To tell you the truth, I’m a little tired of it. He’s a great guy, smart, funny, successful, and a good person. But he just cannot connect with anyone. He’s socially awkward and simply does not know how to put his PR skills to work in the real world. Let’s pray he finally meets a girl who’ll love him for the dork that he is.
But this lack of effectively communicating on a social level can cause more problems than dinner for one. Some public relations professionals simply have trouble utilizing their skills in social situations, with coworkers or supervisors, or when looking for public relations jobs. If you excel at targeted communications but cannot write about yourself in a resume, then read on to learn how to generate interest in you.
The Basic Components of a Public Relations Resume
First and foremost, of course, is entering your name, address, phone number, and email address. This should be in boldface at the top of the page. The other components of a public relations resume are one’s skill set and accomplishments, work experience, and education. You may also want to include any associations you are a member of, as well as any public relations industry-specific certifications and training.
As a side note, if you are looking to differentiate yourself from the pack of public relations professionals hungering for your dream job, then consider an APR Accreditation. APR Accreditation is the only certification program in the public relations industry. It is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) of which the Public Relations Society of America is a part. Listing this accreditation on your public relations resume will speak loudly to potential employers, and according to the UAB, accredited public relations professionals earn 20% more than non-accredited public relations professionals.
Summarize Your Public Relations Skills
Right beneath your name, list all your public relations skills. This is what employers want to know, so give it to them up front. Do not bury this section at the bottom or even in the middle of the resume. Public relations resumes should be short, focused, and to the point. Plus, make sure your skills speak to the position you are applying for. Try not to include any skills that you may not utilize in the position.
Emphasize Your Public Relations Accomplishments
Employers want to see results, not responsibilities. Include as much quantitative information about results as you can using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, and other measures. If you’ve worked at a public relations firm, name clients you’ve represented. If you’ve worked with new media, list exactly what you’ve done.
Wrapping Up Your Public Relations Resume
Finally, include your work history, listing employers, your titles, and dates. After your work history, you can list your education and, if needed, professional associations, certificates, and training.
Some people might advise you to include your education at the top of the resume. This is a mistake. Employers want to see what you have done, so your public relations experience should be right on top.
Conclusion
In conclusion, don’t be like my friend who’s a successful public relations professional but hopeless in the realm of dating and finding love. Use the tips above to effectively communicate to potential employers the public relations skills you can bring to the table.
