Have you finally gotten around to writing your public relations cover letter? If so, let’s dive straight into our guide, packed with cover letter samples, examples, and tips that actually work. Because, if anyone truly understands the importance of first impressions, it's the PR professionals!
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Keep reading to learn about:
- How to create a header for your public relations cover letter
- Why tailoring a public relations cover letter to specific employers matters
- What key details to include in your public relations cover letter intro
- Which skills and accomplishments to include in your PR cover letter
- How to conclude your public relations cover letter effectively
- How to access top resources for job-seeking public relations specialists
1. How to create a header for your public relations cover letter
The first step when writing any cover letter for a public relations position is to create a well-formatted and visually appealing cover letter header.
Headers serve an important role in any cover letter, as they provide the employer with your key identifying information right at the top of the document.
This information includes:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name, address, and department of the company you are applying to
Here is an example of a well-formatted public relations cover letter header
Jack Jills, Public Relations Professional
(123) 456-7890 | jackjills@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-jills
To: Orange County Media & PR Management
Public Relations Department
1234 Street Address
Los Angeles, CA
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2. How to tailor a public relations cover letter to specific employers
When it comes to reading cover letters, many employers face the same conundrum of having to read hundreds of letters that all say basically the same things.
To make your cover letter stand out, it is crucially important to tailor your letter to each specific employer you reach out to. Tailoring a letter in this way requires you to research the company, looking for information such as the company’s values or ongoing projects you could potentially contribute to.
Additionally, as you complete this research, you should search for the specific staff member in charge of hiring new employees. Once you find them, create a personalized greeting that addresses them by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Hiring Manager Jane Doe,
- Dear Ms. Jane Doe,
- Dear Head PR Manager Joe Logan,
3. How to write a compelling public relations cover letter introduction
After completing the research needed to tailor your cover letter, you can begin writing your introduction.
In this introduction, key details that will make your intro more effective include:
- A brief overview of your professional history
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- Information on your specialized areas of expertise
Here is an example of a strong introduction from a public relations cover letter
Dear Head PR Manager Joe Logan,
I am a public relations professional with more than 9 years of experience working on PR teams for celebrities and influencers. Given your company’s high-stakes clientele, I believe my skills are the perfect match for your current needs. If given this opportunity, I will work diligently to enhance your professional relationships with clients and maintain excellent PR for each client.
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4. Include the best skills and accomplishments in your PR cover letter
Following your introduction are the remaining body paragraphs of your cover letter.
A strong cover letter will generally contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that offer deeper insights into your top skills and accomplishments as a PR professional. These paragraphs should contain short and simple sentences, as well as bullet points for added visual organization.
Here are 6 examples of skills to include in a PR cover letter
- Exceptional verbal and written communication
- Creative and quick thinking
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Conflict management
- Time management
- Leadership
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
As a public relations representative at my former employer, I spoke directly with the press on a weekly basis to give updates on our clients' current projects. In this role, I developed ongoing working relationships with several major publications and media outlets, including People Magazine, Daily Mail, and TMZ. These connections are long-lasting relationships that I can bring with me to this new role with your company.
5. How to conclude your public relations cover letter effectively
Finally, the last step to writing a great PR cover letter is to craft an effective conclusion.
The primary purpose of your conclusion is to persuade the employer to get in touch with you promptly. You can achieve this by applying slight pressure by naming a day by which you wish to hear back.
Your cover letter conclusion should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- How and when you can best be contacted
- When you plan to follow up with the employer
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a public relations cover letter
It is with great excitement that I submit this letter and application for your consideration. I hope to hear from you within a week’s time and am available to meet any day of the week between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can best reach me to schedule a meeting or interview at (123) 456-7890. As I am eager to learn more about this role, I plan to follow up via phone call next Thursday afternoon if I have yet to hear back.
With Appreciation,
[Applicant Name]
6. Top resources for job-seeking public relations specialists
Now that you've mastered the art of crafting a standout public relations cover letter, it's time to dive into the next step of your career journey: finding the perfect job! But do you know where to look for opportunities? You can start here:
- Industry-specific job boards: Start by searching through websites that are aimed at listing job openings specifically for your industry. For example: PRSA Jobcenter or PRWeek Jobs.
- General job boards: Another resource you should pay attention to are search engines with broad focus, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or SimplyHired.
- LinkedIn: With its vast network and job search capabilities, LinkedIn is invaluable for PR professionals. Utilize filters to find PR-specific roles and leverage your network for referrals and insights.
- Professional associations: Associations like the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), or EUPRERA can give you access to job listings, publications, training, and networking opportunities.
- Continuous learning: To boost your value as a potential employee, you can always try upskilling. Explore certification and courses options offered by Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, CIPR Training, or PRSA Professional Development.
- Specialized publications: To shine in a competitive market, you have to be able to keep up with the latest innovations and developments in the field. And to do that, you can subscribe to media like “PRWeek,” “PRmoment,” or “PRovoke Media.”
To get the maximum out of your job application, remember to always personalize your cover letter to each and every job posting you reply to. At the end of the day, that's what makes you stand out from the other candidates.
Public Relations (PR) Cover Letter FAQ
What makes a cover letter important for a public relations job application?
You can think about your cover letter as a marketing pitch. It's the one document where you can display your communication skills, persuasion tactics, and understanding of PR strategies to prospective employers. And, of course, it's the perfect place to showcase your motivation and enthusiasm for the job.
How can I present my skills effectively in a public relations cover letter?
First, you must understand which skills the job calls for (read the job posting). Then, align those skills with yours. But don't just list them — put them into context. You can do that by mentioning a specific occasion when your skills helped solve a particular problem.
How can I distinguish myself from other candidates?
You always want to make your unique attributes shine. For instance, mentioning your vast network of media contacts, your fluency in a foreign language, or your credentials in crisis management can significantly up your employability potential.
How can I incorporate keywords effectively in my cover letter?
Go back to the job posting and read it carefully. Identify role-related keywords from the job description and requirements sections. For a PR role, these could possibly be 'media relations', 'crisis management', or 'press releases'. Then sprinkle these throughout your text organically.
How should I conclude my cover letter?
You want to close your cover letter with a strong, memorable finish. Express your passion for PR, the excitement for this particular role, and an eagerness to contribute to the team. Keep it compelling, but avoid sounding desperate.
