Writing a resume for a Public Relations Manager position requires clear, concise communication, much like the role itself. This article provides step-by-step guidance on crafting a compelling CV or resume tailored for public relations management. We’ll cover the essential components to include, such as relevant experience, skills, and achievements, and offer practical tips to make your application stand out. Additionally, we’ll present real-world examples to illustrate how these elements can be effectively integrated into your resume.
Contents
- 1 Read The Job Description / Advert
- 2 Research The Company
- 3 Find A Good CV Template
- 4 Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
- 5 Detail Your Employment History
- 6 Detail Your Education History
- 7 CV Structure
- 8 WHAT NOT TO DO
- 9 Public Relations Manager CV Tips – Recap
- 10 Public Relations Manager CV Sample
Read The Job Description / Advert
The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.
When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.
Public Relations Manager Job Description Example
Public Relations Manager – Exciting Opportunity to Elevate Your Career!
Are you a dynamic, innovative Public Relations professional looking to take your career to the next level? We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Public Relations Manager to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for shaping our company’s public image and enhancing our brand through effective communication strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement comprehensive PR strategies that align with our corporate objectives.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with media outlets, influencers, and key stakeholders to enhance brand visibility and reputation.
- Manage and coordinate all public relations activities, including press releases, media interviews, and public events.
- Monitor, analyze, and report on PR campaign performance, adjusting strategies as needed to maximize impact.
- Collaborate with marketing and other departments to ensure a cohesive brand message.
- Oversee crisis communication strategies and respond to media inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
- Guide and mentor the PR team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
- Proven track record with at least 5 years of experience in a public relations role, preferably in a managerial capacity.
- Strong media relations skills and a robust network of media contacts.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
- Adept at working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Excellent organizational and leadership skills, with a hands-on approach to team management.
We offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to be a part of a forward-thinking team. Join us in shaping the future of our brand. Be part of our journey to innovation and excellence in the field of public relations.
Note: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Research The Company
Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.
- Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
- Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
- Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far
See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.
Find A Good CV Template
When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.
This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)
Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’
A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.
Public Relations Manager Professional Summary Example
- Boasting over 8 years of experience in Public Relations, with a Master’s degree in Communication and hands-on expertise in media relations, crisis management, and strategic communication. Proficient in utilizing tools like Cision and Hootsuite for media outreach and social media management.
- Led a successful crisis communication campaign for a major retail brand, effectively mitigating negative publicity and achieving a 40% improvement in brand sentiment within 6 months, as measured by Brandwatch analytics.
- Recently managed a team of 5 PR specialists at a tech startup, overseeing the development and execution of an integrated PR strategy that increased media coverage by 25% and elevated the company’s profile at key industry events.
Detail Your Employment History
Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.
As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.
When writing about your responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments within those duties. For example, instead of simply stating “Handled media relations,” you could say “Developed and maintained relationships with over 30 media outlets, resulting in a 50% increase in positive media coverage within a year.” This approach not only tells the employer that you managed media relations, but it also demonstrates your ability to significantly improve the company’s public image. Remember, it’s about showing how well you performed your tasks, not just listing what those tasks were.
Detail Your Education History
Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.
Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.
Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.
CV Structure
Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.
We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.
A fairly typical structure would go:
- Name and contact info
- Professional Summary
- Current (or most recent employment)
- Education & Professional Qualifications
- Employment History
WHAT NOT TO DO
Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.
- Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
- Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
- Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
- Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
- Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
- Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.
Public Relations Manager CV Tips – Recap
Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:
Tailor Your CV to the Job Description 🎯 Match your skills and experiences with the keywords and requirements listed in the job advert. This shows you’re a perfect fit for the role.
Highlight Your PR Achievements 🌟 Focus on specific successes, like campaigns you led that increased brand awareness or positive media coverage you secured. Use numbers to quantify your impact.
Demonstrate Crisis Management Skills ⚡ Showcase instances where you successfully navigated a company through a difficult situation, highlighting your problem-solving and quick thinking.
Showcase Your Communication Skills 🗣 Detail experiences where your excellent written and verbal communication skills played a key role, such as successful press releases or media events you orchestrated.
Include Relevant PR Tools and Software Proficiency 💻 Mention your expertise in PR software like Cision or Hootsuite, as well as any other relevant tools you’re skilled in using.
Education and Professional Development 🎓 List your relevant degrees, certifications, and any continuous learning or professional development courses that are pertinent to public relations.
Keep It Concise and Well-Organized ✂️ Use clear headings, bullet points, and a professional format. Your CV should be easy to read and no longer than two pages.
Proofread and Edit 🔍 Ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors. A well-edited CV reflects your attention to detail, a crucial skill for a Public Relations Manager.
Public Relations Manager CV Sample
Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.