Public Relations Specialist Career Guide
Are you social media savvy, a great communicator, and looking for an exciting new career?
You may want to peek into the field of Public Relations.
Your favorite celebrities, companies, and organizations hire public relations specialists to be the architect behind their image.
The industry is one of the fastest-growing among other careers, and the Bureau of Labor Services projects jobs to grow by 8% by 2031.
Public Relations Specialist Information Table
| Official Job Title | Public Relations Specialist |
| Average Salary | $62,800 (BLS) |
| Stress Level | High |
| Work/Life | Low |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | Very High (PayScale) |
Public Relations Specialist Job Description
What Is A Public Relations Specialist?
A public relations specialist is a professional in charge of curating and maintaining the social image of an individual, business, or organization.
Also known as PR specialists, communication specialists, or sometimes social media managers, those who work in the field are often highly ambitious individuals who work well under stress and have above-average communication skills.
PR specialists are vital to a business or public figure.
According to BLS, they maintain their client’s communication with the public, the media, consumers, investors, and more.
What Does A Public Relations Specialist Do On A Daily Basis?
As a public relations specialist, your day will generally consist of the following:
- Attend meetings about the consistency of information across your organization
- Responding to requests from the press
- Pitching ideas and stories to the media
- Attending events
- Writing speeches
- Work with other communication teams and media outlets like TV, radio, print, and press
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles Of A Public Relations Specialist
Payscale says that much of your role as a PR specialist is executing and implementing PR and marketing strategies while ensuring they’re running smoothly.
Your responsibilities will often include working with content creators to promote your client through blogs and social media.
You also use your outstanding communication skills to smooth out any misunderstandings or media fires involving your client.
According to Glassdoor, other duties include drafting press releases, building new media contacts while maintaining existing media relationships, and ensuring all communication across your organization is consistent with the brand’s identity.
You may brainstorm pitches for media outlets.
Public Relations Specialist Salary
Average Salary
According to BLS, the average salary for a public relations specialist in 2021 was $62,800.
However, Payscale lists $53,708 as the median income for a PR specialist during this time.
Those in the PR field can specialize in various areas where salaries fluctuate based on roles, responsibilities, and duties.
Starting Salary
Payscale states that $44,507 is the average income for PR specialists with one year or less experience in 2021.
Expect starting salaries to fluctuate from company to company, considering the rapidly growing nature of this position.
Senior Salary
Senior PR specialists can make anywhere from $59-$64,000 a year and typically experience added benefits with more experience.
The average for the most experienced PR specialists is $59,489.
Sometimes, PR specialists can earn commissions on large projects or successful campaigns.
How To Become A Public Relations Specialist
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Several accredited sites agree that a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, business, or a related field is required to work as a public relations specialist.
This seems to be true for the rapidly growing industry, and BestAccreditedColleges tells us that getting a job in PR can be pretty competitive.
Many PR specialists gain real-world experience during or shortly after they obtain their degrees.
From there, voluntary accreditation is highly regarded when a hirer considers a candidate for this role.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
Besides the apparent writing and communication skills, those hoping to become a PR specialist should be excellent problem solvers, maintain good judgment, have strong attention to detail, and be ambitious about taking the initiative.
It will help to have extensive proficiency in social media, which may be a leading cause for the rise in PR jobs.
Expect social media to become more integral in public relations as time passes.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Public Relations Specialist?
Considering the necessity of a bachelor’s degree to work in public relations, it takes four to five years to become an entry-level PR specialist.
This is not to say you can’t work on personal relations for an organization or individual via internship before then.
Is It Hard To Become A Public Relations Specialist?
While it does require vitality, ambition, and excellent problem-solving skills to become a PR specialist, it may not be as daunting as you think.
Becoming a public relations or communications specialist can be done in four simple steps- one optional! More on that is below.
Public Relations Specialist Career Paths
The Public Relations Specialist Roadmap
The roadmap to public relations in four steps begins with a bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to communications.
Here, your options are wide open.
Journalism, business, and public relations are also suitable.
Follow that up with real-world experience in an internship, program, or your first job!
