Crafting a CV in the public relations sector can prove challenging due to the need to encapsulate a blend of creative, strategic, and communication skills concisely. Our guide offers tailored advice to ensure your talents are showcased effectively, making your application stand out in a competitive field.
Land the job of your dreams with our bespoke guide on how to:
- Design and format your professional public relations CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading public relations CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your public relations CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Resume examples for public relations
Explore additional public relations cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Public Relations Intern
- Well-Structured and Succinct Presentation - The CV is organized with distinct sections outlining Evie's qualifications in a clear manner. Each section from "Experience" to "Skills" is crafted to deliver concise information that is both easy to read and relevant, highlighting her expertise in public relations and influencer engagement.
- Diverse Experience in Influencer and Brand Engagement - Evie's career path demonstrates progression within the PR and social media realm, with roles that have increased in responsibility, such as her position managing influencer collaborations at Beauty Banks, which showcases her ability to lead initiatives and amplify brand presence.
- Proven Impact through Quantifiable Achievements - The accomplishments listed, such as a 20% increase in user-generated content and a 50% rise in social media interaction, emphasize her ability to deliver measurable results that positively impact brand visibility and community engagement, reinforcing the business value she brings to the table.
Senior Public Relations Specialist
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is meticulously organized, allowing for easy navigation through various sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each job position is supplemented by concise bullet points that detail responsibilities and accomplishments, offering a clear and structured view of the candidate's career journey.
- Solid Career Trajectory - Sophia's career showcases a clear progression from Public Affairs Specialist to PR Specialist, reflecting growth and increasing responsibility in her field. Her job roles span different locations in the UK, demonstrating adaptability and the capacity to thrive in various work environments while remaining focused within the water and communications sectors.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV highlights unique tools and techniques relevant to public relations and community engagement, such as crisis communication management and multimedia content development. Sophia’s proficiency in these areas indicates a deep understanding of the industry-specific demands and her ability to implement effective strategies to address these needs.
Junior Public Relations Officer
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV excels in its clarity and organization, making use of distinct sections like experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is concise yet informative, ensuring that relevant information is easily accessible and highlights key aspects of Emily Cox's career.
- Proven Career Growth in Public Relations - Emily's career trajectory is one of steady progression within the public relations sector. Her advancement from a PR intern at Edelman to a Public Relations Assistant at Weber Shandwick underscores her growing expertise and value in developing campaigns that significantly boost engagement metrics.
- Industry-Specific Technical Expertise - Emily showcases a deep understanding of media content creation and PR-specific tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and infographic design. These skills, alongside her strategic use of media trends, position her as a valuable asset capable of delivering impactful communication solutions.
Entry-Level Public Relations Assistant
- Content presentation and clarity - The CV is well-structured, using clearly defined sections such as experience, skills, education, and achievements. This organization allows for easy navigation and understanding of the candidate's capabilities, making it straightforward for the reader to identify key qualifications and career highlights that relate to public relations.
- Career trajectory and growth - William Hall's career path shows progressive growth, moving from a Marketing Coordinator role to a position as a Public Relations Specialist at a renowned company like Ogilvy UK. This upward trajectory indicates both ambition and the consistent development of expertise in brand visibility and communication strategies.
- Industry-specific methodologies - The CV highlights specialized PR strategies and event coordination techniques that demonstrate William's deep understanding of the public relations industry. These include crafting detailed PR campaigns, implementing rebranding projects, and developing media strategies, showcasing a technical depth that is crucial for enhancing client visibility and reputation.
Experienced Public Relations Manager
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV showcases excellent clarity and structure, with well-defined sections for each aspect of Florence Knight's professional journey. The layout is easy to navigate with clear headers, ensuring that potential employers can quickly find key information about her qualifications and experience.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Florence has demonstrated significant growth in her career, progressing from a Communications Officer to a Senior Communications Specialist within top-tier firms like Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Weber Shandwick, and Edelman. Her career development highlights her ability to adapt and excel in increasingly responsible roles within the public relations industry.
