Blurring the Lines with Steve Seeman

This week I spoke with Steve Seeman , a talent acquisition leader with experience at award-winning firms including BerlinRosen , Makovsky , Porter Novelli , 罗德公关 , Vested and 万卓环球 . His next dream job? Leading talent acquisition at a large and growing communications agency.

Tell me about your career journey up until this point.?

I’ve been in human resources roles with an emphasis on talent acquisition at major public relations firms for virtually my entire career, but it didn’t start out that way. I got a degree in broadcast journalism and hoped to work in the television industry. I started my career working for a production company owned by Aaron Spelling, but I quickly realized that I didn’t have the talent to make it. I’ve been growing a successful career in HR and TA since then.

You have been in talent acquisition for over two decades at today’s leading firms. What are the benefits and challenges of small, medium and large firms for those who are considering agency roles?

The smaller the firm, the better chance one has of diversifying their experience and skills. It’s easier to ask for and receive more responsibility. However, the ceiling is often a bit lower. At midsized and large firms, you often get the chance to work on more integrated accounts with bigger budgets — and bigger names. There are good points to both.

In what ways have you seen communications jobs evolve over the past 5 years?

If you’re not diversifying your skills and doing more digitally-focused work, you’re falling behind the curve. That’s not to say that traditional media is obsolete, because it's not, but more communications jobs require incorporating digital and social as a basic element of the toolbox.

Many communicators at agencies move in-house because they “hit a ceiling” at their firms. What advice do you have for people who want a C-suite role at an agency?

Show your strategic thinking ability, take on more leadership responsibilities, and bring in business! If you want a C-suite role, you have to demonstrate strong business acumen and big picture thinking.

What advice would you give to someone about to graduate college that wants to work in communications? How can they stand out in a competitive market?

This is a tough question, because there are so many graduates with excellent internship experience these days (that used to be a key differentiator). I think you need to network, even at a young age. Create a list of target agencies (or corporations), and start reaching out to those companies’ employees on LinkedIn . Ask for career advice, request an informational interview. Eventually, you’ll be able to impress someone who will be happy to pass your resume along to a key decision-maker. Persistence is key!

Rapid Fire Questions:?

What’s your favorite song right now? I’ve been listening to The Lemonheads a lot, because I’m going to see them on September 4th for my birthday

What’s the last book you read, or the last podcast you listened to? Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello

What was the last show you binged? Better Call Saul

If you could meet one person for coffee, who would it be? Definitely Kamala Harris

What is one word you would use to describe 2024? Frustrating

What’s your next dream job? I’d love to lead talent acquisition at a large and growing communications agency