Last night at Leopard, we had one of our Open House events where people looking to get into the world of marketing can come along, hear talks from some of our team, and chat to us about kickstarting their careers.
I spent a lot of time talking to wonderfully passionate, enigmatic, talented people – and one of the most common questions I got asked was “how do you stand out in this industry when you’re completely new to it”?
It’s honestly a really great question, and so I thought it would be helpful to answer it here.
Am I Qualified To Talk On This?
Is anyone, ever? 😆
I came into this industry via quite a traditional route. University. But, I eschewed the placement year option that I was so vehemently encouraged to do. This meant I had to think outside of the box in order to stand out.
So, here’s what I did, and what I think those seeking a career in PR should start doing today.
My 4 Pieces Of Advice For Standing Out
Build Your Personal Brand
The power of branding should never be understated.
Most people in this industry move around due via the connections they’ve made. Because people recognise their name. It gives you so much more edge than simply applying for jobs on LinkedIn and Indeed.
You never know, someone you meet in the sector may even take a chance on you without advertising for a specific role. That’s what happened to me when I landed my first full time internship.
You can build your brand in so many different ways, but at the very least – you should be on social. When I was starting out, Twitter (RIP 🪦) was really important, but nowadays LinkedIn seems the better place to be.
If you’re not sure where to begin when building your brand, or how to make connections, think about:
- Linking up with people on social who work for local agencies and businesses in comms roles
- Going to local networking events – there are plenty of formal, and informal ones in cities across the UK
- Looking out for events specifically tailored to people starting out, like our Open House at Leopard
- Ask for coffee / lunch dates with PR people you look up to – the industry can be a kind place, you’d be surprised how people will help you
And in terms of what your brand should be… Well, only you will know. But think about what you are interested in. Is it crazy creative PR stunts? Standout social content? The more you talk about these things, the easier it’ll become. This blog started out just talking about campaigns I’d seen and liked, and though it’s evolved since then, I’m still happy that that’s where I began.
Live And Breathe PR
When applying for roles where you have no experience, it can be so tough. Everyone wants at least a little from their candidates.
As someone who now sits at the other side of the table, I know why. It’s because we need someone who understands the industry, how it works, and who is intensely passionate about it.
So if you can’t show that through work experience, how else can you?
Write a blog. Start a podcast. Build a portfolio of hypothetical situations. Volunteer. Go to events.
There’s so many different ways you can demonstrate an understanding of the industry. And at the end of the day, skills can be taught. Passion can’t.
Hunt For Experience… Anywhere
Not everyone wants to do a placement year, and that’s okay. But it does, admittedly, put you at a disadvantage.
When I was finishing 2nd year and was adamant that a year out wasn’t for me, I knew I’d have to get some work experience if I ever wanted to get into the PR industry after graduation. So, I spent my summer emailing agencies in Birmingham and ended up doing a few weeks of work there. When I went back for third year, I scarified my reading weeks for more placements before settling on a one day a week internship which I completed alongside my studying. This was my golden goose as it led me to getting offered a full time role there when I graduated.
Someone said to me last night that it’s disheartening not hearing back, and I agree. But I also urge you to keep going. It makes me think of that cringe diamond mining meme.
There’ll be agencies out there that will give you experience, and once you have it, it automatically places you a cut above the rest. And even if you don’t land lucky with PR agencies, why not see if you can volunteer doing some PR / social / marketing for a local business or charity?
I dabbled in this for Forever Hounds Trust when I was at uni, and it was when I got my first ever piece of PR coverage. So it’s absolutely worth it!
Show Off Your Skills
And finally, think about demonstrating your skills in a practical way. How can you go above and beyond a CV?
If you love to write, then a carefully curated blog or social channel will showcase your talents and also your spirit. Content creators on TikTok and Instagram will always stand out too, as they’ll know how to market themselves, as well as how to shoot, style and edit.
Top tip: attention to detail here is vital. Spelling mistakes and clumsy content can turn off some employers. There’s a saying that they’re looking for reasons not to hire you. Don’t give them any. This is your opportunity to shine.
Thank you as always for reading and for supporting me, and always happy to continue the conversation on my socials. Read my other blogs here whilst you wait for the next one.
Jessica Pardoe | PR, Marketing and Communications Blogger | See All Posts By Jessica Pardoe 