- Strong Achievements with Business Impact - The CV details Florence's achievements with a focus on their impact, not just numerical outcomes. For instance, her leadership in communication strategies resulted in increased engagement by 45%, showcasing her ability to create meaningful business influence through her initiatives.
Lead Public Relations Director
- Structured Career Growth - Jacob Roberts’s CV showcases a well-defined career trajectory in public relations, emphasizing progressive growth from a PR Coordinator at TechUK to a Public Relations Manager at STEM Learning Ltd. This clearly structured path highlights a consistent ascent in responsibility and expertise, reflecting significant career advancements over a decade.
- Incorporation of Industry-Specific Tools - The use of detailed, industry-specific tools like G-Suite, Salesforce, and Jira illustrates not only Jacob's technical adeptness but also the ability to integrate these tools into effective PR strategies. This integration signifies his competence in leveraging technology to enhance communication processes and project management within the PR sector.
- Achievements with Tangible Impact - The CV underscores Jacob's achievements with quantifiable metrics, such as a 60% increase in social media engagement and a 45% boost in corporate partner awareness. These metrics are not only numbers but indicate a strategic understanding of how to drive business outcomes and enhance organizational visibility within the educational sector.
Advanced Public Relations Analyst
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV presents information in a clear and organized manner, with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements, making it easy to navigate. Each section uses bullet points for conciseness, highlighting key responsibilities and achievements without overwhelming the reader. This structure aids recruiters in quickly identifying the candidate's qualifications and accomplishments.
- Notable Career Trajectory - Alfie Edwards' career shows a clear progression in the communications field, moving from a Public Relations Officer to a Consultant and then a Specialist. This growth demonstrates a trajectory of increasing responsibility and expertise, suggesting the candidate has been successful in adapting to and excelling in more advanced roles within the industry.
- Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights specific achievements backed by quantifiable metrics, such as boosting brand awareness by 25% at BP and increasing employee participation by 40%. These metrics show a direct impact on business objectives, illustrating Alfie's ability to translate communication strategies into measurable results that align with company goals.
Chief Public Relations Officer
- Structured Progression in Public Relations - James Lewis's CV reflects a clear career trajectory marked by strategic roles within top-tier football clubs and league organizations. Each subsequent position demonstrates advancement in responsibility and impact, signaling continuous professional growth in the public relations domain.
- Impactful Achievement Narratives - The CV is rich with achievements that not only quantify success through increased media engagement and coverage rates but also emphasize their strategic significance. By linking these achievements to business outcomes like brand visibility and reputation management, James's contributions are depicted as integral to organizational success.
- Diverse Skill Set of Industry Relevance - This CV encapsulates a comprehensive set of skills including crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and media relations, all vital for a Public Relations Officer. It highlights James's ability to navigate complex PR landscapes, with specific emphasis on content creation and digital communication, fitting precisely within the modern demands of strategic communication in the football industry.
By Role
Public Relations Coordinator
- Impressive Career Development from Early Roles - Henry White's career showcases a steady upward trajectory in the field of Public Relations, moving from a Public Relations Executive role to that of a PR Coordinator. The progression is marked by a consistent increase in responsibilities and geographical shifts, reflecting both personal growth and adaptability to different market environments.
- Strong Emphasis on Cross-Functional Collaboration - The CV highlights Henry's ability to work effectively across diverse teams. This cross-functional experience is illustrated by collaborations with various departments to align communication objectives and streamline strategic initiatives, important for a PR Coordinator responsible for centralized communications and media outreach.
- Effective Use of Metrics to Demonstrate Achievements - Specific achievements are quantified, such as improving media relations by 30% and increasing stakeholder awareness by 40%. This not only reinforces Henry’s capability in delivering significant business impact but also demonstrates the ability to systematically track and evaluate the success of PR strategies.
Public Relations Specialist
- Concise and Structured Presentation - Rosie's CV is a masterclass in clarity and concise communication. Across every section, information is structured in a clear hierarchy, making it easy for the reader to navigate through her experiences, skills, and achievements. The use of bullet points for detailing job responsibilities and achievements allows for quick assessment of her competencies and successes.
