PR is a competitive, fast-paced industry to work in, and the job market is just the same. So, how do you break into the industry?    

Our newest account executive, Izzy, has done just that, so grab a cuppa and read on for some top tips on how to stand out from the crowd when starting out in PR… 

1. Keep up to date with the news  

Keeping up to date with the news is an essential part of any PR professional’s daily activity. If you’re not into it, PR might not be the career for you – so make sure you consider this before applying to any roles. 

It’s not just the mainstream news you need to keep track of either – the world of PR has a news agenda all of its own! Some great starting points are news outlets such as PR Week, or the BBC Sounds’ podcast “When it Hits the Fan”, which is a great resource that discusses the week’s biggest PR blunders – something we’re keen never to feature on!  

Being aware of industry news is essential for aspiring PR pros who lack work experience. Curiosity and knowledge of your chosen sector is a great way to show genuine interest and enthusiasm and sends a message to prospective employers that you are keen, proactive and worth having on their team! 

1. Build your network 

If you’re just starting out in PR, chances are you haven’t got an extensive network of PR connections around you. But that’s okay! The good news is you can start building up your network at any time – you just need to know how.  

One way to build your network and increase your chances of nabbing a prime role is by speaking to recruiters. Their job is to match candidates to roles, help prepare you for interviews and give you more insight into the industry along the way. Recruiters often offer application and interview advice too, and, even if they don’t have a job immediately available, leave your CV with them and they can contact you when something does come up. 

To keep your network growing in the job search, you can also reach out to PR agencies you like the look of. Agencies usually have a ‘contact us’ or ‘careers’ page, and they often invite speculative applications even if they are not currently hiring. So, get creative and promote yourself! 

When I was searching for my first job, I did exactly this. Some agencies and directors came back with positive feedback – even though they weren’t hiring. They did, however, invite me to connect with them on LinkedIn, which meant my network got off to a great start before I’d secured my role. 

1. Update your LinkedIn profile 

LinkedIn is invaluable when trying to land your first PR job. A lot of PR professionals and agencies are very active on their LinkedIn pages, enabling you to gain insight into the industry. Additionally, recruiters can find you through LinkedIn search and, if you look like a fit for one of their roles, they may even reach out to you!  

To make this possible, your profile must be up to date. That’s right: you need to ‘PR yourself’. Make sure you have a relevant description in the ‘about’ section of your profile and consider changing your bio to something like ‘Aspiring PR professional’ so recruiters know what roles you’re after.  

Once you have tailored your profile, the next step is to proactively engage with relevant content. You can do this by following PR agencies you like, engaging with their posts, joining PR groups and continuing to build your network. Additionally, you can increase your visibility by liking and commenting on posts, as well as making your own posts.  

1. Get experience  

This final tip is probably the most valuable one: get some experience! Having some experience under your belt is one of the best ways you can demonstrate genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the industry and will maximise your chances of landing your first PR job. Doing an internship or placement where possible is a great way to give PR a go, get hands on experience and see if this whirlwind industry really is for you before committing to a permanent role. 

When looking for experience, it’s important to use the connections you have been building in your professional network. Reach out to any connections you have made and create your own opportunities by asking if agencies would take you on – the worst they will do is say no, and you might just create an opportunity that will kick-start your career. 

Lots of PR agencies offer internships, work experience or open days, so head over to their websites and apply to every opportunity you can. We know this all too well, because… 

📢SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT📢 

We have created The Pearl Academy for exactly this reason! The Academy is a free day of workshops, skills sessions and talks aimed at helping budding PR pros dip their toes into the world of PR, no prior experience needed. And who knows? It could be your first step to securing an internship spot – and even your dream job – further down the line.  

Keep your eyes peeled for our next Academy day in 2025! 

So, there you have it. Some of our top tips on how to land your first PR job! 

Find out more about The Pearl Academy here.