Content marketing professionals play an enormous role in a brand’s business strategy, serving as the front lines for your message and sharing your mission with the world.
So if you’re interested in adding a rockstar content pro to your team, check out these 7 tips for finding “the one” and feeling great about your hire.
#1. Look for the initial “wow” factor
A great content professional knows how to immediately capture attention and inspire excitement. As you’re browsing through applications, be mindful of which resumes seem to sparkle in a way that says, “This is interesting and I’d love to learn more.”
#2. Request examples of work
It’s a good idea to review your candidates’ examples of work to get an idea of their overall voice and style, communication practices, and general writing knowledge.
Bonus tip: ask for a writing sample as your brand, so get an idea of how each candidate interprets your brand’s tone of voice.
#3. Ask for ideas
There are two parts of a content marketer’s role: content creation and content delivery. You’ll want to hire someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table in both areas, with a focus on highlighting your brand’s strengths and delivering the content to people who can most benefit from what you have to sell.
Bonus points if they bring ideas to the conversation without you having to ask.
#4. Check out results
College degrees and many years’ experience are very valuable and demonstrative of dedication and skill, and it’s also equally as important to look at on-the-job results achieved. Ask about the impact each candidate has had on previous companies and examples of successful campaigns.
At the end of the day, content professionals are responsible for supporting sales, audience reach, and other revenue-impacting metrics – so you want to hire someone who can deliver the results you’re looking for.
#5. Look for role-specific and general work qualities
Hiring a content marketing role, you know that qualities like creativity, grammar, and general marketing are important. However, it’s important not to overlook more “general” qualities like organization, work ethic, timeliness, and professionalism. These are all extremely important skills and values for content professionals, who are representing your brand and executing timely, external-facing work.
#6. Understand your candidates’ dynamic skill sets
Content marketing requires a collaboration of many skills, including writing, design, technical, SEO, communications, and so much more. There are many content marketing professionals on the market who can offer way more than just copy. Inquire about all the skills your candidates can bring to the table that will positively affect day-to-day marketing operations. (Just remember you may need to reassess the job description to accommodate your new hire’s skills and experience.)
#7. Know that cultural fit is everything!
Your content team is the voice, the heart, and the amplifier of your brand. You’re hiring someone who is going to shout your brand’s message from the hilltops and deliver information to thousands of people – so it’s incredibly important you choose someone who aligns with your brand’s cultural values. Look for a team player and someone who can naturally serve as a brand ambassador and cheerleader.
Happy hiring! Let me know in the comments: Which of these tips did you find most helpful in your hiring process?
Linda Walkowich 