In partnership with the Public Relations Society of America – San Francisco Chapter, RemotePRJobs hosted a webinar with top PR recruiters from various companies to discuss the secrets of research, recruitment, and retention during COVID-19, in order to win and locate the best opportunities.
Below is a recap of the session, that touches on how agencies and brands are identifying top talent and how candidates can ace the interview process in a tough job market.
RESEARCH
Navigating the Job Search
Resumes and LinkedIn: For resumes, you may be thinking of how to have the “perfect” resume. Your resume should be crafted from the job descriptions from jobs you apply to, using other LinkedIn profiles to obtain key job points, as well as incorporating keywords, numbers, and statistics. What you don’t want to do is to focus on specific tasks, use company specific jargon, or assume the reader knows what you do.
Is it ok to have a resume that’s more than one page? PDF or Word document?
- One page is considered junior and two pages are fine; recruiters will expect two pages from those who have 10+ years of experience. PDF is fine, but keep the format simple. Your resume can be beautiful, but most importantly should be readable! Stay away from complicated layouts and difficult to read columns.
Should there be a photo on the resume?
- On the resume – no, but on the LinkedIn profile – yes. Profile photos on LinkedIn are very important; companies like to hire people of various ages, backgrounds, and perspectives. Recruiters like to know who they are talking to and it’s important, especially because companies are focusing more on diversity and inclusion. It’s also okay to have more personality on your LinkedIn! Companies love to hear that candidates go to the gym or read a book after a long day at work. Candidates who are involved in their community and well-rounded in their lives, make them a real person. For mission statements, be sure to place them in your portfolio!
Some people on LinkedIn only list certain things? Is it best to include very specific skill sets?
- It costs money for recruiters to reach out to potential candidates. It’s important to make it easy for recruiters to know exactly what candidates do – more information will always be better than less. Emphasize why you are special, what makes you different, and what makes you worth it. As for LinkedIn recommendations, be sure you don’t just have your friends on LinkedIn, but your clients and your managers.
BOTTOM LINE: Your Network is your net worth. It’s important to conduct outreach to your network and leverage your opportunities for jobs. It goes such a long way to connect with others, watch webinars, and use this time where you might not have it in a couple of months to build your network!
RECRUITING
Interviewing Tips and Tricks
Interviews
How can you tell when candidates are prepared to be on the phone with you?
- When they ask if the business is growing, what are the company’s areas of growth, and demonstrate their interests in furthering the mission of the company. It’s important to ask more questions and use all the allotted time for the interview. Ask open-ended questions. Never ask about paid time off and do not show red flags during the interview.
Thank You Email
Can you describe the art of a thank you email?
- It shows that you are interested, respectful of employer’s time, and allows you to highlight something you connected with, a laugh that you shared, or some commonality. The letter can be an opportunity to sell yourself, add anything else that can be helpful. Lastly, don’t expect a response, but know that thank you emails are always important to send to employers.
Cover Letters
Cover letter means someone took that extra step. This is another opportunity to explain to the employer that you are the perfect candidate. Avoid having a universal template of a cover letter that you fill in company names for. If a Monster/Indeed does not have a cover letter upload section, also remember, you do not always have to include it. For all application materials, have someone read it out loud to you to help you revise.
Should you add the recruiter or the hiring manager LinkedIn before the interview or after the interview?
- Before applying to a job, connect with people at that company. You have to take control of the process from beginning to end! Your resume will show more than the thousand other candidates applying to jobs. Be creative, genuine, and reach out to people! Don’t just rely on LinkedIn – check out FaceBook and other networking opportunities as well.
ONBOARDING
Onboarding remotely and retention
What are the aspects of onboarding and retention during this time?
- It’s important to have a mentor to support you in your growth. As for remote jobs, working from home means you have to be pushing the same as when you’re in the office. Candidates should expect that on Day 1, they do HR onboarding on Mondays to build a sense of community in the virtual environment. For clothing, it’s better to wear an outfit you’d wear to a client call to your job on Zoom.
Can you talk about the importance of company culture?
- As for company culture, be sure to be well-versed on it. You have to know if there is an additional career path for you. Ask them if they celebrate your success or if they offer you opportunities to participate in the company itself. Overall, be sure that the company is meant for you before committing and know that onboarding is to make you feel welcome for the new chapter of your life!
Panelists in the Webinar