Public Relations Resume: Examples, Templates & Tips

PR professional resume [text version to copy-and-paste]

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Peter Adams

Arlington, TX 76015 | 555-555-5555 | example@example.com

Professional Summary

Seasoned senior financial analyst with a proven track record of over 10 years in financial planning, analysis and strategic decision-making. Adept at translating complex financial data into actionable insights that drive business growth and profitability. Highly skilled in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and trend identification to optimize financial performance. Recognized for exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical prowess and a collaborative approach to cross-functional teams.

Work History

Senior Financial Analyst
OneMain Financial
Arlington, TX | January 2020 – Current

• Lead a department and provide guidance to a 12-member team.
• Collect, analyze and manage quantitative data, creating reports to lead business improvements and reduce costs by 40%.
• Conduct meetings with directors to analyze spending and provide financial recommendations.

Financial Analyst
Booz Allen Hamilton
Arlington, TX | January 2018 – January 2020

• Identified budget variances and recommended corrective actions, avoiding overruns and maintaining a positive cash position.
• Provided administrative support to the senior analyst with seven clients.
• Helped clients plan for and fund retirements using mutual funds and other options to manage, customize and diversify portfolio.

Finance Assistant
Service First Mortgage
Arlington, TX | November 2013 – December 2017

• Researched and drove integration of Sage50 Cloud to increase efficiency of accounting systems.
• Reconciled statements of 27 accounts and resolved variances.
• Led financial planning and analysis by managing key metrics, analyzing data and providing support and insight for strategic planning.

Education

Bachelor of Science Finance.
The University Of Texas
Arlington, TX

Certifications

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), 2016

Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Active Member, Financial Analysts Association (FAA) – Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute

Association for Finance Professionals (AFP) – active member

Languages

English – first language
French – upper intermediate

Skills

• Financial statements expertise
• Financial planning
• Audit coordination
• Strong mathematics skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• GAAP and statutory reporting

Choose the best format for your public relations resume

Picking the right resume format is a big step in making a PR resume that will have an impact. Your chosen format should mirror your career progression, and you have three primary options:

With your chosen format locked down, it’s time to decide on a design.

Choosing a polished public relations resume template

Create your resume

Your resume template should exude your PR flair. It must visually captivate while carefully presenting your professional milestones, just like a well-orchestrated PR campaign.

For PR professionals in more traditional sectors like government or education, a simple resume template often suffices.

For those wanting a contemporary style, we suggest using a modern template. Select one that tastefully incorporates color with clean lines, leading to a cutting-edge yet polished look.

In more creative PR domains, perhaps a creative resume template will be your best bet. You can let your uniqueness shine as long as the design accentuates — rather than overshadows — your accomplishments.

Regardless of your choice, adherence to structured and cohesive formatting is important. Seek a template with clear section headers, bullet points and a judicious use of white space, making for a seamless read.

For specific file preferences, we offer an array, including Word resume templates and Google Doc templates.

Armed with the perfect resume design, you’re all set to craft a resume that distinguishes you from the rest. Let’s get started.

How to write a PR resume in 5 easy steps

Your resume serves as a highlight reel of your PR career: an overview of every strategic campaign, each expertly navigated media interaction and all the positive brand stories you’ve managed to craft.

This is like any good PR campaign, only the brand is you, and the objective is to land your next job.

Before diving into the art of resume crafting, familiarize yourself with the job specifics, just as you would before pitching a story.

Dissect job descriptions to pinpoint skills and traits in demand — such as media relations, crisis management and event planning. This scrutiny will reveal the expectations of diverse organizations and allow you to tailor your resume accordingly.

Remember, while hiring managers don’t have press kits, they do possess a distinct mental inventory of qualities they desire. These often translate into specific keywords they leverage to filter many submissions.

To craft an ATS-friendly resume, synchronize your content with the job’s language.

Suppose a job listing emphasizes “stakeholder engagement” or “brand narrative development.” In that case, weave these terms into your professional summary, skills segment and work history. But ensure they genuinely mirror your competencies. As in any PR campaign, authenticity and transparency reign supreme.

A resume that seamlessly weaves these keywords into the text will resonate with prospective employers, showing you’re not just another PR professional but their dream public relations expert. Omit these, and your resume may be overlooked.

For all the challenges you’ll face in this process, trust us — the resulting document will be worth every ounce of effort.

With these insights in mind, it’s time to craft your story.

Being a public relations professional is more than just managing press releases and media relations. From writing compelling narratives for brands to understanding the complexities of crisis communication, your experience speaks volumes.

