Your curriculum vitae is likely your first contact with a hiring manager, so it is important to make it stand out among all the rest if you want to land an interview and eventually get the job. An effective CV will explain why you are an ideal candidate in the most concise way possible by highlighting your skills and experience. This writing guide will help you craft a document much like this press officer CV example but with your own details included.
123 Fake Street, City, State, Zip Code
E: email@email.com P: 000-000-0000
Productive, well-organized press officer with 10 years of experience managing public relations for small and large corporations. Expert at coaching individuals for interacting with the public and the media. Excel at writing press releases, news briefs, and web copy.
- In-depth knowledge of sales and marketing, including strategy, product and service demonstration, ad copy, client follow up, and database and CRM software.
- Negotiation and public speaking, both one on one and in a group setting.
- Client coaching.
- Interviewing.
- Videography and photography.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving.
- Relationship building and networking.
- Technological skills, including HTML, CSS, WordPress, project management software, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Develop branding and press materials for each year’s festival.
- Manage a team of three writers and two visual designers.
- Arrange press conferences leading up to each festival.
- Distribute press releases to local and regional media, and follow up to ensure an appropriate level of media coverage for each event.
- Coordinate behind-the-scenes media tours and pre-festival events.
- Create, update, and manage media contacts database.
- Initiate and foster relationships with journalists, local officials, and community members to promote a positive, community-oriented festival environment.
- Managed social media campaigns on various platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Grew organization’s Facebook engagement by 5,000 percent and Twitter following by 3,000 percent.
- Spearheaded local outreach program by coordinating town-hall-style meetings in upcoming ports to get local schools and community organizations excited about the arrival of the historic tall ships.
- Started the “Rig Climbing Challenge” fundraiser, which supported vessel-related living-history education for local 4th and 5th graders for three consecutive years.
- Created internal and external communications, including volunteer newsletter, staff newsletter, and press releases.
- Liaised with local media to coordinate coverage of special events, including Zoo Camp, Safari Sleepovers, Dinner with the Beasts annual fundraiser, and animal acquisitions and births.
- Designed outreach materials for public events, public educational opportunities, and field trip programs.
- Created press releases for fundraising and educational events.
- Shadowed local and regional media personalities when covering Children’s Outreach events.
I enjoy history and participate in local historical reenactments every summer. I volunteer my time with local non-profits, writing press releases and doing some pro bono coaching before media events. I have also been known to write free web copy, social media campaigns, and video scripts for crowd-funding campaigns that I believe in.
Press Officer Job Overview and Tips
What Does a Press Officer Do?
As a press officer, otherwise known as a public relations specialist, your job will be to manage and promote the public image of an individual or a company. You may do this by writing press releases, coordinating press conferences, coaching people in how to interact with the media, and networking with members of the community and the press. You may also need to prepare various types of documentation for the company or the press, as well as manage website content. Emphasize your communications, computer, and people skills in the same manner that the above press officer CV example does. You should also highlight your writing and public speaking experience.
Tips for Creating a Great Press Officer CV
Keep the following tips in mind as you create your press officer CV:
- Your Professional Summary is the most important section on your CV because if it does not hook the reader, you may be passed over before the entire document is read. This is especially true if you do not have direct experience in the job you are applying for. Be sure to use this section to highlight your most relevant public relations skills and accomplishments, and be specific.
- List your specific technical skills, including software brands with which you have experience. Also, mention any graphic design, photography, or related skills you may have.
- Emphasize accomplishments and measurable results, not just daily duties. Use bullet points to define your work experience, and lead each point with an action word such as managed, created, developed, coordinate, and oversee.
- Do not list your reasons for leaving previous jobs. This is best discussed in person, and only if you are asked.
- Do not write about yourself in the third person.
We can help you build your professional CV
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