How to Get a Job in Public Relations
GETTING a job in public relations can be rather difficult if you are just starting out and are applying for entry level position. It can become a lot harder if you don’t have any work experience or the work experience you have is minimal. Most well-know public relations agencies or firms don’t really have entry-level position for public relations.
It’s a lot easier to get your foot in the door of well-known public relations firms or agencies with an internship or freelance work. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you build a solid resume and portfolio with lots of freelance and intern experiences before you apply.
Nevertheless, the following are some simple steps to help you to get a job in public relations.
1. When you are applying for a job or going for an interview in public relations, show that you have excellent communication and writing skills. Demonstrate your previous work such as press releases and press hits to the hiring managers when you apply for a job. Moreover, essays, articles and pitch letter that you have written during your intern can also be used to showcase your skills.
2. The best way to build a solid resume is to volunteer to work with a non-profit organization. While many non-profit organizations may have a full time public relation specialist working with them, they may not have the cost to hire an assistant. Take advantage of this opportunity to volunteer for the position to develop your public relations skills.
3. Build up your network with public relations professionals. Attending events is a good method of networking with public relations specialists. Besides, you may also find the alumni list from your college helpful in terms of networking with the right people.
4. There are different types of public relations. Some are specializing in products, events planning, corporate, and non-profit organization. Determine the types of public relations careers that you want to involve in. Make a list of local public relations firms that specialize in those areas of your interest. Contact them to inquire if they are hiring.
5. Go through the list of public relations companies that you are interested to work with. Call the Human Resource department or send email to ask if they are hiring. Ask if you can submit resume for consideration. If they don’t have a relevant position available now, you can leave your contact or your resume to the hiring managers.
More tips in getting a public relations job
1. Getting a specialized degree in public relations will often help to get the job but it’s not necessary.
2. In general, most public relations specialists have excellent writing skills. People who are majoring in English or journalism often develop good writing skills during their college lives.
3. It will be a lot easier to get a job in a public relations company if you were recommend by anyone who works there. Therefore, networking is important for landing a job.
4. Public relations careers are often challenging and you are expected to adapt quickly to the new environment. Since most public relations firms operate differently, most public relations job are in “learn on the job” situations.
In conclusion, getting an entry level job in public relations can be made a lot easier if you have intern or freelance experiences. Your resume will also look good with these experiences gained from volunteering work in non-profit organizations. Networking is necessary for landing a job in most public relations firms. Attending public events or keeping in touch with your alumni is useful in getting to know the right people who can help to recommend you into the companies.
