PR grads: What to say (and avoid) to ace an interview

Now is the time when college students are polishing their resumes and scoping out potential businesses for that perfect entry-level job.

Some have probably done their research and have a list of must-work-for businesses, while others are blasting every company within a 50-mile radius, just hoping that one will bite.

Regardless of what type of job seeker you are, let me give you a piece of advice: Don’t tell me, “I’m a people person.”

Yes, it’s true, to be in public relations you need to have a certain type of personality. You must be well spoken, be able to convince your potential employer that you can sell a story to the toughest reporter in 30 seconds, and be able to learn a series of clients in myriad of industries in a matter of weeks.

If you tell me you’re a multi-tasker, I’m listening. But if you tell me you’re a people person, you’ve lost me.

Just because the word “public” is part of our industry doesn’t mean that being a people person is the selling point for your potential employer. We are communicators who must disseminate clear messages concisely to the right audiences via the most appropriate mediums.