Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?
Discussion and advice on all types of marketing, from how to get into the industry to different career paths.
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Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?I have applied for a position in public relations in London, but I don't know much about PR at all. I was hoping if someone could advise me on what this type of work is like. Is it all office based? What would be my duties? Is it boring? Are you treated as a slave when you first start in a PR company?
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?I currently work in a PR company (based in Scotland) and I enjoy it although its not what I want to do any more (am applying for teaching pgde).
Depends on the size of the office and type of client but when you first start you will typically be handling press cuttings, basic admin stuff and sending out press releases and following up (phone calls to each journalist to gage interest). We do a lot of social media so tweeting and facebook updates for clients. The more experience you get you will write press releases and you might also attend photo shoots or events if your clients do these type of PR stunts.
Basically it is all about drumming up editorial for your client in consumer, trade and national publications.
Nearly all of my work is office based but it depends on your clients really and what they want you to be doing. I generally spend a lot of time on the phone trying to make relationships with journalists. You will need a thick skin as journalists generally treat you like vermin and do not have time to speak to you
That's a really vague and basic description of it. I have been treated so well at my company, and I enjoy what I do, I just think the anti social hours (you often have to work late and start early) and the way people speak to you are not for me personally. The creative side of it is great and you are constantly having to think on your feet and adapt.
Good luck, I hope you enjoy it!
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?Are you being serious? you apply for a job you know nothing about and ask stupid questions like is it boring?
I'm assuming you only want to do PR because you've heard the good things about it, fancy glamming it up at a few parties and being a bit of a socialite? Am I right so far? 99% of the time you're going to be working 8-7 shifts on 9-5 pay. You're going to be reading up on current events, looking at angles with which you can get your client some exposure. Its stressful and its challenging, but I love it.
If the above is a bit of a put off, then its even worse being an intern. You wont be doing any actual writing, in fact you'll be doing coverage reports, you'll be trawling through media tools to find the contact details of journalists and, most likely, you wont be getting paid.
You may find you like it, you may not, but I can guarantee you that going into work experience with the limit of your prepared questions being 'will it be boring' will see you become another cog in the eternal intern machine.
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?(Original post by kaiserjacko)
Are you being serious? you apply for a job you know nothing about and ask stupid questions like is it boring?
I'm assuming you only want to do PR because you've heard the good things about it, fancy glamming it up at a few parties and being a bit of a socialite? Am I right so far? 99% of the time you're going to be working 8-7 shifts on 9-5 pay. You're going to be reading up on current events, looking at angles with which you can get your client some exposure. Its stressful and its challenging, but I love it.
If the above is a bit of a put off, then its even worse being an intern. You wont be doing any actual writing, in fact you'll be doing coverage reports, you'll be trawling through media tools to find the contact details of journalists and, most likely, you wont be getting paid.
You may find you like it, you may not, but I can guarantee you that going into work experience with the limit of your prepared questions being 'will it be boring' will see you become another cog in the eternal intern machine.
Best of luck
Really is it that 'office' based?? Im 16, have done lots of research in this area and came to conclusion that I wanted to go into the world of PR after I realized that my combonation of interessts in journalism, events management and marketing would lead me in this direction.
I made this decision when I was cosiderably younger (though I wasnt really aware of the actually terminology etc). I am still keen on this idea, but I dont know if im just settling?? -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?It is very much office-based although you would probably go out and meet with clients. It really depends if you're going for agency PR or in-house PR? And also the company of course. I mean, some PR includes events management but not all roles do.(Original post by sugarkay)
Really is it that 'office' based?? Im 16, have done lots of research in this area and came to conclusion that I wanted to go into the world of PR after I realized that my combonation of interessts in journalism, events management and marketing would lead me in this direction.
I made this decision when I was cosiderably younger (though I wasnt really aware of the actually terminology etc). I am still keen on this idea, but I dont know if im just settling?? -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?PR is a very social job. But don't forget that a lot of this 'socialising' will be scheduled before or after work, thus making for really long working days.
You may find this interview with a PR really useful to give you an insight into the job.
Good luck! -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?I'm interning at a PR company and I agree with some but not all of this. As an intern I've done shedloads more than basic admin -- it does very much depend upon the company and how they want you to progress/what they want you to do. Copy-writing and content creation for passing on to the client, making contacts & using them to promote the client -- 'events' for me has been conferences, and depending on who you represent, could mean business conventions or parties but either way you're not going to be standing there with a glass of wine in your hand, you will be working your arse off trying to make the event work for the client. Definitely echoing the 'getting paid for 9-5, working 8-7'. I've been there a short time, I have never left the office before 5.30 and that was a one-off; I've been there til nearly 8 at night, coworkers have stayed on til 11pm.
I think the generic 'is it boring' questions can't be answered by 'PR'. It depends on the company, what sector of PR you're doing (corporate? Healthcare? Individuals? Crisis management?) and what kind of job you've gone in with. -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?Thank you so much!(Original post by inksplodge)
It is very much office-based although you would probably go out and meet with clients. It really depends if you're going for agency PR or in-house PR? And also the company of course. I mean, some PR includes events management but not all roles do. -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?My mum worked (works, kinda?) in PR. It depends what type of PR. According to her, and generally accepted as the truth, fashion PR is beyond bitchy. Think Devil Wears Prada.
There's a lot of meeting clients. You've got to be good at talking to people and making them feel comfortable. If you don't like socialising, you're not going to enjoy this job.
It is also fairly office based, but lots of meetings and working together rather than just one person.
Oh, and although this was about three decades ago her company cars included a VW Scirocco, an Alfa Spyder and a Maserati o.O Don't think they give out cars like they anymore though
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?Yes.(Original post by TheEnigmaUK)
I have applied for a position in public relations in London, but I don't know much about PR at all. I was hoping if someone could advise me on what this type of work is like. Is it all office based? What would be my duties? Is it boring? Are you treated as a slave when you first start in a PR company?
Any advice? -
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Re: Public Relations jobs - What is public relations like as a job? Is it rubbbish?It depends on the company you work for but there's nothing quite like first hand experience to see for yourself. Have you tried organising yourself some work experience? I used Eternship (Oppswop) and Target jobs and found out pretty soon that a careeer in HR was not what I wanted - and now i'm really happy working in Advertising!!
