Public Relations Specialists Go Back to List Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Word processing software

Tasks
	Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
	Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
	Confer with production or support personnel to produce or coordinate production of advertisements or promotions.
	Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.
	Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.
	Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
	Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals.
	Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
	Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.
	Purchase advertising space or time as required to promote client's product or agenda.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Knowledge
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
	Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $81,777.00 $39.32  $24.21  $27.71 - $48.12  Bridgeport/Stamford $81,704.00 $39.28  $23.71  $27.45 - $47.63  Danbury $85,058.00 $40.89  $25.91  $26.99 - $51.38  Hartford $81,413.00 $39.14  $24.22  $27.91 - $48.21  New Haven $84,913.00 $40.82  $26.02  $29.73 - $50.88  New London/Norwich $78,568.00 $37.77  $23.32  $25.92 - $43.79  Waterbury $66,429.00 $31.94  $20.05  $24.12 - $36.87  Torrington $77,509.00 $37.27  $21.86  $23.94 - $47.68

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   201   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, and the number of annual openings will offer very good job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.