Then why don't more job ads ask for a minimum of 15 years experience?
In fact, the number of years hiring companies are asking for gets less and less. Currently, Timer Warner is looking for an Executive Director of IR with 7 to 10 years; Blockbuster, a Director with 7 years; My Space, a Director with 5 to 8 years experience. Good speechwriters mellow like a fine wine. But Pfizer is looking for a speechwriter with 5 years.
I get more resumes from solid professionals with over 20 years experience than any other group. Maybe these companies think that 40 is over the PR hill?
Labels: Commentary
2 comments:
Experience really does make a difference when there are reputation management or public policy issues at stake. Communicating with reporters, especially with hostile reporters, is an acquired skill and one that improves with practice. Experience also is critical for identifying events or comments that could prove problematic and preparing accordingly. The ability to predict second and third order effects doesn’t come from a textbook.
For product publicity, an affinity with the target audience and the channels to reach this audience is critical. Here age cuts both ways – I wouldn’t want a 20-something managing a campaign for a Medicare supplement product anymore than I would want a 50-something rolling out a campaign for Abercrombie and Fitch.
Yes. You have to have been through it to have seen those second and third order effects to know how to prepare for them, or avoid them.
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