Rosemary Grogan - Consultant

During nearly twenty years in public affairs consultancy, I have always found recruiting for the post of researcher or information executive the most difficult recruitment task of all.

The job involves a mix of skills, both intellectual and personal, that are not easy to find in one person. In addition, many agencies (and mine always did) see the research post as the first rung on the ladder and are looking for someone who can grow in the job, while still delivering the routine requirements of the monitoring/research role day in day out.

In all public affairs agencies this post is one of the most important - consultants are only as good as the information on which they base their advice. Clients can be won or lost on the quality of the work produced by the monitoring or information team, and the role is therefore crucial.

This may all sound a little daunting to the prospective candidate, but perhaps if I explain what I think makes a good researcher, it may help the potential public affairs executive decide if this is really the right career for you.

Relevant experience is a huge advantage. Candidates who have worked for an MP or a political party inevitably have a head start over other applicants, as do candidates who have done some work experience for a public affairs agency or campaigning organisation. Those who have had some experience inside Whitehall, particularly in a Minister's private office or on the No 10 graduate programme, will also be able to present a strong CV. Familiarity with the workings of Westminster and Whitehall, the procedures, the terms used, the documentation - all of this is extremely useful and will make your CV stand out among the many, many that agencies receive.

An interest in politics and policy issues is essential, although a degree in politics is not a requirement. In my experience, recruitment panels very rarely look at the subject of a candidate's degree - experience is the all-important thing. Grassroots political involvement, whether through student politics or a local political party, will be looked upon favourably, as will a clear awareness of and interest in current affairs. But remember, it is also important to be able to stand back and understand political positions with which you may not agree. An element of impartiality is required by all who join a public affairs firm.

Communications skills are of the utmost importance. The ability to write well and to express yourself in a clear and concise fashion is particularly important. The job invariably requires work to be produced very quickly and there is rarely time for extended in-depth research. Some recent graduates find this aspect of the job frustrating, following on from their university projects where they had the luxury of much more time at their disposal. You will need to be able to analyse material quickly and to draw out the points relevant to the issues at hand in a systematic and coherent way. The consultants you will be working with are often very busy, juggling clients and jumping from issue to issue. If you can make their lives a little easier you will go a long way!

This is a job where you will need to work to strict deadlines. Time management and the ability to make judgements about priorities are important. You also need to have the confidence to flag up workload issues well in advance in order to make sure delivery to the client is not compromised. You will also need to be comfortable working in a team environment, and team environments in consultancy vary. You should explore whether the agency you are thinking of joining will always regard you as "bottom of the food chain" or whether a more inclusive attitude is in operation.

Personal discipline and interpersonal skills are important, particularly as many public affairs companies are quite small. You will be judged on your ability to fit in with existing staff (many of whom may have egos a little on the large side!) - the chemistry at the interview is likely to be a factor in deciding the successful applicant.

Your ability to communicate with clients, although this will usually be in writing and on the telephone at first, will also be considered, as will your potential to deal with officials, politicians and journalists.

Finally, being an IT whiz in this job is a real advantage. A growing amount of work is done by e-mail, and all public affairs agencies are heavily and increasingly reliant on the internet as a research tool and source of documents. The ability to find your way around on-line quickly and effortlessly will be an enormous advantage. In addition, you should consider acquiring database management skills (Access, Excel for example) and becoming proficient at Power Point presentations. If you find technology difficult, you are likely to struggle in this job.

The role of the researcher is not an easy one. Some of the work is decidedly repetitive - reading the same sort of material carefully day after day, paying attention to every detail, trying not to miss that vital snippet of information. At other times, the work is exciting and requires real flair and creativity, particularly when you are working on business development and trying to win new clients. The trick is to be able to deliver in both roles, and not to neglect one in favour of the other. … and, of course, to join a firm which has the career structure to allow you to develop your skills and provide a path for you for the future.