A Public Relations Cover Letter is written by individuals applying for a public relations job to let the recruiter or potential employer know they have the required qualifications to be the best fit for the open position.
A recruiter will be looking for a well-written letter that clearly illustrates your strengths as a potential employee. Also, they want to see a clear indication of your suitability for the public relations job in terms of skills, PR qualifications, and experience as well as how these qualities make you a suitable candidate. The letter should also show notable achievements and the reason why you are interested in the job and company.
A company’s public relations are responsible for representing the company in the media and to the public. They are tasked with planning and directing information and activities that maintain and improve the company’s image/brand. Therefore, a public relations cover letter can be termed as a test for the task at hand to the applicants. If they can adequately sell themselves in the cover letter, it is a sign they can replicate the same for their employer.
Free Templates
As a professional in the field of public relations, you understand the importance of effective communication and the impact it can have on your organization’s image. These templates provide a convenient and efficient way to craft compelling PR cover letters that grab attention, convey your message clearly, and help you maintain positive relationships with stakeholders. By utilizing these templates, you can save valuable time, ensure consistency, and present yourself as a polished PR professional.
How to Write an Excellent Public Relations Cover Letter
As a public relations employee, excellent writing skills are equally important as speaking skills. The cover letter should therefore reflect this. You should aim to keep the letter informative and engaging. The steps outlined in this article below can be used to create a professional public relations cover letter.
Step 1: Header
The first element of the cover letter is the header. The header is used to identify who wrote the letter and who they were addressing it to. To this effect, consider writing down the following information.
Include your personal information
Start the header by providing personal details that the hiring manager can use to identify who you are. Write down your full name, job title (public relations officer in this case), and contact details. Provide a physical address, valid phone number, email, or LinkedIn profile URL as contact details. Ensure the mailing address shows the street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
Date
A cover letter has to be dated. Indicate the exact date when you wrote the letter by stating the day, month, and year. It is an official record of the hiring process and can be used for reference, hence the need for a date.
Hiring manager’s details
The letter should then show the details of the hiring manager. Start by stating their full name, then his or her position in the company, which can be hiring manager, HR manager, or chair of the recruiting committee, etc. Then state the name of the company at which you are seeking a job, then write down its physical mailing address that shows the street address, city, and state where it is located.
Step 2: Introduction
The next step is writing the introduction. A well-written cover letter will have an introduction outlining the following items.
Salutation
Provide a formal salutation that directly addresses the hiring manager directly in the format “Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms” followed by the recruiter’s name. Try to avoid using a generic salutation; if you do not know the name of the hiring manager, take a step to find out.
Briefly introduce yourself
You should then introduce yourself next. Write a brief introduction of at least three sentences that lets the recruiter know who you are, assures him or her you are qualified for the position and the best person for the same. This can be done by highlighting a specific key job description requirement you meet and a notable achievement you have had in your previous job(s).
Briefly state why you’re interested
The introduction should reflect your interest in the job. Do not hold back from communicating that you believe you are suitable for the position, and the cover letter shall be in support of this claim.
tip
In case you are starting off in public relations, do not attempt to provide false information. Instead, state your passion, interest in the organization, and a press release or conference by the company that caught your attention. Stating that someone in the company referred the job is also acceptable.
Step 3: Body
The third step is crafting the body of the cover letter. The body is the core of the letter; this is where you prove to the recruiter that you are the best fit for the position. This is achieved by highlighting your experience, matching your skills to the job requirements, and showcasing your most notable accomplishments in PR. This can be done in one or two paragraphs.
List your PR accomplishments
State accomplishments in your previous jobs have helped you grow as a person and as a PR officer. The accomplishments are not limited to professional and academic accomplishments; consider non-public related, college, volunteering, certifications, and internship accomplishments. As much as possible, align these achievements with the job requirements. Outline any PR-related success stories you have had in the past; for example, if you managed to increase the social media engagements of your previous employer, declare it. Make sure you quantify success if possible; numbers are more intriguing to employers.
Emphasize your PR skills
Once the accomplishments have been exhausted, outline your core skills (hard and soft skills). Some of the common skills associated with a PR job description are;
- Content curation
- Social channel development
- Blogging
- Social media management
- Marketing communications
- Social media releases
- Digital marketing
- Project management
- Relationship building
- Brand management
- Event planning
- Networking
- Brand communications Account management
- Client relations
- Copy editing
- Business storytelling
- Press releases
- Strategy development
- Strategic planning
- Copywriting
- Speech writing
Illustrating how the skills you possess can be beneficial to the company can go a long way in persuading the recruiter that they can use your services, so try as much as possible to align your skills with the job description.
tip
When writing a cover letter, ensure to show enthusiasm and a deep understanding of the job. This, combined with illustrating how the mentioned skills have value to the company, can be a significant selling point.
Step 4: Conclusion
The last step in writing a public relations cover letter is providing a conclusion. A conclusion should sum up the letter by providing the following information.
Call to action
Let the hiring manager know that you would like to hear from them and that you are excited about the probability of joining their team. Invite them to read your resume and request an interview. You should then provide them with a valid phone number or email address they can use to reach out.
Thank the employer/hiring manager for their time and consideration
Also, thank the hiring manager for going through your letter. This polite gesture can appeal to them on a more personal level which might boost your chances of getting the job. You can also restate the value you bring to the company.
Sign off
Finally, close off the letter by providing a complimentary close. Follow this up with a signature and your name.
Tips for Writing a Good Public Relations Cover Letter
To persuade the hiring manager you are the best fit for the job, you need to write an outstanding cover letter that sets you apart from the lot. If incorporated into the writing process, the following tips can improve the quality of your letter.
Match your cover letter with your resume
Design your cover letter to match the format used in your resume. Use consistent fonts, margins, and setup.
Show strong communication skills
Communication skills are vital in PR. This is one area you want to sell yourself as being a pro. The cover letter should clearly indicate your written and verbal communication skills are top-notch.
Use industry-specific keywords
Most employers will use automated applicant tracking systems to review cover letters and resumes before going through them themselves. Therefore, it is important to ensure you use PR-specific keywords used in the job advertisement to boost your chances against their search engines.
Do your research
Doing thorough research on the company, its goals, vision, and mission can help you in crafting a public relation cover letter that aligns with the company’s needs which is a positive in the recruitment process.
Always follow up on applications and interviews
Just because you haven’t had a response since you sent your application, it does not mean you should give up. Always follow up and remind the hiring manager of your continued interest in the position. This might result in you getting the job; follow-ups help you to stand out.
Be active in showcasing your skills and accomplishments
Try focusing on accomplishments you were actively involved in. This is more impressive than listing facts or certifications.
Be specific
Be specific with the information you give in the letter. Also, ensure the letter is specific to the job you are applying for. Avoid using the same cover letter for every application you send.
Find a way to stand out
Write your letter to be unique and stand out from the multiple letters the hiring manager will review.
Prioritize your experience section
Provide experiences that are relevant to the position at hand. Stuffing the cover letter with unrelated experiences might do more harm than good.
Keep it concise
Keep the letter brief. One page will normally be sufficient for people with less than ten years experience.
Quantify your achievements
When providing achievements, try to quantify them as much as possible.
EXAMPLE
As a PR officer at Laudale Ltd, my team and I were able to improve the company’s brand rankings from position 65 to 40 on the Ohio Most Sought After sneaker shop list in one year. Or Being the PR manager at Brixton Talent agency, I was able to boost customer engagements by 30% across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which saw more attendees to our annual talent events.
Sample Letter
Sample
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Public Relations position at Innovate Communications. With a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and three years of experience in a fast-paced PR agency, I have developed a robust skill set that I believe aligns perfectly with the requirements of your team.
In my current role at Dynamic PR Solutions, I spearheaded several high-profile campaigns, demonstrating my ability to manage complex projects and deliver results under tight deadlines. I have a proven track record of developing innovative strategies that significantly increased brand visibility and media engagement for our clients. My technical skills include expertise in digital analytics tools like Google Analytics and social media management platforms such as Hootsuite, which I’ve utilized to track campaign performance and optimize strategies for maximum impact.
I am particularly drawn to the innovative approach Innovate Communications takes towards public relations. Your recent campaign for EcoTech Industries was impressive in its creative use of digital media to build a compelling narrative. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my own creative ideas and technical skills to your team.
I am confident that my background in crafting and executing strategic communications plans, along with my ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving PR landscape, makes me a suitable candidate for this position. I am eager to bring my passion for public relations and my commitment to excellence to Innovate Communications.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you in more detail.
Sincerely,
Jordan Smith
Analysis
The provided cover letter is a useful example of a public relations position application, showcasing several commendable qualities. It opens with a clear statement of intent, succinctly informing the reader about the specific position being applied for. The writer skillfully highlights relevant qualifications and experience, lending credibility to their application. More impressively, the letter details specific achievements and expertise in technical tools like Google Analytics and Hootsuite, demonstrating the candidate’s practical skills and ability to deliver tangible results.
The letter also reflects the writer’s awareness and appreciation of the company’s work, as seen in the mention of a recent company campaign, showing a genuine interest in and alignment with the company’s values and objectives. The professional yet enthusiastic tone strikes the perfect balance for a public relations role, concluding with a polite invitation for further discussion. Additionally, the use of a fictitious personal name adds a touch of relatability and realism to the letter.
Collectively, these elements create a compelling and effective cover letter, showcasing the candidate’s suitability for the role in public relations.
Dos and Dont’s for Writing a Public Relations Cover Letter
Before crafting a public relations cover letter, take into consideration the following do’s and don’ts of writing the letter:
- Do spend time perfecting your opening statement
Always take your time when coming up with the opening statement. A perfect opening statement must intrigue the hiring manager and encourage them to proceed with reading the cover letter. - Do spend time perfecting your opening statement
Always take your time when coming up with the opening statement. A perfect opening statement must intrigue the hiring manager and encourage them to proceed with reading the cover letter. - Don’t get caught up in tangents
Avoid including irrelevant details. Remain focused on the job at hand and why you believe you are the best person for the position. - Don’t be afraid to try some different formatting to your letter
Customize the cover letter format in a way that will make it stand out. For example, use bullet points when outlining skills and accomplishments to make the letter more legible.
Final Thoughts
Public relations cover letter is an opportunity for applicants to market themselves to the hiring manager by outlining the value they bring to the company and their suitability for the position. A standard cover letter will contain a header, salutation, introduction, accomplishments, experience, skills, and a call to action. Since it is supposed to be a brief outline of why you are suitable for the position, one page will usually be enough.
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