Useful advice to get into the Public Relations / Marketing field
Public Relations refers to relationships between an organisation / person and all of that person or company’s stakeholders including customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees, communities, etc. Marketing is defined as the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising. In this day and age you simply can not have one without the other and it’s no secret that these two fields go hand-in-hand in the workplace today.
Public Relations / Marketing was born in the early 20th Century, but it has become so widespread over the years that you will find Public Relations / Media officers in most companies, businesses and governments around the globe today. This is proof that most companies are concerned with the way people see their business and want to make sure that they market their products / service to the right target audience.
If this is a field that you’re looking to work in, today is your lucky day. I’m providing you with useful advice to get into the Public Relations / Marketing field.
You need to have an open personality to work in Public Relations / Marketing:
In my opinion this field is not a recommended job field for an introvert. This will be the perfect job field for you if you are curious, inventive, positive, quick to grasp new ideas and a good listener. If you are not listening you will never find the right answers. If you are not creative you won’t be able to come up with solutions and if you are not able to grasp new ideas (such as the advances in digital and other media) it might be better idea to look at a different career field. Also take note that working in PR requires patience, tact and an ability to keep calm under pressure as well.
You need to complete a degree or other equivalent qualification to enter the Public Relations / Marketing field:
Let’s face it, writing press releases and working out marketing strategies for the company you are employed by will not be easy if you don’t have the required knowledge. You can study Public Relations / Marketing at most of South Africa’s tertiary institutions. If you can’t afford going to varsity, try applying for a bursary or consider doing short courses covering the different aspects of Public Relations / Marketing like Social Media, Crisis and Reputation Management, etc at private colleges like Damelin or Intec.
We recently spoke to Shaz. She’s a Public Relations & Marketing Officer in the Retail Industry. She had some useful advice and tips for people who want to get into the industry. Check out our #youwantmyjob YouTube interview with her below:
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If you find this information about Public Relations / Marketing useful, feel free to share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Remember: Sharing is caring. You could be the reason someone finds the job field they’ve been looking for.
Check out the latest listings for Public Relations jobs on Job Mail. If this is not your field, remember to keep your CV updated and browse for jobs in your field and apply for them on our website.
Watch this space for regular updates for Job Seekers on the Job Mail Blog.
I’m really so greatful you wrote this blog, I’m a 3rd year student in public relations looking to find an internship and was begining to feel a bit under the weather since I’m not getting any call backs, I’m going to follow every instruction to getting a public relation job. Thanks a lot
Our pleasure Thabang 🙂
Hi Kruger;
I am from zambia wishing to work in south africa, but each time i get my application feed back am told to secure a work permit myself, i have so far missed two.
Each time i call immigration agents they call huge sums of money if they can help.
Are there job adverts specifically for non south africans or those willing to recruit employees with intentions to secure their work permits? If any please let me know ASAP.
Thank you
Hi Kennedy – I’m pretty sure that there are companies who do, but policy differs from company to company so it may take you a while before you find one who does this.
Thanks Kruger- at-least i can build confidence on your words.
Plus your article today on ‘2 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT GET DISCOURAGED WHILE JOB HUNTING’ came as an inspiration to me as i have even started unsubscribing to some recruiters and job advertisers for failed responses.
Otherwise keep up the good spirit.
Quite an interesting blog I must say. I have been in the PR/Marketing industry for the past 10 years and the last 5years I have been working as a consultant consulting in various companies still in PR/Marketing. Now my issue is that I want to further grow by formalising my educational status by seeking employment. Having had worked for myself and have no degree, I am faced with a situation where it is either my experience is either too much or too little. Even when I gets to remuneration, where can I place myself with my 10years experience but with no degree. Please note I have dealt with all levels of management.
Hi Lungelo – Your best bet would be to ask someone who is working in your industry. You may have to study part time to obtain a degree or your experience might be enough to land you a new job.