Position Statement
A Position Statement is a clear, short document that explains an organization's stance on a specific issue, product, or situation. It's like a company's official answer to "Where do we stand on this?" PR professionals use position statements to help organizations communicate consistently with the public, media, and stakeholders. Think of it as a ready-to-use response that helps everyone from customer service to executives stay "on the same page" when talking about important topics. Similar terms you might see are "key messages," "messaging document," or "official statement."
Examples in Resumes
Created Position Statement for company's response to industry regulation changes
Developed crisis management Position Statements used by executive team during media interviews
Led team in crafting Position Statement and Official Statement for new product launch
Typical job title: "PR Professionals"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find PR Professionals
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you develop position statements for sensitive issues that might affect multiple stakeholders?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of gathering input from different departments, considering various stakeholder perspectives, and creating clear, balanced messaging that addresses potential concerns while maintaining organization's interests.
Q: Tell me about a time when you had to revise a position statement due to changing circumstances.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to adapt quickly, manage stakeholder expectations, and ensure consistent communication during transition to new messaging.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What elements do you include in an effective position statement?
Expected Answer: Should mention key components like clear stance, supporting facts, context, and call to action if appropriate. Should emphasize importance of clear, concise language.
Q: How do you ensure position statements align with overall company messaging?
Expected Answer: Should discuss reviewing company values, past statements, consulting with leadership, and maintaining message consistency across channels.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between a position statement and a press release?
Expected Answer: Should explain that position statements focus on stance/viewpoint while press releases announce news; position statements are more focused and used as reference points.
Q: How would you distribute a position statement to relevant stakeholders?
Expected Answer: Should discuss various communication channels like email, internal communications platforms, website updates, and working with different departments to ensure proper distribution.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Writing clear, basic position statements
- Following established templates
- Basic stakeholder communication
- Understanding company messaging
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating position statements independently
- Message development and adaptation
- Stakeholder management
- Crisis communication support
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic message development
- Crisis communication leadership
- Executive communications guidance
- Multi-stakeholder management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to write clearly and concisely
- Poor understanding of audience adaptation
- Lack of crisis communication experience
- No experience with stakeholder management
- Cannot explain message development process
Related Terms
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