Careers in public relations are reputable, fetch a good salary, offer a challenging work atmosphere and career growth opportunities, perks and freebies are plenty. Naturally, people’s interests in careers in public relations are growing by leaps and bounds. Moreover, almost all companies in the world are on a public relations employment hiring spree. So it is easy to get public relations employment if you can overcome the stiff competition.

Roles and responsibilities in public relations careers

Those in public relations work are supposed to represent an individual or a company or organization or the government in a profitable and reputable manner; as well as enhance and maintain their client’s positive public image and reputation, especially during times of crisis.

A public relations officer advocates the cause of his client in front of the general public and the media. This can be achieved in a variety of ways via events, campaigns and press kits.

The first duty of those in jobs in public relations is to build media contacts and create and establish relationships with press people, broadcast journalists, with press guys from new media, radio journalists and so on. A public relations officer has to convey the message his client wants to send out to the public through press meets, press releases, media reports, publicity campaigns (especially true for politicians and movie stars).

He or she even has to write, create, edit and research or supervise the abovementioned duties during the preparation of such media reports or official speeches or press releases. Besides, a public relations specialist has to constantly handle the media and malicious media attacks during times of crisis. That is why people management and media management skills are so vital for people in jobs in public relations.

Another skill that a public relations officer ought to have is strong communication skill, the ability to deal with untoward situations promptly, the ability to think on his feet as well as the ability to express himself well in commanding language, especially through written material.

The press releases that those in public relations careers have to write must generate favorable publicity for clients, showcase the client in a positive light and be able to create a buzz in the media regarding the issue the client wants to highlight.

Did you know, all these celebrity gossips that float around in the tinsel town just before a movie or music album release are planted by a pop star’s or movie star’s PR guys in the media to generate some free publicity that may translate into sales?

Experts in jobs in public relations or those who work in public relations department of an office also have to arrange and manage programs and events for their clients.