Comments on: Getting Hired in PR: Three Critical Skills

By: Jackie

Jackie — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:14:18 +0000

I found this to be a very interesting and helpful blog. I am a PhD student in political science and have campaign, but I have been thinking about pursuing a career in public relations when I finish, but I am not sure what the process is to look for or try to find jobs in public relations. Is there a certain way to go about finding jobs in this field? Thanks!

By: Kalyani

Kalyani — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:17:50 +0000

Our graduation programmes mostly focus on theoritical approach rather than practical and they also lack in paying attention to fill the communication gaps and to ensure whether the message reaches the targetted audience. Writing, critical thinking and PR skills make a good carrier out of any one with a good decision making power and acting quickly upon to changes in the business environment is also important

By: Lauren N.

Lauren N. — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 20:14:23 +0000

You spoke right to the heart of what I’m dealing with at this moment trying to find a job! Luckily, as I read your post and Todd Defren’s, I actually feel better about finding a job. I realize more and more the value of being in Auburn University’s public relations program. We’ve been exposed to many areas that Defren says many public relations graduates lack. Our classes include practice with blogs, campaigns, press kits, and even dress codes. These areas have allowed me to acquire the three critical skills you suggest, writing, critical thinking, and knowing pr tools and techniques. I think my program does a good job of focusing less on theories and more on practical experience.

Although I do think I’ve been blessed to be part of a wonderful program, my business knowledge is lacking. While I have knowledge in public relations, I’m still worried I won’t know how to apply it in a business world. How do you suggest making this transition? I’ve learned that a great deal of public relations is understanding my public, but I’m still trying to figure out the best way to do that, especially when my public is a large corporation.

For now, I’m just trying to read as much as I can and keep my eyes and ears always open! Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

By: Allison

Allison — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:58:55 +0000

Thank you for the advice! As a senior facing graduation in the upcoming months, I am especially interested in blog entries that give tips for entering the professional world. In the sea of tips and pointers, your post is refreshing because you highlight three crucial skills I am developing and can work on improving. Although I am not sure where I am taking my career at this point these skills will be important in any aspect of the field.

After reading your blog entry and Todd Defren’s entries, I am most interested in your emphasis on critical thinking and his on the business side of public relations. I always want to continue learning and asking questions. I think a critical mind will not only help me perform well in the duties of my job but will help me move forward in my career. I wish I had more experience and knowledge of the business side of pr. Our curriculum requires that we take business courses, however I do not feel prepared to work with business professionals in the real world yet. How do you suggest students learn business etiquette or become more business savvy before entering the professional world? Once again, thank you for your insight!

By: Chasity

Chasity — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:54:21 +0000

I really appreciate this blog entry. I am graduating in PR in May and I still feel a sense of confusion about what is expected of me as I enter the job market. Your guidelines are extremely helpful. I have been in the workforce a little longer than most of my classmates however the skills I have are basically all clerical.
When I am searching for a job should I highlight some that past experience or stick to what I have done in PR? I know it can’t hurt, but at the same time I don’t want it to seem irrelevant.
Thanks!

By: Kami Huyse

Kami Huyse — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:34:53 +0000

I am glad to see that some of you still find this post helpful. Liz, as for writing blog posts, I would recommend that you read other PR blogs, pick one or two a week that you really connect with or with which you have a strong opinion, and write about those posts, adding a little bit of your own thoughts on the matter - something beyond “I agreed completely or disagree with this blogger.” Be sure to add a link back to that bloggers post and then you will probably end up having a good discussion with that blogger in the comments section of your own blog. Also, it is instructive to have a debate, you learn a lot and others come to join in too. I highly recommend this as a strategy to build an interesting blog. I do it all the time.

By: Liz R.

Liz R. — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 01:13:39 +0000

Kami,

This is great advice! As an intern this past summer, I discovered how important it is to be a critical thinker. There were many times I had to ask questions and research before starting a project. Like you said, as students we are used to being walked through every step of a project or assignment. Although this helps us in the classroom, I found it more helpful to understand what I could before asking too many questions. My boss was also happy that he did not have to give me directions through every step of the project.

Although I have taken numerous writing courses, I feel I could improve my writing skills. I know you mentioned blogging as a great way to do this. Do you have any advice for someone who is beginning to blog? I’ve also heard that PR professionals and employers have commented about PR graduates lacking writing skills, what do you think is the cause of this? Thanks again for the advice!

By: Rachel S

Rachel S — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:58:05 +0000

Blog posts like these are what interest me most. Just about everyone who is an undergrad is looking to get hired after graduation. Being a senior, that time seems to be right around the corner, so this post grabbed my attention. I will try and take everything that you and Todd Defren have said to heart. I loved his comment about what it takes for him to hire someone. I wish there was a class dedicated to the business side of PR, unfortunately I don’t know much about the topic, but with all the access we have to the internet and teaching websites I am sure that I can educate myself on the subject. I think that the best teaching tool can be actually doing it. Unfortunately not everyone gets that oppurtunity before they graduate and begin looking for jobs. We will all have an internship under our belts before graduation, however our internships may not entail press releases and the like. I think the idea about the journalism majors and the Public Relations majors working together to pitch and be pitched ideas to is a great idea. I wish Auburn would look into that. Basically what I am trying to say is thank you for posts like these, they may make all the difference in the world between getting a job and not getting a job.

By: Marcom Blog » Blog Archive » Eight Tips for Newly Minted Public Relations Professionals

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:27:54 +0000

[…] Learn to write well. I mentioned this in one of my pervious posts, Three Critical Skills. I am not alone in my opinion about this. It is the one complaint I hear from fellow PR professionals about new graduates, “They just don’t teach them to write.�? Leo breaks down what constitutes good writing. […]

By: Adam’s Blog » Blog Archive » Undergrad requirements

Adam’s Blog » Blog Archive » Undergrad requirements — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 12:33:36 +0000

[…] I havent figured out how to do a hyperlink on here yet so here is the link to the story Im talking about:http://www.marcomblog.com/2006/06/20/undergrads-need-more-than-a-fluent-uderstanding-of-theories-to-land-a-good-job-in-pr/ I just read a great short blog about three things that every PR person should focus on when developing their skills. It made me feel good about where I stand as a senior about to start looking for a job. I think our program here at K-State does a great job of preparing us for the things she talked about in her blog. Two out of the three things she mentioned are actually the names of classes that we are required to take (PR writing and PR techniques). She also mentions being able to put together an entire PR campaign which is the name of our final class that we have to take. By having our public relations program as a part of the journalism program I think we have an advantage of having writing classes and being taught and taught again about grammar and proper AP style and things that are important to not only journalists but PR and Advertising people as well. […]