But at the end of the day, your experience only matters if you can encapsulate it on your resume. How do you do it?

Enter the resume profile. There are two main types of resume profiles tailored for PR pros — the professional summary and the resume objective. Both can be powerful tools for showing how you are the maestro of messaging.

Professional summaries synthesize your PR journey into a few lines, highlighting milestones like successful crisis aversion, launching high-profile media campaigns or securing front-page coverage for clients in top-tier publications.

Alternatively, a resume objective zones in on your future aspirations. Perhaps you’re aiming for higher-profile clients, seeking to specialize in influencer collaborations or yearning to be part of a firm that truly understands the difference between PR and advertising.

Seasoned PR experts might lean toward a professional summary. On the other hand, a resume objective can be the ideal choice if you’re considering a shift in PR specializations or are newly venturing into this dynamic field. Objectives provide an opportunity to present your aspirations and preparation, even if your experience in that niche is limited.

Let’s delve into both formats:

In the world of public relations, versatility and adaptability are more than just assets — they’re necessities.

Your blend of hard skills, such as expertise in media databases like Cision or PR Newswire, coupled with soft skills like framing a narrative or handling that unexpected journalist inquiry (you’re familiar with those curveballs), makes you a PR powerhouse.

Check out some of the quintessential skills expected of PR professionals in 2024.

Essential skills for a public relations resume

Here’s a glimpse into a seasoned public relations professional’s skills section:

In the world of public relations, your resume should do more than just list tasks. It should tell a captivating story, mirroring the compelling narratives you craft for your clients and employers.

Always include work experience on your resume. This offers hiring managers a glimpse into your capability to handle diverse PR campaigns, work seamlessly with various media outlets and continuously manage and enhance the reputation of brands or individuals.

But it’s not just about recounting campaigns you’ve participated in. Dive deeper. Showcase the communication strategies you’ve designed, the crises you’ve navigated, and how you’ve improved a brand’s image and visibility. Make them see you’re not just another PR professional but a guardian of brand narratives.

And don’t forget to pepper your resume with some action words. These verbs emphasize your proactive role in shaping public perceptions and narratives.

Here’s an example of a standout PR professional work history entry:

Your academic achievements and certifications aren’t merely a string of letters on your business card; They’re a testament to your hard work and marketing knowledge. Wear them with pride.

Starting with the most prestigious degree or accreditation you’ve earned, put together a resume education section. While many in PR boast degrees in Communication or Journalism, certifications such as APR (Accredited in Public Relations) or digital media courses elevate your profile.

Remember, seminars on crisis management, reputation building or even the latest tools like Meltwater and Cision can add great value to your candidacy. If you’ve attended or participated in these, they deserve a spotlight on your resume.

How to showcase your education and credentials:

Additional sections for your PR resume

Certifications

For public relations professionals, highlighting certifications and specialized courses should show your commitment to the ever-evolving world of media and communications. These credentials validate your dedication to the best PR practices and mastery of contemporary media tools.

Signature campaigns and success stories

Highlighting hallmark campaigns and PR victories gives potential employers a glimpse into your strategic vision and results-driven approach.

How to showcase key campaigns on your PR resume:

Industry events and workshops

Signifying your active participation in notable PR conferences and workshops showcases your dedication to staying on the pulse of the industry.

How to list events and workshops on your PR resume:

Personal initiatives

Sharing personal interests, especially if intertwined with PR or community outreach, provides a holistic view of your professional and personal passions.

How to feature interests and initiatives on your PR resume:

Community outreach and volunteer efforts

Featuring your volunteer engagements, especially those related to media advocacy or community communications, further underscores your commitment to the ethos of public relations.

How to showcase volunteer engagements on your PR resume:

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

In public relations, a meticulously crafted cover letter can elevate your application and show off your unique strengths.

Cover letters provide a personalized space to highlight your skills in shaping narratives, managing brand reputations and fostering robust relationships with media stakeholders. Delve into specific moments where you’ve successfully turned around public opinion or managed crisis communications with finesse.

Additionally, if your resume points to a period of hiatus or unique career challenges, the cover letter is your stage to address and frame them in a positive light.

For those seeking guidance, our guide on how to write a cover letter and our assortment of cover letter examples are valuable resources.

To achieve a harmonious balance between your cover letter and resume, consider using a cover letter template from our Cover Letter Generator.

Let your dedication to effective communication and reputation management shine through your cover letter, positioning you as the ideal candidate for the PR role.

Public relations resume — key takeaways