Public Relations Officer Resume Guide

Public Relations Officers work to create and maintain a positive public image for their organization. They develop media relations strategies, write press releases, organize events, manage social media accounts, respond to inquiries from the public or media representatives and more.

You know how to craft a message that resonates with the public and build relationships between organizations. But if no one knows who you are, your PR skills won’t get any recognition. To make sure hiring managers take notice of you, create an eye-catching resume.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Public Relations Officer Resume Sample

Diamond Zemlak
Public Relations Officer

[email protected]
715-486-5669
linkedin.com/in/diamond-zemlak

Summary

Reliable public relations officer with over 5 years of experience in media and public relations. Proven track record in creating effective PR campaigns, enhancing brand reputation, and achieving strategic goals for clients such as ABC. Recognized by the company for successfully managing a press conference that earned 4 million impressions on social media platforms. Passionate about leveraging communication skills to build positive relationships between organizations and external stakeholders.

Experience

Public Relations Officer, Employer A
Raleigh, Jan 2018 – Present

Effectively developed and implemented public relations strategies to promote the company’s products/services, resulting in an increase of brand recognition by 35%.
Prepared press releases, promotional materials and speeches for senior management; developed relationships with key media contacts that generated over 60 positive news stories per month.
Reorganized the company’s social media accounts, optimizing content for maximum visibility across platforms; increased followership by 45% within 3 months on Twitter alone.
Monitored industry trends to identify opportunities relevant to clients; continuously researched competitors’ activities and reported findings back to senior management every week.
Streamlined communication protocols between departments, resolving conflicts quickly so as not to impede progress; successfully decreased response time from 2 days to 12 hours on average for urgent requests.

Public Relations Officer, Employer B
Oakland, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Substantially increased public presence of clients through strategic media campaigns, resulting in an average 25% increase in sales revenue.
Networked with over 200 journalists and influencers to build relationships that supported the launch of 5+ products per year and generated $3 million in new business opportunities.
Utilized a range of communication methods such as press releases, interviews, social media posts & video content to spread awareness about clients’ brands while maintaining brand consistency across all platforms.
Spearheaded successful crisis management projects involving both local and international stakeholders; minimized negative publicity by 65%.
Assessed the effectiveness of PR initiatives based on metrics such as website visits, engagement rate & customer feedback; identified areas for improvement and implemented changes accordingly for improved results within 6 weeks period on average.

Skills

Editing
Media Relations
Social Media Marketing
Press Releases
Event Management
Teamwork
Marketing Communications
Journalism
Social Networking

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Accredited in Public Relations (APR)
Public Relations Society of
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

Your resume summary or objective should be a concise, yet compelling overview of your experience as a public relations officer. Here is where you can highlight the most relevant skills and accomplishments that make you stand out from other applicants. For example, you could mention how many years of PR experience you have, the successful campaigns or initiatives you’ve led in the past, and any awards or recognition for outstanding work.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Talented public relations officer with a proven track record of successfully creating and executing effective PR campaigns. Experienced in developing compelling content for print, broadcast, and digital media outlets to ensure maximum exposure for the client’s message. Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining strict deadlines. At XYZ, increased public awareness by 32% during the launch of their new product line through strategic outreach initiatives.

Driven public relations officer with 5+ years of experience in developing and executing PR strategies. Experienced in creating, managing, and optimizing campaigns to build brand reputation while increasing audience engagement. At XYZ Company, managed press releases for 3 high profile projects resulting in an average spike of 600% website visits within 24 hours. Highly adept at using digital marketing tools to craft compelling stories that drive sales growth.

Diligent public relations officer with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful PR campaigns. Skilled at building relationships with key stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes for organizations. Achieved a 20% increase in brand awareness for XYZ, resulting in increased customer loyalty and sales revenue. Passionate about making an impact on the world by using my skills and expertise to help businesses reach their goals.

Determined public relations officer with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful PR campaigns. Lead the launch of several high-profile products at XYZ, resulting in a 20% increase in market share within three months. Experienced speaker on various topics related to marketing, public relations and brand building. Proven ability to build strategic relationships that have led to enhanced visibility for clients.

Dependable public relations officer with 8+ years of experience in developing, managing and executing comprehensive public relations strategies. Skilled at creating compelling messaging that generates positive media coverage for clients. Responsible for leading successful campaigns which have increased brand visibility by 28%. At XYZ, managed all PR activities including press releases, events, interviews & crisis communications.