- Significant Career Progression - Rosie's career trajectory highlights steady growth and increased responsibility over time. Transitioning from a Communications Specialist to a Public Relations Manager, she demonstrates a clear path of career advancement within prominent architectural firms. Her ability to handle various roles points to adaptability and leadership while staying within her chosen industry of architecture and design.
- Strategic Tool Proficiency - Rosie showcases a deep understanding of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign, and Cision, proving her technical aptitude in public relations. Additionally, her proficiency in both Adobe Photoshop and strategic communication tools suggests both creative and strategic capabilities necessary for effective media relations and public outreach.
Public Relations Assistant
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized, providing a clear and concise presentation of George Johnson's qualifications and experience. Sections are structured logically, facilitating an easy understanding of his career journey and skill set. This format allows potential employers to quickly gauge his suitability for a PR role.
- Strong Career Progression - George Johnson's career trajectory showcases a steady growth from a Public Relations Coordinator to a Communications Specialist, reflecting his ability to take on increased responsibilities and adapt to varying roles within the television and media industry. His promotions demonstrate his commitment and effectiveness in the field.
- Impressive Achievements Highlighted - The achievements section of the CV underscores George's impact in his roles by detailing quantifiable outcomes such as a 30% increase in brand engagement and successful influencer campaigns. These metrics not only demonstrate his skills but also present his value in achieving business objectives through PR and marketing strategies.
Public Relations Director
- Organized and Comprehensive Structure - The CV is meticulously structured, presenting each section in a clear and logical order. This allows readers to easily navigate through the candidate's professional journey, education, and skills. The concise bullet points under each role highlight key responsibilities and achievements, making it easy for potential employers to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and potential impact.
- Impressive Career Growth - Emily Cox's career trajectory showcases significant professional advancement within the public relations field. From starting as a Public Relations Officer to reaching the position of Director of Communications at prestigious media organizations, her rise through the ranks reflects her dedication, skill development, and leadership capabilities within the industry.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV emphasizes achievements that are directly tied to business outcomes, such as increasing brand visibility by 45% and improving audience engagement by 25%. These metrics are not just numbers; they reflect the candidate’s ability to contribute to an organization's success and establish strong media relations, thereby bolstering brand recognition and audience reach.
Public Relations Manager
- Structured and concise presentation - The CV is well-organized, with each section clearly delineated, allowing for easy navigation and a clear understanding of Noah Jones' career and achievements. The use of bullet points in the experience section helps in presenting information succinctly and effectively, making the document easy to read and comprehend.
- Progressive career trajectory - Noah's career shows a clear path of growth and advancement within the field of Public Relations. Starting as a Communications Specialist and advancing to a Senior Public Relations Manager, the CV reflects significant career development and expertise in reputation building and stakeholder engagement across renowned organizations.
- Achievements showcasing business impact - The document emphasizes measurable accomplishments that highlight Noah’s ability to influence media presence and stakeholder engagement. For example, achieving a 30% rise in earned media visibility and leading crisis management initiatives not only underscores professional competence but also the positive impact on company reputation and business resilience.
Public Relations Analyst
- Content presentation and clarity - The CV is well-structured and presented with a clear flow, starting with essential personal and contact information, followed by a concise summary. It systematically outlines professional experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, languages, and passions, providing a comprehensive view of the candidate’s qualifications without overwhelming the reader. Each section is clearly labeled, making it easy to navigate and digest essential information.
- Career trajectory and growth - Daniel Baker's career trajectory is marked by steady growth and advancement within the public relations industry. From starting as a Communications Executive to becoming a Senior Public Relations Specialist at Edelman, each role reflects a step up in responsibility. The progression highlights increasing command over strategic campaigns and media relations, demonstrating development from executing tasks to leading initiatives and teams.
- Unique industry-specific elements and methodologies - The CV showcases Daniel Baker’s proficiency in leveraging industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as performance analytics and social media strategies, to achieve significant results. The focus on cybersecurity-awareness initiatives within public relations is a distinctive element, showcasing the candidate's technical depth and forward-thinking in addressing modern PR challenges. This technical acumen enhances the candidate's relevance in the evolving landscape of public relations.
