How to hire an outreach manager: Key strategies and tips

An outreach manager can help you expand your network and bolster your brand presence. Their role is to build and maintain awesome relationships with partners, influencers, and the broader community outside your organization.

But let's be real: Finding the right candidate can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Make the wrong move, and you might diminish your network, weaken your brand, and miss out on great partnerships.

With TestGorilla, you can avoid these troubles. Our expert-written guide shows you how to hire an outreach manager who’s perfect for your team – plus how a talent assessment tool like ours can help.

What you need to know before hiring an outreach manager 

Here’s the lowdown on what you need to know before you start hunting for candidates.

Your outreach needs

First off, figure out what your team needs in terms of outreach. Are you looking for someone to boost your online presence, engage with the community, or organize killer events? Knowing this will help you find the right person for the job.

Your outreach goals

Likewise, you need to know what you want from your outreach – for example, teaming up with a few big-name influencers or growing your Instagram following by 20%. Knowing what you’re aiming for will help you find someone who’s got the skills to make it happen.

The right timing

Usually, the best time to search for an outreach manager is when things are heating up at your company. For example, if you’re diving into new markets, taking on bigger projects, or expanding your team, having an expert on board can really help.

Regulations and cultural sensitivities

When you're expanding your outreach, especially across borders or into diverse communities, you have to be on top of the laws and cultural norms.

Your outreach manager should know the legal dos and don’ts and be respectful of what's considered okay and not okay in different places.

Brush up on this info so you can suss out which candidates are in tune with regulations and cultural nuances from the get-go.

Trends in your industry

Knowing what’s hot and what’s not in outreach within your industry is a must. For example, in fashion, teaming up with eco-friendly Instagram influencers and doing live Get Ready with Me (GRWM) videos is trendy.

When you’re in the loop, it’s easier to spot candidates who are ahead of the game and can bring fresh, effective ideas to the table.  

Skills to look for in an outreach manager 

The best outreach managers have the perfect mix of know-how and people skills. Here's what to keep an eye out for:

Hard skills

• Strategic planning: Crafting and rolling out plans that hit your brand’s targets.

• Data analysis: Using tools like Google Analytics to figure out what's working and what's not. 

• Project management: Keeping everything on track, from timelines to budgets.

• Content creation: Crafting content for blogs, social media posts, and more to get people talking about your brand.

• SEO and social media savvy: Knowing how to use SEO and social media for outreach – like choosing the right keywords and using trends to get your brand noticed.

Soft skills

• Communication: Great speaking and writing skills to share your brand’s message in presentations, on social media, etc. 

• Relationship building: Making and keeping good connections with influencers, media professionals, event organizers, and more. 

• Adaptability: Quick on their feet when things change or need a new direction.

• Problem-solving: Finding creative ways to tackle challenges and hit your outreach goals.

• Creativity: Developing outreach strategies that stand out.

Where to find skilled outreach manager 

Part of finding a top-notch outreach manager is knowing where to look. Here are some ways to zero in on top talent:

• Professional networking platforms like LinkedIn are goldmines for discovering professionals with proven track records in outreach. Use the search bar to look for terms like “outreach manager” or skills like “SEO” and “social media marketing.” Peek at the pros’ profiles to see their past wins and endorsements. It’s the perfect way to see what they’re made of.

• Professional associations, such as the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) or the American Marketing Association (AMA), are hotspots for finding seasoned outreach managers. They often have job boards and a wealth of networking opportunities.

• Industry-specific events and conferences can help you meet potential hires face-to-face. Hunt down relevant gatherings using Eventbrite or Meetup, sift through industry mags, or tap into your network for the inside scoop on must-attend events.

3 creative ways to find outreach manager candidates

Want a recruitment method that’s a little more unique? Try these options:

1. Host a webinar or workshop

Host an event on a hot topic like "Effective Outreach Strategies" and let attendees know you’re on the hunt for an outreach manager. It’s a great way to show your brand is a leader in the field and attract outreach experts keen to learn and maybe even join your team.

2. Use specialized job boards

Sites like MarketingHire can help you find marketing and PR pros who specialize in outreach. For even more options, check out AngelList and FlexJobs. They let you filter your search to easily find people with certain backgrounds and specialties. 

3. Engage with online communities and forums

Platforms like Reddit and LinkedIn are buzzing with pros sharing insights and ideas. For example, Reddit communities like r/GrowthHacking and r/marketing or LinkedIn groups like Media & Marketing Professionals Worldwide often host vibrant discussions where you can mingle with potential candidates.

Bonus tip: Don’t wait for them to come to you! Send personalized recruitment messages to standout folks – e.g., someone you find on LinkedIn who crushed a brand awareness campaign. In your message, highlight their win and show your role could be their next big step.

How to select the best outreach management candidates

Finding the right outreach manager means matching their skills with your company's vibe and goals. Here's how to do it:

1. Define clear role expectations

Nail down what the role entails. List out the job duties, goals (like boosting brand awareness or growing the community), and key goals to hit. Put all this in your job description so candidates know what to expect and you know what to look for.

2. Use talent assessments

Before diving into portfolios, use talent assessments to see if candidates have what it takes for the job. 

Try TestGorilla’s SEO Outreach test to check their skills in targeting audiences, crafting emails, measuring success, and more. We have other tests you can use, too:

• The Communication test to see if candidates can get their points across clearly and persuasively.

• The Project Management test to check if they can plan, prioritize, and keep track of tasks.

• Our Culture Add test to make sure they’ll fit with – and add to – your company's vibe.

Bonus tip: Do a marketing skills analysis to assess candidates’ understanding of target markets and audiences.

3. Hold behavioral interviews

Ask behavioral interview questions to see how candidates have tackled challenges before. Questions like “Tell me about a time you turned around a tough outreach campaign” can show you their problem-solving chops.

4. Test skills with real-world scenarios

Give candidates a mini-project that mirrors what they’d do on the job – e.g., a quick campaign idea or analyzing some data. This lets you see their skills in action.

3 common mistakes when hiring an outreach manager

Avoid these snags when hiring an outreach manager.

1. Getting caught up in general know-how

It’s a big mistake to pick someone who’s good at outreach but doesn’t understand your specific audience. 

To avoid this, look for candidates who've targeted audiences like yours before.

You can also give candidates a task focused on your niche, like planning outreach for eco-conscious consumers if you're a sustainable brand. Then, see how they do. If a candidate doesn’t seem to get your audience, think twice about hiring them. 

2. Valuing numbers over impact

Don’t just count campaigns; focus on the real wins. Ask candidates about a standout campaign they worked on that boosted engagement or landed a big partnership. It’s all about quality over quantity! After all, a candidate may have worked on 50 campaigns, but what if only 10 really made a difference?

3. Skipping the digital savvy check

In our digital world, your outreach manager has to be on point. See if they’ve jumped on trendy platforms like TikTok, mastered SEO and analytics, or adopted digital marketing trends – this will show you their digital savvy. 

Forget to check this, and you might hire someone who’s out of touch with today's audience.

Hire the best outreach manager with TestGorilla

Outreach managers shape your brand’s voice and reach, so hiring the right one is critical. What you want is someone with hands-on experience, digital savvy, and a knack for connecting with your audience.

But you’ll have to look beyond resumes to land your perfect hire. TestGorilla’s got your back with its multi-measure talent assessments, making it a breeze to identify star candidates with just the right skills and vibe for your brand.

Ready to ditch your old hiring methods? Sign up for a free TestGorilla account or book a demo today!