From the Inbox: How to Get a REAL PR Job

Dear nyc PR girls,

Right now I am having an extreme difficulty finding a decent PR job. I live in Los Angeles and I apply to everywhere it seems but the only thing I can get is these little businesses that say they want a PR person but they really want me to just go to business to business and pass out flyers. How do I get in for a real PR job?! Meaning press releases and all! I need to make an income but do you think it would be a good idea to try and get an internship at a PR agency for some sort of way in? I’ve been struggling with this for over a year and I am losing faith and money!

Sincerely,

Lost in LA

Unfortunately, in urban areas you are going to find a lot of bait and switch PR job postings out there. Companies with little money and a lot of legwork to do are willing to pray on girls and guys who are desperate to “get their foot in the door” at music, entertainment or fashion PR houses or businesses. Here’s how to spot the phonies and get into the real stuff:

Do your homework – The worst thing you can do is blindly send your resume anywhere and everywhere. That only sets you up for disappointment AND increases your chances of getting caught in a net of scummy jobs. We say it all the time… do your research. You should never submit your resume to a company you know nothing about. That’s basically the career equivalent of agreeing to marry someone you’ve never met. This isn’t reality TV, it’s your livelihood. Do some googling and only submit to companies worthy of your time. And in that vain…

Look for jobs in respectable places – “Real” PR firms usually don’t post jobs on Craigslist.

Know you will have to do some admin/heavy lifting/b*tch work - There is no fast track in PR, ladies. You’re going to need to do some jobs you won’t want to do. Even at senior levels, you will have those events where you’re lifting boxes and putting together mannequins, and saying “I went to college for THIS?!” That’s just the nature of the job. However, there should be an end to it. In the interview process, ask how they uplevel their interns or what tasks you’d be given in media relations or writing. Gauge whether or not this works with YOUR timeline.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – If a job posting promises “BIG MONEY” right from the get go, walk away. Any reputable starter job will offer an hourly wage or college credit. If you don’t have any PR experience yet, know that you’ll need to start with an internship. But you can definitely find one that pays.

image via