Public Relations Specialist Resume Guide

Public Relations Specialists work to maintain a positive public image for their clients, often through creating and managing marketing campaigns. They develop press releases, coordinate media events, write speeches, create promotional materials and manage social media accounts.

You have a knack for building relationships and crafting the perfect message. But if hiring managers don’t know who you are, they can’t recognize your PR skillset. To make them aware of your abilities, you must write an impressive resume that stands out from the competition.

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.

Public Relations Specialist Resume

Table of Contents

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.

Public Relations Specialist Resume Sample

Joanne Nikolaus
Public Relations Specialist

[email protected]
001-394-7846
linkedin.com/in/joanne-nikolaus

Summary

Seasoned public relations specialist with 5+ years of experience in developing and executing campaigns designed to increase brand visibility, build relationships with stakeholders, and improve customer loyalty. Proven track record of driving successful press releases, media outreach programs, and community engagement initiatives that consistently resulted in tangible business growth. Seeking to join ABC as a public relations specialist where I can utilize my skillset to help the organization reach its goals.

Experience

Public Relations Specialist, Employer A
Glendale, Jan 2018 – Present

  • Optimized client outreach initiatives through the development of targeted public relations campaigns, resulting in a 25% increase in brand recognition over 6 months.
  • Structured and implemented comprehensive media plans for various clients, crafting effective press releases to maximize exposure across multiple channels.
  • Monitored news coverage and conducted research on current trends to effectively strategize promotional activities that increased website traffic by 35%.
  • Achieved positive outcomes from crisis management situations involving negative publicity; reduced social media backlash by 75% within 1 week using strategic communication tactics.
  • Meticulously documented all client interactions & engagements with the press, maintaining accurate records for future reference and reporting purposes.

Public Relations Specialist, Employer B
Spokane, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

  • Publicized the organization’s mission and key messages to target audiences through press releases, media interviews, speeches and events; increased positive brand awareness by 35%.
  • Assessed the effectiveness of promotional campaigns against predetermined goals such as website visits, promotion redemption rates and market share growth.
  • Actively monitored industry trends in order to assess risks & opportunities for clients’ brands; provided strategic counsel on crisis management strategies that resulted in a 50% reduction of negative PR coverage over time.
  • Improved the efficiency of internal communications processes by streamlining communication channels among departments; reduced overall response times from 3 days to 24 hours on average.
  • Formulated comprehensive public relations plans for both short-term promotions and long-term branding initiatives including budgeting, timeline development and evaluation metrics implementation with successful achievement rate at 90%.

Skills

  • Editing
  • Press Releases
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Media Relations
  • Social Networking
  • Facebook
  • Blogging
  • Marketing Communications
  • Event Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

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

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary for a public relations specialist should be written in such a way that it grabs the attention of potential employers. In your summary, you can highlight your experience with developing and executing successful PR campaigns, as well as any awards or recognition you have received for your work. You could also mention the various media outlets you’ve worked with and how they helped to increase brand visibility.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Enthusiastic public relations specialist with 5+ years of experience creating and executing successful campaigns for high-profile clients. Proven track record of developing effective communication plans, handling media inquiries, and engaging stakeholders. Exceptional writing skills demonstrated through the securing of 60% more press coverage than expected in 2020 at XYZ Corporation. Seeking to leverage my skill set to drive greater visibility for ABC Company’s brand image.

Amicable public relations specialist with 7+ years of experience crafting and executing campaigns to raise brand awareness. At XYZ, developed PR strategies for 8 major clients resulting in a 20% increase in their media coverage. Skilled at creating relationships with journalists, bloggers and influencers to spread the word about products or services. Experienced in writing press releases, feature articles and other content that resonates with target audiences.

Professional public relations specialist with 5+ years of experience in media relations, event management, and public speaking. Skilled at creating compelling content that resonates with target audiences while amplifying the brand’s message. At XYZ Company, led PR efforts for a product launch that generated $2M in sales within three months. Developed relationships with key stakeholders to ensure successful execution of projects from start to finish.

Reliable public relations specialist with 8+ years of experience in corporate communications and media relations. Proven track record of developing successful PR campaigns to boost brand visibility, increase customer engagement, and generate public interest. At XYZ Corporation, launched a campaign that resulted in over 2 million views on social media platforms within the first week. Certified Crisis Communications Professional (CCP).

Diligent and creative public relations specialist with 4+ years of experience in the field. Experienced in building and maintaining relationships between clients, media outlets, and other stakeholders to increase brand awareness and visibility. Seeking to join ABC Corp to help manage its communications strategy while utilizing my expertise in PR campaigns, press releases, content creation, social media management and more.

