PR beginner
The one thing I have mostly been looking forward to this year has been my much anticipated move to London to start work at Edelman.
Applying for graduate jobs takes some blood, sweat and tears, but applying for PR jobs takes…. well a little bit more.
Firstly, it is insanely competitive. From 500-1000 people apply for schemes that will only take up to 5-8 people if even that many.
Secondly, the skills needed are of a person who in a sense is a social miracle worker, a multi-tasking brilliant middle-man and of course also an excellent and quick writer, speller, bursting with ideas.
Third, despite the stiff competition, the initial (let’s hope) pay is not very stiff itself.
Some people say it is only glamorous, that two days never are the same and that you mingle until you need vaseline inside your mouth to keep your smile from drying. This is why work experience is crucial so someone can burst the bubble for you - PR is also hard work, dedication, if you need to stay past 5 you will stay and you won’t be a moaner but always a teamplayer.
I have no doubt it will be tough but what I am mostly looking forward to is continuing to develop all the skills that are needed to stay in play.
My impression is that PR teaches you to be firm with people, to dazzle them with your passion and interest for their account, to deal with a lot of different people at once and to pretty much always get what you want.
