Getting a Job in PR

Sarah Stimson

What to apply for?- PR Assistant- Team Assistant- Account Executive- Press Officer- Executive Assistant- Public Affairs Assistant- PR Co-ordinator

Where to look?

Graduate schemes- Many agencies are rubbish at publicising their schemes- Follow agencies on Twitter- Use the graduate scheme list- Use PR Week rankings- Join PR Job Watch and Future Communications Leaders- Competition is fierce

Recruitment agencies- Well connected- Industry knowledge- Career advice

BUT REMEMBER- Keep a note of who sends your CV where- Be clear about what you want- Be polite and return their calls and emails

Social media

Networking

Networking- Who do you know?- Who do your parents know?- Who do your friends know?- Who do your lecturers know?- Who have you met at parties?- Who have you met at networking events?- Who do you admire?

What are they looking for?

Skills

Portfolio- Blogs- Self publishing- Student papers- Local papers – work experience- Find a dull publication and write something interesting- PR department of student union- Make sure it is well presented!

Interest in the media

...not just newspapers

Enthusiasm

Passion

Work Experience

What do I need?

A decent CV

...don’t

- Use PDFs- Use tables- Name the file “CV”- Go over 2 pages- Use coloured paper- Use ‘amusing’ fonts- Forget to proof read

A strong covering letter- Set it out as a business letter- It should contain three things

- Why you want to work there- What you know about the company- Why they should employ you

- Give examples- Keep it on one page- Attach as a Word doc as well as in the email

Keep a recordUse a spreadsheet

- Who- Which company- Date- Replies- Interview feedback

Top 10 Interviews tips

TURN UP

BE ON TIME

DRESS SMARTLY

TAKE YOUR

DO YOUR RESEARCH

READ THE AD

PRACTISE

BE INTERESTED

ASK

REMEMBER

Useful Linkswww.unicornjobs.com/espressoarchivewww.unicornjobs.com/guides/working-pr-communication/www.slideshare.netwww.hollis-pr.comwww.cipr.org.ukwww.prca.co.ukwww.enternships.comhttp://brightone.org.uk/give-support/current-opportunities/http://brightone.org.uk/2010-pr-graduate-schemes/

Final advice- Be persistent- Expect rejections- Don’t take it personally-Write a thank you- Don’t forget who helped you – stay in touch

Once you’ve been hired

... help others

Any questions?