Getting a job in PR is tough. It is a popular industry that many people want to be a part of so competition is fierce. However there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting a job in this field, which we have listed below.
It may sound horrible but it really is essential to be prepared to start at the bottom if you want a job in PR. Agencies will only give campaigns to their employees who have experience, so you need to start low and work your way up.
This isn't as bad as it sounds as you will be gaining a vast amount of experience and knowledge as you rise through the ranks that you will be more than ready when it eventually comes to running your own campaigns.
It is essential to get yourself known by the right people if you want a successful career in PR, both before you join the industry and afterwards.
One of the best ways to do this is through your social media profiles, connect with the right people on Twitter and you could go far.
Research the industry to find the people you want to connect with be it the heads of certain agencies or journalists who may be influential, and add them to your profiles.
But remember you should try to connect with people offline as well as online to create the best impression.
PR is mostly about creativity, so providing an amazing CV is your first chance to show potential employers how creative you can be. Don't send the usual sheet of A4 with your educational history and work experience, everyone does that and you won't stand out from the crowd.
Think about doing something different such as creating a powerpoint presentation, or an infographic that displays your best qualities. Whatever you do make sure your CV is honest and reflects the true you.
We know this is a toughy as many people simply cannot afford not to be paid for the work they do, but if you can then voluntary work could be the way forward. Some agencies offer up to 3 months unpaid work experience and this can be a great way of getting your foot on the ladder.
Completing voluntary work gives you some experience to put on your CV, and it also shows your commitment to the PR industry.
If this does interest you then try contacting some agencies asking if they have any short term, unpaid roles available.
One of the most important personal aspects to show off is your personality. PR is all about connecting with the right people, and to do this you need to have a resilient, outgoing personality. You need to be able to deal with knock backs, and carry on regardless. It is important to be able to talk to people whether they be clients or journalists, or anyone else you may come into contact with when running a campaign. A PR person cannot be shy and scared to talk to people as they will simply fade away, you need to be outgoing and strong-willed to make it in this industry.
