Find solution
How to describe experience in a resume correctly?

How do I describe my goals and interests to a valuable contact?

  • How do I describe my goals and interests to a contact in the PR field? I am to forward my resume and include a description of what my goals and interests are to someone I don't directly know, but who works in PR and is involved in a lot of her company's community relationships. I do not want to mess up this opportunity, so please help! I had one PR internship, where I mostly helped with preparing and mailing samples. I don't have experience writing press releases or really making events. I am interested in technical writing and PR, mainly in writing. The main reason why I didn't pursue PR was that I thought my personality was not outgoing enough, and I'm not "polished" enough as a person or in my work. But with a bit more experience now, I know I can grow and improve, and will try to do a better job if this contact leads to any opportunities. How should I describe my goals and interests? She works in PR for a big technology/software company. Should I tell her that I am interested in learning the basics, like writing press releases and planning events? I need to be specific! But my goals are not well-defined. I also don't know what kind of interests to tell her. Would it be what kind of products I'm interested in doing PR in, like food/consumer packaged goods? Please help! What's an educated way to describe my goals and interests to a PR contact? The truth is I am looking for a job or I want to find out whether I would be good at parts of what she does. I won't be emailing her directly, but I will send it through someone I know. Thanks!

  • Answer:

    Just make the most of what you have. Your PR internship is valuable experience. Everyone gets that an internship is an introduction - you wouldn't have done everything it's possible to do in PR after one gig like that. But you have a grasp of the business and a willingness to learn more and work hard. Highlight that. Don't embellish the truth - you didn't write press releases, but you know something about how it's done, right? Stress that, and highlight your familiarity with the standard format and strategies for effectiveness. If you need a refresher, here's an article about it on Zach Cutler's HuffPo blog - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zach-cutler/press-release-tips_b_2120630.html If you are educated, you don't need "an educated way to describe your goals and interests." Just describe them. The PR field especially is one where you want to have a friendly, relatable, conversational approach to people. Don't use academic speech, just express yourself naturally. The style you've used in your question here is just right. Yes, you are plenty polished enough to do this job, so nix the self-defeating talk immediately. Also, don't say anything about having had doubts about being right for PR in the past. You've decided this is what you want. Stay positive, go for it, and good luck!

ichomp at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I have worked in PR for more than 20 years and if I were in that PR person’s shoes —and I have been, lots of times — I would not be expecting a lofty goal statement. In fact that would turn me off – you are just starting out! Tell me you want to learn, that you are very excited about a career in PR and why. You’re new at this, you’ve had one internship and you’ve yet to write a press release (not hard by the way — you’ll get the hang of it) so just say who you are and that you're interested in a career in PR because....of these reasons...you have reasons you want to do PR, yes? — so share them. You said you’re interested in writing. Tell her that. Tell her you goal is to learn as much as you can about all the different types of PR writing…there are lots. Learn about the different types. Do you know what she does? What her areas of responsibility are? Find out. If what she does interests you, then tell her you want to learn more about x and y. You mention she’s involved in "a lot of her company's community relationships" – that’s community relations — a branch of PR. Research what that is and talk about how you want to learn more about it and why. Look at http://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/Content/RequestAction.asp?OCCPRO_ID=71002727&aspAction=GetHTMLProfile&format=html to get a sense of the things you’d like to learn about. Oh and make totally sure that what you send is written well. No typos. This is very important. Get your resume and letter proofed very carefully. But honestly, if you get in to talk to her for an informational interview (ask for one) then be nice, be polite and be your best self. A polished presentation is certainly important, but if you want to write stuff, the most important thing is to work on polishing your prose — the rest will come with experience. Be neat, be tidy, and dress appropriately for the work environment. Good luck. You can do this! PR is a lot of fun and even those of us who are not super-polished can be successful. I am kind of a geeky gal. Today I am wearing high-tops. There’s room for all of us if we're good at what we do. (Don’t wear high-tops though – I didn’t until I worked at a place where that was acceptable and I have a suit in my office just in case.)

Lescha

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.