3 ways to get a job if you are a PR grad

How do you enter the public relations field if you are a college graduate?

This question was asked recently on my Minnesota Public Relations Group on LinkedIn. I think it is one that many students graduating this year are dealing with. And in this competitive market there is not an easy answer. But there are three things you can do to better your odds of landing a job.

1. Informational Interview: Most PR agencies and many companies will invite you in to talk, either with a human resources person or someone in your field, to discuss what they look for in potential candidates. Work to set something up with a few companies well in advance of your graduation so that when you graduate you know where you want to work.
   
   
2. Network: In today's online world there are almost endless ways to network. With organizations like PRSA, MIMA, AdFed, MWMC, IABC and many more. There is no reason, for people looking to get a job, to not be networking with these fine organizations.
   
   
3. Volunteer: With today's political climate heating up there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and get some PR experience working for a local candidate. Even if you hate politics, there are plenty of non-profits or small businesses that could use your expertise. Find ways to apply your knowledge and show you are a strong candidate for full time work.

The fact is the job market is as competitive as it has been in years. There are jobs available, but it is going to take work to get one. Set aside 30-minutes of each day to work on setting up informational interviews, networking or finding volunteer opportunities. You can do it but you have to work at it! Good luck.