As someone who has coached professionals for over 25 years, I can confidently say that the role of a Public Relations Officer is one of the most exciting, dynamic, and rewarding positions in today’s communications landscape. Public Relations Officers are at the heart of shaping, protecting, and promoting a company’s reputation. They craft compelling narratives, manage media relations, handle crisis communication, and ensure that the brand voice is consistent and impactful across all channels. In the UK, the average salary for a Public Relations Officer ranges between £25,000 and £45,000 for mid-level professionals, while senior officers and PR managers can earn upwards of £55,000. With the right skills, a clear career direction, and a polished CV, this role offers significant opportunities for progression.
Why a strong Public Relations Officer CV matters
Competition for PR roles is fierce, with employers searching for candidates who can demonstrate creativity, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills. Your CV is not just a summary of your experience, but a personal marketing document – your first chance to show employers that you can communicate a brand story effectively. In other words, your CV should reflect the very skills you will use in the job itself. That’s why creating an interview-winning Public Relations Officer CV template or cv example is critical.
What to include in your Public Relations Officer CV
Personal Profile – Start with a short but powerful summary that highlights your key strengths, achievements, and career goals. This should be written in a confident and optimistic tone, giving employers a snapshot of why you are perfect for the role.
Key Skills – PR requires a mix of technical and soft skills. Employers will expect to see skills such as media relations, press release writing, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, event management, and digital communications.
Professional Experience – Structure your experience in reverse chronological order. For each role, outline your responsibilities and, crucially, your achievements. Where possible, include measurable results such as “increased media coverage by 30%” or “successfully managed PR strategy for a product launch leading to a 20% sales increase.”
Education and Qualifications – List your degree(s), diplomas, or relevant certifications, such as those from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
Professional Memberships – Memberships of organisations like CIPR or PRCA can add credibility to your CV.
Additional Information – Include languages spoken, volunteer work, or public speaking engagements that add value.
Advice for graduates entering Public Relations
If you’re a recent graduate, employers won’t expect vast experience, but they will look for evidence of enthusiasm, transferable skills, and initiative. Highlight university projects, internships, volunteer roles, and extracurricular activities where you used communication and organisational skills. A strong graduate cv template should show potential and a keen interest in the industry.
Advice for mid-level Public Relations professionals
If you’re already working in PR and aiming to move up, your CV must demonstrate strategic impact. Don’t just list duties – show how you contributed to brand awareness, crisis resolution, or reputation management. At this stage, achievements should outweigh responsibilities. Hiring managers want to see results, whether in the form of increased press coverage, stronger stakeholder relationships, or improved engagement metrics.
Advice for senior management professionals in PR
At senior level, you are expected to lead teams, shape strategy, and influence key business decisions. Your CV should highlight leadership achievements, budget management, and successful long-term campaigns. Senior managers should focus less on tactical tasks and more on outcomes such as “delivered award-winning campaigns” or “led corporate rebrand resulting in 40% increase in positive media sentiment.” A polished cv example at this level can be the difference between securing a board-level interview or being overlooked.
General CV structure tips
Keep it clear, concise, and no longer than two pages.
Use consistent formatting with clear headings and bullet points.
Avoid jargon or generic clichés – tailor content to the role and company.
Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities.
Use action verbs such as “delivered,” “managed,” “secured,” and “achieved.”
The do’s and don’ts for a Public Relations Officer CV
Do’s:
Do tailor your CV for each application.
Do use quantifiable results where possible.
Do proofread carefully – typos are unacceptable in a communication professional’s CV.
Do include keywords from the job description to help with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Don’ts:
Don’t exaggerate achievements – employers will ask for examples.
Don’t use overly complex layouts that distract from content.
Don’t include irrelevant personal details such as age, marital status, or excessive hobbies.
Don’t submit a generic CV for multiple jobs – it’s always worth customising.
Final thoughts and encouragement
Your CV is your personal PR campaign – it must be clear, engaging, and persuasive. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for a senior role, presenting your skills and achievements with confidence is key to standing out. Remember, your CV is not just a piece of paper – it is your opportunity to open the door to interviews and exciting new career prospects. Investing time and effort into crafting a professional Public Relations Officer CV template is the smartest career decision you can make.
And if you’d like expert help, I’d love to support you personally. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of professionals create compelling CVs and LinkedIn profiles that truly reflect their value. Don’t leave your career to chance – book an appointment today to have your CV and LinkedIn profile transformed into powerful tools that land interviews.
👉 Book an appointment now and take the next step towards your dream Public Relations role.
