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Public relations officer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Kevin Pearce Ph.D.,
Kimberley Garth-James
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical public relations officer skills. We ranked the top skills for public relations officers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.5% of public relations officer resumes contained website content as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a public relations officer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 public relations officer skills for your resume and career

1. Website Content

Here's how public relations officers use website content:
  • Improved website content and presence.

2. Press Releases

Here's how public relations officers use press releases:
  • Developed press releases, advertisements and social media campaigns, outlining upcoming cancer awareness campaigns.
  • Communicated Mayor's initiative internally and externally -Composed mayoral speeches, proclamations and press releases.

3. Facebook

Here's how public relations officers use facebook:
  • Operate the official SJU PARE Facebook page to create online invitations and promote signature events to the St. John's community.
  • Administrated the team's Twitter and Facebook accounts, created posters and other media to market the team and events.

4. Press Conferences

Here's how public relations officers use press conferences:
  • Assisted in organizing promotional events such as press conferences, open days, exhibitions, tours and visits.
  • Arranged press conference and interviews with leadership and media to release information to public.

5. Twitter

Here's how public relations officers use twitter:
  • Managed the association's Twitter page to promote events and fundraisers.
  • Designed flyers, Facebook/ Twitter default pictures and t-shirts to promote philanthropy events within the Wake Community.

6. Instagram

Here's how public relations officers use instagram:
  • Developed new marketing strategies such as implementing a weekly Instagram post highlighting a sister and her accomplishment
  • Developed content for the University of Kentucky Delta Zeta Instagram account

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7. Event Planning

Here's how public relations officers use event planning:
  • Collaborated on event planning, financial decisions, and peer education initiatives.
  • Collaborate with other members of Executive Board for the purpose of event planning and improving the overall state of the ensemble.

8. Public Relations Strategies

Here's how public relations officers use public relations strategies:
  • Summer, 2013) Responsible for public relations, developing and implementing public relations strategies, and other functions.
  • Developed and implemented proactive brand-specific public relations strategies to enhance brand awareness, visibility, and valuation for client businesses

9. Public Affairs

Public Affairs refers to the relationships a company has with its investors and stakeholders. Depending on the size of the corporation, multiple departments may be required to balance the various aspects of public affairs, including any media interaction, government relationships, strategic information reveals, and discussing and managing any company problems.

Here's how public relations officers use public affairs:
  • Provided public affairs counsel to high-ranking Pentagon-level general officers, Department of Defense civilians, and other national-level officials.
  • Distributed Public Affairs Guidance for senior Marine officers following major incidents that drew media attention.

10. Community Relations

Community Relations refers to the relationship-building strategies companies use with surrounding communities. These relationships are often mutually-beneficial, where a company will support local organizations and communities and receive a stronger customer basis. This differs from public relations, as the focus of community relations is building relationships and goodwill within a community rather than presenting a company's work to the public.

Here's how public relations officers use community relations:
  • Fostered community relations through events through involvement of the university and UNCP community.
  • Fostered community relationships through various events among community members and the organization.

11. Promotional Materials

Promotional material is any document or article - written, printed, graphic, electronic, audio, or video presentation, distributed or made available in whole or in part on behalf of a product, cause, idea, person, or business for promotion, advertisement, announcement or direction. Promotional materials are used to make a business stand out from its competitors and to engage the target audience.

Here's how public relations officers use promotional materials:
  • Generate online and print promotional materials to inform campus and community of performances and special events
  • Coordinated and developed communication and promotional materials for U.A.E.

12. Media Management

Here's how public relations officers use media management:
  • Provide on-site support including logistics, media management, media relations material distribution and VIP coordination and management.
  • Offered support in creative efforts and tactical execution, including traditional media relations and social media management.

13. Student Organizations

Student organizations are commonly found in colleges or universities. Students join together and organize a club, event, or other activity in order to meet other students with similar interests. This may be a sport, leisurely activity, or academic pursuit that students wish to discuss; however, there may also be student organizations to raise awareness and funds for a particular disease or cause.

