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When choosing a career many candidates don’t just do it for the money, in fact, more and more individuals are looking for the lifestyle that comes as part of the package. The world of public relations and marketing is often seen as a glamorous career choice and the right placement could just see you liaising with the best in the business as well as top brands, celebs, and more.
However, it’s not all glitz and glam, a career in PR requires a lot of hard work and very long hours, and many candidates struggle to make the grade in their quest for success. We have compiled our top tips for succeeding in this challenging and varied career…
Communication skills and confidence are key
A successful career in PR requires the use of excellent communication skills as most of your working day will be spent liaising with clients and other media representatives to get the trends and issues on your agenda out there to the masses. As well as developing a keen eye for current affairs, all PR practitioners must exercise great verbal and communication skills confidently to ensure their clients are represented effectively across all media channels.
Marshall Patterson's "Effective Communication" provides practical strategies to improve social skills, empathy, clarity, and confidence for success in personal and professional interactions.
Working under pressure is part of the package
The fast-paced world of PR is not for the faint-hearted and the ability to work under pressure is vital. Each day every PR professional will be faced with tight deadlines, so adopting a flexible outlook and honing your multitasking skills should be one of your main priorities from the outset.
“xAs you consider what career you would like to take on as a professional, you need to take a good hard look at some of your strengths. When you take the time to focus on your strengths, you will find that it is easier to determine which skills you should utilize to make the biggest impact and to ensure that you like the work that you do.” – Career Planning Tips for Professional Success
PR isn’t for individuals looking for a regular 9 ‘til 5 position, in fact, the imposing deadlines will often mean you’re not home until late and needed in the office first thing the very next morning. Despite the long hours, PR can provide a satisfying career for those looking to work hard and reap the rewards.
Experience counts
As with any career within the media, showcasing a long list of placements is certainly recommended and can really set you apart from your fellow candidates. As well as making an interesting addition to your Curriculum Vitae, using your days off, weekends, and holidays to volunteer at PR agencies and other media outlets will ensure you develop the skills you need to succeed.
A good grounding in journalism, advertising, marketing, business, or communications is also highly sought-after, and those with a degree or additional training within these areas as well as related experience will see themselves shortlisted for the best roles.
When choosing a career many candidates don’t just do it for the money, in fact, more and more individuals are looking for the lifestyle that comes as part of the package. The world of public relations and marketing is often seen as a glamorous career choiceClick To TweetCreativity – the lifeblood of public relations
Demonstrating your creativity and initiative is an essential part of a PR practitioner’s role, however, having the resilience to bounce back if your ideas are turned down is also important. Whether you are just starting your PR-related degree or are looking to take the first steps after graduation, remaining creative and tuned into the wider industry will ensure you are one step ahead of the pack.
Have you ever struggled to complete a design project on time? Or felt that having a tight deadline stifled your capacity for maximum creativity? If so, then this book is for you.
