A 29-year-old woman working in corporate communications makes about $78,000 a year. She was recently approached about a role that would pay $130,000, a raise of more than 60 percent.
After two interviews, she learned the job would essentially mean running a CEO’s entire online presence, with posts going out under his name that he wouldn’t even review. Now she’s trying to figure out whether this is a smart career move or something she’ll struggle to explain later.
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Corporate Communications at $78,000
Her current role is in corporate communications. She works on messaging and helps shape how her company presents itself.
At 29, she’s built a solid foundation in the field. She earns a steady salary and has experience that’s valuable to employers.
Still, $78,000 can feel tight depending on where someone lives. Rent, student loans, savings goals, and daily expenses can quickly eat into a paycheck.
Recruited for a $130,000 Role
She was contacted by a recruiter about a position at a midsize company. The salary would be $130,000.
That’s a $52,000 jump from what she earns now. Over a few years, that difference could add up to well over $100,000 in extra income.
A raise that big could change her financial future. It could help her pay off debt, save for a home, or invest more for retirement.
Running a CEO’s Online Presence
During the interview process, she learned what the job actually involves. She’d be managing the CEO’s entire public personality online.
That means writing posts, replying to comments, congratulating employees, and sharing personal stories. Everything would be published under his name.
The CEO doesn’t have time to do it himself. He wants to appear more involved and approachable without spending the time it takes.
Posts, Comments, and Personal Stories
She’d also be writing his opinions on industry news. In many ways, she’d become the voice people associate with him.
That’s a big responsibility. Her words would shape how employees, customers, and industry peers see him.
It also raises questions about authenticity. Readers would believe they’re hearing directly from the CEO, even though someone else is writing it.
No Review From the CEO
In the second interview, the company made it clear that the CEO wouldn’t review most of what she writes. That surprised her.
Many executives work with communications staff, but they usually approve important messages. Here, she’d be operating with almost complete independence.
That level of trust could be a sign of confidence in her abilities. But it could also leave her exposed if a post causes problems.
Executive Communications as a Career
The recruiter described the role as executive communications. That’s a real career path in many companies.
Executive communications professionals often write speeches, emails, and public statements for leaders. Building strong executive messaging can be valuable experience.
Still, this job feels different to her. It’s focused less on supporting the CEO’s voice and more on fully creating it for him.
Explaining It on a Résumé
She worries about how the role would look later. Describing it as spending three years pretending to be someone’s CEO online feels awkward.
At the same time, there may be ways to frame it professionally. Managing an executive’s public presence and building audience engagement are skills many employers value.
The question is whether future employers would see it as a strategic communications role or something more unusual. That uncertainty is weighing on her.
Big Raise or Odd Detour
The salary is hard to ignore. It could give her financial security and open new opportunities.
But she’s unsure whether the job would strengthen her career or take it in a strange direction. She’s left trying to decide whether the extra money is worth stepping into a role that might be difficult to explain once she’s ready to move on.
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