Add in the non-financial benefits, which include hobnobbing with the rich and famous as well as playing a significant role in shaping public opinion, and individuals have more reasons to pursue one of the many possible public affairs careers.
Get the Higher Education
Your first step is obviously to secure the necessary college degree in fields like journalism, marketing, communications and public relations. These are the surefire ways in which to enter the public relations industry although employers may require applicants for expertise in other fields depending on the industry to which the company belongs to. For example, an applicant may be required to be well-versed in information technology, finance, or engineering if these are the industry to which the company is primarily engaged in.
Be Trained in the Field
If you do not possess any of the abovementioned college degrees, don't despair about your ability to land the most lucrative public relations jobs. The industry is open to applicants who have non-related college degrees but whose training, work experience and personal qualities can be effectively translated into successful public affairs careers. Internships in public relations firms or in companies with public relations departments are the best ways to land entry-level jobs in the industry. In fact, many agencies offering public affairs specialist jobs appreciate applicants with a broad range of expertise mainly because our world is multi-specialist.
Develop the Personality Traits
Along the way of securing an education and training through internship, the individual should be able to develop certain personality traits for success in the public relations profession. Of course, the ability to communicate in both oral and written forms in a clear, concise and effective manner is a must. Other personality traits are important, nonetheless, which include very satisfactory skills in decision-making, problem-solving and people-reading as well as creativity, resourcefulness and assertiveness.
Show Professional Certifications
Entry-level jobs in the public relations sector will not require applicants to present certification from private professional organizations including the Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators. These certifications are usually provided upon the accumulation of a certain number of years work experience coupled with the right education, which are then followed by oral and written examinations. In most instances, employers advertising for open public affairs specialist jobs require applicants to show said professional certifications for obvious reasons.
Put Yourself on the Job Market
Of course, public relations jobs will not be falling into the lap or lining up at the door of an applicant regardless of how stellar the academic and internship tracks records may have been. Keep in mind that the industry is a very competitive one where only the best go on to enjoy successful public relations careers with success involving taking the first step - putting yourself on the job market and letting employers know of your willingness to work and work hard. You have to ensure that your resume and portfolio stands out from among the rest.
Polish Your Online Presence
Did you know that more than 80% of employers now partly base their hiring decisions based on the online information about the applicants? We always suggest cleaning up one's online presence from the social to the professional networking sites. Better yet, we recommend maintaining your own site and creating content with excellent substance, which will control the information that employers learn about your personal and professional qualifications. Your site helps prospective employers differentiate you from other people bearing the same name but with less than stellar reputations.
Show Up for Appointments
And the most important way to start on one of the most successful public relations careers in recent history is to actually show up for the appointments. If you cannot even be on time, dressed appropriately and prepared as best as possible for the job interview, then there's no way that the employer will be impressed. Even the most competitive professionals for the most coveted public affairs specialist jobs will give this important piece of advice to entry-level applicants.
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