Taking the step from in-house PR to agency life can be a worrying step.
Knowing how to make your first few weeks/months that little bit easier for yourself might just set you on your way to your dream career.
Here, our latest recruit for the B2B PR Team, Kerry – will run through top tips to nail your first few weeks in agency. After having two in-house roles at Kellogg’s and The Calico Group, Kerry will discuss the transition from in-house to agency life.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
As with any job it’s important to research the company you are joining. You might have done this for your interview, but refresh your mind on what the company stands for, its visions and values and key offerings.
If you know who your clients are then great, but if not – ask your manager before you even start. Research their websites, social media channels and search around for any relevant press coverage to get a feel for their brand and key messages.
Company websites will be really useful for when you come to write your own editorial for the client. You’ll start to pick up tone of voice, structure and who key spokespeople are. Even though it’ll take you a while to perfect, it’s best to do your groundwork as soon as possible.
ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS
Remember at school, when teachers said, “there’s no such thing as a silly question”? Well, that’s very true in your first couple of weeks – beside the common-sense stuff! You’re on a learning curve and asking lots of questions – even the “silly” ones – will help you to understand your clients and role more each day.
You can’t do the job properly if you don’t ask for help when you need it!
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK – AND TIME
In PR, there can be a lot to take in, like with any new job. The information won’t always sink in overnight and that’s okay.
A press release might have taken you 30 minutes in your old job, but it might take you a couple of hours at your new one – but that’s understandable as there is new information to digest and learn.
Things take time in your first couple weeks and your team will understand that. Even the simple tasks like navigating the folders system can be difficult to get your head around.
So, don’t be too harsh on yourself, it’ll all come in time.
GET STUCK IN WITH SOCIALS
Agencies tend to be very sociable places – so get stuck in. Friday drinks, organised socials, lunch runs to the shops, even just a walk around the block at lunch with your colleagues. Go! Join in with the fun.
They provide a great opportunity to get to know your team members, even those you may not work with directly day to day. And you’ll be likely to make some great friends for life!
REMEMBER TO SWITCH OFF
It’s not possible all of the time, but in your first couple of weeks it’s so important that – once you leave the office – you give yourself time to switch off. Get the early nights in, get into a routine and rest up; it will make you far more productive in the long run!
GET ORGANISED ASAP
Organisation doesn’t come easy to everyone.
Get a shiny new diary, a notepad, a to do list, sticky notes or a spreadsheet – whichever is best for you – and use them! It’s a great way to keep on top of your tasks and ensure you’re ticking them off each day.
MAKE MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS A PRIORITY
Agency is a really proactive environment and it’s good to have a real breadth of knowledge of different industry news titles and journalists. Get used to creating media lists, asking colleagues for hints and tips on who is best to contact, and discovering your client’s key titles.
Gorkana, or other similar media databases, will be your best friend in order to search for the right media contacts and publications that will really benefit you and your clients. Then it’s all about making genuine, lasting relationships with the media!
PLAN YOUR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
There’s nothing wrong with being proactive about your development, in-fact your managers will likely encourage it. Most employers will offer training and development schemes for staff and you should ask around for what’s available or look on your company website. PR Agency One offer so much training and development schemes to their staff and there really is nothing cheeky about looking into how you can develop yourself at the company.
Agency life is so much fun and a great step no matter what stage of your career you’re at. If you want to find out more about opportunities at PR Agency One, please visit our careers page.
(If you’re reading this and just want tips on how to get your first job in PR, whether that’s in-house or agency, take a look here.)
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