subject: Jobs in Public Relations - 7 Steps to Exceeding Expectations in Public Relations [print this page] Jobs in Public Relations - 7 Steps to Exceeding Expectations in Public Relations
A PR job is not for the weak hearted it requires a lot of dedication and the ability to think rationally at all times. A lot of the social image of the company will depend upon the performance of the PR department and therefore it goes without saying that your job will be one of the most important in the business.
Success in PR #1: Being Sharp and Focused
Public relation professionals have to look sharp and not cute'! They should appear alert always. Moreover to become a sharp person, you need to be a good listener first. Then identifying the problem and solving it should top the priority list. Being sharp and focused definitely means that you should have an analytical bent of mind with the ability to solve problems. Being self focused does not mean that you have to put the rest of your team in peril (by looking over-focused and tensed)! The trick is to keep the balance just right.
Success in PR #2: Gift of the Gab
Perhaps no other skill/qualification is as important as the ability to speak to and address people. This is so important simply because most of the times, the PR professional has to manage the social part of the company they are working for. The social part involves a lot of interaction with people both from outside the company and the management of the company.
Success in PR #3: Upgrade Your Skills
Be it any job, if you're not upgrading yourself (read: your skill set), you're nowhere in the job. If you've have been working on the same thing even after spending years in a company without a deserved' raise you simply do not fit as a part of the greater jigsaw puzzle.
Success in PR #4: Leave Out Aggression
People in public relations have to be at their cool' best always. You cannot afford to get angry; and even if you do, you have to manage your anger in such a way that none but you will know about it. As the PR guy needs to be a problem solver, you cannot afford to become a part of the problem itself!
Success in PR #5: Time Management
The most successful PR professional is the one who manages his time the best. It goes without saying that the public relations officers have to be master planners. They have so much to achieve and strive for in a short time. They have to be alert even when they are sleeping!
Success in PR #6: Allow Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism always helps. It helps more than you think it otherwise would. Always allow room for some criticism to come to you because that it what will help you rectify yourself further.
Success in PR #7: Manage Your Boss Well!
A PR professional has to keep his boss in good humor (always!) to ensure, pay hikes, raises and promotions in the department! As the saying goes in corporate circles, Manage you boss before you manage others' is right to all extents!