Next, pursue voluntary certification in the field before asking for managerial or leadership experience within your organization.
This experience will help enhance your resume and give you the necessary leg up to outshine your competition.
The initiative to grow within your current company or organization will demonstrate your passion for public relations and a solid commitment to the brand.
Projections For Growth In Public Relations Specialist Jobs
According to BLS, growth projections for careers in public relations are well above average and are expected to grow 8% through 2031.
With the rapid advancement in information tech and social media applications, organizations and individuals must maintain their widely consumed public image and brand identities.
In Summary: Is Public Relations Specialist A Good Career?
All signs point to public relations careers performing pretty well above their peers.
The projected career growth could lead to exponential growth within a career and potential earnings.
Combine potential with the above-average working conditions below and discover the possibilities of a career in PR.
Working Conditions
Can A Public Relations Specialist Work Remotely From Home?
If the above information tells us anything, being a PR specialist requires meeting people face to face, being both mobile and flexible, and being available during a range of hours.
According to various job sites like Zip Recruiter, LinkedIn, and others, a wide array of remote PR jobs are gradually becoming available.
How Many Hours Does A Public Relations Specialist Work?
As a PR specialist, you’ll likely work 35 to 40 hours a week on average.
Overtime is frequent for salaried employees, sometimes paid and unpaid.
PR specialists are often required to work events and emergencies, so consider this when thinking of your potential future schedule.
Can A Public Relations Specialist Work Part-Time?
Part-time jobs are infrequent in the public relations world, as clients often need the services of their salaried PR specialists full-time.
However, social media management, a closely intertwined branch of personal relations, can function on a project-to-project basis.
This can be considered freelance or part-time.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Public Relations Specialist?
If you like paid vacations, you’re in luck.
Salaried public relations specialists typically receive paid vacation among their benefits, according to Careers.StateUniversity.
The number of days can fluctuate based on your level of experience.
It’s also important to note that you may be required to travel for work as a PR specialist.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Public Relations Specialist
- Public Relationship Manager
- Communications Director
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Marketing Consultant
- SEO Manager
- Content Marketing Manager
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
Public Relations Specialist Resume Tips
When applying for your first public relations job, keeping a few things in mind is essential.
Although PR is a creative industry overall, it’s crucial to demonstrate that you can get points across quickly.
For this reason, you’ll want your PR resume to be clear, concise, and organized.
A resume summary or objective can be an excellent tool for helping your resume stand out of the pile.
Because the PR job market is highly competitive, hirers are looking for a robust summarization of what you bring.
An objectives page quickly highlights experience.
Public Relations Specialist Interview Questions
Below are interview questions you may encounter according to My Perfect Resume and why they may help hirers determine your eligibility for any PR role.
Q1: How do you handle representing your clients at industry events?
Why it works: Asking this question will allow potential clients to see how well you will prioritize them and the nature of your professionalism.
They may want to know if you’ll fit into their professional community.
Q2: How would you deal with a PR crisis?
Why it works: Your future employer will want to see your problem-solving skills and how you may function under pressure.
Can you think creatively or outside the box?
Q3: Give an example of a successful PR campaign you designed.
Why it works: This one speaks for itself. Future employers want to hear about your experience and see if you’re passionate about public relations.
Don’t be afraid to go in-depth.
Jobs Related To Public Relations Specialist
Below is a short list of similar professions.
- Social Media Manager
- Copywriter
- Event Manager
- Fundraising Manager
- Sales Manager
- Market Research Analysis
For HR Managers: Tips For Hiring A Public Relations Specialist
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Public Relations Specialist
Look for proficiency when hiring a public relations specialist:
- Reputation and crisis management
- Media relations
- Social media
- Speech and press release writing
- Event planning
- Outreach
- Extreme attention to detail
- Trustworthy nature
- Good history of public relations
Minimum Level Of Education & Experience
The minimum level of education to look for in a potential public relations specialist is a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, business, or any related field.
Internships are standard experience, and additional certifications are a bonus.
Because ambition is vital, any candidate who seeks additional knowledge might be a good fit.