Page 2 | To think PR is a very easy job?

Lifeismagic · 2022-08-13T15:53:14+00:00

I’m thinking of applying for a junior PR role in a multi national corporation. AIBU to think there’s not much to the job and I should be able to do it? It’s not exactly rocket science is it? Or is there something I’m missing? I’ve never worked in PR before

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:05

zhivagodr · 13/08/2022 17:03

My sister works in PR and it definitely isn't an easy job.... you need to be an excellent writer, have the gift of the gab as someone said above, and be "on" all the time. There's lots of strategy and creativity involved too. I don't think like it sounds like you've researched the role or what it entails tbh?

I’ve researched the role and the business concerned

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Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:06

Redwinemaestro · 13/08/2022 17:05

I hope it's not Ryanair

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Nah it’s not

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Hoppinggreen · 13/08/2022 17:06

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:03

Oh I can build relationships easily, I can be very charming when I need to be

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Really?

elzober · 13/08/2022 17:07

A lot of it is about soft skills - persuasion, rapport building, reading the room etc and so being educated on its own simply doesn't cut it. I went into PR and was easily the most educated in my work environment but my soft skills weren't there yet and it took me longer to progress. Got there in the end but it was humbling and made me realise that being educated isn't enough in the workplace

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:07

Hoppinggreen · 13/08/2022 17:06

Really?

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Yes really

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Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:08

elzober · 13/08/2022 17:07

A lot of it is about soft skills - persuasion, rapport building, reading the room etc and so being educated on its own simply doesn't cut it. I went into PR and was easily the most educated in my work environment but my soft skills weren't there yet and it took me longer to progress. Got there in the end but it was humbling and made me realise that being educated isn't enough in the workplace

How easy is it to progress into a more senior role?

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Borracha · 13/08/2022 17:10

I work in this industry and it will be very evident very quickly if you don’t have the expertise. Even at a junior level, I would expect someone to have some media contacts and strong writing skills.

If it’s in-house, you wouldn’t be pitching to potential clients but again, I would expect even our junior staff to be able to pull together some initial plans for launches and campaigns.

Everyone has to start somewhere and if you have the right attitude, you can learn a lot as you go, but it seems that you have totally the wrong attitude.

NoSquirrels · 13/08/2022 17:11

toffeechai · 13/08/2022 16:58

YABVU!

Ex-journalist here. Lots of journalists go into PR but I didn’t as it was so obviously a bloody nightmare.

Here’s the thing: publicity is about persuasion. You can’t buy it. You can’t make someone write about your event. You can’t guarantee coverage. You can do everything right and still get zero results because something more interesting or important comes along.

PR involves juggling the expectations of clients and of journalists who will only talk to you when they want something which will usually be at extremely short notice.

It is not an easy job. Your job is to make people care about something with no guarantee that your efforts will pay off.

Where are you getting your current impressions of what it’s like?

This says it all.

I’m unsuited to being a PR person. I’m quite in awe of those who do it well.

I wouldn’t recommend applying for any role on the basis you think it ‘ought to be simple at a junior level’. You’re not about to ace that interview with an attitude like that.

IconicKitty · 13/08/2022 17:11

Working in a PR agency is the hardest job I've ever had.

Babetti · 13/08/2022 17:12

In my experience, in-house is easier than agency PR. But it's not an easy job.

Even as a junior, you'll be working across a number of projects. You need to be strong writer and able to write in different styles, for different audiences, and for different platforms. And also really good at persuading journalists to cover your story. You'll need to have a good understanding of the media landscape and who covers what. Sometimes it just doesn't land.

Then you'll need a good grasp of all the social platforms and be able create content for them + analyse what your audience engage with.

Not to mention event management, public affairs, internal comms, CSR, crisis / issues management. And you have to develop a strong relationship with clients in agency / the corporate teams for in-house as well as all of your suppliers.

It's an interesting, varied job. Not easy though.

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:13

Borracha · 13/08/2022 17:10

I work in this industry and it will be very evident very quickly if you don’t have the expertise. Even at a junior level, I would expect someone to have some media contacts and strong writing skills.

If it’s in-house, you wouldn’t be pitching to potential clients but again, I would expect even our junior staff to be able to pull together some initial plans for launches and campaigns.

Everyone has to start somewhere and if you have the right attitude, you can learn a lot as you go, but it seems that you have totally the wrong attitude.

Is there any chance you would be able to message me please on here? I just have a few questions about the job and industry, no worries if not, thank you

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CoalTit · 13/08/2022 17:14

I knew someone years ago who worked in a PR agency. Like you, she wasn't over awed by it. She said it was very bitchy; there was always someone crying in the toilets. She was fine without a university degree or years of training in the business.

AlisonDonut · 13/08/2022 17:14

What is it with people that think they know it all at the moment?

GiveMeNovocain · 13/08/2022 17:14

I do a similar role and everyone thinks it's easy until they try it.

georgarina · 13/08/2022 17:15

I used to work in PR and found it very hard. Lots of admin, organisation, cold calling, mass emailing, making contacts, reaching out to contacts, reaching out to publications, setting up events, making sure everything is running smoothly down to the last detail.

