Graduation season is here! That means, of course, the work force will be receiving an onslaught of college graduates. Nearly 10% of all are communications/journalism graduates, which means that competition will be fierce for the best jobs. What’s a new PR grad to do?
Don’t underestimate the importance of good writing skills
There is nothing that makes a job candidate stand out more than strong writing skills. So you're not this generation’s Hemingway? Not to worry. There are simple ways that you can brush up on writing skills to be ready for the interview and writing test.
The first and most important way to become a better writer is to read. Absorb as much well-written information as you can and emulate it. Put pen to paper and encourage creativity with some writing prompts.
Network anywhere and everywhere
Look for connections in likely and unlikely places. Most people are predisposed to be helpful. Use this to your advantage. Reach out to your college professors to see if they have former students or professional contacts in your area with whom you can set up a coffee meeting. Utilise your alumni network as much as you can. Find events in your city and attend a happy hour. Join a meet-up group. Just get out of your comfort zone and start connecting.
Be persistent in your follow-up
It’s the first lesson of PR: Persistence is everything. It might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but push past potential perceived social awkwardness and send a second email, make a phone call or politely bother someone until they respond. I guarantee you’re going to be doing a lot of persistent and polite bothering once you land a PR job and you have to pitch the media, so get used to it now.
Clean up your social media presence
If a company is seriously interested in hiring you, it is going to Google you. Make sure that the face you’re presenting to the world is one you’re proud of as a young professional. Maybe it’s time to take down those keg stand pictures from your 21st birthday weekend. While that moment certainly is worth remembering, those photos probably fail to convey the impression you want to give to an employer. Scroll through your Twitter and Instagram feeds, too – set them to private or clean them.
Get your foot in the door with a postgraduate diploma with arranged work experience
Fitzwilliam Institute’s Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations with Arranged Work Experience is Ireland's longest running and most successful public relations course. The PR training program provides a dynamic, interactive, case-study based, workshop approach platform, to develop industry’s best practice and skills. Empowered with Fitzwilliam Institute’s practical skills approach model, you will attain hands-on skills from key public relations industry figures, enabling you to become a successful public relations professional.
As a student in Fitzwilliam Institute’s postgraduate diploma in public relations program, you will prepare both a public relations portfolio and real life public relations briefs, covering all aspects of effective public relations. During Fitzwilliam Institute’s training program, many of the most successful public relations professionals will work with you to hone your public relations skills and help you achieve success in your challenging and rewarding public relations career. After 3 months in class, you will go on a 3-month work placement, 100% guaranteed and arranged by the institute. Interested? Apply here.
Go for it
What’s the worst that can happen if you apply for a job that’s a reach? The employer won’t respond to your application or will say you’re not a good fit. Either way, your ego will recover, so just take a chance and go for it. You never know when the stars will align. Good luck.
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