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How to start a PR career during a pandemic

April 19, 2022

The time between the start of the pandemic to now has undoubtedly been very challenging for many, if not all, across the world. Career prospects have fluctuated within this time. For those embarking on a career in healthtech PR, this has made it sometimes difficult to know where to start. I started working at FINN Partners in July of 2021 after finishing several temp jobs and finishing up my Master’s degree, all while COVID restrictions were still unclear. After going through my fair share of trials and errors, here are my tips to help you regain momentum in your job search.

  1. Make connections

In this current climate, it is vital to take (or create) opportunities to improve your knowledge and gather the information you need to make informed decisions about your career. Getting in contact with a PR professional who can discuss their direct experiences is especially valuable nowadays. This can not only be a great chance to network with those in your chosen field but can also help boost your self-confidence in a time of general uncertainty. You may gain valuable insights into changes that have taken place in how businesses operate; this advice and insight will mean you are better informed as you navigate the current job market.

  1. Upskill

Recruiters and employers are always looking for candidates with new ideas and fresh perspectives to apply to their PR strategies and overall business. Taking up a new interest or developing a new skill that can be transferable to your role as a PR professional is one way to stand out as a candidate. Whether it is dabbling in stock trading, starting your own small business, or gaining social media popularity, anything that helps you to stand out from the sea of other PR candidates can give you a competitive edge.

Even if your new hobby may seem irrelevant to your career goals, any opportunity to improve your knowledge, for example in different areas of the media landscape, will always be beneficial for professional development.

  1. Go back to school

There are many personal and professional benefits to furthering your education and during a career lull, a return to university is a productive way to make the most use of free time. It will also impress potential employers and recruiters when they see how you’ve chosen to take advantage of this time.

Employers like to see that candidates can adapt to changing circumstances and that they make good use of their time. Going back to school, or even taking up an online certification, shows the drive and determination employers want in a PR professional.

  1. Take time to reflect

Despite times having been very tough, the situation has given us pause for thought. As the world slowed down, it offered us the chance to think about – or reconsider – our lives and what we choose to do with them. Taking time to reflect can help reignite your passion for PR and improve your overall understanding of it. Showing this passion and knowledge can be just what employers need to consider you over another candidate. This time may also encourage you to pursue other interests as well. Whichever direction you choose, self-reflection is important and can help bring clarity and purpose to your career search and overall goals in life.