Here's how public relations officers use student organizations:
  • Establish interface mechanisms with other student organizations to strengthen relations between the professional industry and the NSBE community.
  • Planned, developed, and implemented PR strategies for global public health-related student organization at UT Austin.

14. External Communications

External communications refer to the exchange of information between the organization one is working with and another organization.

Here's how public relations officers use external communications:
  • Marketed institution and get media coverage nationally and internationally through internal and external communications.
  • Developed, edited and distributed all external communications and marketing materials.

15. Executive Board

Here's how public relations officers use executive board:
  • Elected by the students of Golden West College to be an official member of the Student Council Executive Board.
  • Elected to executive board for 2012-2013 school year to oversee outreach and promotional efforts of club on campus.
top-skills

What skills help Public Relations Officers find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on public relations officer resumes?

Kevin Pearce Ph.D.Kevin Pearce Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Communication, Department Chair, Bryant University

Your resume should show your technical knowledge based on your field. For example, if you are applying for a job in public relations, you have to make sure that public relations is represented on your resume. However, there will be hundreds of people with the technical skill to do the job. It is what you have in addition to this that can help you stand out. Being a Communication professor, I might be a bit biased about this. But almost everyone will tell you that you should demonstrate that you have good general communication skills.

Most employers see "communication" as a necessity, even if they do not fully understand what it means. If possible, do not just say you have good communication skills - make it more concrete and show it through other things you write. Employers do not want to see, "I'm a people person," without any proof. Computer skills are also a necessity. It is going to be assumed that you have basic computer skills. If you have any specialized skills, make sure you let that be known. You should also talk about any leadership positions you have held and try to show that you are good at collaborating with others.

What soft skills should all public relations officers 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 relations officers?

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 relations officer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.Jacqui Lowman Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, University of Maine at Presque Isle

If people need to take gap years, I would recommend that they continue to work on their communication skills. Read and write/create content for a wide range of audiences. Continue to learn and use technology. Look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership. And work on self-confidence. Volunteering for nonprofits that could use their help would be excellent. Those are great on resumes, will build skills, and the students will feel amazing helping others with their skills.

What type of skills will young public relations officers need?

John HartmanJohn Hartman LinkedIn profile

Emeritus Professor, Central Michigan University

The ability to gather information through multiple methods and distill it, verify it, write about it, and communicate about it through various media and means.

What technical skills for a public relations officer stand out to employers?

David BrownDavid Brown LinkedIn profile

Diversity Advisor to the Office of the Dean, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Director of Public Relations Internships and Field Experiences, Temple University

Despite the changing environments that have come to define this pandemic-influenced market, the ability to write and convey concepts remains a foundational skill. Also, having a knowledge and affinity for issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion will be key as our nation (and the broader global arena) grapples with issues related to race and privilege.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about public relations officer

List of public relations officer skills to add to your resume

Public relations officer skills

The most important skills for a public relations officer resume and required skills for a public relations officer to have include:

  • Website Content
  • Press Releases
  • Facebook
  • Press Conferences
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Event Planning
  • Public Relations Strategies
  • Public Affairs
  • Community Relations
  • Promotional Materials
  • Media Management
  • Student Organizations
  • External Communications
  • Executive Board
  • Public Events
  • PowerPoint
  • Community Services
  • Promotional Videos
  • Community Events
  • Social Events
  • Local Community
  • Student Body
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Social Media Sites
  • Community Outreach
  • Editorials
  • Public Awareness
  • Market Research
  • Communication Strategies
  • YouTube
  • Student Government Association
  • Guest Speakers
  • Government Officials
  • Ministry
  • Cooperative Relationships
  • Travel Arrangements
  • Cultural Events
  • Promotional Events
  • Local Businesses
  • Club Events

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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