A good resume is crucial for a career in public relations. This article has proven resume examples. You will also find strategic advice from experts. Learn how to present your skills and experience. This will help you get noticed by hiring managers. Understand what to include, what to avoid, and how to structure your resume. This information will be useful whether you are new or have years of experience.
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Here's what we see in the best public relations resumes...
Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show impact using numbers. Metrics like
List Relevant Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Show You Can Work With Media: Public relations jobs value media interaction. Use phrases like
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If you recently graduated or completed significant education, put your education at the top of your resume. Employers should see why you might have gaps in your work history. This is crucial for public relations roles where recent studies in media, communications, or a related field can make a difference.
If you have been in the workforce for some time, list your work experience before your education. This allows employers to quickly see your professional background first.
In public relations, connections with media professionals are crucial. Highlight any relationships or collaborations you have had with journalists, editors, or media outlets. Mention specific projects where these relationships benefited your client or employer.
Include metrics where possible, such as the number of media placements or audience reach of your campaigns. This shows your effectiveness in building and leveraging media relationships.
For those with less than 10 years of experience in public relations, you should aim to present your skills and accomplishments effectively on one page. This shows you can communicate key points without unnecessary detail.
Senior-level professionals with a wealth of relevant experiences could extend to a two-page resume. Here, you must prioritize content that demonstrates your impact on previous organizations, such as successful campaigns or crisis management examples. Keep the most compelling information on the first page, as hiring managers typically scan this area rapidly.
Crisis management skills are highly valued in public relations. If you have handled any crises or significant issues for clients or employers, make sure to include these experiences.
Provide specific examples and outline the steps you took to manage the situation. Emphasize the outcomes, such as mitigating negative publicity or restoring the client’s reputation.
When you apply for public relations roles, your resume may first be read by a computer program known as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). To make sure your resume gets seen by a person, you need to format it in a way that the ATS can read easily.
Here are some key points to consider:
To get noticed, you need a resume that speaks to the job you want. Think about what public relations work requires and show how you've done that in past jobs. Use words from the job ad and focus on results you've achieved.
When crafting your resume for public relations roles, showcase specific skills that demonstrate your proficiency in the field. Here are some key abilities you should consider highlighting:
Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps with tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to find candidates with the right skills. Not all skills may apply to you, choose those that match your experience and the job you want. For example, if you aim to specialize in digital public relations, focus on skills like
Remember, a good resume shows you can do the job. So, mention specific tools or platforms you have used, like
When you apply for roles in public relations, it's key to show how you've grown or led in past jobs. Here are ways to do this:
Think about times when you took charge or helped others work better. Even if you weren't a manager, you might have:
Using numbers to show your success is key. Think about the times you've helped a campaign or a project. How did it do? To give a strong example, you can say you increased social media engagement or brought in more media coverage. Here's how:
You might not have exact numbers for everything. That's okay. Think about your projects and estimate. Did an event you promote get more people than before? By how much? Did your crisis communication plan reduce the number of negative stories? Try to give numbers for these changes. Remember, even a small number can show you've made a good difference.
When crafting your resume for a role in public relations, it's crucial to highlight any signs of leadership or career advancement. This shows you're ready for more responsibility and can lead a team.
Consider the following ways you might have shown leadership:
For displaying promotions, think about: