If the success of an event most often depends on the work of a large and friendly team, then a specific person plays a huge role in PR. Because, at a minimum, it is the Client's representative for hundreds of journalists. Therefore, every time there is a need to replace a specialist in the PR group, we sigh heavily and clear work schedules for dozens of interviews.
We could save a lot of time and money (after all, every hour we spend is worth something) if applicants took care of just three things themselves.
1. If people read the text about the vacancy.
“Tell me, what kind of vacancy do you have? “I sent my resume, but didn’t look at it myself,” the girl who recently came to us for an interview honestly admitted. At least she showed herself to be an outspoken person.
80% (!) of resumes, as a rule, are discarded at the initial review stage. Yes, sometimes, despite the specified work experience requirements, we hire a newcomer. A person who is capable and willing to learn very quickly, but most importantly, who meets all other criteria. Because we will be happy to teach you how to work in accordance with the requirements of the Agency and the Client. But, as a rule, we do not have the time or desire to conduct initial courses in English, MS Office and etiquette.
Therefore, tired of the stream of unpromising conversations, we harshly reject those who do not have the skills we need, indicate in their requirements a salary that is 2.5 times higher than the salary we offer, and who have no idea what PR is. If you don't care what field you work in or what you do, this job is unlikely to suit you. Because we are fanatics of our business here. And we’ll even forgive you for your sparkling eyes for a clumsy Power Point.
2. If only people knew Russian.
And to hell with English. I'm scared to count exactly how many candidates for the last PR job made grammatical errors in their resumes and cover letters. And what exactly is our nation's problem with commas?
In our profession, a resume is the first test of professional aptitude. Perhaps dancing punctuation and mistakes in his own surname (yes, we also came across such an option) do not bother a brilliant computer scientist, because numbers are more important to him than letters. But if you're selling yourself as a PR person, things like this say you're either illiterate, grossly inattentive, or all three. Which is unforgivable for the future author of press releases and participant in numerous correspondence with the media.
3. If applicants wrote cover letters.
This is, at a minimum, pleasant and often indicates at least that you read the vacancy (see. point 1) and you know where you are going.
We never send press releases to journalists simply as an attachment to a blank letter. In “accompanying” we always personally address the person, briefly retell the essence of the attached message and try to interest the recipient in our news. Otherwise, the file will not be opened, read, or published. Please show us that you know how important this is in our profession.
This is all.
Marcus Buckingham in his book“Damn the flaws! How to use your strengths"recommends asking a potential employee: “What do you think you will be paid for?” Ask yourself this question. And answer honestly, thoughtfully and interestingly. If the answer suits you (and you are sure that it will suit us too), then feel free to write to us, call and come to us on Baumanskaya. At a minimum, we will get two-way pleasure from communicating with smart and interesting people.
