Michela Vismara

How to Break into PR as a Recent Graduate 

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How to Break into PR as a Recent Graduate 

For those of you at university, you’re already halfway through the second semester, and if you’re in your final year, the pressure is on to secure that all-important first job. I was in the same position just two years ago, eager to break into the world of PR but feeling a little disheartened by just how competitive the industry is.  

It takes a lot of time (and unfortunately a lot of mistakes) to perfectly curate your CV. So, after having made countless applications and received plenty of rejections, I eventually found a few tricks that turned those ‘we regret to inform you’ emails into interview invitations.  

Here’s what worked for me and what could work for you too. 

  1. Create a Portfolio and Link it in Your CV

PR is all about communication, creativity, and storytelling. It’s one thing to say you’re a great writer, but it’s another to prove it. That’s where a portfolio comes in. Whether it’s a blog post, a restaurant review, a TikTok campaign, or a university project, curate your best work and display it in an online portfolio. 

I used Canva to create mine – it’s free, easy to use, and looks polished. To make my CV stand out visually, I also generated a QR code and added it to my resume. This not only impressed recruiters but also made it super easy for them to access my work. 

  1. Quantify & Qualify Your Skills

Simply listing skills like ‘social media savvy’ or ‘strong teamwork skills’ won’t cut it. Employers want evidence. Numbers and tangible results will make your experience more credible and compelling. 

For example: 

Instead of ‘Social media savvy’, write: ‘Grew my personal brand on Instagram to 2,000+ followers, with a 15% engagement rate, placing my content in the top 70% percentile against accounts of a similar size’. 

Instead of ‘Worked on university projects as a team’, write: ‘Led a team of five on a PR project that involved analysing Cadbury’s ‘Generosity’ Campaign, achieving a 72% first class grade’ 

  1. Canva, Canva, Canva!

I cannot stress this enough. Ditch the plain Word docs now and get on Canva. Your CV needs to be both professional and visually appealing, especially when applying for a creative role in PR. 

Canva offers countless sleek and stylish templates that will help your application shine. Just remember to keep it professional and readable. No neon colors or wacky fonts please. 

  1. Get Your CV ATS-Approved

Many big companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before they even reach human eyes. If your CV isn’t formatted correctly or lacks relevant keywords, it might not even make it past the software. 

To boost your chances: 

  • Use standard fonts and avoid excessive graphics (keep those for your portfolio). 
  • Incorporate keywords from the job description. 
  • Utilise your university’s career service – they should provide free ATS checks to ensure your CV is optimised for these systems. 

  1. Be Proactive and Approach Companies First

Why wait for the perfect job to be advertised when you can simply create your own opportunities instead. Many PR roles aren’t listed on job boards, so it’s worth reaching out to companies directly. 

Some strategies that worked for me: 

  • Cold emailing: I researched into PR agencies, found the relevant contact person, and sent a well-crafted email expressing my interest and sharing my portfolio. (This is exactly how I landed my role at Source PR). 
  • LinkedIn networking: Heard a PR professional speak on a podcast? Connect with them, engage with their content and send them a message.  
  • Going to networking events: A recruitment company called Creative Access hosts and advertises some brilliant networking events, panel discussions and CV seminars – they’ll be your go to platform for finding the best PR opportunities out there.  
  • Company websites: Many agencies have a ‘Contact Us’ or ‘Careers’ section where you can submit an inquiry or sign up for job notifications so you can be the first to hear about openings.

Some Final Thoughts 

Applying for jobs can be exhausting, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed (I’ve really been there). To avoid job fatigue, limit yourself to two or three applications a week. This approach will ensure that you can properly research each company and tailor your application to stand out. Quality over quantity is key. 

Take your time, be strategic, and don’t be afraid to get creative with how you reach out to potential employers. Remember, rejections are just part and parcel of the process, but  

every ‘no’ gets you one step closer to a ‘yes’. Keep going, keep learning, and your breakthrough will come.  

You’ve got this!