Do social media applicants who ‘have it all’ exist?

Seeking social media rock star with five to seven years of experience in digital marketing, including community management, analytics, and digital strategy. Candidate should be a fantastic writer with a sense for content that resonates with key audiences. Candidate should have a background in PR and marketing, agency experience, strong organizational skills, and an insatiable curiosity to explore new tools and technologies in social media.

If this sounds like you, please email John Johnson at XYZ company today.

OK, so I had a little fun with that, but you get the idea.

Due to my work with Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) and as a solo consultant (read: not connected with an agency or corporation), I get all sorts of requests from friends and colleagues to help them identify candidates.

In some cases, I’m able to help. Other times I’m not. But one trend has emerged in the last year: Companies seem to have relatively unrealistic expectations about candidates when it comes to social media/digital marketing.

Just look at the fictional job description above—community management experience, analytics expert, and an exceptional writer. How many people do you know who have all those skills?