PR graduate schemes & jobs

Looking at graduate PR jobs and unsure whether to apply? Here are some of the key skills entry level PR jobs require, so you can decide if a career in PR is right for you.

One of the most important skills public relations jobs require is the ability to be a confident communicator – PR professionals liaise with a range of people, including clients, journalists, and internal teams across different mediums. Tailoring your language to each audience is key to working in comms roles; you’ll need to be empathetic to clients’ needs and appreciate other people’s priorities and pressures. Along with great communication skills, junior PR  jobs require excellent writing abilities. Whether it’s a press release, media pitches, or bylines, you’ll need to have an excellent grasp of grammar and the ability to write a range of content for different purposes. If you’re a graduate who can start a conversation with anyone and you have a flair for writing, you should consider graduate public relations jobs!

If you’re looking for a graduate career requiring creative skills, you should consider jobs in comms and PR opportunities. From writing content for current clients, to thinking of new ways to approach and attract new clients, PR careers call for fresh ideas and lateral thinking.

Whist the PR industry is one of the most exciting and rewarding graduate career paths to follow, it is also one of the toughest graduate industries. Working in PR will often see you rejected from time to time, whether it’s a no from a journalist or bad feedback from a campaign or pitch, you’ll need to be resilient to react and learn from these situations. It can take time to build up this resilience, and getting used to these rejections is a common aspect of working as a junior in the PR industry.

If you’re a confident, thick-skinned and creative graduate, a career in communication is ideal for you, check out below our range of graduate PR and communication jobs in London and the UK!

Trying to figure out what public relations graduate jobs are out there? Feeling a bit lost navigating the range of opportunities? Let us help organise your job search. Here are some of the different types of PR and communications graduate jobs available, so you can decide what career in communications is right for you.

Most often, junior PR jobs will see you start out as either a Graduate Account Executive or Junior PR Assistant. You will work under a Senior PR Account Executive or PR Account Manager to help oversee accounts, from developing marketing campaigns, to maintaining client relations and liaising with the press.

Entry level comms jobs, such as a Communications Assistant, are similar to PR Assistant jobs. Graduates in junior comms jobs help to ensure clear communication of a company’s message across all channels. Some of the tasks required as a Communications Assistant include tracking projects and media exposure, updating databases, and helping to implement communications strategies.

Careers in comms and PR have great progression opportunities, with most PR agencies and communication companies offering regular reviews that provide grads with the opportunity to progress to the next level. As opposed to other graduate career paths, comms opportunities have structured role promotions. Starting out as a Junior Account Executive, you’ll progress to Account Executive, to Senior Account Executive, to PR Account Management, and further, making it a highly rewarding graduate career to work in. Progression of course depends on the company you’re in, but most PR companies offer quick and robust progression plans.

Check out our jobs board for the latest range of PR executive jobs and communications opportunities!

Looking for PR opportunities and unsure whether to apply? Here’s a brief summary of the tasks PR agency schemes involve, along with some of the many benefits.

Joining a PR or communication graduate scheme is a great way to gain key industry skills and rapidly climb the PR progression ladder. As opposed to graduate PR roles, most of these programmes allow graduates to gain valuable on-the-job skills in a variety of communication departments. This allows graduates to gain a solid understanding of all aspects of Public Relations when beginning their career. Graduates joining schemes are often given increased responsibility and autonomy from day one, so if you want to dive straight into the world of PR and communications, these programmes are definitely worth considering.

Another benefit of joining PR graduate schemes is that often companies will hire graduates that have participated in graduate schemes. Graduates have a valuable year to demonstrate their skills and abilities to an employer, which most often results in graduates securing a full-time position at the company.

If you’re looking to fast-track your career, PR and communications graduate schemes are the best choice!

Graduate PR jobs require a diverse set of skills. As a Junior PR Executive, for example, you’ll need to effectively manage an organisation’s image, reputation, and communication with various stakeholders.

Here are some key skills you’ll need for PR grad jobs:

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are at the core of PR. You need to be able to craft compelling press releases, speeches, social media posts, and other communication materials.
• Relationship Building: PR professionals need to build and maintain relationships with journalists, clients, influencers, and other stakeholders. Networking and interpersonal skills are crucial.
• Strategic Thinking: A good PR professional can align PR activities with the overall business goals of the organisation. This involves developing strategic plans, setting objectives, and measuring outcomes.
• Creativity: Developing innovative and attention-grabbing campaigns is essential for standing out in a crowded media landscape.
• Research Skills: You’ll need to conduct research to understand the target audience, market trends, and competitors. This information helps shape your PR strategies.
• Analytical Skills: You’ll need to analyse data and metrics to measure the success of your PR campaigns and make informed decisions for future strategies.
• Attention to Detail: Precision in communication and materials is vital. A small mistake could have a significant impact on your organisation’s reputation.

 

Remember that different PR roles may emphasise certain skills more than others. Depending on the specific job or industry you’re targeting, you might need to further specialise in areas such as investor relations, government affairs, consumer PR, crisis communication, or nonprofit PR.

If you’re applying to PR exec vacancies, make sure to carefully read the pr executive job description to understand exactly what skills are required for the role.

Yes, PR and comms jobs can offer good career prospects, for various reasons:

Diverse industries: PR professionals are needed across a wide range of industries, including tech, healthcare, fashion, entertainment, government, nonprofit, and more. This diversity allows for flexibility and the ability to specialise in a field of interest.

Rising demand: As organisations place increasing importance on managing their reputation and communication, the demand for skilled PR professionals has been on the rise. The need for effective communication is constant, especially in the digital age.

Career progression: PR roles often offer a clear career path from entry-level positions to more senior roles such as Senior Public Relations Executive and Comms Manager jobs.

Opportunities for creativity: PR allows you to be creative in developing campaigns, storytelling, and content creation. This can be fulfilling for those who enjoy using their creativity in a professional setting.

Positive impact: PR professionals play a significant role in shaping an organisation’s image and reputation. This level of responsibility can be rewarding for those who enjoy influencing public perception.

Networking opportunities: PR involves building relationships with media, clients, stakeholders, and other professionals. This networking can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.

Continuous learning: PR is an ever-evolving field. Staying up-to-date with new technologies, trends, and communication strategies is essential, making it a field that encourages lifelong learning.

So, if you’re an ambitious grad wondering if PR account executive jobs will provide you with promising career prospects, the short answer is – yes. With hard work and determination, the PR career options are endless!