By Cassy van Eeden

What should your CV include? And how do you make sure you stand out from the rest? What should you avoid? Who better to answer these questions than the people who are currently hiring in the industry.

It’s a press release, so write it

As Stacey Bossenger, director of Ad Talent recruitment agency, puts it, you should think of your public relations CV as a press release about you. Consider what a good press release should look like and then apply these principals to your CV.

Darren Sandras, director of PR agency One-Eyed Jack, suggests that you think of your CV as a story pitch to a busy journalist who wades through mountains of press releases every day. “How would you ensure that journalist reads you release and wants to publish your story? Apply that same thinking to sending your CV to a potential employer.”

Consultant at Viv Gordon Placements, Tamara Wolpert, explains that, “A big part of any PR job is writing. For this reason, it is extremely important that you CV is well-written [and] error free.”

One of the primary objectives of a press release is to motivate using the written word. “The ability [that] a candidate has to motivate their employment will set a PR CV apart from the rest,” explains Monique Horwitz, senior account manager at Eclipse PR.

Make it personal

If you have any experience in the PR industry, you will know that ‘spraying and praying’ does not pay off. The same applies with you CV and cover letter. Sending out a generic email with a CV that isn’t fitted to the position you are applying for, is not effective.

“You should always tailor your CV to the company and position you’re applying for,” says Lauren Volmink, director of Atmosphere. “Do your research, use the company’s online presence to get a feel for its culture, tone and personality and craft your application accordingly.”

Another aspect of your CV that should be adapted to suit the position you are applying for is the experience that you include. “Match your experience and skills to the vacancy requirements and explain why you would be an asset,” says Bossenger.

“If you choose to include an ‘objective’ in your CV, ensure that the objective refers to the job you are applying for,” says Wolpert.

Your CV is your first impression

You want your first impression (your CV and cover letter) to demonstrate that you are the perfect candidate for the job. This is why your CV needs to include examples of the work you have done in the areas that the job requires.

“I would suggest listing the variety of your writing experience,” says Wolpert. “If you are an event organiser, then list the type of events you have been responsible for and their size.” It is also important to list the clients you have worked on and any awards or accolades you have received.

“Remember, you are applying for a job where you will either be the face of the company or the companies clients, so you will be judged on how you present yourself,” says Wolpert.

Do you recruit PR professionals? What do you look for in a job applicant’s CV? Let us know in the comments below.