Social Staffing: What to Look for When You Hire

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July 28, 2010 By 37 Comments

There’s been rather a lot of commentary on who or what to hire when it comes to social media expertise lately. Mark Schaefer posted an excellent call-to-arms for those who have considerable “old school” marketing experience.

Personally, I’ve not been in the position to hire a full-time social media campaigner yet for Jontus Media but I’ve just sorted out an intern to work alongside me part-time on a client project during the fall.

Here’s what I was looking for:

1) A twentynothing woman

My client’s target group are teens and the majority of them are girls. So I needed somebody who would strike a chord with the audience and act as a “big sister” or “mentor” to the group. She needed to speak the same kind of language and understand “teen” culture. At my age that was a long time ago!

2) Someone who was comfortable on camera

I’ve achieved some success producing YouTube videos for the client but I wanted to take that to the next level. So after bringing in a professional film-maker to improve the shoot quality, I wanted someone who would work in front of the lens. I’m definitely not the right person for this audience when it comes to visuals. I just don’t do stacks of enthusiasm on camera very well, but I know what it looks like. I’m sure that together we can deliver.

3) Someone who was very creative & geeky

The technology part was a no brainer because the intern needs to update WordPress, handle twitter clients and get their hands dirty with all manner of landing pages and other bits of geekery. But I also wanted someone who could demonstrate they were creative. Coming up with ideas for videos, podcasts, blog posts and Facebook features isn’t for the creatively challenged.

4) Bilingual Swedish / English skills

Social media is not just in English in this country. My client’s target group are bilingual so it’s imperative the intern can communicate naturally in both languages. And that means speaking on camera or on a podcast in either Swedish or English – convincingly.

5) Excellent Writing Skills

It didn’t matter if the intern hadn’t blogged before. Of course, some journalistic experience would have been nice but ultimately I wanted someone who could write. If you’ve got good writing skills you can pick up best practice blogging quite quickly – with a bit of help and guidance.

Final Thoughts

If I was making a permanent hire I’d also expect at least a degree-level education with a strong focus on Communication, Creativity and Marketing. Although the industry is changing you need to have transferable skills to adapt so you can build a career working online with content marketing.

Your Turn

If you were taking on an intern or junior member of staff to work with social media, what would you look for?

Filed Under: social media
About Jon

Marketing and Communications Consultant. Head of Jontus Media. Podcaster. Life-long Liverpool FC supporter. Guarded by basset hounds.

  • http://twitter.com/fransgaard Robert Fransgaard

    Great read. We need more posts like this: Based on practical, real-life experience.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Robert! Appreciate the feedback.

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  • markwilliamschaefer

    You do a great value to your community by sharing practical stuff like this Jon! Your clients are lucky to have you. Thanks!

  • markwilliamschaefer

    P.S. What happened to the dog? : )

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Oh, Aggie is on summer vacation !
    She'll be back !

  • http://twitter.com/carriejbond Carrie Bond

    I miss the basset hound. : (

  • http://twitter.com/carriejbond Carrie Bond

    I miss the basset hound. : ( Great post, Jon!

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Aggie's back! Just watch for the fourth rotation of the images. She's an important part of my branding – still!

  • http://twitter.com/Intendance Intendance

    Interesting post! I think what this shows is the importance of working out the criteria for your own particular requirements – much of what you have here is very specific to your business, rather than a “checklist” in general. It's great to remind businesses of the fact that the needs for one audience may be very different to overall business needs.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Thanks! I just think there's too much general commentary right now rather than sharing specific case studies. Hence this post.

    Appreciate you taking the time to comment.

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I’m not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”nnHaving said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.nnD = Hire Digital CitizensnA= Hire for Analytical chopsnR= Hire for Web ReachnC= Hire Content Creators*nn*Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.nnInteresting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • billymitchell

    Jon, As you may know already, we are big advocates of HubSpot at MLT Creative. I'm not trying to make this a plug for them but I do recommend the book “Inbound Marketing” written by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan, the two founders of HubSpot. They speak directly to hiring for Social Media expertise in chapter 12 of the book with some great advice that has helped me set goals for current staff as well as redefine our job descriptions and interview process for job applicants. They call the type of emloyees we all now should look for “Good Digital Citizens” meaning “Born Web or very familiar with Web – Speak Web fluently.”

    Having said all that, the outline you used for your search is great. All I can add is some additional advice from the book because it is sure working for MLT Creative.

    D = Hire Digital Citizens
    A= Hire for Analytical chops
    R= Hire for Web Reach
    C= Hire Content Creators*

    *Great writing skills. Tip: Test them first by paying them a fair fee to write a blog article for you.

    Interesting article Jon and certainly something on the minds of any company looking to improve their Social Media program. Thanks!

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it’s good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.rnrnI liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That’s a very good point. I’ll certainly remember that next time. rnrnThanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.

  • http://www.jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Cheers Billy, I actually read this about 2 months ago. But it's good to share the recommendation with readers. And you summarize their points so much better than I could have done.

    I liked the tip about paying for a blog title. That's a very good point. I'll certainly remember that next time.

    Thanks so much for valuable comment, Billy. Just the kind of thing I like to see.