Tips for Landing Your First PR Gig

May 8, 2024

Graduation season is upon us, which means the job stress is becoming all too real! But don’t sweat it future PR pros – today, we’re dishing out the ultimate tips for scoring your first gig in PR.  

1. Create Your Very Own PR Persona: PR is all about the presentation – think of your job application as your very own PR campaign! Your resume is a place for your skills to shine on paper – but there are so many other ways to ‘up your brand’ for future employers to see who you are. LinkedIn lets you get creative when it comes to sharing your past work experiences, projects, and any other achievements that may not be on your resume  – from a fun event you hosted at school to a volunteer opportunity you are proud of, LinkedIn lets hiring managers see your personality in a fun, professional setting (not to mention, lets you get ahead of the ‘tell us something not on your resume’ interview question) Want to take it a step further? Consider creating a customized portfolio website!  

2. Get Social: You’ve heard it a million times – it’s truly all who you know. Following graduation, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Attend job fairs at your school, join PR-related groups, and reach out to PR professionals on LinkedIn to get the conversations going. The Harvard Business Review has a great guide for LinkedIn messaging ‘how-to’s’ that give you the dos and don’ts when it comes to networking – but the true key is to be authentic, professional, and yourself (trust me, you got this). 

3. Do Your Homework: You landed an interview, now what?! Before you chat with the hiring team, be sure to do your research on the company – it sounds simple, but arming yourself with knowledge and insights about the company can make a world of difference during your interview. Be prepared to check out and engage with their social channels, website, blogs, and any big news the company may have announced. Did they work with one of your favorite brands? Tell them that! Are you curious how an event came together you saw on their Instagram? Ask! Forming a connection and showing you care about the work they are doing is a huge ‘green flag’ for hiring managers – and not to mention, who doesn’t love to celebrate success!? 😉 Aside from company questions, be sure to study the job description and explain why you are the best fit – confidence is key!  

4. Showcase Your Skills: While this may be your first job in PR, don’t underestimate the value of your existing skills! Whether you’ve practiced your pitch writing through a media relations class or demonstrated event management while organizing club gatherings, leverage these experiences to showcase why you’re the perfect candidate the team has been looking for. Aside from skills, emphasize your passions! Do you love scrolling through social media? Keeping up with the latest pop culture news? In PR staying one step ahead of the trend is important and if you already do that, you have a leg up.  

As you embark on your PR journey, remember to stay passionate, stay positive, and above all, stay true to yourself. Happy job hunting!