Determined public relations specialist with over 5 years of experience developing and executing successful campaigns to increase brand visibility. Proven track record in creating positive media coverage, building relationships with key stakeholders, and increasing social media presence. Seeking a role at ABC where I can use my skills to foster strong connections between the company and its target audience.

Passionate public relations specialist with 7+ years of experience leading successful campaigns for a variety of clients. Seeking to join ABC Agency and use expertise in media relations, brand building, and crisis management to help the company’s client base reach their goals. At XYZ Inc., achieved 25% increase in customer awareness through strategic press releases and creative marketing initiatives.

Dependable public relations specialist with 5+ years of experience in media and communications. Expertise includes creating content, delivering press releases, handling crisis management, and building relationships between clients and the public. Seeking to leverage my proven ability to develop successful campaigns at ABC Corporation that will drive positive brand awareness for its products.

2. Experience / Employment

The employment (or experience) section is where you can talk about your work history. It should be written in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first.

When writing this section, stick to bullet points primarily; doing so makes it easier for the reader to take in what you have to say quickly. When stating what you did and achieved, provide detail and quantifiable results if possible. For example, instead of saying “Developed public relations campaigns,” try something like: “Created successful PR campaigns that generated a 25% increase in brand awareness among target audiences.”

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
  • Strategized
  • Networked
  • Collaborated
  • Advocated
  • Publicized

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:

  • Generated over $200,000 worth of revenue through successful public relations campaigns that targeted key media outlets and influencers.
  • Wrote compelling press releases and crafted engaging social media posts to raise brand awareness among the target audience; increased website visits by 20% during a three-month period.
  • Substantially reduced negative publicity for clients by responding quickly to customer queries, taking ownership of any issues reported in the news or online forums, and proactively addressing complaints before they escalated into larger problems.
  • Collaborated with marketing teams on product launches & promotional events; both initiatives drew strong interest from local reporters which resulted in significant exposure for our client’s products/services across multiple channels (print, radio & TV).
  • Promoted positive relationships between clients and their customers through thoughtful communication strategies that were geared towards fostering an environment of mutual trust and respect over time.
  • Networked with over 150 media contacts to secure press coverage and placements of PR campaigns, resulting in a 40% increase in website visits within the first month.
  • Advocated for clients on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, engaging with an average of 1,000 followers every day; successfully increased online presence by 25%.
  • Spearheaded the launch of 4 new client initiatives using innovative public relations strategies that resulted in a total audience reach exceeding 250K potential customers.
  • Prepared monthly reports outlining performance metrics such as impressions generated from digital ads & responses received from target audiences; implemented changes accordingly to ensure objectives were met accurately and efficiently.
  • Reliably managed crisis communications when needed by responding quickly to inquiries from journalists or other stakeholders while ensuring brand integrity was preserved at all times.
  • Confidently developed and managed public relations strategies across a variety of platforms, resulting in an increase of brand visibility by 30%.
  • Exhibited excellent written and verbal communication skills when designing press releases that successfully secured media coverage for clients; expedited workflow process to cut project completion time by 45%.
  • Revised existing PR plans to eliminate redundancies and optimize results, leading to a 25% drop in operational costs over six months.
  • Streamlined communications processes between internal teams and external stakeholders through the use of innovative technology solutions; reduced response times from 2 days to 4 hours on average.
  • Participated actively in various networking events such as conferences, seminars & trade shows; generated $50K+ worth of new business opportunities within 3 months period due to successful outreach efforts.
  • Diligently developed and implemented creative public relations campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in brand awareness for the organization.
  • Researched media trends and consumer preferences to create targeted messaging that resonated with specific audiences; generated over $10k in additional revenue within 2 months of launch.
  • Strategized PR strategies to maximize reach across multiple platforms while minimizing costs by 18%.
  • Reduced negative press coverage by 35%, improving reputation and trust among stakeholders through proactive engagement activities such as webinars, interviews and blogs.
  • Compiled detailed reports on key metrics such as impressions, click-through rates & audience demographics; used data insights to refine future initiatives for higher impact outcomes.
  • Efficiently crafted and managed public relations campaigns for 6+ corporate clients, resulting in a 20% increase of positive media coverage over the course of 8 months.
  • Presented compelling press releases to local and national news outlets, ensuring that brand stories were communicated accurately across all channels.
  • Advised senior management on strategies to improve corporate image with stakeholders; constructed thought-leadership articles & speaking engagements which raised awareness by 40%.
  • Developed social media content such as blog posts, infographics and videos which generated an average of 500+ likes per post from targeted audiences within 3 weeks’ time frame.
  • Coordinated events including conferences, trade shows and product launches; successfully handled logistics for up to 200 guests each event while staying within budget limits (+$1K).
  • Accurately analyzed media outlets and influencers with the potential to generate positive PR coverage, resulting in a 20% increase in press mentions within 6 months.
  • Managed relationships with over 30 journalists from top-tier publications, leveraging these connections to secure strategic partnerships that generated $50K+ revenue for clients.
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills by creating engaging content for social media platforms; increased followership on Twitter & Instagram accounts of 2 clients by 45%.
  • Mentored junior team members on effective public relations techniques such as crafting compelling stories, developing key messages and building relationships with stakeholders; improved overall team performance by 25%.
  • Developed comprehensive crisis management plans for 3 high-profile corporate clients while maintaining brand reputation during challenging times through proactive media outreach efforts.
  • Reorganized the company’s public relations strategy to improve the organization’s image and increase brand recognition, resulting in a 25% increase in customer engagement.
  • Utilized various platforms such as print media, radio broadcasts, video streaming and social media outlets to build relationships with influencers and boost visibility of the company’s products & services; resulted in a $10K budget savings every month on marketing costs.
  • Facilitated successful press events for product launches that generated over 500+ stories published across multiple news sources within 3 months; increased sales by 40%.
  • Introduced creative storytelling techniques into all communications campaigns while leading a team of 5 junior PR professionals; doubled support from key stakeholders within 6 months of implementation.
  • Effectively managed crisis situations through strategic communication plans which minimized damage caused by negative publicity by 30%.

