PR model or PR professional. Do you have the look?
Today in a Facebook group discussion, someone indicated that he/she had been told that he/she has “the look”, “the nice smile, friendly personality to be in Marketing or Public Relations”, and as such wondered “What should a PR/Marketing Professional portray and are we sometimes blinded by a look?
Now, when I saw this, my blood boiled. Why? Check it out in my response, and please… tell me what you think.
Me:
“I can’t help but feel insulted by the notion that having ‘the look’ is a criteria for being in the communications field. Surely, one must look professional for the work at hand, but things like a nice smile, and perhaps a glam look are surely not indicators in my book. Plus, friendliness is great, but really it’s more a matter of knowing how to treat with people especially in the most ticklish of situations. The mettle of a great communications professional is not tested at a social event or photo op; it’s when things get tough, and well this is where the inner qualities show what really matters.
Some people tend to call PR the beauty queen field (apart from the fact that we’ve had several beauty queens in PR, and so what if they want to be communicators they surely have that right). I interviewed a Public Affairs Manager in one of Trinidad’s top companies last year, and when I asked him about the type of communications his company engages in, his first response was that they don’t “do beauty queen PR”. This isn’t just a Trini notion, I read an article by Francis Wade (Jamaica) the other day, and he mentioned the beauty queen PR mentality that some people have. Long ago, you definitely felt like you had to look pretty for a PR job, because this is what was pushed. People tend to feel it’s a really glam field, but the truth is you do get down in the mud to work.
The real factors as to whether you can make it in the field include the tactical things like can you write, do you have great presentation skills, are you a good organiser, can you multitask etc? You also have to be analytical, strategic, and able to run with the punches when necessary, and you also need confidence and courage to deal with challenges etc.
You’ve got to understand the psyche of people and how they think. Public relations and marketing are multidisciplinary fields that demand so much more than a look.
Some people will continue to be blinded by ‘the look’. Others who are looking for excellent communications will dig deeper.”
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Comments
Karel, I think your response is great! Like Heidi, I am a student at the University of Oregon and I have always been told that talent is what is important in the field of PR. I have had only positive experience with the companies I have worked for. I learned from people who were hired because they’re talented PR professionals, not because they had the look. Also, your response about others who are looking for excellent communications will dig deeper. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Great post!
Heids and David, thanks for joining the discussion. like you say, public relations is a demanding profession, and some people get distracted by the tools, for example a write-up in a magazine or a great event, not realising that these tools hinge on strategy. So yes, the look might help you in the interview room, but it’s the brain and charisma that will cinch the deal.
Karel,
I’m a UWI grad. Excellent response. I never once considered PR and Marketing to be a job for a looker. I think its more a field where one resolves to work hard, use initiative, be creative and thinking. So for those who think that it’s a beauty queen job, I think the scare crows should get it. Keep out!
Karel,
I completely agree with the idea that people only see the tools, not the talent and intelligence it takes to be in the business. I can’t help but think that the PR profession has been glamourized and beautified by the reality tv world. Remember that show on MTV called PR Girls? It followed around 6, very young and very attractive PR women whilie they worked in the Hollywood scene. They were only shown planning parties for P Diddy and driving around in their BMWs.
Because of shows like this, I feel it is pretty obvious why some people (probably a younger demographic who watch shows like PR Girls) associate PR to pretty people.
Those who actually work in PR can attest to your views Karel.
Hi Karel,
I concur with all that you said.You also stated something that struck me hard and that I agree with 100%: “that you have to know people’s psyche, how they think.” In lieu of this, I was wondering if you would agree that acquiring my degree in Social Psychology would complement my PR training?
Deenie
Social psychology would be a definite asset. Some might say you don’t have to get a degree in it, but pursuing it academically is totally up to you.
Karel,
Have you ever seen an ugly publicist or PR professional yet? The fact of the matter is perception is reality and good looks and personality are cardinal in this business.
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Today in a Facebook group discussion, someone indicated that he/she had been told that he/she has “the look”, “the nice smile, friendly personality to be in Marketing or Public Relations”, and as such wondered “What should a PR/Marketing Professional portray and are we sometimes blinded by a look?”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
“Today in a Facebook group discussion, someone indicated that he/she had been told that he/she has “the look”, “the nice smile, friendly personality to be in Marketing or Public Relations” (maybe the person who told him/her was referring to a “guest relations officer” better known as the GRO, who’s work is similar to club entertainers) lol
Karel:
I couldn’t agree more with your response. I am nearing the end of my time at the University of Oregon after majoring in journalism with a concentration in public relations and there is much more to the career than a pretty face. Admittedly, rumor has it that attractive people are more likely to be hired that unattractive people, but I know for a fact after having several internships and conversations with public relations professionals that it is not a glamorous job. Sure, it has its moments, but I remember back in the beginning of my time at the U of O and one of my professors quickly addressed this issue with the class. He said that although people may have an idea of what PR was, it was mostly behind the scenes work. Work that you would be proud of to see the final product, but it is your job to see something through and stay behind the scenes. And I think that anyone who stuck with the PR track after that conversation really knew what they were getting themselves into.
Bravo to you.