Look at you go! You are accomplishing your academic goals and the next step is to take on a PR internship! But there is just one problem – a voice in the back of your head is saying “I’m not ready.” You may feel a bit skeptical and underprepared. I know these feelings all too well. Here are some tips from my first experience as a PR Intern that will help you shake that self-doubt.

Crush the Interview

The first step in having a prosperous PR internship is securing the job. A successful interview will set a confident tone on how you will deliver on your duties. The process can sound intimidating, but you must remember the point of the interview is for the employer to gain a better understanding of what makes you the amazing aspiring communications professional that you are! It’s your time to shine, so claim the spotlight and be the superstar of the moment. To prepare for my interview I brushed up on public relation terms, theories, and practices. I also went back and reviewed my college coursework, making sure I was able to thoroughly explain the importance and purpose of each project. This allowed me to prove my capabilities within PR even though I had little to no real-world work experience.

Here are my top tips on how to crush your interview:

• Dress to impress:

The way you dress for an interview gives potential employers their first impression of how you present yourself professionally. You want to look as good in person as you do on paper.

• Research the company:

Researching the company’s website, social media posts and recent press releases will provide a solid understanding of the company’s goals and how your background makes you a great fit. 

• Practice answers:

Put some thought into your strengths and why the internship would specifically be a good fit for you. Think about some potential questions you may be asked and stay away from answers that are too generic. Develop some responses that focus on you and how your personal touch will benefit the company. 

• Ask questions:

Asking questions shows that you are truly interested in the job. I will also help you feel better about any confusion you had prior to the interview.

• Be confident:

Employers benefit from confident employees because they’re more positive contributors, more productive, good motivators and make great role models.  

Opportunities to test knowledge

Strong writing skills are crucial in PR. According to a recent report published by the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations, writing is the top skill PR firms look for in new hires. As a PR intern expect to put your writing skills to use with blogs, press releases, content creation, and more! One of my first tasks as an intern was to write a blog. I had never written a blog before – at the time I only knew how to write press releases and academic papers. My lack of knowledge on how to construct a blog left my confidence in my writing skills at an all-time low. A task that seemed so simple soon turned into a nightmare. After stressing, overthinking, and rewriting multiple drafts I realized that I needed extra practice.

The best way to become a better writer is to simply write more often. Seek out opportunities outside of the workplace If you can’t write as much as you’d like on the job. Reading more can also improve your writing skills “Reading exposes us to other styles, other voices, other forms, and other genres of writing,” says Belle Beth Cooper of Buffer. “Importantly, it exposes us to writing that’s better than our own and helps us to improve.” Writing skills are like a muscle and should be regularly exercised to produce quality work!

Being more conscious about writing will also help you become more social media savvy. My internship required daily social media check-ins, where I assisted in building engagement for clients. In our increasingly connected world, developing a digital strategy is essential to increasing brand exposure and reaching new customers. I used social media as a major tool for research. Every day is different in PR and I experienced a large amount of diversity in projects I gathered research for. Social media allowed me to gain insight on certain organizations, products, and people. As a PR Intern you will need to be familiar with each social networking platform.  

Self-reflective take-aways

• Manage time wisely:

Learning to manage time in a new work environment can become very overwhelming. I found that physically writing out my to-do list for the day kept me on track.

• Be coachable:

Value any feedback you get from your boss and colleagues. Constructive criticism opens our eyes to a new perspective and allows us to see areas where we have potential to grow.

• Don’t be afraid to fail:

Internships are meant to be a learning experience. You won’t get everything right all the time. Frustration, confusion and mishaps will occur, but asking for help is the best way to work through it. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a team who was extremely welcoming, encouraged questions and always lent a helping hand.

Public relations is a demanding and fast paced industry. Your internship may be a bumpy ride but hang in there! You will eventually catch on and be a PR pro before you know it.