Public Relations Officer

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £90,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How To Become a Public Relations Officer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
a college course
specialist courses run by a professional body

College / University

You could study for a degree or postgraduate award recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

public relations
media communications
business and public relations

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

There is no set entry route to become a public relations officer but it may be useful to do a relevant subject like a Foundation Certificate in Marketing.

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by doing a public relations assistant higher apprenticeship.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

You can do professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

These can be done online or at a training centre. Courses include:

a Foundation Certificate for beginners
a Professional PR Certificate, if you're a graduate or have 2 years' experience in PR

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of media production and communication
knowledge of English language
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
persistence and determination
the ability to work well with others
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to sell products and services
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

planning PR campaigns and strategies based on research
monitoring and reacting to the public and media's opinion of your client or employer
writing and editing press releases, speeches, newsletters, leaflets, brochures and websites
creating content on social media and responding quickly to user comments
arranging and attending events like press launches, news conferences, exhibitions and open days
developing good working relationships with the media to promote your clients
arranging photoshoots and production of promotional videos
public speaking at presentations, conferences or radio and TV interviews

Working Environment

You could work in an office.

Career Path & Progression

With in-house PR officer experience, you could be promoted to PR manager, social media manager or head of communications.

With agency experience, you could progress to senior account executive or account manager.

You could go freelance or move into advertising, marketing or journalism.

Volunteering Opportunities

You'll find it useful to get paid or unpaid experience of working in public relations. You can do this by:

contacting PR departments and consultancies for work experience
volunteering to promote local charities
writing for student magazines, newspapers, blogs or social media
working on student or volunteer radio services

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations and Communications Association for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about the world of public relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and careers in the industry from the Public Relations and Communications Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.