From PRSA: 4 Resume and Career Tips for Healthcare PR Professionals

Ben GarrettUncategorized

(This is a re-post from PRSA Jobcenter: http://www.prsa.org/jobcenter/job_seekers/job_search_tips/ )

4 Resume and Career Tips for Healthcare PR Professionals

By Ben Garrett

Chief Get It Done Officer, Ben Garrett Group

Ben Garrett is an award-winning TV producer with more than 33 years of experience in broadcast public relations, and an innovator in healthcare communications on the web.

At his own company, the Ben Garrett Group, he develops national TV shows like “Coffee With America” as well as serving a diverse group of clients including Health Media Network, the fastest growing point of care media company in the U.S., the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Regeneron, among others.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Ben to learn more about what a PR professional entering or in the healthcare realm should have on their resume and experiences they should have attained.

  • What type of tasks might they need to have accomplished? (both for pre-professionals and mid to senior level)

“Because healthcare PR is so specific and often about patient advocacy, it would help to understand how the applicant has a personal connection to the health system, why this is a passion of theirs, volunteer work they may have done in the past, or courses or training they have had that relate to healthcare or patient care, not just PR practice.”

  • What tools and technology should they know?

“Powerpoint, Keynote (Apple version), basic html, WordPress, maybe rudimentary knowledge of multimedia audio and video, Microsoft Office.”

  • What skillsets should they have?

“Strong writing and communications skills, public speaking ability is a plus, the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines, being a self-starter.”

  • Are there any detailed work experiences that would be prudent to someone getting the job?

“Healthcare PR experience is obviously nice to have as a background, but many forms of PR translate well to healthcare PR, whether tech or public policy, pitching media or working in media, healthcare advocacy, website, mobile or social media experience, speechwriting, event organizing and management, etc.”