Public Relations Officer
- Clarity and Structure in Presentation - The CV is well-organized, starting with a precise summary that encapsulates the candidate's relevant experience and skills. Each section, from education to achievements, follows a logical flow, providing a clear and concise narrative of professional growth.
- Noteworthy Career Progression - The individual's career trajectory highlights a continuous ascent in responsibilities and roles, moving from a Public Affairs Officer to a Public Relations Manager. This progression showcases the candidate's ability to take on greater challenges and lead major strategic initiatives.
- Impact-Focused Achievements - The CV effectively uses quantitative achievements to demonstrate the candidate's impact within organizations. For example, a 25% increase in stakeholder engagement at Clarion Housing Group underscores their strategic effectiveness, making these achievements highly relevant and impressive.
Public Relations Executive
- Clear Structure and Readability - The CV is well-organized with sections clearly delineated, making it easy to navigate through Joshua Patel’s professional narrative. The use of bullet points provides clarity and allows quick identification of key information, ensuring the reader can effortlessly comprehend the candidate's experience and achievements.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Joshua’s career path shows a steady progression in roles, from Public Relations Officer to Senior Media Relations Manager, all within globally renowned energy companies. This upward trajectory demonstrates strong career growth and a consistent commitment to the field of media relations within the energy sector, highlighting his capability for taking on advanced responsibilities.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - The CV goes beyond mere data by associating achievements with organizational impact. Joshua’s efforts in quadrupling media coverage, improving brand visibility, and effectively managing crises are framed in terms of both quantitative gains and qualitative enhancements, reflecting strategic contributions that have directly benefited the business objectives of companies like Shell and BP.
Public Relations Advisor
- Structured and clear presentation - The CV is structured logically with distinct sections for skills, experience, and achievements, ensuring clarity in presentation. This organization aids in quickly understanding the candidate's qualifications and career progression, with sections like education and professional experience clearly dating back to document a timeline of growth and impact.
- Demonstrating career growth and progression - Ethan Palmer's career trajectory showcases significant growth from a Communications Assistant to a Public Relations Specialist within a relatively short period. This advancement highlights both aptitude and dedication to professional development, indicating a strong potential for further growth in public relations.
- Focus on impactful achievements and results - The CV emphasizes achievements through quantifiable metrics, such as a 40% increase in brand visibility and a 35% rise in media coverage. These metrics provide tangible evidence of Ethan's ability to positively impact organizational objectives, making him a valuable asset for any PR team aiming to boost its public engagement and media presence.
Public Relations Strategist
- Clearly defined career progression - Samuel Campbell’s CV provides a clear trajectory showcasing progressive roles and increased responsibilities over the years. Starting from a Public Affairs Coordinator to reaching a specialist level at Edelman highlights significant career growth and commitment to the PR industry.
- Strategic brand storytelling expertise - The document outlines a strong proficiency in brand storytelling. This skill is not only mentioned but is substantiated by achievements such as orchestrating PR campaigns that enhance brand visibility and engagement, clearly demonstrating an ability to impactfully craft and convey narratives through diverse media platforms.
- Robust set of skills and certifications - The CV lists numerous skills pertinent to a PR specialist including crisis communication, media relations, and social media engagement. Each of these is supported by documented courses and certifications, ensuring that his expertise is both industry relevant and up-to-date.
Public Relations Associate
- Effective content presentation through structured sections - The CV efficiently organizes content into clear, intuitive sections such as experience, skills, education, and achievements. Each section is concise yet comprehensive, allowing for a quick grasp of the candidate’s qualifications and career progression, specifically focusing on their public relations expertise in the EMEA region.
- Consistent growth and upward mobility within industry - Florence Knight’s career trajectory showcases a clear pattern of growth from a Media Relations Officer to a Senior Public Relations Specialist, underscoring her advanced expertise in media relations. Transitions reflect increasing responsibility and a broadening scope of influence within the electronics sector.
