Public Relations Resume Example
Starting a career as a public relations specialist gives you the chance to gain experience in managing media relations and organizing PR events. A strong resume for public relations specialist applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a public relations resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
This complete guide to a public relations resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your public relations resume.
Key sections for a public relations resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a PR specialist resume being no different.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate public relations specialist positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
When applying for mid-level public relations specialist positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your public relations resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
In your public relations resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Roy Lee
roy.lee@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
linkedin․com/in/roy–lee123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for public relations specialist roles.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why public relations specialist roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for public relations specialist roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a public relations resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Dynamic and results-driven public relations specialist with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and extensive experience as a Communications Strategist. Proven expertise in crafting compelling narratives, developing strategic communication plans, and managing media relations. Adept at leveraging various communication channels to enhance brand visibility and achieve business objectives. Strong interpersonal skills and a keen eye for detail, committed to delivering impactful public relations initiatives
Bad example:
Public relations professional with a degree in communication and some experience in creating stories and plans for communication. Have worked with media and used different ways to get the word out about brands. Good with people and pay attention to details, aiming to make a difference in public relations efforts
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your public relations resume summary.
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a public relations specialist position. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Communications Strategist, January 2022 - Present
Nexus Communications Group, San Francisco
- Developed and executed a global communications campaign, increasing brand awareness by 35% within six months
- Led crisis communication efforts, mitigating potential PR fallout and preserving company reputation during a high-profile incident
- Spearheaded social media strategy, resulting in a 50% increase in engagement and 25% growth in follower base
Bad example:
Communications Strategist, January 2022 - Present
Nexus Communications Group, San Francisco
- Managed various communication projects to enhance brand presence and reputation
- Led team efforts to address public relations challenges effectively
- Developed strategies to improve social media engagement and audience reach
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant public relations specialist qualifications and educational achievements.
To work as a public relations specialist, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your social media analytics or SEO optimization techniques.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, 2017 - 2020
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to public relations specialist positions. Consider adding press release writing, communication skills or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a public relations specialist.
How to include hard skills on your public relations resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key public relations specialist duties and responsibilities. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a public relations resume.
- Media relations management
- Crisis communication strategies
- Press release writing
How to list soft skills on your public relations resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a PR specialist resume.
- Communication skills
- Crisis management
- Media relations
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a public relations specialist. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for public relations specialist roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a public relations resume:
- APR Certification, 2022
- PRSA Accreditation, 2022
- IABC Certification, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a PR specialist resume. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Personal Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Volunteer Experience
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your public relations resume. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard public relations resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a public relations resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Communicate
- Strategize
- Coordinate
- Manage
- Write
- Plan
- Execute
- Research
- Analyze
- Present
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Sample resume for public relations specialist positions
The public relations resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
•
roy.lee@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/roy–lee123
Dynamic and results-driven Public Relations Specialist with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and extensive experience as a Communications Manager. Proven track record in developing and executing effective communication strategies, enhancing brand visibility, and managing media relations. Skilled in content creation, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement. Adept at leveraging social media and digital platforms to amplify messaging and drive engagement. Highly organized, with strong interpersonal and project management skills, committed to delivering impactful communication solutions
Communications Manager
2020
-2022
Nexus Connect Solutions (Honolulu)
- Increased social media engagement by 40% through strategic content planning and targeted campaigns within six months
- Led a successful rebranding project, resulting in a 25% increase in brand recognition and customer retention
- Developed and implemented comprehensive crisis communication plans, minimizing negative media coverage and preserving company reputation
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
2017
-2020
Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, Indiana, USA)
Media relations management
Crisis communication strategies
Press release writing
Communication skills
Crisis management
Media relations
APR Certification
PRSA Accreditation
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for public relations specialist resumes
Tips to write the best resume
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in public relations specialist jobs (e.g. 'execute', 'research', 'analyze').
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Aim for a brief, concise public relations resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
Things to avoid on your resume
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't fill up your public relations resume with unnecessary information that contributes nothing to your chances of success.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your public relations resume more difficult to read.
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When drafting your public relations resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a PR specialist resume
Alongside your public relations resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the public relations specialist role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Even if you have no work experience, following a few simple tips for your public relations resume can ensure you make a strong impression on employers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Make the most of additional sections such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, certifications and internships. These can help you showcase skills that you've developed outside traditional work settings.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for public relations specialist jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Public Relations Specialist
- Expert PR and Communications Strategist
- Senior Public Relations Strategist
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Takeaways for a winning public relations resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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