Job Responsibilities
Speaking to local and nationally-based newsmedia on issues
relative to civil servants (20 minutes/day, 5 days/week),
creating daily internal press clips to be read by clients(1
hour/day), answering the switchboard as first contact for
inquiring reporters (30 minutes/daily). Transcribing notes and
creating memos after client meetings (2 hours/week)
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Job Requirements
Hiring requirements: Being well-read and up to date on daily news
stories; being able to ask concise questions to ensure assignment
requirements are well understood; possessing flexibility towards
sudden schedule changes; having a warm and friendly telephone
manner towards both the reporter and client and the ability to
emphathize with an angry client. I must be able to reiterate
caller's needs to take accurate messages to pass on to my boss
and his partners.
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Uppers
Casual working atmosphere: asking questions is always encouraged to prevent
misunderstood assignments; warm and friendly co-workers, music always welcome in
office. Not restricted to staying within your particular office space.
Flexibility in taxing vacation time, with proper notice.
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Downers
Lack of 401K or health and dental benefits (as an independent
contractor). Dealing with irate reporters that are refused access
to a client. Turning away freelance reporters.
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Lifestyle
Dress code: business casual (no jeans or sneakers or overly revealing tops).
Base work hours are 10 AM to 4 PM, though there is always potential for overtime,
in case a time-sensitive document needs to be completed. My company considers
each individual on their ability to perform the position, not on gender or race.
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Compensation
Base salary: $10/hour (as a part time position), compensation for
expenses (for actions performed on client behalf).
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Advice to Jobseekers
Public relations is not the easiest field to get into. Therefore,
if interested, begin with a paid or unpaid internship (high
school or university) to gain contacts and experience. Take
courses such as English, or Journalism, as those teach you how to
write well. Be willing to go that extra mile to ensure that the
assignment gets done. Be prepared for any changes in the daily
schedule. No matter who the person is on the other end of your
phone, sound professional and friendly; this person may be a
potential client. Start your day by reading the news, to sound
informed when a client asks you for your opinion on a particular
event. Most of all, do not be afraid to "start at the bottom":
bigger companies are more likely to hire those with actual
experience.
This occupation has lots of room for growth, as the usual
applicant wanting to work in PR comes with a college degree or
higher, and years of prior experience in other fields (such as
news reporting or graphic design). Be sure to apply to the
smaller PR companies: they are less likely to only see you as a
number.
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