Proficient public relations officer with 5+ years of experience in corporate communications and PR, specializing in creating and managing successful campaigns. Proven track record of building relationships between companies, stakeholders, media outlets and the public to increase brand awareness. Looking to join ABC Corp as their next Public Relations Officer to maximize visibility for their products/services on a global scale.

Detail-oriented public relations officer with 5+ years of experience in media and corporate communications. Proven track record for crafting impactful press releases, developing successful campaigns, increasing brand recognition, and driving positive results in customer engagement. Seeking to join ABC Company as a PR Officer to strengthen their reputation through effective communication strategies.

Amicable and proactive public relations officer with 5+ years of experience driving media awareness and implementing PR campaigns. Seeking to join ABC Tech to develop relationships, craft positive messaging, and engage stakeholders. At XYZ Inc., increased press coverage by 25% through comprehensive digital outreach strategies.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience section, you should provide details on your employment history. This section should be written in reverse chronological order; that is, the most recent job listed first.

When writing about what you did in each role, use bullet points to make it easier for the reader to quickly digest what you have said. You want to take some time and think through the specifics of each role and any quantifiable results achieved as a result of your work.

For example, instead of saying “Organized press events,” you could say, “Planned five successful press events per month which increased media coverage by 30%.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Promoted
Managed
Coordinated
Developed
Generated
Wrote
Presented
Monitored
Researched
Analyzed
Advocated
Negotiated
Networked
Collaborated
Strategized

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Demonstrated
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Compiled and distributed press releases, articles and other publicity materials to over 200 media contacts; successfully generated $2 million in earned media value within 8 months.
Proficiently managed corporate public relations campaigns, creating impactful content for social media platforms that achieved a 26% increase in followership.
Presented marketing strategies and plans to the executive team resulting in increased brand recognition by 24%.
Introduced new tactics for crisis management initiatives, leading to successful resolution of negative online sentiment towards the company by 45%.
Strategized effective communication programs with key stakeholders including customers, shareholders and employees; saw customer satisfaction ratings rise from 60% to 78% within 6 months.

Collaborated with the media, public figures and other stakeholders to develop effective PR campaigns; increased positive brand exposure by 25%.
Reliably managed a portfolio of 30+ accounts within budget limits, developing strategic plans for each client in accordance with their individual needs.
Formulated messaging structures that were used across multiple platforms such as social media, print advertising and digital marketing; grew followers on Twitter by 10% in 4 months.
Researched industry trends to create timely content related to current events & topics relevant to the company’s target audience; generated over 500 leads through targeted email campaigns last quarter alone.
Demonstrated exceptional communication skills when writing press releases and interacting with customers & colleagues alike; improved customer feedback ratings by 15%.

Wrote and distributed press releases, articles and other promotional materials to increase public interest in the company’s services; single-handedly generated over $10K in revenue from media placements.
Resourcefully coordinated events such as conferences, fundraisers and product launches that increased brand awareness by 15%.
Advocated for client interests through strategic campaigns targeted at key audiences; reduced negative publicity by 20% within 6 months of initiating PR activities.
Participated actively in weekly team meetings to discuss new ideas on how best to promote clients and build relationships with industry influencers/journalists covering related topics.
Reduced costs associated with advertising efforts by 30%, optimizing marketing budgets for effective use of resources allocated towards PR initiatives instead.

Optimized press releases, media coverage and online presence for clients by strategically revising messaging content and tone; increased public awareness of client brands by 40%.
Advised clients on how to effectively communicate with target audiences through multiple channels including press conferences, interviews, social media campaigns and print publications.
Revised external communication policies in accordance with organizational objectives while adhering to relevant laws and regulations; improved customer engagement ratings within 6 months of implementation.
Structured innovative public relations strategies that integrated traditional methods such as outdoor advertising with digital marketing tools like YouTube videos; raised brand visibility amongst key stakeholders by 30%.
Meticulously monitored local news outlets for opportunities to promote client products or services using proactive tactics such as issuing timely press releases when necessary; secured over 250 articles in industry-specific publications during tenure at current position.

Independently managed and executed PR campaigns for 5+ clients, resulting in a 20% increase in brand awareness over 6 months.
Coordinated with multiple departments to ensure all PR activities were completed on time and within budget; decreased costs by $3,500 per month over the last year.
Analyzed media coverage of clients’ events/products and crafted reports presenting findings; identified key trends that improved target audience engagement by 10%.
Achieved 15+ press placements each month through strategic pitching efforts, including interviews with industry-leading publications such as Forbes Magazine & The Wall Street Journal.
Developed relationships with local influencers who shared positive content about company products/services across their social networks; increased followership by 4K weekly users on average during the campaign period.

