AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) touted the enhancements it made to its networks in the first half of 2010, noting it has poured more than $8.2 billion into its wired and wireless networ
Congratulations to all of the recent grads and soon-to-be grads. So you decided you want to do PR – how do you start? The good news is that the job market seems to be looking better than it did a year ago; the challenge is that PR continues to be a competitive market. Here are some tips for the newly-graduated, or for anyone who is looking to switch their career over to the exciting (crazy) world of PR.
Get experience. How? Internships! Not only is this a great way to start building solid relationships within the PR industry, but also a great way to start learning the tricks of the trade. You really do learn more through experience and some things in PR, you can only learn by doing. Can’t find an internship? Try volunteering – there are plenty of non-profit organizations who can use a little PR, but don’t have the resources for one.
Highlight specific skills. Don’t have PR experience but you’re a social media guru? Or maybe your background is in film editing? As traditional public relations tools are blended with new media tactics, many public relations firms are now searching for Digital Media Specialists. These are folks who are well-versed in the latest and greatest social media tools and who can help splice and dice together video footage. Do you speak a second language? Being able to speak a second language can also be an advantage as more companies target an increasingly diverse market.
Network, network, network. Join your local PRSA and be an active participant. Take advantage of opportunities to introduce yourself and get to know fellow public relations practitioners. Connect with PR professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter. You never know who you will meet who might know of an opportunity. Plus, it’s one of the best ways to get insight into the world of PR.
Prepare for the interview. So you scored an interview – make sure to come prepared. Seems like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many candidates have shown up for an interview unprepared. The candidates who stand out are those who show up in a suit, bring examples of their work in a portfolio and have clearly done their research on the company and the position.
Once you get your foot in the door, make sure you make the most of it. Learn as much as you can, work as hard as you can and be prepared for anything. Good luck!