- Demonstrates significant achievements with a focus on impact - The CV highlights notable achievements, such as leading a PR campaign that increased media engagement by 35%. These accomplishments are well-articulated, emphasizing not just the quantitative metrics but also the qualitative impact on brand visibility, client engagement, and company reputation.
Formatting your public relations CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional public relations CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional public relations CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
For certain fields, consider including infographics or visual elements to represent skills or achievements, but ensure they are simple, professional, and enhance rather than clutter the information.
The top sections on a public relations CV
- Professional Summary reflects your PR expertise, essential to grab attention.
- Key PR Skills showcase your relevant competencies for the role.
- Public Relations Experience lists your past roles and their impact.
- Education and Qualifications demonstrate your foundational knowledge.
- Portfolio of Campaigns highlights successful projects you've managed.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your communication skills by outlining specific PR campaigns where your strategies significantly enhanced brand visibility and reputation.
- Feature any media relationships you've cultivated, showcasing your ability to secure coverage and manage interactions with journalists and influencers.
- Emphasise your writing prowess, including examples of press releases, pitches, and content you've crafted that led to successful public relations outcomes.
- Demonstrate your crisis management experience, providing details of situations where you successfully navigated and mitigated potential negative publicity for a company or client.
- Showcase your social media expertise by describing successful campaigns you've managed across various platforms, noting increases in engagement, followers, or conversion rates.
Recommended reads:
What information should you include in your public relations CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their public relations CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for public relations:
- Head of Corporate Communications | Strategic Brand Management | MSc Public Relations | 12+ Years' Experience
- PR Specialist | Media Relations | Event Coordination | CIPR Accredited | 5 Years' Industry Insight
- Senior PR Consultant | Crisis Communication Expert | Integrated Campaigns | 10 Years' Hands-On Practice
- Junior PR Coordinator | Content Creation | Social Media Savvy | BA Hons Communications | Eager Innovator
- PR Manager | Government Relations | Stakeholder Engagement | Certified PR Professional | 8+ Years' Expertise
- Director of Public Affairs | Issue Advocacy | Corporate Social Responsibility | BSc, 15 Years' Leadership
Opting between a public relations CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your public relations CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a public relations job:
- Accomplished Public Relations Manager with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, expert in strategic communication planning and brand management. Boasting a proven track record of facilitating 20% year-on-year brand growth through innovative campaign strategies and media relations.
- Seasoned PR Specialist with a dynamic 8-year career at a leading New York fashion firm, adept at leveraging social media to double online engagement and execute successful product launches with high-profile influencers.
- Dedicated marketing professional transitioning to Public Relations, bringing 5 years of experience in social media management and content creation. Acknowledged for increasing online community engagement by 30% within the first year at a prominent e-commerce company.
- Experienced journalist with a 6-year career at a major London newspaper desiring to pivot to Public Relations, offering strong storytelling abilities, excellent writing skills, and a deep understanding of media landscape and press communications.
- Eager to embark on a Public Relations career path, utilizing strong interpersonal skills, a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications, and a genuine passion for establishing positive media relationships and crafting compelling stories.
- Aspiring to begin a career in Public Relations, offering a fresh perspective, enthusiasm for developing robust corporate communication strategies, and a commitment to mastering the craft of public engagement and reputation management.
The best formula for your public relations CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Demonstrate a track record of successful PR campaigns: Mention specific examples where you created or managed PR campaigns that significantly increased brand visibility or improved public perception.
- Highlight media relations skills: Explain how you've effectively built and maintained relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to secure media coverage for your clients or company.
- Showcase your writing prowess: Detail your experience in crafting press releases, bylines, speeches, or other PR materials that have delivered results and garnered positive media attention.
- Quantify your results: Use statistics to illustrate the impact of your PR efforts, such as the percentage increase in media mentions, social media engagement, or the reach of a particular campaign.
- Exhibit crisis management expertise: Share examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging situations, mitigated negative publicity, and protected the reputation of your organisation.
- Mention your digital savvy: Elaborate on your experience with digital PR strategies, including social media campaigns and content marketing, and how you've used analytics to measure and refine your approach.