Generated over $5,000 in revenue by launching highly successful PR campaigns and establishing strong relationships with media outlets.
Competently managed a team of 8 public relations associates; successfully trained all staff on standard operating procedures while maintaining excellent customer service standards.
Expedited crisis management operations by liaising with clients, stakeholders and the press to secure positive news coverage for over 25 high-profile cases within 48 hours on average.
Represented clients at more than 20 industry events throughout the year, building effective networks and communicating key messages to relevant audiences through presentations, interviews & panel discussions.
Mentored junior members of the PR team to deliver high-quality work that adhered strictly to organizational policies and increased client satisfaction ratings by 15%.

Accurately and effectively managed media relations for 10+ client accounts, proactively communicating messages to various stakeholders and increasing brand awareness by 25%.
Improved the public image of clients through creative campaigns that generated positive press coverage in both digital and print outlets; secured 30+ interviews with major publications while also establishing relationships with key influencers within the industry.
Promoted new product launches, special events and other marketing initiatives on social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook & Instagram; increased followership across all channels by at least 15% each month.
Negotiated partnerships worth over $50K between clients and other organizations/businesses, resulting in heightened visibility amongst target audiences as well as collaborative promotional opportunities for maximum reach potentials.
Facilitated crisis management strategies when needed to ensure that situations were handled quickly, professionally and efficiently whilst preventing any further damage from occurring to a company’s reputation or bottom line profits.

3. Skills

The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization might be looking for someone with experience in media relations, while another might prefer a candidate that excels at event planning.

It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for because many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS). These computer programs scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human; therefore, if you don’t include the right ones, your application may not even make it past this stage.

Once listed here, you can further elaborate on these skills by discussing them in more detail elsewhere – such as within the summary or work experience sections.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Advertising
Blogging
Business Strategy
Communication
Copy Editing
Copywriting
Corporate Communications
Creative Writing
Crisis Communications
Editing
English
Event Management
Facebook
Fundraising
Government
Internal Communications
Journalism
Marketing Communications
Media Relations
News Writing
Newsletters
Nonprofits
Photography
Press Releases
Project Planning
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
Speech Writing
Strategic Communications
Teaching
Team Leadership
Teamwork
Time Management
Writing

4. Education

Mentioning an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, include an education section below your resume objective. However, if you have significant work experience to showcase, it is perfectly acceptable to omit the education section altogether.

If including an education section is necessary for the role, list courses and subjects related to public relations that demonstrate a good understanding of the field.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a certain field. They provide evidence that you have been tested and certified by an authoritative organization, which can help give employers confidence in your abilities.

Including any certifications relevant to the job position on your resume is highly recommended as it will show potential employers that you are qualified for the role and have taken steps to stay up-to-date with industry knowledge.

Accredited in Public Relations (APR)
Public Relations Society of
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Diamond Zemlak, this would be Diamond-Zemlak-resume.pdf or Diamond-Zemlak-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Including a cover letter with your job application is a great way to express yourself and highlight why you’re the best fit for the role. It’s typically made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs and provides an opportunity for you to explain in more detail why you are suitable.

Cover letters offer recruiters insight into who you are as a professional, beyond what can be seen on paper. They also provide employers with a sense of your personality, which may not come across through just reading your resume alone.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Jewell,

I am writing to apply for the position of Public Relations Officer at [company name]. With more than five years of experience in the public relations industry, I have a strong track record in media relations, event management, and creating and executing successful PR campaigns.

In my current role as Public Relations Manager at [company name], I manage a team of three junior PR executives and oversee all aspects of our company’s public relations strategy. I have successfully increased our media coverage by 30% over the past year through building relationships with key members of the press and securing regular placements in high-profile publications. Additionally, I have planned and executed numerous events that generated positive publicity for our company while also increasing brand awareness among target audiences.

I believe my skills and experience would make me an asset to your organization. In particular, my ability to develop creative solutions to challenging problems would be beneficial in driving [company name]’s public relations strategy forward. Moreover, my excellent interpersonal skills would enable me to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and members of the media.

I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your organization as Public Relations Officer during an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about my application or qualifications.

Sincerely,

Diamond