asking questions but also asking the right questions. It's an orange flag for me if you ask questions that you could easily find the answers to or are only about how this job will benefit you. Asking questions about things that are easily available through some research (or, worse, are answered in the job description) could indicate laziness. I also want to know if you care about the work culture and how you'll fit in with us. So ask me questions that show that you'll care about the team, the work we're doing together, and how you'll be able to contribute.

Not asking questions says that you either have low interest in the company or organization or that you simply didn't do your research. But questions should be smart and thought about deeply before going into the interview. Make sure your questions convey your interest as well as your knowledge. Preparation is key to acing interviews, so never go in unprepared!

When preparing for a strategic communications role interview, it's important to avoid some common mistakes such as: 1. Lack of research: Not doing adequate research about the company, its values, goals. 2. Poor storytelling: Communication is all about storytelling. Avoid being too technical or boring. Make sure your stories are engaging and relevant to the role. 3. Not listening actively: Communication is a two-way street. Make sure you listen actively to the interviewer and respond accordingly. Don't just focus on what you want to say next. 4. Lack of confidence: Confidence in your communication skills is important. Avoid being too timid or too aggressive. Find a balance that shows you are confident and assertive.

Don’t be to humble! Communicators should be brave and bold. Don’t be shy when talking about your accomplishments and best projects under your belt.

En las entrevistas hemos visto que es clave no solo preguntar generalidades, sino que expliquen casos específicos de cuál fue su rol y sus acciones en diferentes situaciones. Así se evitan clásicos como “llevé las comunicaciones de tal marca” o “trabajé en la crisis de otra”. También es importante preguntar por ejemplos de errores y cómo los solucionó.

Always be honest with who you are, what your experience is, why you're interested in the role, and why you think you are the best fit. Make sure to align your messaging with the organization's values and mission.

Don’t doubt your abilities because you can only live up to what you believe is capable of yourself! Effective communicators speak clearly, with confidence.

Speak about stuff that you have done, do not engage in universal banter. When one talks about what one has done, there is a different level of confidence one exudes. Stick to what you have done, and of course, touch upon how that can help in the new scheme of things.

Strategic communications at its best is when what you do influence strategy and not just manifest it. Do not omit mentioning evidence of such great work, if you have it.

Avoid leaving the interview without a clear idea on how they view your value. Many businesses hear 'communications' and think it's a catch-all for someone who creates all their content, marketing, PR etc. but might not necessarily value advice on how they can communicate better throughout the business. Just because a business is asking for strategic comms, they might not know what that ACTUALLY entails.

Having a solid strategy is important, but even more important would be the successful realization of that strategy. Find a good way to highlight not only the unique approach you would take for the potential employer (or its clients), but also how you've been able to drive positive outcomes for others. Or if you've discovered valuable What Not To Dos. Either way, move beyond the ability to strategize and focus on how to actualize your communications efforts.

Active listening. Pay close attention to what you’re being asked not just to ensure you are answering the questions, but also for insights you can apply forward. Or maybe there’s a common thread in the questions that you can point to as you wrap things up.

It's crucial to research the organization thoroughly to excel in your interview. Review their website, social media channels, press mentions, and any available reports or publications. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of their strategic communications and current initiatives. With this knowledge, you can ask more informed and insightful questions during the interview. Also, you can propose a few ideas or suggestions that align with the organization's goals and objectives, demonstrating your proactive approach and interest in their mission.