Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Message Pull-through • Media Advisory • Brand Voice

Key Messages

Term from Public Relations industry explained for recruiters

Key Messages are the main points an organization wants to communicate to its audience. They are like a cheat sheet of the most important things people should remember about a company, product, or campaign. PR professionals use these messages as building blocks for all communications - from press releases to social media posts. Think of them as the core storyline that keeps all communication consistent, whether someone is talking to the media, customers, or employees. Similar terms include core messages, main talking points, or strategic messages.

Examples in Resumes

Developed Key Messages for company rebranding that increased media coverage by 50%

Created Key Message framework for crisis communication plan

Led workshop to align executive team on Key Messages for product launch

Typical job title: "Communications Professionals"

Also try searching for:

PR Specialist Communications Manager Public Relations Manager Corporate Communications Specialist PR Strategist Communications Director Message Development Specialist

Where to Find Communications Professionals

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you develop key messages for a crisis situation?

Expected Answer: Should explain process of gathering facts, identifying stakeholders, crafting clear/concise messages that address concerns, ensuring legal compliance, and creating different versions for various audiences while maintaining consistency.

Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of key messages?

Expected Answer: Should discuss methods like media monitoring, audience surveys, social media engagement, message pull-through in coverage, and stakeholder feedback to evaluate message impact and reception.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure key messages remain consistent across different channels?

Expected Answer: Should describe creating message houses/guidelines, training spokespersons, maintaining central document repository, and regular review processes to maintain consistency.

Q: How do you adapt key messages for different audiences?

Expected Answer: Should explain how to maintain core message while adjusting language, examples, and detail level for different stakeholders like employees, media, or customers.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What makes an effective key message?

Expected Answer: Should mention clarity, brevity, relevance to audience, memorable content, and ability to support with facts or examples.

Q: How do you research and validate key messages?

Expected Answer: Should discuss gathering input from stakeholders, checking facts, competitive analysis, and testing messages with focus groups or surveys.