Finding the right job in PR, a competitive job sector, can be difficult; here are some tips to give you the edge.

Are you qualified?

While a PR degree isn't a necessary qualification to work in the sector, you might want to consider this area of study if you're fully committed to working in public relations.

Work experience will strengthen your CV considerably and also give you a taster of how PR agencies operate on a day to day basis.

Put some thought into where your skills lie. You need to be interested in the news agenda and the world around you, have good communication skills, be creative, work well under pressure and be a good multi-tasker to succeed in the public relations sector.

Applying for PR jobs

Search online and in newspapers for jobs in the sector, and upload your CV to as many hosting sites as you can so that employers can find you. Your CV should be tailored to highlight relevant previous experience and background; writing pages and pages of info that won't be of any interest to employers could count against you.

Bering pro-active can also pay off. Do some research on PR agencies that you'd like to work with and send them your CV and a detailed covering letter explaining exactly why you'd like to work there and why you'd be a good addition to the company, even if they're not actively recruiting – you never know, you might be just what they're looking for.

Preparing for interview

Make sure you do your research on the company that you are interviewing with before you go on your interview; your interviewer will want to know why you're interested in the role and the company, and a bit of background knowledge will make it clear that you're truly interested in the job.

If you're unfamiliar with the area that the offices are based in, it's a good idea to take a dry run of your route before the day of the interview to avoid last minute pitfall.

Take some time to think about the kind of questions you're likely to be asked and draft some answers. This could prove particularly useful when it comes to more difficult to answer questions such as 'What do you feel your weaknesses are?' and 'Why do you want to leave your current job?'

Enthusiasm is key – convey that you're committed to working in PR and it will boost your chances of success.