Want a career in PR?
A career in PR takes more than just a good degree.
Public relations has certainly changed across the recent couple of years. Regardless of whether you're not convinced that the concept of online networks and connections are a part of the public relations role, it's difficult to admit the rising importance from blogs, the continuous downfall of traditional media and the impact that online engagement can have on brands. If you do see that public relations ought to incorporate these new activities, then there's a whole new puzzle to be played.
Similarly, the skills that new PR graduates requirements have advanced as well.
Here are some key skills a public relations graduate will need in order to be successful.
1. Communication Skills
The ability to communicate is foremost the most common reached out expertise specified by PR experts. Other than being a confident speaker, you must also be an excellent listener as well. A PR job will certainly involve communicating with a spectrum of people over various mediums across different regions which is why you have to be sensitive to slight implications. By all means you will need to take people's priorities and strains into your consideration.
“Communication, both verbal and non-verbal, affects every aspect of your professional life. From how your ideas are viewed to your relationship with co-workers, communication skills are essential,” says Michele Mavi, Resident Career Expert at Atrium Staffing.
2. Research Skills
In order to communicate precisely and professionally on a matter, you need to be a good researcher. You will need to keep an eye on fast track markets and be insightful about your clients and their demands. You must be up-to-date with the ongoing trends and enjoy learning about them. If you're normally analytical, you'll enjoy the research point of PR.
3. Creativity
A career in PR would need an extensive amount of creativity not only in terms of writing but also in executing new approaches to advertise businesses and engaging new clients. Having PR as a profession means you are constantly required to contribute brand-new ideas by thinking out of the box, so being creative all the time is important to be successful in your career.
4. Social Media
You are surely expected to be excellent in using prominent social media platforms to communicate and do researches. It is crucial to be alert of ongoing events that appear on the timeline so that you can pitch in for your company's social media strategy. Hence, come prepped with good knowledge of the industry's traditions and social research.
5. Writing & Pitching Ability
While being a skilled writer appears to be an pronounced qualification, numerous PR firms whine that great writers are extremely hard to seek among fresh graduates. Numerous graduates play out the absolute minimum in their written work instead of building up their writing abilities. PR specialists know the foolishness of this step as great writing skills are fundamental in a fruitful PR profession.
Other attributes that employers look for in PR graduates:
- Motivated
- Cooperative
- Client-centric
- Assertive
- Articulate
So, do you have the skills to succeed in public relations?
References
Allyson, C. (2018). 4 Steps to Landing That Killer PR Job. [online] Themuse.com. Available at: https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-steps-to-landing-that-killer-pr-job [Accessed 13 Sep. 2018].
Blum, P. (2018). What PR firms want from junior employees. [online] Axiapr.com. Available at: https://www.axiapr.com/blog/what-pr-firms-want-from-junior-employees [Accessed 13 Sep. 2018].
Catriona, A., Team, O., Media, C., Speak, B., Communications, C., Clients, O., Stories, S., Relations, P., Media, S., Marketing, C., Leadership, T., Branding, P., Coaching, M., Training, S., Training, P., Training, B., Training, P., Training, M., Training, P., Expert, U., Pack, P. and System, U. (2018). Entry level skills for PR graduates - Public Relations Sydney. [online] Public Relations Sydney. Available at: https://publicrelationssydney.com.au/entry-level-skills-for-pr-graduates/ [Accessed 13 Sep. 2018].
Jeremy, P. (2018). Skills Entry-Level PR Hires Should Have. [online] Journalistics. Available at: http://blog.journalistics.com/skills-entry-level-pr-hires-should-have/ [Accessed 13 Sep. 2018].
USC Online Communication Degree. (2018). Five Skills Every Public Relations Specialist Needs | USC Online Communication Degree. [online] Available at: https://communicationmgmt.usc.edu/blog/five-skills-every-public-relations-specialist-needs/ [Accessed 13 Sep. 2018].
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