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Public affairs specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Kimberley Garth-James,
Kimberley Garth-James
Public affairs specialist example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical public affairs specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for public affairs specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.2% of public affairs specialist resumes contained news stories as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a public affairs specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 public affairs specialist skills for your resume and career

1. News Stories

News Story is a term that is quite self-explanatory as it refers to all the information that is recorded either in writing or as an interview and aims to inform the public about any particular matter, event, idea or mishap. A news story can be very short as well lengthy depending on the type and quantity of content and consist of relevant facts and figures.

Here's how public affairs specialists use news stories:
  • Write and edit news stories about science, technology and other organization activities for public release to internal and external audiences.
  • Developed television news stories to tell the soldier's story and help promote positive public opinion of the Armed Forces.

2. Veterans

Here's how public affairs specialists use veterans:
  • Facilitate and educate other VA employees on how different social media platforms can be used to engage Veterans and their families.
  • Conducted special events such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day, promotion ceremonies, and EO/EEO monthly events.

3. Fact Sheets

A fact sheet is a short, typed or handwritten one-page document that contains the most important information about a specific topic, product, substance, or service in the least amount of space. The aim is to convey key facts and points on a topic in a clear, concise, and easily understandable way and to communicate the most relevant information effectively.

Here's how public affairs specialists use fact sheets:
  • Develop various informational materials including complex brochures and fact sheets.
  • Prepared written materials such as news releases, fact sheets, talking points, background statements, special reports, etc.

4. Press Releases

Here's how public affairs specialists use press releases:
  • Developed and transmitted information materials through prepared statements, response to inquiries, press releases, and radio/television/social media events.
  • Assisted reporters covering Department of Justice/law enforcement affairs by responding to media queries and issuing press releases.

5. Conduct Interviews

Conduct interview is the ability of an individual - the interviewer, to communicate formally or face to face with someone from whom the interviewer is gathering information. The interviewer controls the order of the questions and can ensure that all questions are answered. The purpose of conducting interview is to be able to assess the suitability of the candidate being interviewed for a specific position.

Here's how public affairs specialists use conduct interviews:
  • Developed extraordinary ideas for news articles and arrange and conduct interviews.
  • Experience working independently to organize and conduct interviews with NRCS leadership, field office personnel and prominent state and community leaders.

6. News Articles

Here's how public affairs specialists use news articles:
  • Published news articles in the Buckeye Guard magazine regarding OANG training as a member of the 196th Public Affairs Detachment.
  • Researched and compiled information for potential development into feature and news articles, as well as commercial media use.

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7. External Audiences

External audiences refer to groups or individuals outside the company, who aren't closely related, don't have inside information about the organization, and have no common background (unlike internal audiences). To grow its business, a company needs to define the external audience within its target audience.

Here's how public affairs specialists use external audiences:
  • Prepared or edited organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and stockholders' reports.
  • Developed marketing communication strategies promoting key services to external audiences.

8. Strategic Communications

Strategic communication is the conscious use of communication by an organization to fulfill its mission. It is a prerequisite and a tool for effective policymaking and public participation that facilitates the exchange of information and establishes consensus amongst different points of view and interests.

Here's how public affairs specialists use strategic communications:
  • Analyzed and evaluated feedback from external markets, recommending strategies and modifications for overall improvement of the Strategic Communications Program.
  • Specialized in strategic communications planning and the development of media responses to ensure the distribution of consistent messages to stakeholders.

9. Web Content

Here's how public affairs specialists use web content:
  • Developed, designed and updated web content, ensuring all follow applicable regulations and guidance.
  • Served as website manager and provided daily web content and copy editing.

10. Editorials

Here's how public affairs specialists use editorials:
  • Provided editorial content for the installation newspaper, including editing and submitting articles written by hospital staff.
  • Refined ability to meet aggressive deadlines with minimal editorial oversight while working in a two-person shop.

11. Federal Agencies

Federal agencies are specialized departments of government set up by the government to perform specific duties. They can have responsibilities such as management of resources, overlooking of financial position of industries, national security issues, and so on.

Here's how public affairs specialists use federal agencies:
  • Advised agency management on public reaction to proposed policy, and established and maintained mutual communication between federal agencies.
  • Initiated and developed professional relationships with dozens of federal agencies and community organizations.

12. Public Affairs Programs

Here's how public affairs specialists use public affairs programs:
  • Consulted and advised Agency officials on public affairs programs and strategic communication topics.
  • Communicate public affairs programs designed to inform and educate public and specific constituencies of programs, activities and services at USDA.

13. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how public affairs specialists use dod:
  • Initiated organization to the NSWCCD Facebook Page converting published content into DoD Standards for social networking using the Captioning Style Guide.
  • Managed Congressional testimony approval process through Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and DoD.

14. Newspapers

Here's how public affairs specialists use newspapers:
  • Delegated with local business and newspapers and conducted several interviews.
  • Edited and produced command newspapers and/or magazines.

15. Community Outreach

Here's how public affairs specialists use community outreach:
  • Developed and documented policies and procedures for donor relations, corporate relations and community outreach initiatives.
  • Plan and implement community outreach events, often in collaboration with outside organizations.
top-skills

What skills help Public Affairs Specialists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on public affairs specialist resumes?

Kimberley Garth-James

Program Director, Master of Public Administration, Director, Center for Public Affairs (Sacramento), Associate Professor, Azusa Pacific University

Knowledge of the industry, such as the composition of the legislature (congress, state legislatures, and city/county policy-making bodies) and of the special interests (lobbyists, experts, "the public") that are key stakeholders. Formal education and training are essential, and morality. International awareness (travels as a Fulbright, missions, or study away) and a second language are useful.

What soft skills should all public affairs specialists possess?

Kimberley Garth-James

Program Director, Master of Public Administration, Director, Center for Public Affairs (Sacramento), Associate Professor, Azusa Pacific University

Moral behaviors (integrity, honesty, grace, and empathy) to effectively interact with diverse cultures in the community. Future politicians and public administrators (nonprofits, social business enterprises) morality are essential. Interpersonal skills (working with others in teams and groups and relating to audiences). Being dependable, reliable, and well-groomed.

What hard/technical skills are most important for public affairs specialists?

Kimberley Garth-James

Program Director, Master of Public Administration, Director, Center for Public Affairs (Sacramento), Associate Professor, Azusa Pacific University

Information technology skills (Word), data analysis skills (Excel, Tableau, SAS, Minitab), Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) assessment skills(ArcGIS, ESRI), as well as reading, writing, presentation, and research skills round out the technical skills.

What public affairs specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Antony Aumann Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Northern Michigan University

There are many ways to fill a gap year, and the wisest approach is one that fits the unique circumstances of the student. If they hope to go on in philosophy, I will encourage them to continue reading philosophical texts so as to keep their minds in the game. Another way to stay sharp is to attend a philosophy conference. Many professional conferences are going online due to the pandemic, and their virtual nature is driving down the costs of attendance. For instance, the annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetics in November is charging people only $10 to register. At this price point, it is reasonable to pop into a few sessions that strike one's fancy. This advice generalizes across disciplines. To remain current in your field, keep reading the relevant literature, and consider attending a professional conference. Make sure to ask your professors for advice about which texts and conferences are worth your while.

What type of skills will young public affairs specialists need?

Gheni Platenburg Ph.D.Gheni Platenburg Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, Auburn University

To prepare for tomorrow's jobs, students need a solid background in fundamental journalism techniques and the technical skills of today. This is a multimedia journalism industry, meaning journalists need to possess the ability to tell stories across multiple platforms. There is no longer such a thing as a journalist who only broadcasts work or writes stories for print. It's OK to have specialty areas, but all new graduates need to have writing, video, audio, and graphics skills.

Additionally, mobile journalism skills will also be essential. Before and after the coronavirus pandemic's start, the ability to produce quality work from outside of the newsroom remains a coveted job skill. I foresee the industry moving more into this direction as we advance. Therefore, students should take the opportunities now to perfect those skills.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about public affairs specialist

List of public affairs specialist skills to add to your resume

Public affairs specialist skills

The most important skills for a public affairs specialist resume and required skills for a public affairs specialist to have include:

  • News Stories
  • Veterans
  • Fact Sheets
  • Press Releases
  • Conduct Interviews
  • News Articles
  • External Audiences
  • Strategic Communications
  • Web Content
  • Editorials
  • Federal Agencies
  • Public Affairs Programs
  • DOD
  • Newspapers
  • Community Outreach
  • Graphic Design
  • Facebook
  • Public Affairs
  • Informational Materials
  • Feature Stories
  • Twitter
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Target Audience
  • PowerPoint
  • SharePoint
  • External Communications
  • Press Conferences
  • Writing Articles
  • Local Community
  • YouTube
  • Community Relations
  • Government Agencies
  • Instagram
  • Photojournalism
  • Communications Media
  • Government Officials
  • USDA
  • Writing Press Releases
  • Media Management
  • Social Media Sites
  • Community Events
  • News Conferences
  • Adobe Indesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Crisis Communications
  • Promotional Materials
  • Public Awareness
  • Social Media Analytics
  • Combat

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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