Coordinator of public affairs skills for your resume and career

Based on the role or industry you're aiming for, I would suggest conducting research on the kinds of skills you should have, so that you can continue to stimulate your learning. There are a lot of trade skill certifications out there that anyone can look up and learn more about. Some of the ones I'd recommend for someone looking to go into PR or social media are Hootsuite, Facebook Analytics, or Google Analytics. You can also go on a website like Skillshare to discover even more. PRSSA offers students who are within six months of graduation (before and after) the opportunity to earn their Certificate in Principles of Public Relations. It offers lessons around communications models, media relations, ethics, and more.

When it comes to gathering information, the old school values are still fundamental: Get to the facts, verify the things people say (anyone can say anything--find ways to prove/disprove statements), be curious about the world and the community around you, and don't be afraid to hold our leaders accountable. Our mission is to inform the audience and get to the truth--no matter what party or ideology. Once a journalist has that information, clear communication skills are a must. Can you write and speak clearly? These are the old school values that are still very important for the field. But looking at current audience trends, today's journalists must be flexible in terms of presentation and platforms. The best journalists are dependable writers both in print and digital media, able to speak clearly to accommodate podcasts and radio, and comfortable speaking in front of a camera for social media and broadcast outlets. Audiences are all over, and journalists need to be ready to connect to audiences where they are. If we want to inform the public, we need to make sure the message is getting to the public. And the news/information/media industries are always changing.

As far as being a good employee, it's relatively simple:
- Show up on time
- Dress like a responsible journalist
- Do the job you're paid to do
- Play nice with coworkers
- Be ethical
- Build trust with your supervisors
- Have ideas for what stories you want to pursue

If something about the workflow isn't functioning well, don't be shy about proposing a solution instead of complaining about it to others. These seem like little things, but you will be valued as an employee when you're reliable and responsible. And if you're in a dysfunctional news operation where these qualities are not respected, you'll want to find a place where they are. Also, if you leave a job, don't burn bridges. Everyone in this industry talks to everyone else.

First and foremost, the ability to tell a story. Does your cover letter convey who you are and the major milestones of your life and career in logical, chronological order? Each and every bullet point in the experience section of the resume should tell specific stories of what you contributed to the business/cause, the results of your efforts (quantitative and qualitative results are key!), and the growth you enjoyed (were you promoted? given increasing responsibilities?). Every point should be considered a stand-alone story, conveying a message you intentionally want to convey about yourself.

Second, find ways to demonstrate you understand the value of networking. One way is to have a section on professional affiliations (like PRSA or PCC), pre-professional affiliations if just starting out your career (PRSSA or PRSA YPN), or reference networking events or conferences you've attended.

Third, since you are constantly swinging across various industries throughout your career, being interested in many topics, issues and industries are key. Can you show you are open to change and have a wide array of interests and passions? Also, if you have causes or issues you are passionate about, make sure you share them on the resume and/or in the interview. Take any chance to show who you are as a person and what makes you tick. Authenticity is key.

Lastly, as PR is a creative field and you need an open mind to solve your client's most pressing problems, you'll want to demonstrate that you value iteration as a core principle ("Yes, and..." in improv terms). You can show this either by the extracurricular section of your resume, through examples in your experience section, or even in the interview itself.

Video (shooting and editing), audio applications that allow you to produce and edit sound, and social media literacy.