How to Write a Resume for Public Relations

By Ronn TorossianMarch 28, 20183 min read

How to Write a Resume for Public Relations

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Public Relations jobs can be exciting, satisfying, and interesting for those lucky enough to launch a successful career in the industry. Unfortunately, it's worth noting that the world of PR is notoriously difficult to get into because there are so many marketing professionals and journalist majors out there looking for a chance to make their mark on the world. While PR will require a great deal of tenacity and enthusiasm from anyone who gets involved in the sector, passion isn't enough to get a graduate the job of their dreams. Those who want to make sure that they impress potential employers from day one will need to show that they can deliver creative ideas to the mix, build powerful networks and produce fantastic written components too. With that in mind, here's how job-seekers can write the ideal resume for a public relations job.

Start with Plenty of Research

Public relations experts need to know how to research companies to prepare for important marketing efforts, events, and announcements. With that in mind, it makes sense for candidates in search of a job to use those skills when they're trying to impress a new potential boss. This means using social media to research agencies that they want to work for and looking up websites so that they can write a tailor-made cover letter for each company. Just as a good PR expert would never just send the same press release out for every brand, a job seeker should never think about sending the same resume and cover letter to the people they want to work for. Bespoke applications are always a good approach for people who want to stand out.

Keep Resumes Simple and Relevant

While it can be tempting to play around with gimmicks and unique ideas to make a resume stand out, the truth is that most PR experts will see the best results if they keep things short sweet and simple. Generally, it's important to think about which key skills need to be highlighted within the resume to draw attention to talents and experiences that a business needs from their PR professional. While there's nothing wrong with going the extra mile to stand out, this doesn't mean including unnecessary information on a resume. Most hiring managers will only have a certain amount of time to go through job applications, so they'll be looking for people who can get to the point.

Remember to Demonstrate Digital Skills

Today's PR experts need to be able to thrive in a digital landscape. However, if a professional wants to show off their digital skills, they need to make sure that they do more than simply apply for jobs online rather than mailing their resume in the post. For instance, it can be a good idea to build a professional network on social media channels and start a blog to develop thought leadership online. Some of the best PR professionals earn their positions with great companies because they have a strong personal brand. The digital world offers plenty of opportunities for people to show off their unique voice and approach to business.

About Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian is the Founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations. He is an experienced leader in the public relations industry with over 20 years of experience. Ronn Torossian has been named as Public Relations executive of the year by the American Business Awards, and has run countless award-winning Public Relations programs.

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Ronn Torossian

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Ronn Torossian is the founder and chairman of 5W AI Communications, launched in 2003 — the AI Communications Firm, combining earned media, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and AI-visibility research for B2C and B2B clients across beauty, technology, entertainment, corporate reputation, and crisis communications. An Inc. 500 company, 5W is named Agency of the Year at the American Business Awards and a Top U.S. PR Agency by O'Dwyer's.

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