6 ways PR grads can ace their first interview

Spring means that exciting (if terrifying) new things are just around the corner for incipient PR grads.

With the median PR salary standing at a handsome $92,125 last year, there’s never been such high demand for PR talent, nor such stiff competition.

Although a new grad should expect to start off quite a bit below that figure, a solid interview can help you land the job to make you the envy of your class.

Here are a few ways in which newly minted PR grads can nail their first post-college interview:

1. Give yourself credit. Imposter syndrome is a normal state of mind for anyone seeking a higher office. Though it might feel awkward to boast about your accomplishments, the interview is exactly the right time to do that. Speak proudly about your feats, whether they are through internships, school work or personal endeavors. Always assume that your interviewer has not read your résumé carefully, as that’s often the case.

2. Be humble, too. It’s unlikely that you’re an expert or guru in any field, so leave those words out of the equation. Ask lots of questions like the hungry young professional you are, and write down the answers you get. Interrogate your interviewers about the PR tools they trust and the tactics that have worked for them in the past. If you don’t get the job, you’ll come away armed with knowledge that you can bring to the next interview.

3. Know your stuff. When it comes to the interview, an encyclopedic knowledge of the organization’s product, website and culture matters a lot more than your B+ in New Media Criticism. Learn everything you can about the company (Glassdoor is a great resource), and come prepared with questions that demonstrate your exceptional knowledge of the organization.

[RELATED: Get the most up-to-date PR know-how for your whole team with our PR University membership.]

4. Social media is your friend. Social media has been around for over a decade, but that doesn’t mean everyone has caught up yet. As a young professional, you have the big advantage of having grown up with social media, giving you a fine-tuned knowledge of each platform and the cultures specific to them.

Just remember that having a Snapchat account does not make one a Snapchat PR guru. If you’re planning to boast about your 10,000 Twitter followers, don’t be shocked if the organization asks you to reach out to them for business purposes.

5. Bring the numbers. If you’ve had an internship, use specific data from your accomplishments to prove your worth. “Increased Twitter engagement by 12 percent” reads a lot better on your résumé than “Coordinated Twitter accounts.” Numbers show exactly what you’ve contributed, and more important, they show you care about doing the job well, rather than just doing the job.

Pro tip: Lots of PR interns work on teams. It’s perfectly OK to say you were “Part of a team that increased app downloads by 35 percent.” Be ready to elaborate on exactly what you did for that team.

Power pose. Right before your interview, strike a pose in the mirror that makes you feel powerful, and hold it for two minutes. This method is scientifically proven to increase confidence before your interview.

Carlin Twedt is the marketing and social media coordinator at Ragan Communications. You can connect with him on Twitter @Carl_In_Tweets.


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