Having emerged from the economic doldrums, Ireland today finds itself with one of the fastest-moving recruitment markets in all of Europe. For anyone considering a career change, this is great news.
Why would you consider a change of career in the first place? It is a bold move and one that’s not without risk. However, there are also striking benefits to making a change including the chance to re-invigorate your passion and confidence while unlocking new skills that will help you to grow as a person.
Either way, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly! But if you have decided to reboot and look for a different kind of job, you would do well to consider Public Relations – one of the growth industries in today’s bustling economy.
Different backgrounds
As any insider will tell you, there are many people working in PR in Ireland today whose backgrounds are elsewhere: journalism, academia, research, business, finance. Even mathematicians, with their innate problem-solving flair, have been known to shine in this business.
That’s down to the nature of the industry. PR has always been a fluid and evolving business, with many different moving parts required to help clients achieve their communications goals. At heart, this is a people industry whose diversity is reflected by the many different characteristics and talents of those who work in it.
Wherever you’re coming from, however, there are certain core skills and qualities you will need to succeed in PR. Here are the top three things you need to be.
A multi-tasker
In most PR agencies, you will be assigned to work on multiple accounts with numerous strands of activity taking place at any given time. However, all of your clients will also expect that they are your number one priority, so you must be able to move from one thing to another at the flick of a switch. If you keep yourself organised while juggling your clients’ demands, you will do well.
An above-average writer
In this business, everyone is a copywriter. If you want to break into the world of PR, you need to have excellent writing skills – or you need to work on them. You will find that most successful PR pros also understand the art of optimising content, and the majority are also good, confident speakers as well.
A people person
You’re going to need social skills. Not social media skills (although those are useful too) but actual social skills. After all, the average PR agency is only as effective as its network of contacts so if you’re going to be successful you need to be able to get along with people, make a good impression on them; you need to be able to talk to people and get them talking to you.
There’s more, of course, but if you tick those three big boxes then you definitely stand a chance. How will you know for sure if PR is for you? You’ll only know once you go! But to get a better feel for the industry, talk to people in the business. Ask a few agencies if you can drop in. The more information you have, the more confident you’ll be in making your big decision.
Good luck!