If you're not energetic, extremely detailed, very organised, and sociable, the job isn't for you.

lightand · 13/08/2022 17:15

I am going to say something which I have wanted to write for a long time.

People can make what they like of it.

I went to one of those uni passing out degree things, about 10 years ago.
One of the last groups to go up to get their awards was a group of largely female, blond and pretty, people.
I was intrigued as to what the group was going to turn out to have got a degree in.

It was PR.

elzober · 13/08/2022 17:15

@Lifeismagic I've only work agency side but if you're good and right place, right time (ie they have a role for you to grow into) then it can be easy if you are the whole package - good technical skills, good soft skills, positive attitude, good with clients etc

The people who I've seen fail or change path were usually for following reasons:

only liked technical stuff so became copywriters
thought they were above menial stuff while in junior role and didn't have a get stuck in attitude
were all talk no action - good at the talk but poor technical skills - you need both
couldn't handle the agency pace so went in house

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:15

Babetti · 13/08/2022 17:12

In my experience, in-house is easier than agency PR. But it's not an easy job.

Even as a junior, you'll be working across a number of projects. You need to be strong writer and able to write in different styles, for different audiences, and for different platforms. And also really good at persuading journalists to cover your story. You'll need to have a good understanding of the media landscape and who covers what. Sometimes it just doesn't land.

Then you'll need a good grasp of all the social platforms and be able create content for them + analyse what your audience engage with.

Not to mention event management, public affairs, internal comms, CSR, crisis / issues management. And you have to develop a strong relationship with clients in agency / the corporate teams for in-house as well as all of your suppliers.

It's an interesting, varied job. Not easy though.

I think I can do this, I’m always open to trying new things. Just have so many questions about the job and industry now.

do you think it’s possible to learn on the job in PR?

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NotASecret · 13/08/2022 17:15

The reason you think 'there can't be much to it' is because good PR is pretty much invisible to the outside eye. All you see is a product you really, really want, not the strategy and skill that goes into creating that effect.

Your reasoning seems to be that there 'can't be that much to it' because you don't know what it involves, and yet you want to know 'how easy it is to progress to a senior level'? How old are you?!

LightandMomentary · 13/08/2022 17:16

Given you've managed to offend most posters here so far, I don't think PR is for you.

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:16

georgarina · 13/08/2022 17:15

I used to work in PR and found it very hard. Lots of admin, organisation, cold calling, mass emailing, making contacts, reaching out to contacts, reaching out to publications, setting up events, making sure everything is running smoothly down to the last detail.

If you're not energetic, extremely detailed, very organised, and sociable, the job isn't for you.

I am good with detail. And definitely can be energetic when needed

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Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:17

NotASecret · 13/08/2022 17:15

The reason you think 'there can't be much to it' is because good PR is pretty much invisible to the outside eye. All you see is a product you really, really want, not the strategy and skill that goes into creating that effect.

Your reasoning seems to be that there 'can't be that much to it' because you don't know what it involves, and yet you want to know 'how easy it is to progress to a senior level'? How old are you?!

29

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MyBottomDecides · 13/08/2022 17:17

Had a terrible day interviewing entitled no-nothings who think they're doing you a favour by applying for the vacancy you're managing OP?

GrimDamnFanjo · 13/08/2022 17:18

25 years in PR.
You're unlikely to get even a junior position without some experience.
If I were you I'd be doing unpaid press work for local organisations or events, even blogging would help.
PR has many specialisms. Mine was crisis management/bad news.
You need excellent writing and communications skills. You need to be able to network and build relationships internally and externally. You need to have an insatiable appetite for news values and know what angle to sell to a journalist.
You actually identified one of the main downsides of the job - that many people think it's easy. So when you have to tell someone their story isn't newsworthy and won't even make a local paper they aren't best pleased. You'll be constantly criticised if the metrics aren't good.
At a senior level you need to demonstrate strategic skills and be able to plan and evaluate campaigns. You'll be expected to have developed a strong network of media contacts you can ring up and sell a story to.

Original poster

Lifeismagic · 13/08/2022 17:18

Babetti · 13/08/2022 17:12

In my experience, in-house is easier than agency PR. But it's not an easy job.

Even as a junior, you'll be working across a number of projects. You need to be strong writer and able to write in different styles, for different audiences, and for different platforms. And also really good at persuading journalists to cover your story. You'll need to have a good understanding of the media landscape and who covers what. Sometimes it just doesn't land.

Then you'll need a good grasp of all the social platforms and be able create content for them + analyse what your audience engage with.

Not to mention event management, public affairs, internal comms, CSR, crisis / issues management. And you have to develop a strong relationship with clients in agency / the corporate teams for in-house as well as all of your suppliers.

It's an interesting, varied job. Not easy though.

Is there any chance you would be able to message me please on here? I just have a few questions about the job and industry, no worries if not, thank you

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