3. Skills

Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual with experience in media relations and the other for someone with expertise in crisis communication.

It is essential to tailor your skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for, as many employers use applicant tracking systems these days which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

Once listed here, it’s also important that you elaborate on the most relevant ones by discussing them further in other areas such as the summary or experience sections.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

  • AP Style
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Advertising
  • Blogging
  • Communication
  • Copy Editing
  • Copywriting
  • Corporate Communications
  • Creative Writing
  • Crisis Communications
  • Digital Marketing
  • Digital Media
  • Editing
  • Editorial
  • Email Marketing
  • English
  • Event Management
  • Facebook
  • Feature Articles
  • Fundraising
  • InDesign
  • Internal Communications
  • Journalism
  • Magazines
  • Marketing Communications
  • Media Relations
  • New Media
  • News Writing
  • Newsletters
  • Newspapers
  • Nonprofits
  • Online Marketing
  • Photography
  • Press Releases
  • Proofreading
  • Publications
  • Publicity
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Social Networking
  • Speech Writing
  • Storytelling
  • Strategic Communications
  • Teaching
  • Team Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Video Editing
  • Video Production
  • Web Content
  • WordPress
  • Writing

4. Education

Mentioning your education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you recently graduated and have no prior work experience, the education section should be mentioned below the resume objective. However, if you already have plenty of relevant public relations experience to showcase, then leaving out an education section may be more beneficial for highlighting your skillset.

If including an education section is necessary, try to mention courses and subjects related to public relations that demonstrate a commitment to this field of study or work.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a certain field. They are also an effective way of showing potential employers that you have taken the initiative to stay up-to-date with industry trends and standards.

When applying for jobs, make sure to include any certifications relevant to the position on your resume as this can give you an edge over other applicants who may not be certified in the same area.

Accredited in Public Relations (APR)
Public Relations Society of America
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 Joanne Nikolaus, this would be Joanne-Nikolaus-resume.pdf or Joanne-Nikolaus-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Attaching a cover letter to your job application is an effective way to make your resume stand out and demonstrate why you are the right person for the role. It provides more detail than a resume, allowing you to explain who you are, what makes you unique and how your experience matches with the position.

Cover letters should be 2 to 4 paragraphs long and include information that isn’t already mentioned in your resume. Although they may not be required for most jobs, writing one can give recruiters further insight into who you are as a professional.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Ali,

As a public relations specialist with more than 10 years of experience crafting and executing media strategies, I am excited to apply for the public relations specialist position at your company. In my previous role as a public relations specialist at [company name], I was responsible for developing and managing media relationships, writing press releases, and organizing press conferences. I also have experience conducting market research, preparing reports, and overseeing social media accounts.

I am confident that I can bring my skills and experience to your organization and contribute to its success. In particular, I would like to highlight the following accomplishments:

-Successfully increased media coverage by 30% through the development of new relationships with key journalists.
-Wrote compelling press releases that resulted in an increase in positive media coverage by 15%.
-Managed all aspects of successful publicity campaigns that generated significant awareness for clients’ products or services.

I am eager to put my skills and experience to work for your organization and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could contribute to your team’s success. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Joanne

Public Relations Specialist Resume Templates

Jerboa
Saola
Gharial
Hoopoe
Markhor
Numbat
Bonobo
Ocelot
Rhea
Fossa
Cormorant
Axolotl
Indri
Quokka
Dugong
Pika
Echidna
Kinkajou
Lorikeet