- Detail your strategic thinking: Describe how you've developed long-term PR strategies that align with business objectives, target the right audiences, and leverage the appropriate channels for maximum effect.
- Emphasise communication skills: Provide instances where your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, has led to better team collaborations and successful project outcomes.
- Illustrate your adaptability: Point out instances where you've quickly adapted to changes in the media landscape or within your organisation, ensuring that your PR efforts remain effective and relevant.
Work Experience
Senior Public Relations Manager
Edelman
05/2019-Ongoing
- Spearheaded comprehensive media campaigns that yielded a 40% increase in brand awareness for top-tier clients in the tech industry.
- Coordinated with international influencers to create targeted content, boosting customer engagement rates by over 30% within six months.
- Managed crisis communication for a high-profile data breach, effectively minimising negative press and regaining public trust within the fiscal quarter.
Work Experience
Public Relations Executive
Weber Shandwick
01/2017-12/2020
- Devised and implemented a strategic PR roadmap for a new product launch, which contributed to a 25% sales uplift in the first quarter post-launch.
- Facilitated media training sessions for C-suite executives, enhancing company representation and messaging across various media channels.
- Orchestrated a charity event that attracted high-profile participation and covered by major publications, raising over £50,000 for environmental initiatives.
Work Experience
Public Relations Specialist
Ketchum
06/2015-05/2018
- Crafted bespoke PR pitches that led to features in Forbes, The Guardian, and BBC, enhancing the company's industry thought leadership position.
- Cultivated lasting relationships with journalists, resulting in a 50% reduction in time-to-publish for press releases.
- Led a multidisciplinary team to support a rebranding initiative, ensuring seamless communication across all platforms and stakeholder groups.
Work Experience
PR and Communications Advisor
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
09/2011-04/2014
- Implemented an innovative social media strategy increasing brand visibility by 200% within the targeted demographic.
- Developed engaging corporate social responsibility reports resulting in positive coverage from sustainability-focused publications.
- Negotiated with event organisers to secure keynote speaking slots for the CEO, positioning the company as a leader in industry innovation.
Work Experience
Public Relations Account Manager
Golin
11/2009-08/2010
- Co-led a digital transformation of the PR department, incorporating analytics tools that increased campaign measurement efficiency by 35%.
- Strategically managed product recalls, mitigating potential negative press and preserving customer loyalty.
- Initiated a partner outreach programme that expanded the media network by 100+ online and print outlets within the year.
Work Experience
PR Officer
Porter Novelli
07/2013-12/2016
- Designed a viral marketing campaign that garnered 5 million views in two weeks, dramatically increasing online engagement metrics.
- Directed a cross-functional team to develop an award-winning corporate brand strategy, achieving accolades at the PR Week Awards.
- Oversaw the successful PR launch of three major product lines, each exceeding initial sales forecasts by at least 20%.
Work Experience
Public Relations Coordinator
FleishmanHillard
02/2012-06/2015
- Championed a B2B communication strategy that supported a market penetration increase from 15% to 35% within the energy sector.
- Authored insightful whitepapers and opinion pieces that strengthened the company's profile among industry peers.
- Leveraged data-driven insights to refine PR tactics, resulting in a cost savings of 10% on overall campaign budgets.
Work Experience
Assistant Public Relations Consultant
Brunswick Group
03/2010-01/2013
- Implemented an employee advocacy program which improved the company's eNPS score by 15 points, fostering a stronger internal brand culture.
- Conducted comprehensive reputation management and monitoring, decreasing the impact of negative sentiment by 40% year-over-year.
- Collaborated with marketing to align PR strategies with promotional campaigns, resulting in consistent messaging and amplified campaign reach.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your public relations CV:
HARD SKILLS
Media Relations
Press Release Writing
Social Media Management
Crisis Management
Event Planning and Coordination
Strategic Communications Planning
Brand Management
Content Creation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Data Analytics
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Writing
Creativity
Problem Solving
Negotiation
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Teamwork
Networking
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Further professional qualifications for your public relations CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your public relations CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your public relations CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
