The Candidate Journey: What to Expect When You Apply at BAM

Chasing your next career opportunity can be thrilling. You find a job posting that matches your qualifications, the team and culture seem promising, and you’re confident you can deliver on the role. You spend an hour on the application process, read all about the company, and check out team bios. Maybe you even picture it: new responsibilities, new colleagues, and the job update you’ll post on LinkedIn. You upload your resume and portfolio, then hit submit. “Now what?”  The waiting game begins. 

Whether you’re fresh out of college or a seasoned pro, applying for a new role can set off feelings of uncertainty. If you’re considering joining our team of BAMfs (yep, that stands for bad a** mother … well, you get it), it’s natural to wonder what lies ahead in the process. We’ve got you covered with a guide on what to expect when you apply at BAM.

Apply.

At BAM, we value individuality and encourage applicants to answer a few questions beyond just submitting a resume. Yes, we want to know all about the client verticals you’ve worked with and the buckets of responsibilities in your current role. But beyond that, we want to get to know YOU. What keeps you in PR, what your values are, and what’s happening in your world that’s inspiring change? Tell us all about you! Then, our Talent Team will review your application and reply as soon as possible.

The Intro. 

If you seem like a BAMf in the making, the HR team will invite you to the next stage — the introductory phone call. The objective of this call is to learn more about each other. We’ll better assess your fit for open positions and deep dive into the company culture we’re proud to have built here. You’re interviewing us just as much as we’re interviewing you, so ask all the questions that are important for you to know when considering moving forward into the process. The intro call is scheduled for 30 minutes, but our Talent Team is here for you every step of the way. If we need to hop on a second call, answer lingering questions via email, or stay on (if time allows), we’ll do just that.

The Writing Assessment.

Depending on the nature of the role you’re applying for, you’ll probably be invited to take on a writing and/or creative assessment. Here, we’ll cover things typical in your role like media relations, newsjacking, and client comms. Don’t worry — we’re not trying to stump you. We’re trying to gauge your writing style, creative approach, and overall PR (or marketing) strategy. This way, we know if they’re aligned with expectations in the role and what we’d tackle during your onboarding process.

Interviews.

After crushing the writing assessment, get ready to meet the team. BAM’s interview process typically involves three meetings with various stakeholders: direct managers, peer colleagues, and executive leadership. Each interview serves a different purpose — with an understanding that you’re asking us as many questions as we’re asking you! Use these interviews as a guide to understand if you see yourself working with the BAM team and our innovative clients.

Reference Checks.

Before extending an offer, we’ll contact your provided references to gain a holistic understanding of your skills and strengths. Because our values are a fundamental part of BAM’s culture, your references should be expected to discuss how positive, purposeful, and partner-oriented you are (amongst our other P’s). This step helps us gain additional insight into who you are as a team member and PR or marketing pro.

Offer and Onboarding 

Congratulations! If you’ve navigated the five steps of our interview process, we’ll move on to the finish line: an offer to join the team. By this point, you’ve had several opportunities to meet different team members at BAM. Our Talent Team will have guided you through every step of the way, and you’ll be scheduled to have an HR chat about the onboarding process to ensure you’re set up for a smooth transition. You’ll have access to resources, training, and support from day one. We take adding a new team member seriously and do everything possible to set you up for success. 

Applying and interviewing for your next role takes serious time and consideration. We get it! By knowing what to expect and preparing accordingly, you can be sure to put your best foot forward and confidently navigate the candidate journey. BAM is a tight team of incredible people working to get sh*t done. People truly are our greatest asset, so if this sounds like you — we can’t wait to meet you!