Applying for comms jobs in the age of AI: use the tool, keep your voice
The job market is crowded. A recent hiring round for two hard-to-fill comms roles drew 350+ applicants - and more than half were easy passes because the writing was obviously AI-generated.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: if your application reads like a template, you won't make it past the first screen. It's fine to use AI. It's not fine to sound like everyone else.
Why communications hiring is different
In comms, the work is writing. Not just grammar - voice, point of view, and judgment on display with every sentence.
When responses all open with the same line - "I have a rare combination of scientific expertise and communications experience…" - hiring managers can't assess your actual skill. It becomes a sea of sameness.
Use AI without losing your voice
- Where AI helps: first drafts, alt headlines, beat checks on clarity, proofreading.
- Where you must lead: voice, story selection, nuance, and what you leave out.
- Simple workflow: draft quickly with AI → rewrite in your voice → fact-check → tighten → proof.
- Transparency is fine: "I used AI to refine wording" sounds honest. A pasted bot essay does not.
Personality wins. One standout line from an applicant: "I can make conversation with a brick wall." Short. Memorable. Human.
If you want structured practice using AI without losing voice, see AI for PR & Communications or the AI Learning Path for Public Relations Specialists.
Follow instructions like your offer depends on it
It does. If a posting says "no informational interviews," don't flood inboxes with requests. That signals you'll create extra work under pressure.
- Do: leave a thoughtful comment on the hiring announcement, add a crisp note when you apply, tailor your answers.
- Don't: send mass DMs, ask for "15 minutes to pick your brain," or ignore clear application steps.
Treat your LinkedIn as part of your portfolio
- Headline: make "Communications/PR" obvious. If your headline says "Project Manager," it raises questions.
- Content: have a recent post breaking down a campaign, pitch angle, or media takeaway.
- Proof: pin 2-3 links to work samples with a one-line outcome for each.
- Clean-up: audit your last 20 posts for tone, clarity, and relevance to comms.
For senior roles, show outcomes
Vague claims don't land. Specifics do.
- Volume: number of stories secured, briefing books delivered, bylines placed.
- Quality: which outlets covered it (e.g., The New York Times, CNN, The Boston Globe).
- Business impact: shifts in awareness, funding, sign-ups, policy movement, or adoption.
Example that stood out: "Secured 500+ pieces of coverage for gene therapy programs, including NYT, CNN, and The Boston Globe; drove a 37% lift in qualified inbound from researchers over 90 days."
Show the process end-to-end
Don't just say you can "run launches." Walk through one.
- Framing: the stake in the ground and why it matters now.
- Announcement: narrative arc, proof points, quotables, assets.
- Outreach: target list logic, pitch angles, sequences, exclusives vs. embargoes.
- Reception: coverage mix, message pull-through, issues handled.
- Extend: social threads, exec comms, newsletters, internal comms, follow-on stories.
What hiring managers are looking for
- Voice: can you sound like a person - and like the brand?
- Judgment: do you know what to say, what to cut, and what can go wrong?
- Signal checks: did you follow directions and answer what was asked?
- Proof: outcomes, named outlets, clear impact.
- Presence: a LinkedIn and portfolio that reflect your craft.
Quick checklist before you hit submit
- Did you rewrite AI output in your voice and tighten it?
- Does your first sentence hook with a clear angle, not a cliché?
- Have you included 2-3 specific outcomes with numbers and outlets?
- Did you answer every question directly and concisely?
- Is your LinkedIn headline aligned with comms, and do you have a recent, relevant post?
- Are your clips easy to access, with one-line summaries of results?
- Did you respect every instruction in the job post?
Bottom line
Use AI as a tool, not a crutch. Show your personality, follow instructions, highlight real work, and back it up on your digital platforms.
The worst outcome is sounding exactly like everyone else.
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