PRSA Public Relations, Marketing and Communications Jobs
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If you have questions about your job search, turn to our career experts and get the edge you need. Members of PRSA’s College of Fellows are ready and willing to help you with two programs:
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- How should I respond to these types of interview questions: "Tell me about yourself” or "What are your salary requirements?”
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To ask a question, scroll down to the question form and fill it out. When you’re ready to submit it, click the "Submit Question" button at the bottom. Many of your questions may already be answered in the more than 300 responses listed below so you may wish to review them first.
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There are currently 457 questions posted.
You are currently viewing questions 11 thru 15.
| posted: January 25,2013 02:42 PM -- submitted by: E Simmons | |
| Q11: | I'm currently interning and searching for a public relations specialist position. Last Wednesday, I had an interview. Once it was over, I thanked them (2 people) for their time. They said that they would follow-up with me within the following week. Normally, I send a Thank-You note but it slipped my mind this time. It's been over a week and I still haven't heard anything. Should I send a follow-up email to check-in? They made it clear that they would follow-up, so I hesitate to bother them. |
| A11: | It's never too late to send a thank-you letter. Paper letters are so rare these days that they attract much more attention than emails. So I suggest that forget the email for now and send a letter to each of the interviewers. If the location is convenient, take the letters (in sealed envelopes, of course) to the organization's front desk. Here's hoping for a successful outcome! expert response from: Jim Haynes, APR, Fellow PRSA |
| posted: January 12,2013 11:54 PM -- submitted by: Luz Adames | |
| Q12: | What resources does the PRSA offer for recent graduates looking to break into the public relations realm? I have added my resume on here and am looking to either get contacted or actually hear back after applying for positions. |
| A12: | Luz, Networking is one of the best resources PRSA offers. Are you a member of your local PRSA chapter? Attending chapter meetings and activities is a great way to meet public relations professionals. Talk to them about how their career paths and learn what is happening within their organizations. Most positions, in any field, are found through contacts. Also, as a PRSA member, you can request a mentor through the PRSA College of Fellows mentoring program. Your mentor will be able to talk with you about your resume, help you make contacts and answer questions. Good luck in your job search. Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA expert response from: Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA |
| posted: January 4,2013 04:18 PM -- submitted by: David Atwood | |
| Q13: | Which is best for entering the PR field now? Getting a MS degree in PR and corporate communications or learning first hand about the PR biz while serving in intern/very jr AE positions after getting a B.A. degree? And do agencies or corporate communications departments offer the best career opportunities in PR these days? |
| A13: | David, Thank you for contacting us. How you prepare for and enter the public relations profession and how you advance in your career has many variables. The things you suggest are all viable. You need to determine which is the best path given your interests, talents, location and opportunities. Definitely complete your undergraduate degree and take advantage of internships which your college/university might help you facilitate. Your instructors are another good source of potential internships. If your college has a PRSSA chapter, join. If your community has a PRSA chapter, attend some monthly meetings and begin networking with professionals. Ask questions and ask for informational interviews so you can learn from professionals how they entered the professional. You will also learn more about the day-to-day activities and the functional areas within public relations. The PRSA website is another good resource and will give you insight into the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to be successful. Whether you continue your education in a master's program or begin working following your undergraduate studies, look at the requirements for earning accreditation. You will come across the APR Study Guide, another good resource. If you are a PRSA member, you can also request a mentor who will be able to give you more specific and personalized guidance. Don't be afraid to make contacts within the profession. Good luck. Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA expert response from: Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA |
| posted: January 1,2013 06:03 PM -- submitted by: Kari Maddox | |
| Q14: | Good Morining! I have a question about a career change to Public Relations. I currently own and operate a business, so the idea of becoming a Public Relations Consultant for other businesses is exciting to me. I graduated in 1990 in PR, so I know I will need some education and experience. How should I proceed? I love the PRSA website. I also have a phone call with my local PRSA representative tomorrow, I can't wait to speak to Mrs. Turlington. Thank you for your input. Kari Maddox |
| A14: | Kari, Congrats on "seizing the day" in today's economy. It's interesting that as the economy has been slow, businesses are turning to public relations for solutions to their business problems and melding them with their marketing strategies. If you are looking for a good refresher from your formal school days, I suggest you look into accreditation. Two things--you will have a structure that helps you prepare for consultancy by learning how to function at the highest levels of public relations AND, when you obtain your APR, you have a credential that tells your clients "I know what I'm doing." If you would like to talk further, contact me offline and I'll share more about Accreditation and the process. But check it out on PRSA's website. For me, my entry to senior practitioner only came after I became APR. expert response from: Deborah Saline, APR, Fellow PRSA |
| posted: December 29,2012 05:44 PM -- submitted by: Stacy Aguilar | |
| Q15: | Hi! Ii wish to return to a corporate Public Relations Career after raising children for the past 10 years. I've kept my toes in the water by doing freelance PR projects over the past 5 years. I've been told there are ALOT of software programs and technical advancements that I should study up on to become marketable again. Can someone please share the top 5 or 10 programs or advancements I should become proficient with before sending out resumes? Stacy Aguilar turnersville, NJ |
| A15: | Stacy— The software that you will need varies considerably from organization to organization and from position to position within that organization. The “basics” are Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In some organizations you can get by with just these. You may need to be familiar with at least one or two programs that will allow you to prepare materials for the Internet or for printing on paper. Here are some of the most popular publishing software programs, from “Top Desktop Publishing Software for Windows” by Jacci Howard Bear: 1. QuarkXPress: “a formidable tool in the hands of professionals.” 2. Adobe InDesign: “serious, feature-packed competition to QuarkXPress.” 3. Serif PagePlus X5: “combines ease-of-use and professional output options, including PDF, with word processing, drawing, and advanced layout and typesetting.” 4. Microsoft Publisher 2010: “primary desktop publishing application in the Office suite; popular with individuals, small businesses, and schools.” 5. Adobe FrameMaker 9: “for corporations and others producing technical writing or complex documents for Web, print, and other distribution methods; for in-house, big business publishing it’s a top choice.” 6. Serif PagePlus: “combines ease-of-use and professional output options, including PDF, with word processing, drawing, and advanced layout and typesetting.” You will need to be familiar with some of the following social media, depending upon the needs of your employer or clients: “The social network of all social networks”: Facebook Micro blogging: Twitter, Tumblr Media sharing: YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram Location-based (Geosocial) networks: Foursquare, Loopt, SCVNGR Social bookmarking: Pinterest, Delicious, Tumblr I encourage you to go to www.prsa.org and search for “APR Study Guide.” This is a large PDF file, and you can download it without charge. If you feel comfortable with its contents, you’re good to go. Best of luck to you! expert response from: Jim Haynes, APR, Fellow PRSA |
| posted: December 27,2012 11:12 AM -- submitted by: mukesh | |
| Q16: | Right now i m doing job telecom sector and i want to change my job with it sector as a software testing. I have an experience around 5 plus so please suggest me what should i do? |
| A16: | Thank you for contacting us. PRSA is a professional organization for public relations professionals. It sounds as if you are interest in Information Technology. I recommend you look at a professional organization serving technical computer practitioners. They would be able to give you advice in your field of expertise. Good luck in your career. Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA expert response from: Margaret Ann Hennen, APR, Fellow PRSA |
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